Aura: Redefining the Fan Experience

Marco Gallegos' Aura: A Minimalist Standing Fan with a Twist

The design of Aura is elegant and minimalist, blending seamlessly with a variety of spaces and architectural styles. Standing at a height of 2.4 meters with a unique propeller geometry, Aura moves a large amount of air at low speeds, quietly filling the room with a soft, pleasant breeze. This shift in scale offers a completely new user experience, strengthening the emotional connection between the user and the object.

Aura's materials were carefully selected for their beauty, longevity, and sustainability. The rotor blades are crafted through the layering and bending of birch and ash veneers, a process that celebrates the craft of master woodworkers. A powder-coated aluminum frame makes for a lightweight construction that is durable and easy to assemble. The solid ash wood legs can be effortlessly dismounted for ease of transportation.

The fan comes with a 5-speed controller and a unique propeller geometry that moves larger volumes of air at a slower speed than traditional fans. This creates a gentle breeze that conditions the air without being overwhelming. The frame has a swivel and tilt function which allows control of the direction of the air. The tilt function also makes Aura useful during the winter, as it can draw cooler air from the floor to the ceiling, resulting in the warmer air being pushed back down into the room.

Gallegos' design process involved analyzing the common standing fan and its context. He questioned its main function, use, materials, and the relationship users have with it. The result is Aura, a product that moves away from predefined product typologies and the static design languages of everyday objects. The redesign involved a straightforward construction where all parts of the fan were rethought and stripped to the bare minimum.

Aura's timeless design combines functionality and sustainability, making it an excellent environmentally friendly alternative to air conditioning units. The fan's novel propeller geometry can move large volumes of air at low speeds, quietly filling the space with a gentle breeze that feels natural. This design was awarded Silver in A' Furniture Design Award in 2021, a testament to its outstanding expertise and innovation.