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Introduction
Platform Aquaponics
Les Martens
Auburn Industrial Design
3rd Year, Spring 2020
Residential Fish & Produce Farming
Objective
Evaluate the Aquaponics Market and create a refined prototype based on that research.
noun: aquaponics
akwəˈpäniks
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Aquaponics is the cultivation of fish and plants together in a constructed, recirculating ecosystem utilizing natural bacterial cycles to convert fish waste to plant nutrition.
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This is an environmentally friendly, natural food-growing method that harnesses the best attributes of aquaculture and hydroponics without the need to discard any water or filtrate or add chemical fertilizers.
Market Analysis
Product Positioning Map
Harvest Goals
Harvest Goals
High Yields
A minimum of 40sqft in rotating plots is needed to provide enough vegetation for the balanced diet of one person, but few people have this much space to spare in their home.
With this selection of choice parts I hoped to produce
high yields within a small footprint
Up to 34lbs of Fish per 6 Month Harvest
One - Fish Tank
210 Gallons
One - Sump Tank
55 Gallons
One - 70 Gal,
Media Bed
12.5sqft
One - 40 Gallon,
Deep Water Culture Bed
Two - 20 Gal,
Media Beds
9.5sqft
5sqft (each)
Two Growing Methods & 32sqft of Grow Space
Luxury Materials
Materials & Visual Brand Language
Scandinavian Materials/ Modern Design/ Natural Finnish
1/1
Other Directives
Directives
Versatile
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Shippable
Cut down shipping cost to increase profit
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Multiple grow methods
Different conditions for varied veggie types
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Customizable
Customers have different styles and décor
Easy
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Easy Assembly
No power tools or fabrication required
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Easy to Clean
Waste is minimal but needs to be collected
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Functional yet Beautiful
Works well and complements its setting
Efficient
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Space Efficient
Elevate design, minimize footprint, w/ storage
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High Yields
Enough produce for one balanced diet
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Incorporated Plant Grow Supports
additional support for tall stalking plant stems
Inspiration
Inspiration
Structural Inspiration for Product Geometry
Falling Water 1936-1939
Designed by architect Frank Lloyd Wright
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Mid-Century Modern
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Dynamic Floating Planes
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Strong Vertical Pillars
Allegheny Mill 9, 2020
Early Aquaponics Concept Design by Les Martens
Design Flaw: Railroad Ties are Toxic
Half
RxR Tie
Fish Hold
Fiberglass Media Beds
RxR Ties
Ideation
Ideation
Layout A
IKEA Desk
Fish Tank
Sump Tank
Layout B
Sump Tank
Fish Tank
IKEA Desk
Final Solution
IKEA bed base slats- 94₵ per slat
Convex Pattern
Concave Pattern
IKEA NORDEN - Gateleg Table - $200
Horizontal Pattern
Modeling
Models
Digital Model
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Elements arranged for irrigation flow by gravity
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Takeaway: This grow support design is too bulky and visually distracting
Scale Model
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Plumbing routes established
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Takeaway: Boards need to be connected at base
Full Scale Prototype
Full Scale Prototype
How It Works
How it Works
Stain
Paint
Seal
Solutions
Versatile Solutions
Easy Solutions
Versatile Solutions
Shippable
Compact
&
Foldable
Customizable
Adjustable Flow Rate
Two Grow Methods
Three Media Beds
- 110 Gallons Total
One Deep Water Culture
- 40 Gallons
Efficient Solutions
Space Efficient
Small Footprint,
Storage Racks,
and Compartments.
High Yields
32sqft Grow Space will replace most of your produce needs.
Incorporated Grow Support
Minimalist Grow Supports use a combination of wires and pulleys to tie off and lift plant stems.
Efficient Solutions
Easy Solutions
Easy Assembly
Easy to Clean
Functional & Beautiful
Slats are strung together at the base and held in place by the tank lip.
Flip open table top,
pull the filter bucket,
and Dump.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Estimated Expenses:
Estimated Retail Price:
Estimated Profit per unit sold:
$1,600 - $2,000
$3,500 - $4,500
$1,900 - $2,500
Sources cited from
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