DESIGN PROMPT

Design a method of conducting marine research with versastility and human factors in mind for up to 30 people

DESIGNED FOR

Glosten Naval Architects, 2015

MY ROLE

Student designer envisioning the future of marine research, in collaboration with fellow classmates, marine researchers, and naval architects.

Design Process

An initial research phase involved interviews with marine researchers, who recounted the often otherworldly conditions onboard research vessels, challenges in sample collection and lab work at sea, and the mental health effects of a compartmentalized existence. Naval architects with Glosten outlined structural approaches to creating habitats at sea, giving foundational guidance to concept ideation. Each senior ID student presented individual concepts before combining into groups of 4 for further development. Each group presented 3 rounds of concepts, which were critiqued and iteratively improved upon with considerations toward environment, structural feasability, human factors, and new technology layered in at each stage.