Interview about Plan Ta Modular Vase , winner of the A' 3D Printed Forms and Products Design Award 2024
The designer was inspired by his childhood upbringing surrounded by natural plants and building blocks in his room. This sparked the question of whether there was a way to combine the two. By utilizing the unique properties of space filling polyhedrons and 3D printing, the designer was able to find an answer to this question. The solution manifested into Plan Ta, a system of magnetic planter building blocks which not only can hold a variety of indoor plants but can also be used to build and play with.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsMy parents both grew up on farms and were passionate gardeners. They spent much of their time cultivating fruits and vegetables, and I would often accompany them as they tended to their garden. While they worked with plants, I found myself more drawn to drawing and playing with building blocks. As I grew older, I began to appreciate the beauty and effort my parents put into their garden, and I started to develop my own interest in houseplants.As a designer with a background in 3D printing, I wanted to create something unique for my plants—something that was different from the standard vases I had seen. The idea for the Plan Ta Modular Vase came to me as I reflected on my childhood memories. I wondered if there was a way to combine my love for building blocks and my newfound passion for gardening. I realized that the two could come together in a fun and interactive way. The concept of modularity in the vase design allows users to customize and "build" their own arrangements, making the process of caring for plants both creative and playful. This fusion of childhood memories with a practical design for plant care felt like the perfect way to merge my past and present passions.
Traditional building blocks are typically rectilinear—shapes like cubes or rectangular prisms—because they’re easy to stack and connect. While a simple cube is the most straightforward shape for both a building block and a functional planter, I wanted to create something more unconventional. I wanted the design to be visually striking while still maintaining the same intuitive functionality of stacking and connecting blocks.This led me to explore space-filling polyhedrons. These shapes, unlike cubes, have more complex, multi-faceted faces but still function in a similar way, allowing for easy assembly while creating a more dynamic aesthetic. By using these polyhedrons, I was able to maintain the modularity of the design while offering something visually distinct and engaging. The result is a system that balances both form and function, inviting users to interact with the design in a way that’s both playful and practical.
When developing the Plan Ta Modular Vase, we initially chose PLA for its many advantages: it’s quick to print, inexpensive, and made from renewable resources, making it biodegradable. It seemed like the ideal material for both reducing waste and producing a sustainable product. However, during early testing, we discovered that PLA has a significant drawback: it’s porous. This led to water leaking through the material and mold developing between the 3D printed layers, which compromised the functionality of the vase.To address this issue, we transitioned to PETG, a material with similar quality to PLA but much better at retaining water. PETG is commonly used to make products like water bottles because of its water-resistant properties. While it’s not biodegradable like PLA, PETG has the advantage of being recyclable. Just like traditional water bottles, PETG can be recycled and repurposed into new products, which still aligns with our sustainability goals.In the end, PETG provided the right balance of functionality and environmental responsibility. The ability to 3D print the vase from recycled PETG and its recyclability after use made it a suitable and more durable alternative to PLA, addressing both the practical needs of the design and our sustainability concerns.
The key consideration in designing the magnetic connection system for the Plan Ta Modular Vase was ensuring that it was intuitive and easy to use—just like traditional building blocks. We wanted the assembly process to be simple enough for anyone, regardless of age, to understand and use—whether it’s a child or a senior citizen. This led us to experiment with magnets, as they allow for a quick, effortless connection with minimal physical effort from the user.Next, we needed to determine the right type of magnet and how many would be necessary to ensure a stable and secure connection, especially considering the weight of a plant with soil. For the smaller planter, we decided that a single magnet on each face would provide enough strength. For the larger planter, which is heavier, we used four evenly spaced magnets on each face to ensure a strong, stable hold.By focusing on simplicity and functionality, we were able to create a connection system that’s both user-friendly and strong enough to support the weight of the plants, offering versatility in how users can arrange the vases while maintaining stability.
