Research & DesignGarden Innovation: Felicity Topp401

Research & Design1: Context Visualisation401

Who said gardening was out of date? Green spaces are more in demand than ever in our crowded world. Here are just a few examples of gardening initiatives, large and small, transforming environments and communities.

We have graded the examples out of pink garden gnomes. 1 garden gnome = poor innovation / 5 garden gnomes = great innovation.

1. Hydroponic Gardens: Wuhan, China.

Can you imagine private hydroponic gardens for every apartment? Yes, every unit in the tower has a 100-square-foot trellised hydroponic garden that’s designed to produce fresh vegetables all year round.

In addition to providing a relaxing and great space at-tached to each apartment, it offers up a renewable food source for a family living there, making it both stylish and functional. It’s a wonderful idea, one that would be great to see in the plant-starved cities here in America as well. Who wouldn’t want their own hydroponic garden, after all?

www.ecofriend.org

2. London: Feeding Olympians in 2012.

The Mayor aims to create 2,012 new growing spaces in time for the Olympics, partly by offering owners of flat roofs incentives to convert their space into gardens.

Mayor Boris Johnson wants Londoners to convert unused spaces, including rooftops, into vegetable gardens in order to feed 2012 Olympians with products grown in the British capital.

London’s flat roofs, where gardens can use rainwater, offer an area roughly 24 times the size of Richmond Park, the 2,360-acre urban park in the British capital.

www.thaindian.com

1. Cuba: Revolutionary Community Gardens.

When the Soviet Union collapsed in 1990, Cuba’s economy went into a tailspin. With imports of oil cut by more than half ~ and food by 80 percent ~ people were desperate. Community gardens dramatically reduced the hardships and struggle the Cuban people experi-enced during this difficult time.

Cubans made the transition from a highly mechanized, industrial agricultural system to one using organic methods of farming and local, urban gardens. Cubans refer this time as the ‘Special Period’.

www.yesmagazine.org

1. Guerilla Gardening: USA & Global!

Your imagination is the limit: railway embankments, back gardens, golf courses, roofs, car parks, overgrown bits, cracks in the pavement. The flower beds in your town centre could be growing your crops, right in the heart of the consumer landscape of burger bars, chain stores and supermarkets.

Guerrilla gardeners are out there now. Why not join them in digging for revolution

www.primalseeds.org/guerrilla.htm

1. Chicago: City Hall’s Roof Top.

Can you imagine a whole city disguised as a forest dwelling? This is one of the forward thinking ideas, the Mayor of Chicago is planning in his term in office.

Roof-tops are vastly underutilised spaces in the urban environment, yet it is possible for any landscape, plaza, or garden to be installed on a building or structure.

Even the thinnest green roof can effectively absorb most rainfall events, reverse the urban heat island effect, and provide wildlife habitat. They also insulate buildings, extend the life of the roof membrane, increase property values, and vastly improve urban aesthetics!

www.asla.org

1. Kenya, Africa: Garden Enterprise Philanthropy, KickStart’s Economic Growth.

Give a man a rod and teach him how to fish! This is the attitude KickStart.org takes to the wider issues in war-torn Africa.

Since 1996 KickStart tackle water, poverty and starvation head on with innovation and philanthropy ~ turning garden farmers into entrepreneurs, with small amounts of capital ($100 - $1,000 US) to start a new enterprise.

KickStart then helps them to identify viable business opportunities and access the technologies required to launch the new enterprises. KickStart’s technologies, expertise, and methods are widely applied throughout Africa to support programs in agriculture, shelter, water, sanitation, health, and relief. www.kickstart.org

1. Wellington, NZ : Intersect - Creating A Greener Web-Based Community

Intersect’s network is home for young professionals who share interests in community gardens, sustainability, regeneration and creating positive change.

They are diverse bunch, including accountants, artists, de-signers, engineers, entrepreneurs, health practitioners, IT gurus, journalists, lawyers, policy advisers, researchers, and many more.

This is a place where you can meet some like-minded (and not-so-like-minded!) folks, learn, inspire, seek assistance, share events and develop opportunities.

www. intersect.ning.com

1. Melbourne, Au : ‘Veg Out’ Creates Community Friendship, Conservation & Organic Gardening.

Originally Veg Out’s site was a retired lawn bowling green, literally going to waste. Until local volunteers decided to take action, and reserve it for public use.

They now have over 140 plots, where members, friends, families and community groups enjoy getting their hands into the soil. Many have little or no gardening experience, but they soon learn as advice, seedlings and friendships are readily shared.

