ROCA INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CONTEST :
INNOVATIVE & SUSTAINABLE CONCEPTS FOR THE BATHROOM SPACE
Concept & Idea
/What
Cleanliness in the community is just as important as cleanliness for individuals and families. The cleanliness of an individual is based off the cleanliness of a personal space “BATHROOM”.
However many people do not realize that the act of cleaning the bathroom is not only both time and energy consuming but it is also damagin mother earth. The chemicals contained in detergents and sanitizers are not earth-friendly. The simple definition of sustainability implies responsible and proactive decision=making and innovation that minimize negatice impact on the environment. Hence we proposed a self-cleaning tile for the bathroom which pushes the limit of tile to play an important role in improving the quality of environment. One may argue that tile is not an element of a bathroom, but be reminded that bathroom tiles are what built up the atmosphere of the interior. It is the “skin” of the bathroom which set the look and feel of a house
The proposed innovation will consist of tiles joined back-to-back on each other; one being the surface of the bathroom while the other will undergo cleaning process beneath. After certain duration of time, with a flick of a switch, the tiles will be flipped over revealing the cleaned tiles while the used tiles will undergo the cleaning process. This cycle is then repeated again after some time.
/How
Looking into the shower area as a first step towards the proposed innovation, the groove between two tiles is where dirt are collected and causes the growth of bacteria. To prevent the buildup of dirt and bacteria, the proposal spread out the tiles leaving a small gap in between each tile on all four sides. The gap is small enough to allow running water to seep through while still able to serve as a surface. Two pieces of tiles will be slamped back-to-back connected to a double helix rod which is skewered diagonally throughout the floor area in the shower space. The rods will be connected to mechanisms allowing it to rotate with a switch.
According to statistics, showering is considered as one of the highest means of water wastage. As we aim towards development and sustainable management of the world’s water resources, the proposal is designed towards reducing water wastage. During shower, running water will seep through the gap between tiles beneath with the aid of jet spray mechanism.
/Why
With this innovation, not only does it help to save water, time and energy, it lightens the burden in cleaning the bathroom for every individual especially for the elderly; eliminating the saddening view of an elderly person having difficulty squatting and scrubbing the bathroom. Since two tiles will be needed to join back-to-back; having two different types (colour, pattern, texture) of tiles joint can give off the bathroom a new look and setting with just a button. Giving the bathroom a ‘living’ floor which changes the mood based on the individual. As the tiles are rotatable, it allows opportunity to rotate the tiles at a slanting degree to dry the floor at a faster rate after shower; preparing the bathroom for the next user and discourage water tension which promotes the growth of bacteria.
Official Announcement:
http://www.jumpthegap.net/
http://www.jumpthegap.net/
Team members:
Lim Tian Jing
Jason Ng Chi Kai
