SEAN JOSEPH ANDREWS
Selected Works
NAALIYAH STUDIOS Shopify Web
PHYSICAL COMPUTING Project
UI/UX Applications
UNDERLINE COOLING Project
PLANT HEALTH MONITOR Project
HYDE CLOSET Case Study
UNITY Game Design
MISC.
©2024 Sean Andrews
Selected Works
NAALIYAH STUDIOS Shopify Web
PHYSICAL COMPUTING Project
UI/UX Applications
UNDERLINE COOLING Project
PLANT HEALTH MONITOR Project
HYDE CLOSET Case Study
UNITY Game Design
MISC.
©2024 Sean Andrews
Underline Cooling Project
As part of the ITD Program and Design Challengs 5/6 course for Fall 2023, we worked closely with The Miami Underline to address the daily challenges they faced, particularly the issue of excessive heat along the metro station. Recognizing the need for strong leadership and coordination, I agreed to serve as the project manager. In this role, I was responsible for assigning tasks and roles, creating deadlines, and planning project events, ensuring a structured approach to solving the problem effectively.
Problem Statement:
Users and employees of the Underline experience discomfort from extreme heat in the park, and we aim to target key high-heat areas to cool users off while also meeting the Underline’s sustainability goal of being energy efficient.
Our inspiration, the ancient beehive coolant
After finding primary and secondary research on the problem, our team was able to uncover the main problem statement and begin our brainstorming. We eventually decided to go with a solution that was less technological, but more sustainable. We constructed a small-scale working prototype of a terracotta water fountain used to cool down air, which has been used in Ancient India for thousands of years. Not only did we build this device, we tested it for usability and proved that it successfully cooled down air in the close vicinity by 9 degrees celsius.
Stakeholders:
1. Commuters
2. Residents/Users
3. Employees
How it Works
The terracotta clay tube cooling system is an ingenious method of ancient air conditioning that utilizes the natural properties of terracotta clay and the principle of evaporative cooling. This system consists of a network of terracotta tubes embedded within the walls of a structure. As air passes through these moistened clay tubes, the water within the clay evaporates, absorbing heat from the air and thereby cooling it before it enters the interior spaces. The porous nature of terracotta allows for efficient water absorption and evaporation, making it an effective medium for reducing indoor temperatures. This method capitalizes on readily available materials and passive cooling techniques, offering a sustainable solution for climate control without the need for electrical energy.
Gathering the Materials
Initial Design Blueprints
Final Design Blueprint
Making the water circulation system
Gathering the materials for the build
Creating the experiment chamber with a heater
Setting up the temperature gauge
Materials:
- Miniature plug-in heater
- Miniature wireless fan
- Repurposed terracotta watering spikes
- Yeti cooler
- Zip ties
- Water pump + tube
- duct tape
- Temperature and humidity gauge (arduino circuit board)
Crafting the Device and Experiment
Analyzing The Results
Temperature (Celcius) in Experiments over Time (s) Humidity Levels (%) in Experiments over Time (s)
Leading the Underline Cooling Project was a profoundly enriching experience, both creatively and technically. This initiative challenged me to harness my skills in physical prototyping and experiment planning to address a pressing real-world problem—excessive heat in urban spaces. By successfully designing and executing a terracotta-based evaporative cooling system, our team not only demonstrated innovation but also achieved significant environmental impact, lowering temperatures by 9 degrees Celsius in the vicinity of the prototype. This project underscored my capabilities in leading a team through complex problem-solving scenarios, where both creativity and technical expertise were crucial to delivering a sustainable and effective solution.
AI Design Concept 1, using Adobe Firefly
Final Design Concept
AI Design Concept 2, using Adobe Firefly