FLOATING SPACE //
mobility concept
With an increasing population that is predicted to reach 9 billion by 2050, we are facing changing needs and necessary transformations. Additional and intersecting global disasters are expected. As well as other agencies, urban areas as strongholds of human essentialism need to respond to this.
While paying attention to the climate goals until 2030..
Urban areas are in need of space due to their continuous growth - to save resources, make life more affordable, and create space, sharing concepts will be used increasingly. As cars take up a huge amount of space within the urban context, the space calls to be re-designed and so does mobility itself.
SPACE EXTENTION
In order to create more space within the vehicle, the entry and exit situation around the doors was also the entry point of the project. The vehicle frame consists of two asymetric halves that move apart to allow entry and exit from two diagonally opposite sides as it lowers to ground-level. When closed, this creates more space for flexible seating instead of doors. More space for passengers is created.
Maybe also an approach to more inclusive mobility in general?
Different seating possibilities were expored.
FLOATING INTERIOR
The flexible interior allows different positions in the vehicle from sitting, leaning to standing. Standing positions not only create more space, but also promote agile togetherness inside the vehicle. The furniture pieces can be approached from different sides and allows for multi-directional conversation.
TRANSFORMATION:
CATASTROPHE
The concept closes the gap between individual and public transport by combining comfort and high flexibility in one mobility solution which is based on a sharing model. The vehicles additionally provide a concept that supports the evacuation of a region in the event of a disaster.
This concept adresses action during/after the desaster. But how could mobility address the prevention of that?
Therefore the slides, which cover the openings while the vehicle slides apart, become a central part in the second scenario. As the space in the vehicle expands and stays larger in the case of an emergency, the slides cover the openings and ensure safety within the vehicle.
As the vehicle split into two halves, the flexible interior seating arrangement shifts diagonally in relation to each other. Rows can be created from the existing furniture while the vehicle transforms to create more space for passengers which can approach it from one of the entrances on each side.
When closed, the robust shell protects passengers from falling rocks, floods and other catastrophic consequences. If further transport is impossible, the vehicle serves as a shelter.
Hover over the images for further explanation.
