midterm (week 7)

You can see my midterm presentation here. I feel like everything has sort of been on hold for the last week as I have been developing 3d models in alias... and that always creates a time warp!

Feedback, as always, is welcome and encouraged. Three(ish) weeks to go, and lots to accomplish...

developments

Things are moving quickly now, and I am definitely at the point where the next step is construction, first in the computer and then in real life. Here are some sketches that show a few of my decisions:

- I'm going to have a corner trash can and toilet paper combo

- The toilet is going to be streamlined, with a sawdust tank behind it that contributes to the composting functionality of the toilet

- The back wall and the roof will be connected and provide a color break in terms of the overall appearance of the unit

Stuff Happens Video: Don't Flush Away the Environment

Stuff Happens Video: Don't Flush Away the Environment

Posted using ShareThis

(there are two great minutes of video that show how a modern composting toilet works- I recommend fast forwarding to the end!)

locked up

I added a padlock to the porta-pot yesterday to keep hoodlums out. This begs a question, though... how to design-in security so you don't have to screw a contraption like this to the outside?

sketch development (lots of work to do)

We've officially crossed the 'midterm' line, and things are kicking into full-gear. it's go-time, and there is just no getting around that...

So, I've narrowed my to-do list down to this:

-basic assembly of parts/how it goes together

>right now, assembling a porta-potty involves a whole lot of rivets and some serious manpower (at least as far as I can tell from taking one apart last night) I would like to introduce a design that makes it easier on the guys assembling these things

-complete process

>I need to make one big, epic storyboard about the entire process of using this thing- from production to assembly to transportation (and delivery) to use to servicing to collecting to cleaning to end of life; this will help get everyone on the same page and make the benefits of my design more evident

- integrated design of interior

>everything should look like it goes together while communicating hygiene and cleanliness

>what I *think will be on the inside of this thing, as of now:

1. toilet with some sort of sawdust flush

2. toilet paper holder

3. rubbish receptacle

4. hand sanitizer

5. hooks for coats and bags

-cohesive design of exterior

>no reason this thing has to be ugly

-visual language to communicate environmental benefit

>based on my small survey, some people would be excited to know that their port-a-potty is saving the world; I think there is some real opportunity for strong visual language around the potty. I'd like to make the entire experience better...

Lots of work, no question about it...

port-o-potty christmas

Today was, by all standards, an epic day in the development of this project: Rumpke brought me my very own port-o-potty! They dropped it off at the loading dock outside and Kyle and Max finagled it up to the hallway outside studio. This evening I basically gutted the thing, laid in some cardboard and insulation foam to make a complete floor, and started playing with some basic full-scale mock ups. This bathroom is going to be invaluable to the rest of my project, and I could not be happier to have it! (THANKS RUMPKE!!)

understanding the problem from a different point of view

happy friday: awkward public bathroom version

long branch farm

Monday while browsing the internet, I came across a site that talked about the composting toilet facilities at Long Branch Farm. Apparently, they have one of the first composting toilet systems (for public use) in the state of Ohio. I promptly sent them an email to see if I could come check it out.

They promptly replied, and I headed out there early yesterday. Jason, the sole employee at Long Branch (which is part of the Cincinnati Nature Center) showed me everything there was to see (and I mean EVERYTHING :)). This was an important step for my project- designing a composting toilet without ever seeing one seems difficult. The system in place at Long Branch is sophisticated and very much regulated by the EPA (unlike, probably, a personal system would be.) The bathrooms are clean, odor-free, and pretty close to what a standard public restroom would be like. Most of the composting system is in the basement; there is a ventilation system that continuously pulls air through the toilets and large tanks where the waste collects and composts. There is a drainage system that pumps out all the 'fluid' (which is pumped out and disposed of @$200 per pump.) There is also a water tank that is used for cleaning the restrooms and watering the compost.

All in all, the overall take-aways are:

- Composting toilets really don't smell. Really. This, as far as I can tell, is a huge benefit over current portable restrooms.

- The system in place at Long Branch is too involved, and actually requires a lot of work and energy (to keep the unit heated in the winter in order to keep the composting process going.) Jason thinks there could be major improvements. I agree.

