Samsara: A Sustainable Planter that Sparks Conversations

Using Meaningless Materials to Foster Awareness and Action

Design Name: Samsara

Designer Name: Elliott Murray

Design Labels: Planter

Design Inspiration: The Hindu cycle of life, Samsara envelopes a notion of endless reincarnation. Using meaningless materials, such as poop from large herbivores, to form timeless objects, Samsara bridges the gap from passive products to meaningful discussions. Subtle awareness is brought to the table when users and observers engage in the story that is Samsara.

Design Realization Technology: Feces are first gathered from large herbivores, due to its large, intact, plant fibers. These feces are boiled and dried to separate out debris. This also kills any bacteria, removing the smell. The fibers, with mushroom mycelium, are packed into a mold, and allowed to grow. As the mixture fills the mold, it is removed, fired, and dipped into beeswax. It can now be used to grow plants. Due to using only natural materials, it can be made by locals living near and around wildlife.

Design Specifications: - Elephant: Width 74mm x Depth 140mm x Height 110mm - Giraffe: Width 74mm x Depth 125mm x Height 182mm - Rhino: Width 74mm x Depth 162mm x Height 90mm

Design Tags: Green, planter, poop, elephant, plants, samsara, elliott, murray, sustainable, eco

Design Interaction: Samsara is ready to be planted right out of the box. It is recommended for use with succulents or herbs, as they will stop growing when the plant has reached max capacity. If the user grows tired of Samsara, or if the planter begins to wear out, the user can simply plant Samsara directly into the ground or place it in a compost pile due to it using only natural materials and processes. In addition to receiving Samsara, the user will also receive an information card with the story and facts that make up Samsara to help the user pass on its story to others.

Design Location and Timeframe: Creating the concept for Samsara began in September 2016 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and was visualized by February 2017.

Design Research: With abnormal materials like poo, you have to understand what it's made of. I first researched which feces are best due to multiple criteria. I decided on large herbivore waste due to makeup, amount, and for containing fewer communicable diseases. When creating the manufacturing process, I researched how elephant poo paper is currently made, since a lot of the processes are similar. Also, I read a lot of research by artist Danielle Trofe and her use of mushroom mycelium as a material.

Design Challenges: The biggest challenges were not the material but the form of Samsara. For one, the manufacturing process called for a very simple mold, especially if Samsara is to be manufactured locally. This resulted in Samsara being able to be manufactured using only two-part molds containing one insert. Secondly, to stay true to a Fibonacci form and proportion, took a lot of tweaking to get it just right. Samsara went through multiple iterations, both physically and digitally, to become what it is today.

Design Notes: Using meaningless materials to form well-designed objects, Samsara bridges the gap from passive products to meaningful discussions. Samsara began as an idea to create subtle awareness about the wildlife of the world and the issues they face. Through its unique material use of large herbivore poop and mushroom mycelium, paired with a welcoming, organic form, Samsara invites users and observers to engage with this planter and its story. This unobtrusive approach makes individuals more willing to participate and be inspired to make a difference.

Awards and Accolades: Samsara was awarded Bronze in the A' Sustainable Products, Projects, and Green Design Award in 2017. The Bronze A' Design Award is bestowed upon outstanding and creatively ingenious designs that authenticate experience and resourcefulness. Esteemed for incorporating best practices in art, science, design, and technology, they exhibit strong technical and creative skills and contribute to quality of life improvements, making the world a better place.