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Hey there,
I'm Andrea!
I need a versatile laundry solution that functions in
my limited living space.
+
Let me explain my situation...
1. Space
I just moved to Downtown Chicago for my first full-time job as a civil engineer. I love the city and my location, but because I live in a studio micro-apartment (roughly 350 sqft), every inch of space counts when it comes to storage.
2. Convenience
It's especially frustrating when it comes to my laundry situation. I want in-unit laundry sooo bad. There are several communal laundry floors in my building with paid machines, but it's frustrating to have to leave my home to wash my clothes.
3. Storage
I live alone, so my laundry loads are on the lighter side and I don't need an entire washer or dryer in my home. I also wish I had storage for my detergent, dryer sheets, and laundry basket, since they take up crucial space in my kitchen cabinets.
What is Micro-Living?
Micro-living is defined by the British Property Federation as:
"The provision of homes that do not conform to current minimum space standards"
Micro-apartments/units usually range from 200-400 sqft, and are often 20-30% cheaper than conventional apartment units.
Units Are Shrinking!
Yardi Matrix, a real-estate data and research company, collected apartment data across the United States over the course of the last decade.
They noticed that when it came to small apartments, especially studios, there has been a noticeable downtrend in apartment sizes.
Year Built | All | Studio | 1 Bed | 2 Bed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 993 | 573 | 790 | 1,132 |
2009 | 992 | 600 | 796 | 1,133 |
2010 | 984 | 614 | 787 | 1,147 |
2011 | 979 | 511 | 762 | 1,109 |
2012 | 956 | 493 | 752 | 1,092 |
2013 | 957 | 525 | 757 | 1,108 |
2014 | 944 | 536 | 751 | 1,113 |
2015 | 947 | 515 | 752 | 1,092 |
2016 | 936 | 503 | 752 | 1,121 |
2017 | 941 | 497 | 752 | 1,136 |
2018 | 941 | 514 | 757 | 1,138 |
2018 vs. 2008 | -5.2% | -10.3% | -4.2% | 0.5% |
Source: Yardi Matrix
Some Quick Stats...
The Urban Land Institute conducted studies on over 3,000 conventional apartment renters potentially seeking new places to rent. They also conducted a separate analysis on current micro-unit renters and found:
When asked about priorities...
86%
86 percent of micro-unit renters ranked "Lower Cost" as the one of their main reasons for renting their places.
When asked about interest...
Nearly 25 percent of conventional renters said they were interested or very interested in renting a micro unit.
When asked about amenities...
Over 85 percent of conventional renters
ranked "In-Unit Washer & Dryer" as a top
priority when considering rental options
What's On The Market?
When it comes to minimizing how much space laundry products
occupy, there are a few solutions on the market, but they mainly focus on solving portions of the problem as opposed to tackling it head on.
Washer/Dryer Combo
✓
Combines washer and dryer into one device
✕
Most are a big investment and take up lots of space
✕
User still needs external storage for accessories
Portable Washing Machine
✓
The small size allows it to be placed anywhere
✕
Top-down design limits load capacity
✕
Still requires separate solution for dry/storage
Collapsible Basket
✓
Collapsibility allows it be stored easily
✕
Only fixes the storage problem for baskets
✕
Still requires separate solution for wash/dry
Consumers like Andrea deserve an all-encompassing solution.
Buzz Buzz Buzz...
While brainstorming for a design direction, I found myself drawn to nature for inspiration and ultimately landed on bees for my final approach.
Bees are one of the few insects on the planet that function as a "hive mind". They are extremely efficient in that they have a multitude of positions that perform separate tasks, but work together collectively toward a common goal.
Time For Ideation!
The CAD Timeline.
MK I
MK II
MK III
MK IV
MK V
MK VI
Created initial door design
Added contrast door handle
Updated door to be softer
Added button functionality
Decided on logo placement
Updated screen and interface
Updated button
configuration
Updated laundry basket & holder
Added laundry basket & holder
Added drawer
for storage
The Final Product.
The all-in-one, smart, washing, drying, and storage solution.
Detergent Tray
Control Dial
Screen Interface
Multi-Functional
Wash/Dry Drum
Laundry Basket
Storage Drawer
The Size
Unlike most standard washers/dryers, The HIVE is small enough to fit under most kitchen counters. It can also be easily retrofitted
over dishwasher infrastructure.
The Basket
The HIVE comes equipped with a built-in, collapsible laundry basket for convenience. This gives users with limited space a bit more breathing room.
The Drawer
The HIVE also comes equipped with a drawer for easy storage for standard laundry accessories and some extra room for miscellaneous needs.
The Dial
Every aspect of The HIVE can be controlled with a rotate and/or click of a dial. This simple yet precise style of UI is perfect for both new and experienced users.
The Screen
The bold and exciting hardware of The HIVE has is accompanied by a large screen with a clean and minimal, yet fun, graphical user interface.
Brood
Pollen
Wax
The Colors
© 2024 by Dwight Maxwell