Balancing the dual functions of the Plan Ta Modular Vase—both as a functional plant container and an interactive building block—required extensive research and experimentation. It was crucial to stay true to the core concept of the design and ensure that both functions complemented each other without compromising their effectiveness. The challenge was to maintain the playful, modular aspect of the design while ensuring it was also practical and functional as a planter.Throughout the process, we encountered numerous setbacks and roadblocks. Each time this happened, we would step back, sometimes take a break, and return to the problem with fresh perspectives. It was this cycle of reflection, consistency, and perseverance that allowed us to refine the design and ensure that neither the playfulness nor the functionality of the Plan Ta Vase was sacrificed.
Scaling up a product is often assumed to be a straightforward process, but in reality, it presents significant challenges. The small vase was our initial prototype and was relatively easy to design. It was lightweight, and the placement and number of magnets needed for the connection system were simple to implement. At that scale, the vase was designed to hold only an air plant, which doesn't require soil, so water retention wasn’t an issue.However, when we scaled up the design to accommodate house plants, we encountered several unexpected problems. One of the biggest challenges was weight. As the size of the vase increased, so did its volume and weight, which put a strain on the magnetic connection system we initially used. The magnets that worked well for the smaller vase simply couldn’t support the added weight of a larger planter with soil and plants.To address this, we experimented with different connection types, joints, and magnets to find a stronger solution. We also introduced a dual-container design, which helped to keep the overall planter as lightweight as possible while still retaining space for a plant potted in soil . Additionally, we increased the number of magnets on each face of the larger vase to strengthen the connection. This balance between material efficiency and magnetic strength allowed us to scale up the design without compromising functionality or stability.
My background in architecture influenced the development of the Plan Ta Modular Vase in several key ways. Two important lessons I learned from practicing architecture are to stay true to the core concept throughout the design process and to consistently iterate and refine until you achieve the right balance between form and function. For Plan Ta, the core concept was always about creating a design that functioned intuitively as both a vase and a modular building block. This guiding principle helped us ensure that the vase was easy to use while also maintaining its playful, interactive nature.The minimal yet functional form of Plan Ta was constantly refined and iterated to better represent this dual purpose. Like in architecture, we didn’t rush the design; instead, we focused on thoughtful adjustments to improve both its usability and aesthetic. The result is a modular system that maintains structural integrity while clearly embodying the design’s core concept.
The idea for the vertical application of the Plan Ta Modular Vase actually came from a moment of inspiration when I shared the initial prototype with a small group of friends. They were fascinated by the modularity of the design and started playing with it. Since the vase was magnetic, they attached it to a vertical metal beam and began stacking it upward. I loved how the vases looked when arranged on a vertical surface, and that sparked the idea to make this possibility available on any surface, not just metal.From there, the concept of the wall-mounting accessory came into play. I focused first on refining the modular vase itself—ensuring the core design was functional and intuitive—before turning my attention to developing the wall-mounting solution. I made sure to solve any design challenges with the vase first, and then adapted those solutions to the wall-mount accessory, ensuring the two elements worked seamlessly together.
I believe the Plan Ta Modular Vase demonstrates that design and sustainability can be approached in a more playful and creative way. By combining functionality with an element of fun and play, the design encourages people to engage with sustainability from a fresh, positive perspective. It shows that everyday home products can be multifunctional, engaging, and environmentally conscious—without sacrificing creativity or enjoyment. I hope this approach helps open people's minds to the idea that sustainable design doesn’t have to be rigid or overly serious; it can be joyful and accessible to all
I encourage emerging designers to look within themselves for inspiration. Our personal experiences are unique and authentic to who we are, and when you bring that personal element into your design, it reveals a passion and authenticity that no one else can replicate. Integrating personal inspiration with practical strategies grounds your design, adding depth and offering fresh perspectives on how to approach a solution. This balance between individuality and functionality is key to creating designs that are both meaningful and innovative.
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