Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi by Ammar Kalo

Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi by Ammar Kalo is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2020 Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award in Ukudizayina Ingaphakathi Competition Category.

InsimbiIngaphakathi· 2020

Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi

by Ammar Kalo

Client: CAAD Design Build Initiative

Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award Winner in Ingaphakathi Category

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Colors

The Design

About Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi

I-Work Pod for Students iyisiteshi somsebenzi esakhelwe izitudiyo ezinohlelo oluvulekile kanye nezinye izindawo zomphakathi. I-pod inikeza indawo ethule futhi eyimfihlo ngokwengxenye yomsebenzi womuntu oyedwa. Isakhiwo senziwe nge-aluminium, sinesikhumba se-polycarbonate kanye nezingxenye zefenisha zokhuni. Imidwebo yevinyli enemibala ephaneli inwetshwa iye ngasemaphethelweni, ukuze i-pod ihlangane kahle nendawo eyizungezile. Amaqashaqasha e-felt ngaphakathi ancika umsindo. Izihlalo zomphakathi, amadeski okuma kanye nebhodi elikhulu lokunamathisela izinto zibekwe ezingxenyeni ezingaphandle. Amasondo ayisithupha aqinile kanye nebha ehlehlisayo efihlekile evumela ukuhanjiswa kalula.

The Recognition

About the Umklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award

Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi iwinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award, ukwaziswa okuhloniphekile okunikezwa imiklamo emihle ehlangabezana nezidingo zobungcweti nezemboni ezilindelekile ezimpahleni ezihlelwe kahle. Abawinile beNsimbi babonisa ikhono elikhulu, ubungcweti obuphezulu, ukuqonda kochwepheshe namandla okudala abadali babo. Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi ilindeleke ukuba ibe yinto exatshwa kakhulu, edunyiswayo nethandwayo esebenzayo nenezinto ezintsha. Lo mklamo owinile uMklomelo Wensimbi we-A' Design Award uhlanganisa izindlela ezinhle kakhulu zemboni futhi unezimfanelo zobuchwepheshe ezifanelekile ezihlanganiswe nolwazi nethalente. Work Pod for Students Isiteshi Somsebenzi iyahlonishwa ngenxa yokucophelela kwayo futhi ihlelelwe ukulethela izinguquko zomgangatho wempilo ezisiza ukwenza umhlaba ube yindawo engcono.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: These pods are designed to provide a comfortable solo working environment in public spaces while minimizing their visual presence as much as possible.

With multiple pods produced, they can also be arranged in various ways to allow interaction between users in the different pods. In addition, there are public seats and standing desks incorporate in the out skin that give users more functional furniture, as well as a large pin-up board on the back side of the pod.
Dimensions & Packaging: 2000 mm x 1100 mm x 1950 mm
Tags: Workstation, Furniture Design, Interior design, polycarbonate, color, aluminum
Production Technology: The work pod itself is comprised of three separate components, the aluminum structure,a polycarbonate skin, and wood furniture elements. Colored vinyl graphics on the polycarbonate panels wrap around the structure and change in intensity responding to where users might be, and feathering out toward the edges to help the pod blend in with its surroundings. The overall effect is providing more privacy for the work areas while still allowing for various lighting conditions, in addition to the ambient and task lighting provided inside.
Design Challenge: The main challenge was designing a work pod that is semi-enclosed, but also doesn't feel tight nor too open. The use of colored translucent screens was a design solution to carefully balance those needs. In addition, because of the use of polycarbonate panels, the pod had to have some sound absorbing material, which lead to the extensive use of natural felt sheets and wood on the interior.
Research: Through observational studies and surveys, the designers worked on several 1:1 scale cardboard and plywood mockups that were built to resolve all the component dimensions in the workstation. Designers also conducted a comprehensive survey that questioned over 50 students and potential users within the college about what factors they consider when choosing a location to work and what the most important aspects of a work pod must be.
The full scale mock-ups were also used as part of the survey, giving survey respondents hands-on experience. The immediate user feedback gained was used to rapidly iterate on the design accordingly.
It was clear from the survey of 14 questions that the most vital issues needed to be addressed are acoustics and privacy related, as well as visual isolation.
Inspiration: This project is a direct response to a problem recognized in most open plan working studios, namely the lack of working stations that are relatively private, quiet and visually screened. The intention was to design a comfortable work pod that provides a serene working environment.
Project Duration: Project began in August 2018 and was completed December 2018
Operation Flow: The pod has a hidden foldable pull bar which allows easily moving the pod on its six heavy duty casters. Several pods could be positioned next to one another, allowing for various types of interactions between its users.
Team Members: Ammar Kalo
Eman Shafiq
Fatma Ibrahim
Heba Alhayek
Jawaher Al Muttari
Jumanah Rizk
Malaz Ibrahim
Marina Nasif
Moza Al Mehairi
Omaima Ansary
Prathyush Pradeep
Shahd Abdul Ghani
Yasmin Abdel Rehim
Yasmine Fahmy
Zenah Fadhil