GreenHome

Research

Experts have detected volatile organic compounds (VOCs) indoors, which are released by carpets, computers, furniture, combustion products from heating and cooking, cigarette smoking, emissions from construction materials, paints, varnishes, solvents, preservatives, and other objects in our homes and offices. To complicate matters, modern homes and businesses are usually more airtight than in previous generations. While these modifications have resulted in more energy-efficient buildings with reduced operating costs, they have also created conditions where ventilation rates are low and airborne pollutants may collect to considerably higher levels than outside.

Next, I researched the current ways people try to improve the air quality in their homes and 90% used a physical air purifier with/without indoor plants. 70% of those who used indoor plants buy them just for beautification purposes. This led me to research houseplants specifically for air purification purposes and I found the NASA research led by Dr. B.C. Wolverton discovered that adding air-purifying houseplants (such as; Areca Palm, Snake plant, Money Plant, Gerbera Daisy, Chinese Evergreens, Spider Plant, Aloe Vera, Broad lady palm, Dragon Tree, Weeping fig, Chrysanthemum, and Rubber plant) to homes and offices helped eliminate VOCs from the air. This not only decreases carbon footprint, but also refreshes the air resulting in improved focus and productivity (10% -15% increase), lower blood pressure, an increase in happy emotions, and a decrease in worry, anger, and despair.

A design approach to epidemiological crisis

To raise awareness of the health benefits of these air-purifying plants as well as how they can be better used for beautification purposes, I designed GreenHome: an augmented reality mobile app which enables users to find the most befitting air-purifying houseplant that will improve the air quality of their homes and beautify it at the same time. GreenHome allows you to visually place air-purifying houseplants 3D models that are accurate to size in users' physical environment by combining cutting-edge AR technology with uniquely curated recommendations.

In the features menu, users can find the uniquely curated air-purifying houseplant, learn about their benefits, and then proceed to experience the house plant at their home virtually using the camera. If it fits the users' taste, the user can either favourite the plant to shop for later or shop for the house plant immediately. Users can order directly from the garden centre closest to the user from the app, as a list of garden centres pops out after clicking “Shop”. This list is filtered by distance.

The solution improves the indoor air quality of users sustainably, thereby improving users' quality of life.