- Composting toilets are viable in a public setting. It's working well at Long Branch.

new survey

just a quick post for now;

if you have a minute, take my survey

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SHYMRHC

it's only 5 questions!

thanks :)

happy monday :)

It's go-time (not quite panic time, but approaching...) In doing a little research about toilet seats, I found this trainer seat on Kohler's website. I think it looks like a lobster.

Happy monday :)

..also, on the design front:

Tonight I have decided (95%, at least) that my final design is going to be square... in dealing with an incredibly small space, I don't really want to take any more away. Feedback? Also...sorry about the underline. Not sure what is going on.

first check-in

see the full presentation here

Tuesday was the first official check-in for our thesis projects. I presented the pdf above, and overall it was really well received (I got an A! woo!)

The rest of the week has been a sort of I'm-having-fun-with-my-life stall, but I'm really jumping back in with two feet right now. From the beginning of this project I have been really intrigued by composting toilets and the potentially huge impact composting porta-potties could have. I've cautiously investigated the details, while trying hard not to gravitate only to that concept. After seeing/hearing/meeting/eating ice cream with Emily and Matt from Project H yesterday, I've decided to go that way. The potential for good (and really, profit) that that concept has is huge and the biggest improvement I've found yet.

In order for a composting toilet system to be really viable, I am pretty convinced that there would have to be a municipal composting system in place (like they have in Seattle and San Fransisco.) See here for a specific link about bringing composting toilets to Seattle.

So the next challenge? Using the composting toilet technology paired with exceptional design to push forward a toilet that people (and kids!) actually want to use. More to follow, hopefully soon...

sketch development

I'm working on a progress check for class tomorrow and put together these pages of development sketches from last week. There are lots of little hints at features that may very well make it into the final product.

icon for outhouses in sweden

the asian squat and pit toilets

(thanks to Tracy for this informational and amusing video)

My education on squat toilets continues, but probably the more notable thing that has happened lately is that we went camping Friday. Luckily (for me) there were pit toilets(!) I've used pit toilets before, but this was a chance for me to really evaluate them for cleanliness and compare them to a porta-potty. I was interested to find that the pits are actually much better...

observations:

1) The pit toilets were very spacious (really, there is no reason for them to be too small)

2) The pit toilets had huge vent stacks, similar to a porta-potty.

3) The pit toilets didn't smell (although this could have EVERYTHING to do with the fact that it was actually quite cold while we were there.)

4) Someone had hung a strip of fly tape from the ceiling. Not sure if this is effective or not.

5) It was super-dark in the toilets. Without a flashlight at night, using them would have been nearly impossible...

We have our first progress check on Tuesday, so expect more news then...

do you sit or squat?

Recently I have come across a lot of information about sit vs. squat toilets. I guess toilets made for sitting are a very Western phenomena, while a lot of the rest of the world tends to squat. Not only that, but apparently squatting is more hygienic and better for you, from a health point of view. I did see a couple squat portable restrooms at the pumpers and cleaners expo, but I wonder if people would be willing to adopt this totally different practice...? I'm thinking something between sitting and squatting may be ideal.

(video from http://www.toilet-related-ailments.com/order.html)

and also this, from "The Bathroom" by Alexander Kira:

"The ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position, with the thighs flexed upon the abdomen. In this way the capacity of the abdominal cavity is greatly diminished and intra-abdominal pressure increased, thus encouraging the expulsion of the fecal mass. The modern toilet seat in many instances is too high even for some adults."

one week of research

The spring quarter has officially started, and that means it is time to really get rolling on this project. The next nine and a half weeks will be mostly self-governed; the faculty seem to really just be in the background, available for advice when needed.

I've given myself this first week to do some literary research, and have made it through one complete book so far: "Ladies and Gents," edited by Olga Gershenson and Barbara Penner. Even though the book focused a lot on gender differences and equalities in public restrooms, it had some particularly interesting insight into cultural norms and female urinals. The book also talks a lot about the social taboo of the subject of toilets, defecating, and urination. It also proposes that public toilets are not as female-friendly as they are male-friendly because they are largely designed and manufactured by men.

