Inspired by a sketch of 2 acorns and the concept of protection afforded by natural forms, the NurturepodTM is an infant feeding space for displacement locations such as airport lounges. Designed to comfort the travelling family, the pod design gives a degree of control, dignity and privacy, safety, warmth and kindness. The NurturepodTM system is designed to be configured for solo installation or as a growing forest, offering tranquillity and removal from distractions. In this space, the focus is on the child, the moment, and the calm. The system has been designed with a strong core, a warmth of touch and a gentle aesthetic that offers a temporary solace amidst the crowds.
The idea originated in the autoethnographic work conducted as part of the AHRC Wemobile project, led by Professor Andree Woodcock at the Research Centre for Arts, Memory and Communities. The concept design was created by Paul Magee, Senior Designer at the Centre for Intelligent Healthcare. Paul has a background of developing market ready solutions to assistive technology needs, personal mobility and an experience of designing large scale installations for exhibitions.
Moreover, the UK Hub is currently conducting ethnographic qualitative research on experiences of infant nurturing in public spaces and public transportation. Study using semantic analysis of social media, methods like focus groups, in-depth interviews and co-design workshops will bring together parents from minority ethnic groups and practitioners working in diverse communities to inform future designs. The findings will make unique contributions to the scarce literature on infant nurturing and parent’s mobility. Additionally, it will extend conceptual design work in product/space/transport design more broadly through intersectional analysis of the relationships between experience, embodiment, intimacy, and urban subjectivity.
IF we were to develop this further, I would suggets we look at methods to influence the internl envionment - control of lighting could engance the mood and be calming. Additionally, if we were to investigate smartphone app control, we could offer additional controls, perhaps over the internal soundscape - again for creating the right (and importantly, most personal) experience of the space.
Digital tools such as this could easily be transferred to home use, and the link between privcat espace and this semi-public private space could be reinforced.
Nurturepod has a potentially strong identity and could become influential in the way that travel hubs are designed around the user experience.
This sort of space would be ideal in a transport hub. There is an organic quality to the Nurturepod form that would be a useful to distraction from the travel environment which is as many of us have experienced, are focussed on transition of passengers rather than peace and comfort.
can we have a people in one of the sketches. peripheral awareness is a big issue especally if you have belongings and children with you. Would they go inside the space?
what would this look like in a retail envionment or transport hub?, or even in a workplace. there is a very big international market to provide high quality places for breastfeeding mums in the workplace . see http://www.milkitkit.com/blogs/news/53679877-how-to-create-a-milk-friendly-workplace-incledon-consulting-group/
You have talked about urban subjectivity - what does this mean?
Also the image on the side of the hill looks as if it would roll down the slope.
how does this compare with other products on the market?
Thanks Janet. Yes, indeed; at the far end of the Nurturepod is a scooped-out seat, reminiscent of the Eero Arnio ball chair design. It is large enough to sit fully within, or naturally with feet still on the ground. The key aspect that this design tries to explore is that of a level of open privacy. The seat is configured at such an angle to the door/opening that the view of nurturing is not seen (mainly just able to see feet on the floor). Equally the view out is limited. there is a tinted yeallow section on the rear wall to enable light to enter (and vague 'traffic' outside to be visible but the view in is less clear, partly due to the way that it is illuminated. I'll post some additional rendered views as I think it is really nicely resolved.
This looks like an inviting space, and could be made cosy, but thinking back to personal experiences, parents may prefer some more 'raised' seating inside here so that it is easier to get comfortable with a child- getting down almost to the floor is not easy when you have baby, toddler, bags and perhaps a pushchair to manage.
Hi Janet, thanks fo rthe comment. There is integrated raised seating already. The second from last image shows a cut-away, in the rear area is a sculpted hemi-sphere that forms the raised seating area. Its intentionally low down to better enable sitting but the sphere form prevents the occupier from sliping down too far that woudl then be difficult to get out. Its one of my favourite features of the design, which has similarities to the Eero Aarnio Ball chair from 1963 (another of my favourites). The surface is smooth, to better enable cleaning.
We do have designs for a blanket that users may choose ot use, which would match the internal shape perfectly and then they take it with them but that might be at a later date.
3 years ago