Dezeen School Shows: bird boxes designed to be mounted under bridges and a series of prosthetics that use VR technology are included in Dezeen's latest school show by students at Zurich University of the Arts.

Also included are a waterproof garment design for individuals who use wheelchairs and a piece of mobile furniture that aims to unite the functionality of kitchen and living areas.

Zurich University of the Arts

Institution: Zurich University of the Arts
School: Zurich University of the Arts
Course: Bachelor Diploma Industrial Design
Tutors: Nicole Kind, Hanspeter Wirth, Lisa Ochsenbein and Susanne Marti

School statement:

"Industrial designers are facing major technological, ecological and societal challenges.

"While human-centred design has become the prevalent standard in design, this approach fails to look beyond the immediate user and is limiting the ability of design to lead to planetary-relevant solutions.

"To embrace new possibilities of industrial design, the Bachelor's degree 2023 presents a broad range of projects including new ways of interacting with animals, envisioning sustainable and inclusive futures as well as innovation-based approaches in health, sport and mobility."

Mochú – Kitchen Furniture for a Flexible Use of Space by Severin Fischli

"In residential construction, flexible floor plans and open, multi-use spaces are increasingly prevalent.

"Mochú offers storage and working spaces through furniture that can be placed anywhere in the room, while the kitchen is reduced to essential built-in units.

"The pieces create an aesthetic connection between kitchen and living areas and allow individual usage."

Student: Severin Fischli
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Hanspeter Wirth

Diaxxo Care – Point-of-Care PCR Test System by Henrik Lebender

"How will we get a handle on the next pandemic? Through good testing systems, amongst other things!

"Diaxxo Care delivers precise results in a very short time. The test capsules can be changed, making it possible to analyse samples for different infectious diseases.

"The compact design means it can be used in situ, independent of centralised laboratory infrastructures."

Student: Henrik Lebender
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Hanspeter Wirth

Monofold – The Sports Shoe for Before and After by Eric Weber

"Cycling shoes, rollerblades and climbing footwear are all necessary for different activities, but where do you store your shoes during transit?

"Monofold re-imagines footwear in a new way: foldable and space-saving, simultaneously cushioning and stabilising."

Student: Eric Weber
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Susanne Marti

Para – Outerwear without Barriers by Tabea Wschiansky

"This light, breathable and versatile rain protection is tailored to the needs of people in wheelchairs.

"The pockets and fasteners of the jacket and the leg cover are easy and quick to manipulate. They adapt to different body shapes and give wearers a large degree of flexibility in their daily lives."

Student: Tabea Wschiansky
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Susanne Marti

ACEIA – Easier Handling of Medical Products by Claudia Zanetti

"Many medical products – such as pill containers, blister packs, eye drops – are not easy to handle. Elderly people in particular have to rely on help.

"ACEIA takes eye drops as an example to show what a solution could look like that is user-friendly and gives patients their independence back."

Student: Claudia Zanetti
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Hanspeter Wirth

Obru – Nesting Aids on Concrete Bridges by Agnes Eklund

"In many places, modern types of construction impair the habitat conditions for birds that are dependent on human architecture.

"The nesting aid Obru offers a new shelter on concrete bridges and is mounted using already existing anchor holes.

"Obru works with the built landscape to create new habitats for endangered species."

Student: Agnes Eklund
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Hanspeter Wirth

Aion – A Prosthesis for Immersion in Cyberspace by Tiffany Louis

"A vision for the year 2062: the soft robotic prosthesis Aion connects the physical and digital worlds.

"It employs VR technology and artificial intelligence for an immersive experience in cyberspace.

"Aion makes the imaginable real, evokes admiration and encourages users to enter new territory and discover a future worth living."

Student: Tiffany Louis
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Susanne Marti

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Zurich University of the Arts. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.