A commitment to a sense of community, conservation and organic gardening principles underpins all activities on the site. Related endeavours include the monthly Veg Out St Kilda Farmers’ Market and water conservation initiatives in association with South East Water.

www.vegout.asn.au

Where’s my Garden dude?!!1: Affinity Diagram

Welcome to a Day in my Garden2: Activity Analysis

Studying towards a Masters Degree gets mighty busy at times, but I do manage to get some quality R & R. When time allows, I like to spend my days off in my back garden, enjoying what I do best...getting my hands dirty and being in with Mother Nature.

9.00am: Bucket Duty

If a garden bed becomes really overrun, I have a good rummage for self-sown treasures. These can live happily in a bucket until I find a new home. Free is good!

1.30pm: Giving Life Back to Nature

This is what it’s all about! So much preparation has gone before... nothing is more satisfying than setting little plants into their steamy manure beds. There is a promise of reward in the future...

4.00pm: Stake Out!

Some plants need support as they grow. By ramming in the stake now,

I won’t be damaging roots later in the season.

9.30am: On the Trowel

Gotta get all the roots of the weeds out... cutting corners now will bite back fast.

10.00am: Just Dig it!

I learnt to dig watching my Father in his garden. I could merrily dig all day. Turning the earth lets in the air, and in turn warmth. Gardens need feeding, so big barrow loads of compost are added now. Funny... I forget to stop and feed myself.

6.00pm: Chill Out

Aaaah...rewards at last. Enjoying the results of my hard work, in my private Eden.

4.30pm: Cool Down

Phew I’m completely wasted... Water is the final essential ingredient.

At least I know I am doing something useful while I stand aching and exhausted.

3.00pm: Seeding

Propagating from seed makes the plants your own. Buying seedlings

is a bit like adopting orphans.

Welcome to my Garden Shed3: Personal Inventory

When I took an inventory of the contents of my shed, I realised what a wide range of items were stored there. My useful garden tools, herbs and onions strung up to dry, and of course some ‘memorabilia’. My shed is also a summer retreat for my cats, and apparently for a visiting possum.

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Research & Design2A: Concept Scenarios Products and Tools401

Solar Dome1

401ConceptScenario

Enhance the growingenvironment with this

miniature biosphere.

Translucent polymer acts like a green house, trapping heat.

Temperature level is moni-tored... when things heat

up, the solar powered petals unfurl. The reflective inner

surfaces now focus radiation to really power the

photosynthesis process.

Free standing in the city... just fill with

growing medium.Protection from hungry

rabbits and possums in the rural environment.

2Just a little design thinking

could incrementally improve the standard wheelbarrow.

Effortlessly vault over the step in your garden. Just dial in

your step height and tread length.

Lock and leave in any setting.

Take a tight 360 turn on the spot.

Barrow Boy

401ConceptScenario

Barrow Boy3

Revolutionise an every day peice of garden equipment!

Keep your load level as you traverse slopes.

Enjoy improved ergonomic function; easier filling and

dumping.

401ConceptScenario

Safe Rake4

A rake slamming into my face inspired more than an egg on

my head. The Safe Rake uses a lever-tensioning device to

release the tool head from the handle.

The addition of a scythe style handle allows for

a fluid sideways raking movement.

401ConceptScenario

Smarty Pants5

Hands-on gardening just became more hands- free.

Keep your mobile handy and visible in a transparent

pouch. Have all your tools on hand with the velcro bands.

Protect knees with built in pads, while waterproof fabric for the lower legs keeps you

dry. Stay hydrated with camel back on the ready. A hotwater

bottle fits against your back to keep you toasty.

401ConceptScenario

Edge Hog6

This little hydrating critter waters your garden when you

are busy!The robotic water system

follows the layout of your garden.

Simply programme your garden plan into your mac (software provided). Place

sensor pegs into ground, the ‘Edge Hog’ will follow

Watering as long as you want~ worry free!

.

401ConceptScenario

Sweet Motor-Vator7

Your automatic digging friend!

The Sweet Motor-Vator chews through the hardest earth, with

little effort from you.

Using renewable energy sources for power, applied to

innovative guiding systems.

The feet grip soil as revolving body tunnels into soil.

Constructed from recycled materials and life-time

guarentee for customer satifaction!

401ConceptScenario

Gummy Grabber

401ConceptScenario

8Remember those cold, wet

days in the garden? Your boots are clogged and your

hands are frozen.

This innovative ‘Boot Grabber’ takes the hard work out of

taking your feet out of gum boots!

