“We considered a plethora of influences during the ideation

4

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phase of our development...yacht/boat cabins, recreational
vehicles, train cabins, submarine facilities, and bus interiors.”

1eT

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Most of these solutions contained “Murphy
style” beds (beds that lie flat against—and
fold out from—flat surfaces and walls). These
hybrid solutions are attractive and work

well, but still carry the problem of requiring
a determinate amount of free floor space in
which to fold the unit out. In this instance, the
space allotted was too small to accommodate
these solutions, and would require repetitive
movement of objects to operate. They also
require repetitive configuration of several
different components by the user in order to
be used in a practical way.

OUR DESIGN GOALS AND APPROACH /

Since, as noted by Buchanan, “constraints can
best be visualized in terms of three overlapping
criteria for successful ideas: [feasibility,
viability, and desirability],” we narrowed our
design criteria even further in order to conceive
of a feasible, viable and desirable solution.
Following user and existing-product research,
our team identified a new set of refined design
goals in addition to those provided by the client
that we felt would strongly address the problem
sets we prioritized. These new, internally
generated goals were as follows:

> Find a way to retain the ninety square feet
of space

> Use the vertical space more efficiently

> Meet the users’ basic needs and add
amenities and comforts wherever possible

> Make the design emotionally durable (foster
an emotional attachment and give a sense of
permanence rather than disposability)

> Make most of the elements static in order
to reduce the feeling of transience as well

as to reduce the amount of effort needed to
configure the space

» Allow space for alternate cooking and food
preparation methods

> Reduce or control the mattress size to a
long twin

> To create a comfortable and inviting living
space

THE RESULTING APPROACH AND CONCEPT /

To adhere to our now streamlined framework,
our group attempted to empathize with each of
the three main interest groups. This allowed us
to make further decisions about material types,
costs, construction, modularity and aesthetic
qualities. By identifying with and assuming
these three roles, our design team was able to
avoid imparting too much of our own social,
cultural and aesthetic preferences.

Our final concept iteration includes a platform
surface directly above an extra-long twin-
sized mattress and bed frame. The goal of
this platform is to permit the bed to nest
underneath when not in use, to enable the
bed to be wheeled out half way and locked in
place to convert into a couch or lounge, and to
allow the bed to be pulled out all the way from
underneath the platform for sleeping. (imace 2)
A combination counter/desk surface is placed
on the platform above the bed, overlooking the
rest of the space, to serve as a sitting, eating or
working space. (imace 3)

This platform elevation enables us to solve
several problems at once:

> It provides a sitting, sleeping, eating, studying
and working space together in one unit

IMAGE 2 / This flexible system allows for the bed component
to be pulled out from underneath the platform to serve as

either seating space or for sleeping.