UOVO

SUPERSTRUCTURE SG
Singapore

UOVO is a sensory pod for individuals with autism. The easily identifiable shape acts as a place marker for quiet spaces within the public space, allowing an individual some privacy to decompress during tantrums or meltdowns. Fully lined with Aquaclean fabric, cushions protect any aggressive behaviour within the pod while reducing external stimuli.

The brief was to create an object for quiet corners at the National Museum of Singapore when visitors on the autism spectrum feel overwhelmed. During SUPERSTRUCTURE SG’s research process, the designers became aware of the lack of furniture on the market that caters to non-neurotypical users in public spaces. Calming rooms are more prevalent. A mandate was set to design an object that was uniquely shaped and easily accessible in terms of fabrication and modification of the design through digital fabrication and simple hardware tools.

The UOVO was designed to be easily manufactured and shipped to reduce overall production cost. It does not require an additional supporting structure. Triangular CNC-cut panels are bolted and joined together using common hardware. A thin structure was achieved by embedding the bolts into the panels using CNC milling and grooves. The form was generated by algorithms that provided optimisation in the design to benefit the structural integrity and conservation of material.

The lack of furniture that encourages inclusion in a public space should be tackled through designs that are made easily available. UOVO is simple to manufacture by any facility with a CNC milling machine, and easy to put together using readily available hardware. This allows the design to be accessible and easily adapted.

Photography: Daniel Chia.