Hasta La Ideas

Graduate designer Aaron Dunkerton has developed an expandable clothing airer that unfolds into a star shape to create more space for hanging wet garments (+ slideshow).

Aaron Dunkerton‘s Clothes Horse has 36 arms, 10 more than a conventional airer, and when in use it takes the form of a 12-pointed star.

“The shape of my clothes horse when erect allows for good air circulation around the clothes, which will help them to dry faster,” said the designer.

The piece is made from narrow strips of beach plywood, connected by brushed aluminium rods. Small openings create hooks that allow the structure to be locked into position, or collapsed when not it use.

“When it’s collapsed it is a lot smaller than conventional airers, but when expanded it has more drying arms, as well as having a more interesting form,” Dunkerton told Dezeen.

Dunkerton designed the Clothes Horse as part of a product and furniture design degree at Kingston University. His other projects include a cavity brick fitting that allows endangered birds to nest in new buildings and garden walls.

Here’s a project description from the designer:

Clothes Horse

The dimensions of my clothes horse are 56cm long, 32 wide and 23cm high when it is collapsed so it is much easier to store than a conventional clothes airer which are normally awkward sizes and hard to hide when not in use. When in use its dimensions are 56cm deep, 112cm wide and 112cm tall. The shape of my clothes horse when erect allows for good air circulation around the clothes, which will help them to dry faster.

The design comprises a locking arm which keeps the clothes horse in it collapsed form so that when it is being moved and stored between uses it is easier to carry.

Whilst my design does have a bigger footprint when it is being used, it is much more interesting to look at than normal airers.

It has 36 drying arms which is around 10 more than normal airers. It is made from brushed aluminium rod and beach plywood. The wood is cut using a CNC router. The aluminium rod is threaded at the end and then fastened with domed nuts and washers.

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by Aaron Dunkerton appeared first on Dezeen.

Kingston University graduate Aaron Dunkerton has designed an enclosed cavity brick fitting that allows endangered birds to nest in new buildings and garden walls.

Aaron Dunkerton’s Bird Brick cavity is made of five handmade, clamp-fired bricks which can be built into new buildings or garden walls to encourage birds to nest in urban areas. Birds can access the sealed cavity through a small clay entrance hole.

“Over the last 50 years the UK has lost over 44 million birds,” Dunkerton told Dezeen. “The house sparrow population has decreased by almost 70% and I decided to do something to help with their conservation.”

“House sparrows are sociable birds. They like to nest in small colonies of three to four breeding pairs in and around homes. However, as these holes and gaps are being filled up for better insulation, these birds are running out of places to nest,” said Dunkerton.

Each cavity must be cleared out once every 2-5 years, between September and November. The circular brick stopper twists out to allow the enclosed cavity to be cleaned out and must then be re-pointed in place.

The bricks were cast with the help of UK-based brick company, MBH Freshfield Lane in West Sussex.

Bird Brick was one of 20 projects shortlisted for the Design Council’s 2013 Future Pioneer Award, and was exhibited at New Designers 2013 in London last month, alongside New Designer of the Year Henry Franks.

Dunkerton will also exhibit work at London Design Festival 2013, with graduate design collective NOUS, which also includes Alice Kim’s maternity vest for plants.

See more stories about bird boxes »
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See our coverage of graduate shows 2013 »

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Aaron Dunkerton appeared first on Dezeen.