A gaming platform that aims to build parent-child relationships and an artificial coral reef are included in our latest school show by students at the Zurich University of the Arts.

Also included is a wheelchair designed to give numerous movement possibilities in wheelchair basketball and a digital device for care home residents to help improve their sense of smell.

Zurich University of the Arts

School: Zurich University of the Arts
Courses: Industrial Design
Tutors: Nicole Kind, Susanne Marti, Martin Meier, Lisa Ochsenbein, Aela Vogel and Hanspeter Wirth

School statement:

"This year's bachelor's and master's degree show demonstrates that our 2021 graduates have tackled, with great commitment, previously unexplored, yet highly urgent socially and ecologically relevant tasks. By applying and unfolding their industrial design knowledge and skills, they have found astonishing solutions.

"Our 2021 graduates have embraced a range of pressing issues: manifold aspects of human well-being – care, organisation, management, healing, recovery and sensuality; the construction of ecosystems and biotopes; the fostering, caring and revitalisation of urban spaces; as well as technologies serving to enhance sustainable utilisation."

S'werve – A Basketball Wheelchair with an Innovative Steering System by Julia Bächi

"In contrast to common wheelchair models, S'werve enables people with restricted arm and hand functions to steer their wheelchair by shifting their weight, operating it with one hand. Here, the human and wheelchair become one, and the principle of 'steering by veering' creates numerous possibilities in wheelchair basketball."

Student: Julia Bächi
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Hanspeter Wirth
Email: [email protected]

Coral City – A Modular Artificial Reef System by Anna Kaiser and Kyo Mangold with rrreefs

"Rising temperatures lead to coral reefs death, with fatal consequences for the marine ecosystem and humans. In this project, the horizontally and vertically connectable modules form an artificial reef structure. Coral larvae like to settle on its surface and adapt to the warmer temperatures in their evolution. The structure also provides shelters for fish."

Student: Anna Kaiser (ZHdK) and Kyo Mangold (ETHZ) with rrreefs
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Hanspeter Wirth
Email: [email protected]

H2ome – Designing a Self-Contained Water Re-Circulation System for Mobile Tiny Homes by Daniel Moser

"H2ome responds to local water shortages in Switzerland and creates a complete water re-circulation system for tiny self-sustaining homes. In contrast to existing solutions, it is designed for improved ease of use and increased efficiency in the filtration stages. As a further benefit, energy expenditure and maintenance are minimised."

Student: Daniel Moser
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Susanne Marti
Email: [email protected]

Gosio – Sensory Sex Toys beyond Genitals by Véronique Rebetez

"People who experience paraplegia as a result of an accident go through a significant re-orientation process of their bodily perception and sexuality. Unlike common sex toys which focus on genitalia, the sensory sex toy set Gosio consists of five sensually stimulating objects which enable users to discover their body and sexuality anew."

Student: Véronique Rebetez
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Susanne Marti
Email: [email protected]

ReSmell – A Digital Device for the Rooms of Care Home Residents to Compensate for the Deteriorating Sense of Smell in Older Age by Manuel Sigrist

"More than half of pensioners experience a declining sense of smell and have limited perception of their surroundings. Unpleasant smells, however, result in shortened care procedures and fewer visits. ReSmell analyses the room's air and sends several options for action to the user, enabling older people to actively respond to smells once again."

Student: Manuel Sigrist
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Nicole Kind and Susanne Marti
Email: [email protected]

Keramokro – Cooling the Immediate Environment in High-Temperature City Areas by Martina Skvaro

"Rising temperatures due to climate warming lead to so-called heat islands in built-up cities, especially when there is a lack of shade-giving plants. Keramokro is a locally adaptable, scalable curtain-like structure of watered clay vessels. It creates a consistent and pleasant evaporative coolness, having a positive influence on the immediate microclimate."

Student: Martina Skvaro
Course: BA Diploma
Tutors: Lisa Ochsenbein and Hanspeter Wirth
Email: [email protected]

KDS – Foundation for Child-friendly Digital Gaming by Ines Hayle

"Swiss parents often worry about the impact of digital games on their children, including psychological dependency. Yet through playing these games rather than rejecting them, they could get to know their children better and build trust. This platform supports parents with expert knowledge and a curated selection of digital games."

Student: Ines Hayle
Course: MA Diploma
Tutors: Martin Meier and Aela Vogel
Email: [email protected]

Partnership content

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