A C T I V A T EMAKING A SUSTAINABLE WATER PURIFIER

IR ISA X I O N G

2 0 1 3

TABLE OF

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTIONDesign Philosophy

LIVING IN A CHEMICAL BATHUnderstanding Water in the World Today

Piles and Piles of Plastic

SOURCING CARBONThe Hidden Potential of Activated Carbon

Choosing Ethical and Local

DESIGNING ARTIFACTMarket Research on Water FiltersSteeping Charcoal Like Fine TeaDesigning Value, Marketing LifestyleIntroducing Activate

A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEMGlobally LocalA Complete Cycle With Earth

Conclusion

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Design is and always will be part of my life. It is the tool I use to connect with

science, art, craft, and people, as well as a growing process of what it means to live

with intent and service that intent for others.

I make with a wide variety of mediums such as pigment, wood, computer, and

air. I design for simplicity. I begin with a context, continue with a narrative,

and complement with a system. I strive to redefine the perception of quality in

common objects and open space. Perception is a highly sensitive experience and

must take into serious consideration various topics like philosophy, tangibility,

form, scale, health, and emotion. All media becomes relevant. Therefore, I stay

curious and live consciously to better apply my design practice.

01Design Philosophy

unprocessed materials

honest aesthetics

humble functionality

health & wellness

social engagement

efficient systems

sustainable practice

conscious consumption

conscious living

02 pesticidesfertilizersnitratessmog & smokeacid rainstorm runoffchemical spillslandfillstoxic wasteadded chlorine & fluoridecopper & lead pipes

POLLUTED WATER

LIVING IN A CHEMICAL BATH

LIVING IN A CHEMICAL BATH

Understanding Water in the World Today

The prospect of pure, regulated water in the U.S, let alone the world, stands bleak. Even New York City’s water, world-renowned for its high quality of purity, cannot escape the contamination of chemicals. In a study conducted by the DEP, the water was found to have trace concentrations of heart medicine, estrogen, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and tranquilizers, as well as lead exceeding the EPA benchmark.

Additionally, large amounts of toxic chemicals legally go unregulated, such as Dichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane,

Trihalomethane, Haloacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Bromoform, and Dibromochloromethane. The effects of long-term exposure and varying combinations of these chemicals remains unknown in their ill health effects.

New York, NY

SOURCES OF WATER CONTAMINATION

Acid Rain

Pesticides

Toxic Waste

Fertilizers

Industry

Chemical Spills

Chlorides Fluorides Lead Nitrate PCBs Nitrate Selenium Batium Chromium

Chloroform Radionuclides Vinyl Chlorides Copper Chlordane Mercury Carbon

Tetrachloride Chlorine Trihalomethane Dissolved Solids MTBC Aluminum

Asbestos Arsenic Dioxin Cryptosporidium Dichloroacetic acid Haloacetic acids

Nitrates

SOURCES OF WATER CONTAMINATION

ChlorineFluoride

MunicipalTreatment

Acid Rain

Air PollutionSmoke and Smog

Sewage

Lead Pipes

Toxic Waste Nitrates

Chlorides Fluorides Lead Nitrate PCBs Nitrate Selenium Batium Chromium

Chloroform Radionuclides Vinyl Chlorides Copper Chlordane Mercury Carbon

Tetrachloride Chlorine Trihalomethane Dissolved Solids MTBC Aluminum

Asbestos Arsenic Dioxin Cryptosporidium Dichloroacetic acid Haloacetic acids

POOR CONSUMPTION SYSTEM

POOR CONSUMPTION SYSTEM

Piles and Piles of PlasticIn conjuntion to increasingly polluted water, the plastic water bottle design has created poor consumer habits that drive convenience over responsibility. Plastic itself is also is a very toxic material to produce and process, as well as eventually leeching that toxicity through its use as a food container or as chemical off-gas in its disintegration.

Bottled water consumes 2,000 times more energy than tap water.

1 bottle of water requires 3 bottles of water to produce.

Bottled water costs 10,000 times more than tap water in the U.S.

30,000,000 bottles end up in landfills everyday.

03 SOURCING CARBON

•radiation purification•air filtration•chemical purification•metal extraction•poison treatment•water purification

DETOXIFIER

The Hidden Potential of Activated Carbon

•radiation purification•air filtration•chemical purification•metal extraction•poison treatment•water purification

The Hidden Potential of Activated Carbon

UNSUSTAINABLE LOGGING

DEFORESTATIONDESERTIFICATIONILLEGAL CHARCOAL TRADE

COMMERCIAL CHARCOAL

UNSUSTAINABLE LOGGING

DEFORESTATIONDESERTIFICATIONILLEGAL CHARCOAL TRADE

Choosing Ethical and Local

by ACTIVATE

LOW-IMPACT LOCAL PRODUCTION

123456

CHAR. Turn the food waste into charcoal by heating the waste material in a sealed container for 400F+.

RINSE. Wash the charcoal of ashes and other impuri-ties and then let dry.

OXYGENATE. Place the charcoal in a 25% solution of a strong acid / base / salt and let it sit for 24 hours.

RINSE AGAIN. Drain the solution from the charcoal. Keep the charcoal damp and begin the next step.

HEAT. Place the container in an oven set at 250F and heat for 3 hours.

REST. Let the charcoal cool.

MAKING CARBON OUT OF FOOD WASTE

04 D ES I G N I N G A RT I FAC TConsidering existing product designs in the market, from the most popular Brita Filter to the high-end artisinal charcoal, and everything in between.

