Silver Idea and Conceptual Design · 2023
SpaceV Vending System Experience
by Tiange Wang and I-Yang Huang
- A' Design Award 2023 Silver Winner in Idea and Conceptual Design
- Awarded April 15, 2023
- CLIENT: VLab
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 1,238,226
- Verification code C70FED0DC2 · Verify this award
About SpaceV Vending System Experience
SpaceV is a digitally enabled space vending system for future wellbeing. It offers a variety of customizable spaces via a vending system for individuals to book by the minutes. The design celebrates qualities of automation, modularity and scalability of vending machines and merges spatial, interaction and service design into a holistic physicals experience. High polish 3D visualizations are used to storyteller the human-centered experience. This experience blueprint for future wellbeing in the city leverages the vending system and speculates: what if a vending machine becomes a building?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- SpaceV is a digitally enabled space vending system for everyday wellbeing. It offers a variety of spaces through a vending system for individuals to book by the minutes to exercise, meditate, nap, eat, meet and so on, and customize the multisensory quality and activity accessories through the booking to suit their needs. SpaceV serves to meet the fragmented needs for activity and relaxation in everyday city life and support on the go private usage of spaces for physical and mental wellbeing.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- The physical part of the project, SpaceV Flagship, is designed to follow the Tokyo KK expressway and has 5 individual building locations. Each location is 6 levels and 9,500 square meters in total area. The plan is linearly arranged. Total width of the plan is 12m with a corridor 2.2m wide. one side of the corridor is generous glazing for view into city and the other is space vending system populated by modular containers. The digital part is a responsive web application that can be accessed through mobile app on phones and webpage from computers.
- Tags
- Unmanned Retail, Space Vending, Vending Machines, Holistic Wellbeing, Service Design, Interaction Design, Spatial Design, Architecture, Multichannel Experience, Shared Economy
- Production Technology
- Site analysis, user interviews and inspiration trip to Tokyo uncovered the demand for private spaces that support wellness-oriented activities in large cities; Spatial design, 3D modeling and rendering for the physical space; Journey mapping, UIUX design and AR prototyping for the hybrid digital-physical experience. We designed the space vending units to be modular, so that they could be integrated into a new building or inserted into existing public spaces in different location, quantity, and types.
- Design Challenge
- To keep the promise of autonomy and privacy, the unique challenge for this project is to prescribe how it will operate with as little human interference as possible at its scale and complexity. Space is finely divided for diversified purposes that involves both sales of goods and personal occupancy. We felt challenged in designing a system for reservation, management, and wayfinding. This problem is specific to this vision and has no direct precedent. It leads us to discover the possibilities of hybrid digital-physical method, bringing together the best of both worlds for a new experience.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Feb 2022 and first wrapped in Dec 2022 in Cambridge, MA USA. It continues to evolve along with user testing feedback in 2023.
- Operation Flow
- The vending units are space modules of various dimensions that could be assembled, allowing SpaceV locations to vary from large city blocks to small storefronts. Users customize and book a space using an app, navigate to the space with in-app indoor navigation and AR wayfinding, and scan to unlock. Meanwhile the staff will prepare the space based on the orders. Without a booking, users are also able to browse the spaces in-person, via AR over the facade and online, and check in on the spot.
- Research
- The research of Space V seeks to understand 3 ideas. Practices of contemporary wellness, the spatial requirement for such practices and people’s expectation for this space. The project underwent extensive project-based typological research to understand rising demand for individualized, private versatile spaces that’s conveniently located and affordably priced. There is also broad literature research that attempts to uncover the holistic nature of contemporary wellbeing as the central offering. The outcome is a synthesized project stemmed from these findings.
- Inspiration
- SpaceV is inspired by the growing need for accessible, convenient and low-cost spaces that cater to people's physical and mental wellbeing in the urban environment. With the rise of shared economy and unmanned retail, SpaceV seeks to provide a unique experience that combines vending systems and private spaces for activities such as meditation, stretching, napping and relaxation, allowing individuals to recharge without feeling self-conscious whether they have a few minutes or hours to spare.
