_
Bus 2010 Bus Design Award 2006
This service experience design was awarded first prize in the Bus 2010 Design Award. This is a design award rewarding new ideas of making public transport more accessible and attractive in the next decade. Organized by SLTF – the Swedish Public Transport Association together with The Swedish Bus and Coach Federation and sponsored by Scania, Man, Volvo, Vdl and Neoplan.
The first prize included cash money at a value of 30 000 SEK (3.000 Euros)
___
A staged environmental narrative
‘The return of nature’ is a story-based design scenario for more environmental-friendly, accessible and attractive urban transport experiences in Nagoya City, Japan in the next decade.
“The spirits from nature returns to the city as an environmental-friendly public transport experience.”
With a story-world influenced by the old Shinto tradition and ancient animistic beliefs in the spirits of nature (kami) and a series of sub-plots centered around the citizens different individual needs and motives, this public transport scenario is designed with the purpose to bring harmony and balance between the natural environment, the people and the machines (technology).
___
Products as “actors and props” in an environmental narrative:
_
Kodama
Kodama means “echo” (the literal meaning is “tree spirit”.) In ancient Japanese tales Kodama are a kind of spirits who hide in the forest.
Kodama Sound Installation
In the shadow, under the mushroom roof at the Bus Stop, the Kodama hides…
A solar powered Sound Installation randomly records the sound of peoples conversations at the Bus Stop. The sound is processed by digital delay and floating whispering sound patterns based on the voices are randomly panned through the Surround Sound System. Sometimes traces of peoples voices can be heard a long time after they have left the Bus Stop.
___
The Mushroom Roof
The rain is collected at the bottom of the blades and lead to a central well. This makes it possible to see the sky and the clouds through the roof between the blades.
_
___
The Leaf Ramp
The ramp at the bus stop, shaped like a leaf, makes the boarding of the bus more accessible for all people. The ramp connects to the accessibility area of the bus.
_
The areas of the bus
The placement of the tentacle shaped engines/wheels underneath a height adjustable shell-like cabin provides extra low floor in the center. The different areas of the bus is designed to meet different user needs and to make the public transportation an accessible and attractive way of traveling in the city. The unique interior design offers a travel experience in tree different flavors.
_
___
Personas/User scenarios
User scenarios representing tree different user groups. (Please mouse over to view text content)
___
Research and thoughts
The aim of the project was not to find in detail solutions. It was rather about choreographing an environmental narrative centered around the citizens different individual needs and motives, based on traditions as well as current social trends in Japan. This service experience design should be understood as an overall concept exploring the interplay of different components and ideas.
To bring new perspectives on, and stimulate discussions around the future of sustainable transportation, it was presented visually, as a proposal of a more environmentally friendly public transport in Nagoya, Aichi, JAPAN in the next decade.
___
The design process included: Qualitative ethnographic field research, User interviews, Quantitative statistic research, Traditional and contemporary cultural studies and observations, Architectural analysis, Trend research, Service blueprinting – carefully considering “On-Stage” interactions and touch points, flows and experience journeys, 3d and 2d sketching and visualization.
Please see below for selected images from the process.
