KUKI

Research and design of modular biomaterial ceiling tiles to actively filter indoor air toxins in the home.

 
 

PROCESS

Biomaterial Research
Prototyping Materials
Material Testing
2D & 3D Design
System Design


DATE

Sept 2019 - Dec 2019

PARTNERS

Natalie Kerres, Co-Designer

 

KUKI Material Experiments

 
 

OVERVIEW

CHALLENGE

Indoor air pollutants have gained little attention in public conversation - however - indoor air is often more harmful than outdoor air. This is often due to using chemical-based materials and household products without spaces having proper ventilation systems.

How might we actively and continuously filter air pollutants in the indoor environment, without using chemicals or energy to do so?

OUTCOME

Kuki is a modular ceiling tile designed to fit seamlessly and unobtrusively into the home. Created from new compositions of organic and natural materials tested in lab conditions to ensure a valid filtration system.

KUKI Biomaterial Sample

KUKI Biomaterial Sample

 

INSIGHT & OPPORTUNITY

Indoor air can be 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Although there are ways in which we can try to filter indoor air, many of them require a lot of maintenance from the user and take up space, aesthetics of the home.

How can we create a material which can actively and continuously filter indoor air pollutants without infiltrating everyday life in the home? The ceiling is an underused space in the home that can take up a large surface area for greater filtration impact without impacting day to day life in the home.

 
 

Material Samples

 
 

PROCESS

By experimenting with a variety of biomaterials known to actively filter indoor air pollutants, we were able to build a database of research and test results for how successful materials would be for developing a stable but lightweight structure to fit in the home.

 
Development from 2D to 3D tile form

Development from 2D to 3D tile form

 

DESIGN

The module design is inspired by a replica fossil of one of the first known tree barks which filtered the air. Through the development of 2D- 3D we were able to create a modular tile that is repeatable in a variety of formations for the home.

 
 
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