- Image Credits
- Image #1: I-Yang Huang, Tiange Wang, 2022
Image #2: I-Yang Huang, Tiange Wang, 2022
Image #3: I-Yang Huang, Tiange Wang, 2022
Image #4: Tiange Wang, I-Yang Huang, 2022
Image #5: Tiange Wang, I-Yang Huang, 2022
Video Credits: Tiange Wang, Images, Text, UIUX, Sound
Colors of SpaceV Vending System Experience
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Multidisciplinary Experience Design Services
We create human-centered experiences that bridge digital and physical worlds. Our expertise spans UX/UI design, spatial experiences, XR prototyping, and service design. From concept to implementation, we transform complex challenges into innovative solutions.
G0E2 ShopDesign Interview about SpaceV Vending System Experience
The main principle behind SpaceV is to leverage the potential of shared economy and unmanned retail to address the need for affordable, accessible, and private spaces in urban environments. Inspired by vending systems and private spaces, SpaceV serves as a refuge for urban dwellers seeking to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.
Our focus in designing SpaceV was to provide a flexible, personalized, and private wellness solution that is easily accessible and affordable. We sought to shift the emphasis of wellness from physical perfection to a more holistic approach, enhancing mental and physical wellbeing through various activities.
Our future plans for SpaceV involve continual enhancement of the digital interface and the integration of newer technologies to refine the user experience. We also foresee exploring partnerships to extend SpaceV's reach across different cities and cultures, making wellness an inclusive, global phenomenon.
SpaceV is a complicated project that involved extensive research, intricate design, detailed visualization and collaboration. it was a lengthy process that took several months to complete.
The design for SpaceV was not commissioned; instead, it was inspired by the urban need for easily accessible and private wellness spaces. Recognizing the potential of shared economy and unmanned retail systems, we pursued the idea of creating a unique wellness experience.
Considering its digital-physical nature, potential collaborations with other companies or plans to sell or lease production rights could be possible future avenues.
We were moved to design SpaceV to address the growing need for private, affordable, and accessible wellness spaces within urban environments. Recognizing the shortcomings of conventional fitness centers, we envisioned a flexible solution that promotes holistic wellbeing.
While there are no specific designers or products we see as direct influences and precedents, the design of SpaceV is informed by existing vending systems, shared economy models, and wellness spaces.
The target customer for SpaceV is any individual living in an urban environment who seeks accessible, private, and affordable wellness spaces to engage in activities such as exercise, meditation, relaxation, or other forms of physical and mental wellbeing.
What sets SpaceV apart is its blend of digital and physical aspects, promoting a personalized, flexible, and private wellness experience. Unlike conventional fitness centers, it offers a holistic, inclusive approach to wellness, addressing both physical and mental wellbeing needs.
The name SpaceV represents a combination of 'Space' and 'Vending'. It captures the essence of the project, offering a space-vending system for wellness activities in the city, similar to how vending machines or Amazon lockers work on a room-scale level.
Due to the digital-physical blend of SpaceV, we used a combination of physical prototyping and digital tools, including software for 3D visualization, user interface design, and system management.
The unique aspect of our design lies in the blend of physical and digital aspects, creating a 'phygital' wellness experience. This seamless integration of technology and physical space provides a high degree of personalization, flexibility, and privacy in wellness routines.
The unique complexity of the SpaceV involved a multi-disciplinary team. This team included individuals with specialized skills in architectural design, user experience, service design, and technologist.
Technology plays a crucial role in SpaceV. It facilitates the operational aspects of space booking, customization, and management. Further, it enhances the user experience with digital interfaces, indoor navigation, AR wayfinding, and allows for telepresence interactions.
Yes, our design was significantly influenced by data and analytical research. We conducted typological and literature research to understand contemporary wellness practices, spatial requirements, and user expectations. These insights helped shape SpaceV.
We faced challenges in designing a system capable of handling reservation, management, and wayfinding, while ensuring minimal human interference. Achieving the balance of automation, privacy, inclusivity, and the functional-physical blend posed a unique challenge.
The decision to submit SpaceV to an international design competition was likely driven by the desire to gain recognition for the innovative approach to wellness, expose the concept to a wider audience, and potentially attract future partnerships.
During the design of SpaceV, we deepened our understanding of wellness needs in urban environments. We honed our ability to blend digital and physical design elements, creating a 'phygital' experience. The project improved our skills in research, prototyping, and designing complex systems.
We believe it's worth noting that SpaceV aims to redefine how wellness is perceived in urban landscapes. It challenges the norm of fitness centers by providing a holistic, inclusive, and accessible wellness experience, making it an integral part of people's everyday lives.