BMW SAUBA Concept
Abstract |
Inspiration |
Method |
Result
| Presentation Video
Abstract
BMW `Growing Car Concept´ is a more conceptual and experimental approach to car design. The project aim was to explore and investigate the possibilities of integrating genetic modified natural material into a vehicle using the “Cradle to Cradle” mind-set. Today people are living with a strong awareness to a sustainable and healthy lifestyle, but they still desire luxury and consumer goods. My project aim is to merge these two opposites in an explorative way.
Inspiration
tried to soak up inspiration from everything: Nature, life, classic car design, furniture design, art, architecture and most of all the design experience I have so far. I see car design as a blend of all these disciplines, integrating a strong `story´ and emotion, and in that sense my degree project was inspired by all of those.
Method
First of all I experimented with resin, string and moos to test how I could imitate and fake plants to illustrate my Design/Concept. I wanted to cast this very vague and random material into a defined and precise form. The process was very experimental from the beginning, and later I integrated more Transportation Design methods like sketching, clay modelling and Alias into my process. I wanted to merge the artistic side, which I created with string and moos, with the more conventional car design skills to create a sculpture that contains both. My conceptual thinking during the first phase was strongly based on the story and the connection between the vehicle and the user. I investigated scenarios between cities, vehicles and car companies. Working together as one system to create a more sustainable future.
Result
My result shows the combination between a luxurious classic orientated car with a sustainable material that is applied in a way to give the user as much experience and connection to its vehicle as possible. The front part is made out of genetic engineered plants, which is growing into an industrial mould before mounted to the chassis. This will take approximately 4 month. The plant is growing further as time pass by. The vehicle is aging, developing a unique personality and with special `Bonsai´ pruning tools the owner has the ability to shape and customize the parts of the car. The owner can control the growing and will shape his personal vehicle the way he wants.
Like in nature where every object makes sense and is useful in terms of a system, my concept also cleans the air in town and captures toxics and C02 while producing Oxygen. After its lifespan the car can be used as a Playground and its non-organic parts will compost and return into the lifecycle of nature.