WINTER TERM Post Review: My Product Becomes Functioning

After the reviews I brought the Splash Herb Garden back to my parents own kitchen, where it is currently being used. They filled it with Lavender, Rosemary, Mint, and Cilantro. I'm really excited by how well it is functioning in a real setting. The layers of black river rocks and mesh are keeping the soil well contained while letting water drain directly into the sink. My parents sink faucet also reaches perfectly over the little garden and my mom uses this as an additional watering method. I'm really pleased with how well this design has translated into a real environment.

Splash Herb Garden in my parents kitchen

The lip letting water drain fits perfectly over the sink edge

The faucet reaches over garden to water plants without using anything else

Seeing my product in use has taught me things that I think are important to note as part of this design process. Although in some kitchens grow lights are essential my parents kitchen does not need them with all of its natural light due to huge windows. Furthermore because of these large windows I am less drawn to the vertical elements in this design, although in other kitchens I love them. The metal rod and lamp hood are removable and my parents could use only the bottom section if desired. I think this flexibility in the design is important because it allows the product to adjust to the kitchen environments it becomes placed within. Although the bottom seems so basic it is functioning so well in my parents kitchen that I think it could develop into its own product.

Final Model Images & Redesign Concepts

Splash Herb Garden

Winter 484 studio

36 x 42 Design Board

FINAL presentation layout : winter 2009

 

 

Review Feeback:

• The top heatbent hood is remimesent of the green traditional library lamps (could consider other forms although this one works)
  
• Look up designer Natalie Jerije
• Reviews really responded to the material
• The aesthetics of the bar at the top makes people want to use it as a handle. I need to recognize this and make sure it is structurally capable
• Use electric light with plug and run the cord down the pipe. Make it invisible
• Consider the element of this piece at night. How will the lighting effect the ambiance? This can be changed by coloration of bulbs. 
• The metal should have a finish
• Maybe consider how the edge coming into the sink can be more universal. Consider making it extendable? 

Review Crit Photos

Final Model Design and fabrication

Construction:

Overview: steps

1. lazor cut Acrylic sheet 

2. sand blasted each piece both sides

3. cleaned each sheet, spray painted one side white 

4. Glued pieces in place, bent the steel pipe in the metals room

5.Took entire piece and sandblasted it in the big craft center sand blaster

6. touch ups with 600 grit sandpaper

7. Filled with layer of river rocks, topped with mesh to contain soil

8. Moved Herbs into the container

The top is supported by rubber rings, This is structurally very strong ( i tested the strength to make sure the light was secure). Also the rings allow for some level of adjustability. For example the lamp can be lowered for starts. 

Bottom view of the light instillation into the upper hood. The upper hood is a lazor cut piece of acrlic. The arclic was then bent with a heat gun. 

The base box before becoming attached to the top fixture.

Close up of the support brackets I lazor cut and glued in place into the lower body. The metal pipe runs thru the 1/4 " holes and rests on the bottoms. 

DRAINAGE:

Below the plants and soil is a layer of black river rocks. The large river rocks are too big to slide out but allow for visual intrigue and drainage. Above this are two layers of mesh that are small enough to keep soil within the container during watering.

Design renderings: 

Process Sketches of product