Grön: a simple solution to organize your IKEA hydroponic sets.
Grön, developed during my second year at university as a group project, is a hydroponic cultivation console designed for IKEA, tailored for millennials looking to embrace urban gardening.
About the project
Grön is a hydroponic cultivation console designed during my Industrial Product Design degree at Politecnico di Milano. The project was developed based on a brief targeting millennials living in small spaces, aiming to create a practical and space-efficient solution for indoor gardening.
Mission
Grön is a project developed during my Industrial Product Design degree, aimed at bringing hydroponic cultivation into small living spaces, particularly for millennials. The idea originated from research conducted in 2018, which highlighted the importance millennials place on good food and its origin. The goal was to create a solution that would allow them to grow fresh produce at home, without compromising on space or cost.
Challenges
Grön challenges traditional furniture design by developing a compact hydroponic system that serves multiple functions within a small space. The project explores how to integrate functionality and space-saving design without sacrificing usability or performance. The challenge was to create a system that meets the growing demand for sustainable living solutions, particularly for millennials living in limited spaces, while maintaining practicality and ease of use.
Research
Research played a critical role in shaping the direction of Grön. Through market research, we identified a growing trend among millennials, particularly those living in small spaces, to prioritize the quality and origin of their food. This insight led us to explore different solutions for hydroponic systems that could be integrated into compact living environments. Our findings led us to discover IKEA’s existing hydroponic set, which provided a cost-effective and efficient solution, allowing us to avoid the need for custom molds and unnecessary production costs. This research informed the development process and set the foundation for the design of Grön.
Concept
After conducting a thorough market analysis, studying trends, understanding user needs, and evaluating competitors, we began developing several concepts.
The IKEA hydroponic set
The IKEA VÄXER hydroponic set consists of a sprouter and a cultivation tray. Both components are versatile and can either support the integrated lighting system or be positioned wherever is most convenient, offering flexibility in the setup. This adaptability makes it easier to optimize space while ensuring the system meets the needs of hydroponic cultivation.
Product Definition
During the concept phase of Grön, we explored multiple configurations for arranging the hydroponic boxes within the compact storage unit, as outlined in the brief. After analyzing the tasks involved in hydroponic cultivation, we concluded that a functional work surface and a drawer for storing tools and non-refrigerated plants were essential. This decision was based on the need to optimize space while ensuring accessibility and organization during the cultivation process
Key Features
A dedicated housing for the IKEA Vaxer set, with a work surface and a storage drawer
Materials
The materials selected align with IKEA’s signature furniture designs, incorporating established technologies. The combination of wood and metal creates a modern aesthetic, allowing the piece to seamlessly blend into a variety of settings. This balance of materials ensures the product remains versatile and adaptable, fitting well within different home environments.
Usability
To ensure proper functionality, we conducted usability tests, carefully considered the dimensions of the work surface and storage drawer. We were then able to validate its use with a 1:1 scale prototype that we created. This hands-on approach allowed us to fine-tune the design and ensure that it met all user needs and requirements.
The Prototype
To create the prototype, we purchased the IKEA Vaxer set. We fabricated the top and bottom panels from sheet metal. The legs of the console were made from wood and then painted, while the shelf was constructed from wood and coated with a protective stain to enhance durability and ensure a refined finish. This approach combined IKEA’s ready-made elements with custom components to achieve both functionality and design coherence.
Graphic Collateral
We designed flyers, posters, and an instruction manual in IKEA’s style, along with a dedicated webpage for Grön on IKEA’s site, ensuring a cohesive presentation.
Printed Graphics
In addition to the project presentation and the project book, we created a series of printed graphic products (posters, flyers, and an instruction manual) in IKEA style to be used during Grön’s exhibition at DESIGNxDESIGNERS. These materials were designed to align with the minimalist and functional aesthetic that IKEA is known for, ensuring that the presentation of Grön was clear, engaging, and aligned with the brand’s design principles.
