PROBLEM
Elderly people are especially vulnerable to social isolation. 45% of people over the age of 74 reported feelings of loneliness. This issue has been further aggravated by the pandemic. Social isolation can lead to an increase in health issues including dementia, heart disease, and stroke, and may rival smoking and obesity as a cause of premature death.
PROPOSAL
Pobail is a community street installation with an important and meaningful purpose. The aim of the installation is to promote social engagement through activity by utilising existing infrastructure in residential areas to make use of unused space for gardening.
RESEARCH
A gardening club is group of both novice and experienced gardeners who have come together to garden in the local area. They contribute to the community in the upkeep of the appearance and maintenance of the local area. This can provide a sense to accomplishment and belonging to the participants, as well as the health and social benefits that come with the outdoor activity.
DEFINED BRIEF
To design an accessible instillation that assists elderly people to garden in a community space.
CONCEPT GENERATION
There was a focus on using existing infrastructure, such as walls, posts or bollards, to create an installation that was more feasible and easier to implement.
Lampposts are so familiar in residential areas, and they are often overlooked. The vertical column provides no other function other than holding the light. This raised the question of how can we utilise this unused space to make the area accessible for elderly gardeners?
FINAL CONCEPT
The circular flower bed would be dug out around a lamppost, surrounded by a kneeler which allows users to reach the flower bed without bending down. Support handles attach to the lamppost, to aid users in standing back up and reduce the risks of falling. The seating encourages people walking by to stop and rest, creating a space for people to socialise outdoors.
CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE
Pobail will use natural materials since this is important to users in outdoor environments. The handles will be made from bent steel tubing. The seat will be made of the mouded cork part with a steel frame.
The kneeler and seat will be made from cork, due to its renewable, compressible, durable, and impermeable properties. Granulated cork will be mixed with a soft-polyurethane binder and moulded in a hydraulic platen press.
The kneeler and seat will be made from cork, due to its renewable, compressible, durable, and impermeable properties. Granulated cork will be mixed with a soft-polyurethane binder and moulded in a hydraulic platen press.
PROTOTYPING
1:10 Scale Model
Full Scale Prototype
OBJECTIVES AND ATTRIBUTES
1. Pobail aims to decrease social isolation by allowing people to socialise at their own pace. Unlike a retirement club, there is no formal joining or membership involved. Informal social interactions are the most important way to prevent loneliness, and Pobail intends to prolong these casual interactions, while also promote group activity and help build relationships in a way that is natural and meaningful.
2. Pobail is designed to be accessible for people with a range of physical abilities, through different ways of interacting with the installation. Seat dimensions, such as height and depth, are chosen based on the needs of those with physical limitations.
3. Broken Window Theory states that more attractive places are less prone to vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. Therefore, there was a focus on creating an aesthetic installation that communicates a sense of shared ownership, and that members of the community can take pride in.
4. Pobail can act as a space in the community for intergenerational contact, where older people can pass on their experience and teach others to garden.
5. Pobail is designed to be easily installed and disassembled if maintenance is needed on the lamppost.
6. Pobail promotes gardening, a physical activity which can contribute to health improvements.
7. Pobail is designed to be made in a workshop, utilising local manufacturing to benefit the community at all levels of the value chain.
2. Pobail is designed to be accessible for people with a range of physical abilities, through different ways of interacting with the installation. Seat dimensions, such as height and depth, are chosen based on the needs of those with physical limitations.
3. Broken Window Theory states that more attractive places are less prone to vandalism and other anti-social behaviour. Therefore, there was a focus on creating an aesthetic installation that communicates a sense of shared ownership, and that members of the community can take pride in.
4. Pobail can act as a space in the community for intergenerational contact, where older people can pass on their experience and teach others to garden.
5. Pobail is designed to be easily installed and disassembled if maintenance is needed on the lamppost.
6. Pobail promotes gardening, a physical activity which can contribute to health improvements.
7. Pobail is designed to be made in a workshop, utilising local manufacturing to benefit the community at all levels of the value chain.
