Haven
Haven targets Global Goals:
3.4 Promotes mental well-being by improving workplace environments through sound, light, and natural forms.
11.7 Enhances the quality of shared spaces through design that fosters social interaction and comfort.
12.5 Uses natural, recyclable paper to support low-impact production methods.
Haven is my bachelor thesis. The project was initiated a year into the pandemic, inspired by the sudden shift from shared office spaces to home-based work environments. It explores paper as a sound absorber and fractals as beneficial elements in the office environment.
Research
The research covers:
Exploring the transition from shared offices to home offices
Understanding the importance of an office as a social meeting ground, in a time when home offices became the norm.
The importance of a functioning sound environment
Experimenting with paper for its tactile, acoustic, and aesthetic properties
Fractal patterns
Process
To gather insight and better understand the emotions connected to office work, field visits were conducted and probe kits were sent out to employees. What became clear was the importance of the office as a social meeting ground—and how that depends on a functioning sound atmosphere.
Prototype work began with paper, sewing it together, testing jalousie effects, and making pulp to shape it organically. Research into fractals showed that organic patterns support recovery and well-being.
A yellow tansy, with its repetitive form, became a source of inspiration. It was 3D scanned and printed, resulting in prototypes that looked like miniature clouds. A hanging arrangement started to take shape. Many tests were carried out to find the right expression and a method for making large paper pieces hold together when suspended. Paper pulp was placed into plaster molds, which absorbed the moisture and left behind dried forms.
Sketches of hanging sound absorbing arrangements.
Result
In total, twelve sound-absorbing pieces were created and suspended from the ceiling to form an inviting sphere, intended to support social interaction. Hung from thin wire, the paper elements contributed to a light and alluring expression. A ceiling window above allowed daylight to filter through the paper surfaces, casting shifting patterns of light throughout the day.
The organic shapes, with their fractal structures, offered a soft contrast to the rigid geometry of typical office spaces, bringing both visual interest and a sense of calm. The form aimed to support employee well-being while also enhancing the overall sound environment.
The tactile, uneven surfaces helped break up sound waves and soften the acoustics, making the pattern not only aesthetic but functionally beneficial.
