Utforming av skillevegg i ull

Abstract

This master thesis was conducted at the Institute of Product Design at NTNU. The thesis addresses the development of a sound absorbing space divider from the concept stage to a commercial product.. This includes the development of a business plan and further detailing of the product. This thesis is based on the outcome of the subject product design 9 (PD9), autumn 2011. In PD9 wools properties where analyzed in order to find new areas of use for wool of a coarse quality. Today wool is associated with the textile industry and clothing, but there are large amounts of wool that does not have the right quality for this use. This coarser wool is an underestimated resource. The sound absorber that was developed in PD9 utilizes wool?s natural sound absorbing qualities as well as being a product that is both environmentally friendly and kinder to the user than many existing products. Open plan offices are a clear trend in both the private and public sectors. Meanwhile, open solutions have a bad reputation amongst many employees. The largest issue is the acoustic problems and the lack of privacy. Bad acoustics is especially problematic in modern low-energy houses, where exposed concrete is often utilized to increase energy efficiency. The space divider developed in this master thesis improves the acoustics of a room, while it at the same time can be used to provide visual screening and increased privacy for the employees. This thesis contains a business plan based on this space divider and an examination of the technical characteristics of the product. Further detailing of the concept is also presented. The business plan is written in collaboration with fellow student Mats Herding Solberg, and recently won 1 price in the business plan competition Venture Cup Mid-Norway.