Aura Aseffu Ibedden Anamkan

Press Kit

Unique Properties

Elegant and minimalist, Aura's design easily blends in with a variety of spaces and architectural styles. Aura's timeless design combines functionality and sustainability while a shift of scale offers a completely new user experience. With a height of 2.4 meters and a unique propeller geometry, Aura moves a large amount of air at low speeds, quietly filling the room with a soft pleasant breeze.

Dimensions & Packaging

-Height - 240cmm
-Footprint-120cm (diameter)
-Propeller Diameter- 71cm
-Weight-15 kg
-Motor-Energy-efficient EC-Motor
100-130 V (US) or 200-240 V (EU)
170 W, 50-60 Hz
-Textile cable.
-5 speed controller with speeds ranging between 115-400 RPM.
-Detachable propeller guard.
-Package
Aura comes packaged in a cardboard box and it is protected with Mycelium which is a material made out of a mycelium mushroom roots and local biomass that is characterized for being biodegradable and having a carbon negative footprint.

Tags

Minimal, Fan, Craftsmanship, Furniture, Luxury

Production Technology

Aura's materials were carefully selected for their beauty, longevity and sustainability to create an item that will age well over time and that is respectful to the environment. Attentive care was put into even the smallest details to make sure Aura lasts for generations. The rotor blades are crafted through the layering and bending of birch and ash veneers. This plywood construction celebrates the craft of master woodworkers while allowing the blades to maintain their shape over time. A powder coated aluminum frame makes for a lightweight construction that is durable and easy to assemble. The solid ash wood legs can be effortlessly dismounted for ease of transportation.
Attentive care was put into even the smallest details to make sure Aura lasts for generations. The rotor blades are crafted through the layering and bending of birch and ash veneers. This plywood construction celebrates the craft of master woodworkers while allowing the blades to maintain their shape over time. A powder-coated aluminum frame makes for a lightweight construction that is durable and easy to assemble. The solid ash wood legs can be effortlessly dismounted for ease of transportation.

Design Challenge

The challenge was to move away from predefined product typologies and the static design languages of everyday objects. In order to create a product with a higher emotional value, the re-design of the fan involved a straightforward construction where all parts of the fan were re-thought, and in the process, stripped to the bare minimum: cage, propeller, base, motor components. A shift of scale and a carefull selection of materials change the way we interact with the fan, creating better user-object empathy and a prolonged appreciation for the presence of this object in our everyday lives.

Research

This design was born as a response to our society's wasteful consumer habits, where objects are often bought and quickly discarded because of their lack of emotional value.
Understanding the objects we live with means to build up a relationship with them.
I started the design process by analyzing the common standing fan and its context. What is its main function? How is it used ? What is it made of? Why was it made that way?
What is our relationship with the object? How can it be improved?

Inspiration

The inspiration for this product comes from the idea that we can change the way we interact and assign value to everyday objects through the use of good design principles.
The result is an unexpected design with a different choice of materials and unusual proportions. The new design creates a completely new user experience and changes the way users engage with the fan, which strengthens their emotional connection with the object.

Project Duration

First concept idea 2012
Product Development was done between September 2019-January 2021

Operation Flow

Aura has an easy to use 5 speed controller. Its unique propeller geometry moves larger volumes of air at a slower speed than traditional fans, which creates a gentle breeze that conditions the air without being overwhelming.

The frame has a swivel and tilt function which allows to control the direction of the air. The tilt function also makes Aura useful during the winter. When tilted upwards so that it faces the ceiling, the rotor head draws the cooler air from the floor to the ceiling, resulting in the warmer air to be pushed back down into the room. In physics, this process is referred to as destratification.

In rooms with high ceilings there can be a temperature difference of up to 1 degree Celsius per meter between different layers of air. AURA can counteract this effect and balance the air temperature in the room.

Aura comes with a snap-on propeller guard if additional protection is needed.

Patents

TTATO is a registered trademark.
Aura's design is a registered community design under the European Intellectual Property Office. Design No 006628574-0001. Marco Gallegos/ This That and The Other GmbH

Image Credits

Image Credits:
All images -Copyright This That and The Other GmbH