KŌDEN is the top award winning thesis of the Industrial Design Program, OCAD University 2017
More and more, we are finding millennials living in compact living spaces, most likely with roommates or family members. By splitting housing costs and avoiding home ownership, co-living has become a means for alleviating financial pressure while preserving the benefits of city dwelling. Despite these benefits, co-living can cause personal activities to suffer as social dynamics influence daily rituals. Our behavioral reflexes within shared spaces can often hinder activities in the areas of work, play and privacy. The result is an environment that does not allow people to truly thrive.
KŌDEN is a solution to personal well-being within shared spaces through a system consisting of room dividers and ambient controlling technology. KŌDEN supports better relationships between roommates by giving dwellers more freedom to conduct various work, play, and private activities within their shared home. With better means to these tasks, greater harmony is created within the micro-community and roommates can work towards better relationships.
Dividers
The dividers provide control over the physical use of space. The combination of sturdy steel and soft, sound-dampening fabrics create a functional and aesthetic design meant for the home. Toolless assembly and light weight components allow the design to be easily set up and altered for different future uses.
Ambient Projector
With the use of digital sound and audio experiences, KŌDEN can instantly change the quality of a rooms ambiance. KODEN’s Ambient Projector transforms small spaces through light and sound. The wifi-enabled device gives habitants full control over the ambient experience. At the tap of a screen, users can fill the immediate area with full spectrum LED and HD audio. From dim lights and rain sounds for relaxation, to pulsing lights with high energy music, this connected device creates dynamic environments tailored to different co-living situations within the home.
Technology Demonstration Video
(Please watch with audio)
Audio plays a critical role in constructing the ideal environment. The ambient projector is programmed with focus and sleep sounds; rain water, campfires, birds whistling, white noise, and more. These ambient sounds help to drown out unwanted disturbances, without being too distracting themselves. The subtle noise is capable of improving focus, reducing anxiety, and boosting creativity.
Ambient sound can also improve social activities, releasing tension and imbuing the space with energy. Connected to a smart device, KŌDEN can stream music and other media, offering a unique and enriching experience.
By combining connected technologies and modular dividers, KŌDEN offers roommates the ability to control the physical and ambient qualities of their environment, in order to support new habits that lead to better relationships. At its core, KŌDEN empowers the individual by creating fluidity and harmony amidst the micro-community. Through building stronger relationships within the home, we find people live happier and more fulfilled lives.
Thank You!
