Interview about Brooklyn Laundreel Laundry belt indoor , winner of the A' Furniture Design Award 2018
This is laundry belt for interior use. Compact body that is smaller than Japanese paperback looks like tape measure, smooth finish with no screw on surface. 4 m length belt has total 29 holes, each hole can keep and hold coat hanger with no clothespins, it works for quick dry. The belt made of antibacterial & anti-mold polyurethane, safe, clean and strong material. Max load is 15 kg. 2 pcs of hook and rotary body allow multiple way use. Small & simple, but this is very useful indoors laundry item. Easy operation and smart install will fit any types of room.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsJapanese homes are generally small, with limited balcony or veranda space. Additionally, in urban areas, factors such as air pollution, yellow dust, pollen allergies, privacy concerns, and changes in lifestyle—such as the increase in dual-income households where no one is home during the day—make it difficult to dry laundry outside during the daytime.As a result, drying laundry indoors has become more common; however, there were no smart solutions available, making it a recognized pain point in daily life.While clothes dryers do exist in Japan, they are not used frequently due to high electricity costs, as well as concerns about shrinkage and damage to clothing.That is why I took on the challenge of developing this product.
When setting the belt length, our top priority was ensuring that it could be used across the longer side of a standard 8-tatami Japanese room, which measures 3.6 meters (two ken).After achieving this, we wanted to ensure that when not in use, the device would not disrupt the aesthetics of the indoor space. This was crucial because, as previously mentioned, Japanese homes typically do not have a dedicated laundry room, making it common to dry laundry in the living room or bedroom.
As an architect and designer, I often face conflicts between creating aesthetically pleasing spaces and integrating structural or equipment-related elements. Equipment such as lighting, switches, outlets, air conditioning units, detectors, and access panels can disrupt the design of a space. Ideally, both designers and residents prefer to minimize the visibility of such elements.People want to live comfortably in small spaces without having conspicuous equipment disrupting the aesthetics. Understanding this contradiction deeply, I aimed to create a product that successfully balances functionality and design.
When drying laundry on the belt, hangers are not always used. Items like towels are often draped directly over it. This means the belt's surface is prone to getting dirty or even developing mold due to dampness.Since no one wants to hang freshly washed laundry on a moldy belt, we sought a material with antibacterial and antifungal properties. During our search, we discovered that conveyor belts used in food processing plants had these exact characteristics. In addition to being antibacterial and antifungal, these belts also offered superior strength and durability, making them a highly reliable choice. The HACCP certification further reinforced our confidence in this material, ensuring both safety and credibility for our product.
The inspiration for this product’s design came from Apple’s iPhone. We were drawn to the iPhone’s sleek design, free of protruding parts or visible screws, and aimed to apply a similar approach.However, securing the outer casing still required screws, which led to the need for a cover. Instead of using a standard cover, we decided to integrate a magnet, allowing it to serve both as a cover and as a functional element that keeps the unit neatly stored when not in use.Additionally, the product’s top-down profile closely resembles the shape of an iPhone’s side power button.
Internally, the unit features a robust aluminum die-cast drum. While the exterior is made of plastic, the core of the product is composed of high-strength components. Additionally, the belt material itself is highly durable.Although we officially specify a weight limit of 15 kg, our testing has shown that the belt can withstand up to 45 kg in load-bearing and tensile strength tests. This ensures that users do not have to worry about weight limits when drying laundry. We also considered scenarios where users might hang heavier items, such as bedding.Since the belt is extended and retracted daily, the retraction mechanism is a critical component. We conducted extensive durability testing, performing tens of thousands of retraction cycles. To ensure long-lasting performance, we chose the same spring mechanism used in automobile seat belts, as these undergo rigorous durability requirements.
An 8-tatami room measures 3.6m × 3.6m. As previously mentioned, the maximum belt length of 4.0m was set to allow usage across the full span of such a room.Another important consideration was the variability in room layouts—differences in window placements, door positions, and furniture arrangements. To ensure adaptability, we designed the product to be usable in multiple orientations. By allowing a 180-degree rotation, it can be mounted in any direction.Additionally, we included two belt hooks to offer two possible drying directions. This allows users to extend the belt either fully across the room or only partially when drying smaller loads. Since Japanese homes are compact and people remain in the room while drying laundry, space efficiency is crucial.
Despite being a niche product born out of the unique constraints of Japanese housing, it was a great honor to receive a Gold Award for its design excellence. This recognition reassures us that even highly specialized ideas can be appreciated internationally and serves as motivation for future design endeavors.
Since this product is designed to dry freshly washed laundry, maintaining its cleanliness is paramount. Antibacterial and antifungal processing was chosen to ensure this. Additionally, the product is white, making any dirt or stains immediately visible, encouraging users to keep it clean.We sometimes receive requests for black-colored versions, but we decline these as dirt would be less visible, compromising hygiene maintenance.
While new energy-powered drying technologies may emerge, the demand for natural air drying without energy consumption will remain. In small living spaces with many constraints, innovation thrives. We hope the Brooklyn Laundreel design process will serve as an inspiration for future product developments.
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