A design with a take-back program. The downfall is that it still relies on plastics production as a material source.

Market Research on Water FiltersD ES I G N I N G A RT I FAC T

The top 3 most well-known filters, Pur, Bobble, and Brita. Shown with their corresponding filter replacements.

high-end artisinal natural charcoal filters

Sculptural charcoal filter one-off designs by Formafantasma.

Sculptural charcoal filter one-off designs by Formafantasma.

Two notable filter designs by Kishu and Black+Blum that eliminate the need for a plastic cartridge by using high-end binchotan charcoal. They do, however, use some plastic packaging. Additionally, these designs still require logging hardwood forests and have weak distribution systems that make it not easily accesible to a consumer.

FUNCTIONALITY

HONESTY TO MATERIALSOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

SUSTAINABILITY AESTHETICS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Build upon what BRITA offers....

FUNCTIONALITY

HONESTY TO MATERIALSOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

SUSTAINABILITY AESTHETICS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

BRITA

ACTIVATE

Build upon what BRITA offers....

....and improve what it lacks.

As Brita still remains the most accessible and popular water purifier for urban consumers, a new purifier design that considers its strengths and weaknesses as well as the strategies of other natural filters will be directly compared to it.

INGREDIENTSActivated charcoal

DIRECTIONSPlace the bag in any water container (recommended 50 fluid oz or less). Fill with tap water.Steep for 30 min or as long as possible.Drink and repeat.

DISPOSALCompost the charcoal bag. Your plants will love the nutrients!

ACTIVATE CUBES

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUYING THIS PRODUCT?

HEALTH - active charcoal that chemically binds to harmful toxins and cleanses your body of pollutants that accumulate.

ENVIRONMENT - made of agricultural waste that is locally sourced (and when you’re done, plants love it!).

COMMUNITY - connecting with your local farmers who provide fresh produce.

AWARENESS - understanding where your resources come from and how you can support efficient systems.

infuser + loose leaf teafilter + activated charcoal

Steeping Charcoal Like Fine Tea

ACTIVATEPUREWATER.

Designing Value, Marketing Lifestyle

ACTIVATEPUREWATER.

Designing Value, Marketing Lifestyle

BY ACTIVATE.

How is it made?

Local agricultural waste is dried, and then fired in a kiln until it becomes highly porous charcoal, also known as activated carbon.

How does it work?

Activated carbon has many internal pores on a molecular level, which chemically bond to toxins and heavy metals. Fill up your ACTIVATE purifier with charcoal and place it into any water vessel. Simply by letting the carbon steep in your water, it will keep purifying it. A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended for every standard water bottle size.

How long will it last?

The carbon can clean up to 50 L of water, or around 2 months of daily use.

How do I dispose of it?

After the carbon is fully saturated, it will need to be replaced. The old carbon can be disposed of as compost and is a great nutrient boost for your plants!

THISISWATERPURIFIED

THISISWATERPURIFIED

BY ACTIVATE. BY ACTIVATE.

Packaging design drafts to illustrate “purity” as a visual attraction to consumers.

Introducing Activate

A C T I V A T EClean Water in a Sustainable WorldActivate is a sustainable water purifier that filters tap water so that individuals are empowered to having clean drinking water while also supporting an ethical product and responsible consumption.

Introducing Activate

sleek. simple. beautiful. durable.

REPLACE BY: /

REPLACE BY: /

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Store charcoal in a cool, dry, dark location in a sealed container.

charcoal disposal

using the filter

Change every 1 - 3 months depending on the amount of water being filtered

Treat the charcoal as compost. Use it as nutrients for your plant!

Store charcoal in a cool, dry, dark location in a sealed container.

charcoal disposal

using the filter

Change every 1 - 3 months depending on the amount of water being filtered

Treat the charcoal as compost. Use it as nutrients for your plant!

ACTIVATE IN USE

ACTIVATE GLOBAL MAP

San Francisco New York City

05 London

A S U STA I N A B L E SYST E M

ACTIVATE GLOBAL MAPmaterial and fabrication (filter)

product distribution (filter)

material, production, and distribution (charcoal)

ParisLondon

TokyoBeijing

A S U STA I N A B L E SYST E M

Charcoal sold as a bulk good in the health section....

Charcoal sold as a bulk good in the health section....

....or at the local market.

DISTRIBUTION

LANDFILL

DISPOSAL

PETROLEUM FRACTION COAL EXTRACTION

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION

PETROCHEMICAL PROCESSING

PLASTIC PRODUCTION

ASSEMBLY

USERECYCLE

EARTH

TIMBER LOGGING

BRITA PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

EARTH

AGRICULTURECROP WASTE COLLECTION

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION

DISTRIBUTION

USE

DISPOSAL SCRAP METALCOLLECTION

DAMAGE

METAL FABRICATION

DISTRIBUTION

ACTIVATE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

A Complete Cycle with Earth

BRITA PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

ACTIVATE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

A Complete Cycle with Earth Conclusion

clean drinking watersustainable awarenessdrinking tap waternatural materialslocal productionethical labor

plastic productionunsustainable loggingplastic consumptionextensive shippinglandfill+ _

PROMOTES ELIMINATES

Water is like air. It is a necessity. Yet no one can choose

the quality of their natural water.

Empower your needs.Choose Activate.

Water is like air. It is a necessity. Yet no one can choose

the quality of their natural water.

Empower your needs.Choose Activate.