Ava The Mobile Sink

AVA THE SINK

a mobile water source for home

Industrial Design

Furniture Design

Approach

Design Thinking
User Research
Prototyping

Output

Kitchen Product

Team

Fiona Engelhardt

Aurelia Pleyer

Time

3 Month

Context

Ava was developed in cooperation with the sink manufacturer Schock GmbH. – The human-centered approach redefined the sink environment and released it from installation constraints.

The project places the water source at the center of everyday life, because every step in the kitchen begins or ends right here.

How might we

make the sink to a valuable central place at home?

Challenge

The sink is often hidden in the dark corner, so the challenge of the project was to find a way out of the dark zone to join decentral people's everyday life. The crucial insight was that the water source in the kitchen is comparable to the fireplace from ancient times, because the sink is essential for preparation, cooking, hygiene and cleanliness and other jobs at home.

Sinks are often a little appreciated corner, but necessary in everyday life.

How might we

add a mobile value to the integrated sink?

The design process from ideation, sketches, and prototypes to the workshop.

Approach

Initially, scenarios and personas defined the everyday use and needs of sinks. Various designs freed the sink from its installation-related constraints and addressed customer needs. Then the first prototypes were tested. They showed which areas need to be combined or separated. The material research considered easy cleaning, impact and heat resistance for a hygienic and easy-drying wet place. The implementation determined the dimensions and layout for the final prototype, which was produced in plastic and metal workshops.

The design process from ideation, sketches, renderings and prototypes to the first testing.

Result

Ava is the perfect addition to expand the integrated sink from the kitchen in a decentralized way for the home. – The mobile product is expandable and combines the most essential water source requirements in one.

Ava fits under the worktop next to the sink in conventional kitchens. The simple and honest form language is strengthened by the innovative Hi-Macs® material and is the perfect complement to the quartz composite sink from Schock.

Tray

For transporting, serving, arranging and cutting.

Mobile Sink

For washing, serving, cleaning, cooling at different spots at home.

Draining rack

For mobile store dish drying and stowing away dirty dishes directly from the table.

Bucket

The big can for cleaning and transporting water.

Watering Can

A small can is used for pouring and plant caring.

Material

Hi-Macs is an acrylic material that meets aesthetic, functional, and hygienic requirements. The aluminum frame provides the necessary stability and lightness.

Tires

Rubberized large tires give a colorful accent to emphasize the mobile use.

Handling

Ava can be brought in when needed, and if not in use, it can be stored in the kitchen unit.

Learnings

The project about sinks in the kitchen seemed unspectacular at first. Still, over time we discovered many good opportunities as industrial designers.

As a team of three, we developed several approaches to the seemed impossible. Despite different levels of experience and time pressure, we managed to work together successfully through good consultation and transparent interaction. – In my role as an experienced student, I inspired others, shared knowledge and kept the team motivated. This collaboration led to the success of the project.

Imprint

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