The brief was to apply SPD principles and Design for Environment practices to the design of a product, which should address one or more of the UN sustainable Development Goals. The resulting product, was a personal heating device, which harvests waste thermal energy from household appliances and redirects it towards the user in an efficient manner. The product caters to the social need for a low-cost, sustainable personal heater created by the unfolding energy crisis, rise in fuel poverty, and consequential impact on the nation’s health and wellbeing.
A comparative LCA seen this product possess a significantly reduced environmental impact during the use and disposal phase, when benchmarked against space heaters. 'TerraWarm' has a clear social need and positive social impact, with no other product offering effective personal heating to combat fuel poverty and its negative impacts, whilst incurring no direct energy costs.
This complete design project, took a product from concept through to prototype manufacture using a variety of design tools. Environmental tools such as eco design portfolio, Eco indicator, LCIA, spider diagrams and Cost benefit implemented. These were conducted alongside traditional design methods at various stages to aid concept development, selection and evaluation of the validity of the product.
Initial Concept Ideas
Selected Concept for Prototype
Final CAD
Storyboard for product use
