Designer working at the intersection of strategy, systems, and sustainability
COVE
Cove is a modular structure which uses a tent like frame and textiles to create privacy in shared spaces. A room within a room, the privacy can allow for a peaceful cove people can ease into
Iterative Prototyping,
Course: CLO 3D
Time frame: 14 Weeks (09.2024)
Instructor: Hojin In
RESEARCH TAKEAWAYS:
Shared living is the norm, but shared spaces weren't designed for it.
Reasons shared living include:
- Lack of affordable housing
- Increased cost of living
- Lack of economic opportunity
Almost 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. live with a roommate — not by preference, but because housing is increasingly unattainable
79 million adults live in a shared space
These include:
- New grads/Students
- Adult Couples
- Adults living with parents/family
01
Lack of Psychological Privacy
Surrounded 24/7, people lack a sense of security in their space. Having your own “territory” becomes less tangible and unpredictable.
02
Stress & Mental Decline
Stress from life and roommates fester in shared spaces where you are forced to interact with them. Conflicts arise from the everyday tensions of sharing space
03
Limitations of Space
The lack of space in shared living makes it even more challenging to divide areas. Storage, multi-functionality, and modularity become essential
How can we find a peaceful place to rest when sharing a home
— our most personal space —
with others?
Building Privacy
Using a simple-to-build tent structure as the frame, Cove can transform an open space into a private room with space for a single bed and flexible storage options
CLO 3D allowed rapid iteration on textile choices and drape behaviour before physical prototyping.
Modular Extensions
Aside from the main frame for Cove, the extension frame is an optional addition for more privacy.
The extension can be bent for more privacy or be extended as space divider
Internal Layout
The tent-frame structure was chosen for its modularity and softness, it can be set up and packed away, and adapts to different room sizes
Layout 2
A straightened extension can be used as a divider for larger spaces and create privacy.
No power tools, no permanent installation, it works in any shared living context, from student housing to multi-generational homes
COLORWAY
CLIMATE ADAPTABILITY
Winter
The quilted layer allows for more insulation in colder climates and temperatures. The layer can be removed when temperatures rise.
Summer
The linen cover allows for more airflow in warmer climates. The side panels can be zipped open if individuals want to interact with their roommates or allow for a more open layout