Human-Centered Design, Client Communication, and Design Ethics

EnviroCrusher Glass Crushing Machine

A design for a machine that converts glass into fine sand to make bricks to be used in the construction of low income housing, made in collaboration with The Maa Trust, a community-based non-profit in Maasai Mara, Kenya.

Objective

Outcome

To create a sustainable and energy efficient glass crushing machine design that can convert glass into fine sand
To create a machine that can be fabricated within the Maasai Mara community in Kenya, using locally available materials and resources
To collaborate with the Maa Trust community partner and create a design that fulfills their specific and evolving needs
1. Check out the Maa Trust mission here!

A glass crusher prototype of an impact mill design that can be manufactured in Maasai Mara. We consulted local welders and mechanics to create a design that uses local materials and processes to ensure that the device can be locally sustainable in the long-term.

The design can be electrically or manually powered to ensure functionality regardless of electricity and environmental conditions.

Skills and Takeaways

Client communication and stakeholder management
Sustainable and ethical design
Design concept evaluation
Designing for local and limited manufacturing processes
How to scale down a prototype but still have it contribute something meaningful