Privacy and comfort in multigenerational households

In collaboration with Electrolux 

2021 - Together with Heinrich Zaunshirm and Yuan Hong

Problem Statement

NORA is the result of an intense, 4-week group design sprint in collaboration with Electrolux. 

Not so many generations ago, having children, parents and grantparents living together under the same roof used to be the norm. For a number of reasons, this way of living seems to be on the rise again and experts claim that it is here to stay. Although benefits like inclusiveness of the older generation, a strengthened family bond and financial benefits, this way of living also comes with challenges. One of the biggest challenges of multigenerational households is dealing with indiviudal needs, desires and habits within shared living spaces. 

Solution

With NORA we aim to tackle this challenge by designing a wearable product that allows all familiy members to create their own ‘personal bubble’ while still being around their beloved ones. Integrated Active Noise Cancellation, creates a pleasant silent space where one can focus or relax. Embedded infrared heating pads create comfort and help to equal out the different temperature needs, thus preventing the household from heating up entirely. Unfolding its 'hoodie' reduces visual disturbance and creating a sense of privacy. Finally, NORA is designed to be quickly dismantable, which makes it easy to clean and repair and creates possibilities for personalization and customization. 

Process

First, we looked into what multigenerational living means for each individual family member. We found the significant differences in needs, desires and habits of the different generations living together which was the startpoint for our first brainstorm that led into three concepts; a) flexible solution for creating visual separation in the living room; b) A shared wearable product that creates a personal 'bubble'; and c) a democratic thermostat for dealing with different temperature needs. 

These three concepts are merged into one wearable solution that does not only provide visual privacy but also deals with the different temperature desires, which formed the base of our creative ideation session where we not only sketched out various ideas but also prototyped and tested potential experiences. 

Privacy - foldable hoodie

The option to unfold a hoodie provides the users with a sense of privacy, reducing visual disturbance. 

Temperature needs - Infrared heating pad

Infrared heating pads create comfort and help out to equal out the different temperature needs, preventing the whole household from heating up.

Personal 'bubble' - Integrated Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) 

Create your own, silent personal focus 'bubble' while still being around your beloved ones.

Designed for dissasembly

Buttons allow the hoodie to be detached and washed. A zipper running along the back side of the product, alllows for easy cleaning and repair. Additionally, this opens up new possibilities for personalization and customization.