Katerra Product Design

Katerra products are designed in Seattle by an in-house design team to serve their functional purpose as simply as possible – classic geometric forms, clean lines, and minimal ornamentation. “Less design, but better.”

C O M P A N Y
Katerra - Architecture & Construction

Y E A R
2019

R O L E
Industrial Design, Strategy, Product Development

Ceiling Fan

¹

Product Optimization

Low cost
Less in cost than existing catalogue offering.

Good Design
Clean and simple design that meets Katerra’s and Kova’s aesthetic goals.

Wiring
Allow fan to have speed and light control switches.

²

Installation Optimization

CLT installation
Ability to install to both typical gypsum ceilings and CLT with the same parts.

Manufacturing
Minimize installation steps.

Quick Connect
Include assembly methods to reduce the use of mechanical hardware and accelerate install time.

Research and Evaluation
After seaking out a documneting competitor product technical specifications, we evaluated how we would like to improve a fan beyond our current catalog fan.

What We Learned
To achieve the desired CFM for a 5 blade fan, the wattage would need to be more than our current catalog selection.

Discovery
We ordered sample fans from potential factories in China. I disasembled four fans to evaluate each exterior and interior part to re-engineer and figure out more effecient ways of assembling the parts. it was important to minimize the number of installation and assembly steps for the new fan design.

What We Learned
Most fans require disseably before you’re able to attach the fan blades with screws. We wanted to create a method that reduced the amount of installation steps by creating a quick connect system for the fan blades.

Design & Development

Using CAD to play with the variable forms of the lighting diffuser, blades, and body of the fan I adjusted the sizing and forms of the parts to discover many iterations of what the fan could look like. After eliminating failed options and reiterating on successful versions, the team decided on two options to move forward.
I produced a full scale model test the feasibility of the finalized design.
We decided on three fan body finishes that would each have a different finish on each side of the fat blades.

Design Matrix

Finishes

Full Scale ‘looks-like’ Prototype

Product Renderings

Bath Accessories Research

¹

Product Optimization

High perceived value ( add high end feature.)

Low cost.

Alignment with other product categories.

²

Installation Optimization

Set screws as an attachment method can be time consuming, so there’s a need for a quick connect solution.

Issues with the wall anchors that attach to the drywall can loosen over time.

Some bath accessories have poor construction which makes

Competitor Product Audit

Conclusion

Ikea’s bath accessory pricing is Katerra’s closet Competitor.
There’s seemingly infinite styles of cabinet hardware at a low cost.
Not many options for style matching grab bars.

Inspiration

Conclusion
Contemporary style is based off of:

Sleek lines.
Simple Geometry.
Fluidity between forms.
Textured surfaces.

Design Ethos Predictions

Design that reflects the pursuit of well being.
Design that promotes positive experiences
Design that is sustainable and has a long term impact.

Ideation

Conclusion
Desire for...

Shelving above accessories
Cantilevered accessories
Double TP Rod
Multi-Rod towel bar.
Shelving Accessory

Modular Parts System
Like the Katerra Kova Select plumbing fixture line, a system of modular parts would be more cost effective than manufacturing each individual prduct.

Conclusion

Forms don’t always translate to ADA grab bars or cabinet pulls.
Square accessories aren’t cohesive with Kova Select Brand.
Kova Select plumbing fixture line doesn’t translate well to accessories

Multi-Sensor

¹

Product Optimization

Sensing
PIR motion, temperature, humidity, light, UV

Low cost
Less in cost than existing catalogue offering.

Good Design
Design to comply with KOVA design standards. The KOVA and KOVA SELECT brands strive for simplistic, high finish, low cost products to reduce polarization and increase adoption

²

Installation Optimization

Dual Install
Motion sensing needs to have the ability to me mounted on either the ceiling or wall, requiring a large FOV.

Gypsum & CLT
Primarily intended for gypsum ceilings, this product may be mounted to a secured junction box. Allowance for surface mounting on CLT ceilings or with plywood backed gypsum.

Competitor Product Audit

Dual install Only available on one of these products

Gypsum & CLT install concept

A
Custom J-box is integrated with sensor.

B
Moutning bracket attached direclty to ceiling.

C
Standard J-box used to concel components behind ceiling to allow for a low profile design.

Conclusion
To achieve an installation for both a gypsum and CLT installation. Katerra may need to develop a custom and UL approved J-box to house the device. (Orange represents where bracket is attached to celing or wall.)

Aesthetic and Functional Features

CFM is smooth white plastic to relate to standard ceiling or wall color.
Circular form that’s not out of the oridnary which might relate to a smoke alarm.
Sleek and low profile with minumum seams.

Conclusion
The form should not appear as a surveillance camera.

Design
While working with Katerra’s internal engineers and manufacturing in china, I developed a design that used a standard PIR sensor and PCB to dictate the overall size of the device.

Adjustments with Manufacturing

Maintaining a minimal height and width.

A PIR lens that is flat as possible.

After a few iterations, we decided to use CRM124 rather than AA baterries because of the needed voltage needed to power all of the sensors.
A few iterations of the design were 3D printed to better determine the design details.

Skills
Industrial design, CAD modeling, Concept ideation, Color, material, and finish, Market research.

Cory Lambert

Hi! I’m a Product Designer and RISD alumni in Seattle. I have a passion for too many aspects of design, futurism, aquascaping, and good books.

Katerra Product Design2019

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