Plant Storage Research

Inspiration and Ideas Two

> Sucker-footed bat has suction hands that cling to non-porous surfaces

> Aardvark digs its claws into the bark to cling  onto trees and obtain foot through its nose

Inspiration and Ideas ONE

> A wasps nest, the clay like material which sticks itself to any surface

> Snow Peas, small pods which share a nutrient/water system

> Cactus, multiple spikes which send water to the plant

An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth is a 2006 documentary film narrated by Al Gore and tells the story of his heart felt campaign against global warming. All industrial designers should watch this film as it warns us of the effects of excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. As designers, we are responsible for producing products that are environmentally friendly and ensuring they do not harm the planet in any stage of its life cycle. 

The main points from this film I found most compelling are as follows:

> The most vulnerable part of the earths ecological system is the atmosphere and we ARE capable of changing its composition

> Carbon dioxide emissions, today, are above the normal variation cycle, in less than 50 years the carbon emissions will be even more catastrophic. Data has been collected dating back from 650,000 years

> The 10 hottest years on record have occurred in the last 14 years

> The ocean is also warming up, outside the natural variation and this is causing more storms and more damage to societies around the world

> Global warming unevenly redistributes flooding and drought, this can not be predicted anymore

> Ocean becomes more dense as the water evaporation increases and the water becomes saltier

> 30 new diseases in the last quarter century

> Coral reefs are bleaching and many fish species are dying off

> The sea level will rise 20 feet if the west Antarctic land shelf melts

>  The US is responsible for 30% of the worlds carbon emissions

>  Doing the right thing will create wealth, the misconception that you have to chose between the planet and economy is bull

>  We already have the technology and scientific knowledge to effectively address this problem

Existing Plant Storage

> Multiple small singular pots kept close to windows or on the window sill

> Multi-purpose planter boxes which reduce storage space needed

> Wall gardens, small containers attached to any wall, also called vertical gardens

> Hanging plants, usually small plants with low maintenance 

> Stacked or multi-level planters or pots, this trend allows for many plants and contained to one specific area

> Moveable/non-permanent planter boxes must be able to be taken down so they can be filed with fresh soil or cleaned

> In medium to high density housing, the complexes are usually rented so the plants must be taken with the resident when moving

Medium/High Density Housing

The most unsuitable places for plant storage in medium/high density housing include:
- Inside the house due to a lack of windows
- Inside the house because floor space is scarce
- On window sills, due to close proximity of fences and neighbours these act as dark holes


From my research I determined the most suitable/desired places for plant storage:
- Along timber fences
- Timber railings
- Brick walls
These not so aesthetic areas of the house would like to be improved with plant storage

Studio 2a

Plant Storage Needs:


- Consumer preferences for wall or hanging pots
- Multiple sizes for small to large plant options
- Keep plants off the floor
- Preferred areas for plants: brick walls, wood panels and railings