Hydroponic is a form of technology that involves growing plants on an inert medium instead of natural soil. Not only does this help eliminate soil-borne diseases but it also helps in improving the crop quality as well. However, most hydroponic systems available in the market are meant for commercial purposes, are very costly, and take up too much space, making it difficult specifically for people who are interested in trying hydroponic as a hobby. This project aims to design a new form of system that combines the technology & benefits of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic that will be utilized for growing vegetables and herbs. The new system aims to be more efficient, compact, and, most importantly, cost-viable to the general consumers. To gain a better understanding of this topic, extensive research is conducted on the types of sustainable farming methods, hydroponics as well as different aspects of it. A survey is distributed online to gain feedback from potential buyers. Site visits are also conducted on two local farms that use hydroponic/aquaponic technology to learn their firsthand experience in managing a hydroponics system. A total of 6 different concept designs were sketched about the data obtained from the literature review, interview, and survey. The designs are then shortlisted into three concept designs before it is further shortlisted into one design with the aid of design evaluation using Pugh’s method. To conclude, a functional prototype of the system has been successfully built that fulfills the criteria of this project.

This study focuses on the development of the Dynamic Folding Envelope Design (DFED), a portable shading device created in response to global warming challenges. Addressing the need for environmentally conscious yet comfortable shading solutions in outdoor recreational spaces, particularly glamping, the research aims to create a user-cantered, versatile, and customizable device. Utilizing research tools, user testing, interviews, and prototyping, the study culminates in an Arduino-powered prototype. Survey results and in-depth interviews highlight the demand for features such as replaceable canopies and autonomous functionality, while also identifying practical hurdles like hardware limitations and coding complexities. The study reviews the DFED's practicality and efficacy, emphasizing the importance of addressing technical challenges and refining design aspects. Overall, the DFED represents a significant step towards sustainable and user-friendly shading solutions in outdoor recreational spaces.

Hydroponic is a form of technology that involves growing plants on an inert medium instead of natural soil. Not only does this help eliminate soil-borne diseases but it also helps in improving the crop quality as well. However, most hydroponic systems available in the market are meant for commercial purposes, are very costly, and take up too much space, making it difficult specifically for people who are interested in trying hydroponic as a hobby. This project aims to design a new form of system that combines the technology & benefits of hydroponic, aquaponic, and aeroponic that will be utilized for growing vegetables and herbs. The new system aims to be more efficient, compact, and, most importantly, cost-viable to the general consumers. To gain a better understanding of this topic, extensive research is conducted on the types of sustainable farming methods, hydroponics as well as different aspects of it. A survey is distributed online to gain feedback from potential buyers. Site visits are also conducted on two local farms that use hydroponic/aquaponic technology to learn their firsthand experience in managing a hydroponics system. A total of 6 different concept designs were sketched about the data obtained from the literature review, interview, and survey. The designs are then shortlisted into three concept designs before it is further shortlisted into one design with the aid of design evaluation using Pugh’s method. To conclude, a functional prototype of the system has been successfully built that fulfills the criteria of this project.

This study focuses on the development of the Dynamic Folding Envelope Design (DFED), a portable shading device created in response to global warming challenges. Addressing the need for environmentally conscious yet comfortable shading solutions in outdoor recreational spaces, particularly glamping, the research aims to create a user-focused, versatile, and customizable device. Utilizing research tools, user testing, interviews, and prototyping, the study culminates in an Arduino-powered prototype. Survey results and in-depth interviews highlight the demand for features such as replaceable canopies and autonomous functionality, while also identifying practical hurdles like hardware limitations and coding complexities. The study reviews the DFED's practicality and efficacy, emphasizing the importance of addressing technical challenges and refining design aspects. Overall, the DFED represents a significant step towards sustainable and user-friendly shading solutions in outdoor recreational spaces.