Smocommode
In one of the last classes on the study or in this case theory of form I was asked to redesign the infamous (at least in the Netherlands) smoking pole. Ever since smoking has been prohibited on the platforms at train stations, people are allowed to smoke within a couple of meters of a smoking pole; a tall, thin column with an ashtray in the center. The assignment was to redesign it in such a way that it would appeal better to all senses.
Just as with all design assignments the problem first has to be analyzed. Being somewhat boring and difficult to present, I can tell you that it pointed me to steam punk for a design guide line. Other than it fitting well with the sense of smoking and trains, I personally like Art Nouveau really well. However, I like its evolution Art Deco better and felt that it would make for a more coherent design, I decided to aim for something in the middle.
Again, I chose to do the obligatory mood board on the computer again, which I actually always used as an excuse to make something cool, but that's beside the point. The collage is meant to convey a gritty and grimy atmosphere, caused by a simple color palette and mechanical elements, such as dials, cogs and tracks. Sketching though didn't work out that well, other than that I wanted a sort of console, which would only accessible by smokers.
Getting my trusty collection of Lego Technic and using that to explore various shapes and mechanical principles opened up new possibilities. Especially pneumatics pointed me in the right direction and made me design something resembling the Doctor Who police box. Any or all four sides can be opened, changing the appearance of the new smoking pole.
The translation from Lego to an original design was relatively simple. Before that, I gave it a name: smocommode (corny pun, but at least it works both in Dutch as well as in English). The smocommode is highly visible as it emits light, although in its closed state most of this is blocked by a curved translucent screen and doors made up of shutters. The other thing someone might notice from afar is a slight buzz.
The top shutter on each of the four sides features a lit hole functioning as a smoke detector; a smoker may blow smoke into this hole, opening a side. Loud pneumatics power a four-link mechanism on each side opening it, by moving upwards and rotating the shutters. Other than that the inside is revealed, the smoker may sit down onto the black lacquered base, which is slightly heated.
The core features a telescopic system, which has a numeric combination lock inside it. The opening around it features as an ashtray. After disposing the cigarette, the smoker may solve the combination (randomized each time) and reveal a glass tube container. This will not only make a great deal of noise, but it will also reveal a cilinder inside the glass tube, which will compress the ashtrays contents. During the same time, all the unopened sides of the smocommode will open as well. When done, the smocommode will close up.