This frames the problem (redesigning the portable restroom) as a physical and psychological one; not only must the space be more accommodating, but it must encourage a popular revision of common attitudes around toilets, bathrooms, and the public.

field research

Just got back from a few days traveling to Tennessee and the Smokey Mountains... Took a couple quality photos of public bathrooms (and endured a couple supremely awkward moments because I was taking photos in public bathrooms.) Also finally started reading The Humanure Handbook in earnest. Expect more here starting in the next week, when school is back in session and the thesis really starts in earnest.

don't forget about the business end

My friend Alicia drew this for me while I was presenting my thesis proposal last week. I guess I used the term 'business end' at some point and she thought it was pretty funny. It's a good reminder to watch what you say, but also keep a sense of humor.

Its been really interesting to talk to people about going to the bathroom because many people are very candid, but some people are very uncomfortable. Almost everyone makes some sort of potty humor joke. Is that just to hide our cultural unease about this topic? In the long run, I am hoping that the subject matter of my thesis will catch people's interest and then entice them to realize there really are better options than what is out there right now.

thesis proposal

This past Friday (yesterday) we presented our senior thesis (aka capstone) project proposals. I worked hard and long on mine, and you can see it in its entirety here.

The presentation presented an interesting (and common) challenge because we were given ten minutes (total, including questions and feedback) to pitch our projects and present our research findings to this point. That means you have to really boil down your information and share it in a quick and easy (to understand) way. We have worked on a lot of proposals this quarter, and I think each one is difficult but also a valuable learning opportunity.

So, please... take a look, and let me know what you think. One week from yesterday we have a written proposal due, and after that the faculty will let us know if our proposal has been accepted. Then... we just have to do it!

its a hard thing to define

I am working on putting together my proposal presentation for this Friday. Here the first draft of one of my slides (you are going to have to click and enlarge it if you want to read anything...) There is already a lot of information to convey, and it is definitely a challenge to work out how to concisely and persuasively get across everything that needs to be communicated.

pumper and cleaners international expo

{This is me, embarrassed and having very poor aim over a prototype of a 'Russian toilet.' Besides having bad aim, this is really how it is meant to be used...)

Yesterday I went down to the Pumper and Cleaner International Expo. Its a huge show for people in the sanitation business...

There were a number of booths showcasing the latest and greatest in porta-potty design. Everything is plastic, but there were little innovations everywhere: toilet paper holders that double as a shelf, 'hover handles' (handles on the inside of doors that people can hold onto while doing their best not to make contact with the toilet seat), sinks, toilets that flush, heaters, coat hooks... the list goes on... It was really great for me, because I picked up brochures from all the manufactures so I will now have a very complete competitive analysis.

A big part of port-o-potties is the chemicals you find in them. One gentleman stuffed a few samples of the 'blue stuff' and some air fresheners in my bag yesterday. Unfortunately, they made my entire car smell like a (clean) porta-potty. This made me realize- very clearly- that even clean porta-potty smell is relatively foul. There has got to be a better solution, and I think it may come in the form of a composting toilet. Someone needs to do for porta-potties what method has done for home cleaning products.

The air freshener guy also told me a couple stories: first, he acts as his company's liaison for Mexico. Apparently, porta-potties are relatively rare there, but very necessary where people are planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables. So, they brought portable bathrooms to the people and they were appalled. They found them unsanitary and still preferred to do their business in the fields. I asked the company representative if this lead to any changes in their product, and he explained to me that they simply had to put the workers through mandatory training to use the toilets. Its a classic example of people thinking that the people, not the product, are at fault. It makes me uneasy.

The other story was more for human interest: police were chasing some dastardly criminal, and at one point lost track of him. This is because he went into the tank of a porta-potty. He also promptly got stuck there; they had to cut the thing apart to get him out.

giant strides of productivity

{a quick side-by-side: a more-respectable bathroom at school and a fairly standard port-o-potty}

This morning I had the pleasure of visiting Rumpke portable restrooms HQ. They were nice enough to take me on a fully comprehensive tour of the facilities (no pun intended), and I learned a ton about the business and the perspective of the business owner. I'm rather impressed with how innovative Rumpke is; they developed an infant changing port-o-potty and a port-o-potty for miners. They are one of the biggest businesses of their type in the country, with approximately 10,000 portable restrooms. They also shared with me the fact that their restrooms..ermm.. received one million gallons of waste in January. That is a phenomenal number!