Simply place boot in Grabber Tray and the rest is easy!

electricity

Research & Design2B: Concept Scenarios Roof Top Gardens401

Assembly Components9

401ConceptScenario

Roof top gardens can be installed using off-the-shelf

assembly components.

The basic fundamentals include:waterproof membrane

growing mediaand plants.

Beyond the basics could include:

hothousescompartmentalised planters

rain collectorsirrigation systems...

in fact anything found in a land based garden could be

incorporated into the design.

Sheltered Spaces

401ConceptScenario

Exposure to the elements is much greater on a roof top

garden, compared with a ground level garden.

In order to make the space inviting and useable for

people, shelter will need to be provided.

The Mist Room is cooler by up to 10o, due to the fine

spray of water vapour.

Shade can be created by layering the space with

canopies or shade cloths.

Screens for wind shelter can double as growing frames.

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MulchCups11

401ConceptScenario

The practise of mulching is all about retaining precious

moisture in the soil, by reducing evaporation rates.

This is even more critical with shallow substrates,

such as those used for roof top gardens.

Mulch cups are transparent,condensation- catching concave forms. They are

endlessly reusable, eliminating the need to transport large

volumes of traditional organic mulching material onto your

roof top garden.

Retro Clip12

401ConceptScenario

The greatest opportunities for green roofs and roof top

gardening lie in retro- fitting existing structures. Think

about all that unused urban space!

Most roof tops can support at least a thin

growing layer, suitable for drought resistant plants such

as sedums. Clip devices that work with common

roofing structural elements and materials simplify the

installation process. The growing layer can even be

kept elevated from the roof, reducing concerns about

moisture build up.

Resourceful Reuse13

401ConceptScenario

Gardeners are notoriously resourceful, creatively

solving problems relating to site, conditions or

plant selection.

Old materials including packaging can be put

to good use, for germinating seeds or

as growing containers.

Under utilised spaces can be productively ‘reused’, such as

with vertical gardening, or pocket gardening.

Bumper Harvest14

401ConceptScenario

Roof top gardens can be productive beyond a few salad greens.

Sun and rain can be captured, providing light,

heat and water.

Further, electricity can be generated from sun

and wind energy.

Don’t forget about flowers, and a harvest of honey

from our busy pollinators.

Invitation to Aspire15

401ConceptScenario

Good design can invite you to explore and enjoy.

Combine a peaceful seating nook with a growing frame

for beautiful privacy.

Set your favourte recreation in an inspiring setting.

Try growing your favourite plants in new ways for new

effects, ease and aesthertics.

Research & Design3: Expanded Product Concepts401

Barrow Boy

Expanded Product

Opportunity

2Just a little design thinking

could incrementally improve the standard

wheel-barrow.

Innovations include:Lock and leave in any

location.

Easy drain bung application.

Roller ball lets you take a tight 360 degree turn on the spot.

Unloading crossbar and bucket handles for easier dumping.

Flashing bike lights for road works use. Placed in handles.

Ergonomic assymetric bucket design.

Step vaulter.

150

Downhill Gradient

Barrow Boy

Barrow Boy

Expanded Product

Opportunity

3Dampened axle through

horizontal centre of gravity keeps your load

level as you traverse slopes.

Effortlessly vault over the step in your garden. Just

dial in your step height and tread length to

adjust ‘step spoke’. Move barrow with ease.

Mist Room

Expanded Product

Opportunity

1What is better than sunshine on your city roof top garden?

Being able to enjoy it, no matter how hot it gets!

The air in concrete-dense cities heats up in what is known as the ‘urban

heat island effect’. Also, roof top gardens are more exposed to the

elements than traditional gardens. Relief from relentless heat can be

found by retreating to a Mist Room.

Atomised water lowers air temperature by up to 17oC, due to

instant evaporation. There is no sensation of wetting or

increased humidity, and running costs are very low.

Beat the heat and enjoy the refreshing outdoors!

Mist Room

Expanded Product

Opportunity

2The Mist Room could

contribute to your own roof top green house.

Select temperature and ventilation levels to create

an energy efficient growing environment that supports a

diverse range of plants. Grow your own fresh food year round!

Modular construction allows tailoring of size and configuration

to suit the site.

Even the most hostile city environment can become a gentle

natural haven... so get growing!

Mist Room

Expanded Product

Opportunity

3Let green- fingered enterprise

in your roof top garden be your favourite pastime.

Misting technology works equallly well in an open air environment. So now the coolest place to be is outside, celebrating with nature.

The misting concept can be applied anywhere- improve

bus stops, pedestrian zones and lunch areas in public gardens.

ThankyouBig appreciation for all the assistance from my

class mates and mentors, including Mick Abbott.