ECO Solidarity Initiative: ODM by EOOS Next
The Austrian Cultural Forum New York, in partnership with the Vienna Business Agency and Advantage Austria/Creative Industries, is proud to present ODM by EOOS Next at the CLOSEUP 2021 online trade show, presented by WantedDesign Manhattan and ICFF, which will take place from May 18, 2021, at 10:15 EDT as part of ECO Solidarity, an initiative of the European Union Cultural Institutes (EUNIC) in New York.
ABOUT O.D.M. – Open Design Toilet Mold by EOOS NEXT
The toilet revolution for the bottom of the pyramid
More than 35% of the world‘s population lack access to safe sanitation. The vision of this project is to empower local craftsmen around the world to integrate EOOS NEXTs ‘URINE TRAP’, a passive urine separation technology, into toilets that can be produced locally and integrated into already existing toilets slabs. The ODM was created by female designers and improved with feedback out of a co-creation process provided by craftsmen in South Africa.
The production of the open-source urine-diverting squat toilet is explained with a step-by-step pdf and a video manual. Simple production techniques are presented in an easy-to-understand way, reaching people with various backgrounds, providing business opportunities and building capacities. By sourcing material locally, import, transport and storage of often rarely available squat pans is eliminated, and resources are being saved. In BoP markets, the ODM can significantly contribute to the skipping of 4 out of 5 steps on the sanitary ladder: from open defecation to basic sanitation. Urine Diversion is key to improve basic sanitary conditions. Urine mixed with feces causes smell and larger tank or pit volumes, it increases the growth of pathogens which relates to diseases, nitrogen loads in aquatic systems and prevents eutrophication. The reuse of nitrogen and phosphorus for agricultural purposes follows a circular economy thinking and gives an opportunity to create business models such as the production of biological fertilizer for agriculture. Furthermore, the need for artificial fertilizer the costs and emission of transportation and import is avoided.
EOOS NEXT is a diverse group of designers/architects/theorists, applying sustainable and social design strategies to projects. The Viennese studio employs industrial design strategies to respond to the great challenges in the world, such as the climate crisis or social injustice. Design is being used as a tool for social change creating alternatives for future, sustainable lifestyles. In April 2021, EOOS NEXT received the Green Good Design Award of the Chicago Atheneum in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
The virtual trade show CLOSEUP includes design product launches and project presentations. Scheduled between May 16-18, 2021, the trade show will be organized in two 45 minute-long panels. The projects will also be showcased as part of an online exhibition curated by Odile Hainaut which will take place from June 15 to August 15, 2021. Register to watch the trade show here.
ABOUT ECO Solidarity
ECO Solidarity addresses the urgency for a more human-centered design in response to the humanitarian and public health crises, focusing on ecology, climate change, public health and well-being in public spaces, and the role of the economy, the key objectives of the Green New Deal, through interior and product design, and special planning. ECO Solidarity brings together designers and field experts nominated by eight participating European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) institutions: Austrian Cultural Forum New York, Delegation of the Government of Flanders to the USA, Wallonie-Bruxelles International New York, The Czech Center, Goethe Institute New York, Arts Council Malta in New York, Polish Cultural Institute New York, and Romanian Cultural Institute New York. ECO Solidarity was initiated by the Polish Cultural Institute New York and Tomek Rygalik.
ECO Solidarity brings to attention sustainable contemporary design solutions and places special importance on bringing unity to the fractured social fabric.
ADVISORY BOARD
The projects presented as part of the ECO Solidarity initiative have been selected by an international Advisory Board comprised of leading experts in design, sustainability, and social affairs. Austria is represented by Professor Martina Fineder.
Martina Fineder is a Professor of Design Theory and Design Research at the University of Wuppertal (Germany), Faculty of Design and Art, Department of Industrial Design. Her work focuses on researching and mediating socially and ecologically responsible design and consumer cultures, visual and material culture analyses, and method development for design and cultural research. She is dedicated to the investigation of innovative strategies in the design and common good design principles. Her collaborative work includes projects in the field of social design such as the Vienna Biennale exhibition and the book “CityFactory. New Work. New Design,”, a number of projects related to the life and work of Victor Papanek, and the recent publication “RelationShips – Sociality and Sociability through Things.”
Prof. Fineder holds a Master’s in product design from the University of Applied Arts Vienna and a Ph.D. in design and cultural studies from the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna.
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WantedDesign, founded in 2011 by Odile Hainaut and Claire Pijoulat, is a platform dedicated to promoting design and fostering the local and international creative community throughout the year. Its two marquee events are held in New York during NYCxDESIGN.
The International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) is where designers, retailers, developers, and architects converge to exchange inspiration and ignite a competitive drive for contemporary residential and commercial interiors. With a selection of both established and emerging designers, the ICFF delivers a selection of the globe’s finest, most creative, individual and original avant-garde products showcased in one venue. Exhibitors from 36 countries come to the ICFF each year to showcase the newest frontier of high-end, contemporary interiors.
Austria’s contribution is supported by the Vienna Business Agency and Advantage Austria/Creative Industries.
With special thanks to Elisabeth Noever-Ginthoer, Reanne Leuning, Lotte Kristoferitsch, Odile Hainaut, Claire Pijoulat, Daniela Giraldo, Charlene Lam, and Izabela Gola as well as to our colleagues and partners of the EUNIC Cluster New York.
Image credit: EOOS Next