Before I left today, they gave me some super-important information:

The best port-o-potty, from the perspective of the business owner, would basically be vandalism-proof. Apparently, there is a humongous problem with graffiti and with people setting these things on fire. I guess sometimes Rumpke goes to pick up a potty and finds a big puddle of congealed, melted plastic. This results in the person who rented the potty being charged for the cost of the unit, which is easily $500+.

The man I spoke with also clued me in to a national trade show going on in Louisville this week for the port-o-potty (aka sanitation) industry. I am tentatively planning to go down and check it out...

I think its appropriate, here, to make a quick 'plug' for reaching out to people for help. A simple email to a general Rumpke address resulted in my hour and a half tour today and innumerable resources opening up. I have found time and time again that if you take the first step, people are more than willing to meet you half way- especially if you happen to be a student.

anthony bourdain: no reservations

Tracy just sent me some great pages from Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations book. They cover some aspects of bathrooms of the world, and it brings up a couple interesting points...

-How different or similar should a port-a-potty be to a public bathroom? How close should it be to a private bathroom?

-Is there a way to tackle this thesis problem that could make the final result applicable not just domestically, but internationally?

>Even looking at the domestic market, different regions and states have distinctively different laws and needs. Southern California gets far hotter than northern Michigan, so ventilation would seemingly need to be adjusted...

-Where is the line drawn between a normal no-big-deal bathroom experience and a terrible bathroom experience like many people have in port-o-potties?

One other thing... port-o-potty tipping seems to be a real problem. If port-o-potties were more difficult to tip, it would surely make sanitation worker's lives much, much better,

The survey is pretty much wrapped up- thank you to everyone who participated. I'll be synthesizing the results and post more information here soon!

talking to the stakeholders: Todd Bucher

From the way I see it, there are a handful of 'stakeholders' in the port-o-potty equation:

-the manufacturers

-the people who buy them (often for a rental business)

-the people who rent them (often for special events)

-the people who use them

-the people who clean them/transport them

Ideally, I will get some perspective on all the stakeholders. My survey is addressing the general public ('the people who use them'), and I am visiting Rumpke next week to learn more about the people who buy them and the people who clean them. That leaves...the people who rent them. Todd Bucher, a member of the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, is in charge of renting port-o-potties for the Taste of Cincinnati and Oktoberfest, two of the largest outdoor events in the city each year. We exchanged a couple emails and he shared the information above. (click on the image to see it larger) The most interesting fact to me? They keep a pumper on-site, and someone is constantly checking the facilities to see if they need to be pumped. Yikes.

starting out analog

Responses to my survey are starting to come in, and here is just a small snapshot of what people are saying. I really think that this is a topic people feel like they can be candid about, and that makes reading the responses pretty enjoyable. Thanks to everyone who has filled out the survey so far!
Sunday night I post-it noted my bedroom wall with different issues surrounding this project. This morning I put all that into 'mind map' form. I'll keep adding as new things arise. Two of the more interesting aspects: the concern about vandalism (never quite thought about that one...) and the potential for a composting port-o-let (check out the wikipedia page here.)

I'm also looking forward to visiting the Rumpke portable restroom HQ next Wednesday. Hopefully they will let me take photos...

senior thesis 2010: port-o-potty

For my industrial design senior thesis, I have decided to redesign a port-o-potty (aka port-o-let, port-o-john, porta potty, etc.) I started this blog (just now, actually) to keep track of the process and provide insight into how a designer tackles a problem like this. I'm about a week into research, and will start posting my findings here.

To start things off, it would be great if you would participate in my survey here. It seems like everyone has had an experience- usually bad- with a porta potty. Learning more about these bad experiences (and good experiences) will lead to a better potty in the end!

Feel free to contact me (or leave comments) with any feedback, suggestions, or criticism. I can be reached at carlyhagins@gmail.com.