Design
The design strategy that I gravitated towards is sustainability, specifically in the built environment in Hong Kong. I based my design on the sustainability framework which consists of three pillars: environment, social and economic. I decided that I wanted my focus to be primarily on the environment as well as social in terms of culture. I explored the concept of up-cycling materials that could also distinctly be expressive of Hong Kong’s culture. I started to look into the visual landscape of Hong Kong and the materials/textures that are associated with intangible culture. I instinctively gravitated towards bamboo scaffolding seen among the construction sites of Hong Kong. The distinctive construction method of bamboo scaffolding is rarely seen in other places in the world and paired with the green mesh, it is a symbol of Hong Kong’s urban landscape.
The product I have created is a deployable badminton net made up of construction materials such as bamboo used for scaffolding and mesh used to cover buildings. The intention of the product was to respond to the lack of circular economy in the construction industry as well as allow citizens of Hong Kong to have access for recreation with the lack of space or venue opportunities. Through the process of choosing the design strategy of environmental and social sustainability, investigation of the Hong Kong urban landscape and researching as well as prototyping designs I was able to create my realised product.
Environmental sustainability is met through using unconventional materials and repurposing it to create a deployable structure. Construction materials, specifically for scaffolding, are not readily recyclable due to their supposed specific uses. If the bamboo was damaged or if the green mesh was torn the materials will not be allowed due to safety reasons therefore wasting the materials. Although these materials maybe aesthetically damaged they can be repurposed for architectural structures as the bamboo and green mesh is very durable and is very flexible. Hence there is a great opportunity to use the abundance of used construction materials to create something new.
Social sustainability is met through promoting the unique culture of Hong Kong’s method of constructing buildings as well as having the idea to promote citizen social activity through making the function of the structure as a deployable badminton net. As previously mentioned, the deployable structure materials used has cultural connotations of the urban landscape, making it unique for Hong Kongers and makes it a celebration of our culture. Also, the function of the product will respond to Hong Kong’s specific problem of a lack of space for informal recreation. The structure will also be easily assembled further providing incentive to play in more convenient places such as public spaces.