Shui Zheng
concept development & modeling
The ShuiZheng, a home dehumidifying clothes rack system, aims to relieve Hong Kong residents from the burdens of excessive humidity by providing a time, space, and money conserving product.
This project was developed over the course of 5 weeks as part of a design-in-context program where a small team of designers and engineers gathered on-site research, identified a design opportunity, and created a product to provide a solution.
Observations & Findings:
On an average day in Hong Kong humidity levels are 80%
Clothes dryers are a rare sight for the typical HK residence, which on average is only 150 square feet of living space
Clothes drying racks are generally located out apartment windows
Synthesization of Research:
Due to excessive amounts of humidity, air-drying clothes outdoors is inefficient.
Due to relatively tight living quarters, home products must be compact and easily stored.
Application of Research and Ideation:
When folded up, the Shui Zheng acts solely as a sleek, home dehumidifier.
When opened up it reveals itself to be a clothes rack capable of accommodating a full load laundry that an average laundry machine used by Hong Kong residents would hold. The dehumidifier collects moisture from the clothes by drawing in air through the main body of the product and blows the dry, recycled air back onto the laundry through hollowed channels in panels. This function accelerates drying time while still removing excess humidity from its environment.
Perforations in top panels direct clean airflow onto clothes for quick and efficient drying time.
The uniquely designed L-Hinge allows for swift & convenient unfolding for the user.
The main body draws in humid air from the room and then dispels clean air through the opened panels, creating an efficient air cycle and drawing moisture from the clothes, further accelerating the drying process.
Slim, compact, and comfortably stored away, the Shui Zheng nicely accommodates tight quarters of Hong Kong residences. Touch points are indicated by it's blue coloring, on the handle & interface, and can be effortlessly opened when needed.
For a closer look at the concept development process, check out Liz's Behance
https://www.behance.net/gallery/30619421/ShuiZheng-Home-Dehumidifying-Clothes-Rack