Dog Kennel for Guinness

I was asked to make a dog kennel by my girlfriends mum. As soon as I said yes to the project, I thought now what can I do to improve on existing designs. After a quick trip to some hardware stores like Bunnings and Masters. It seemed even a kennel for Guinness (Portuguese Water Dog) straight off the shelf would be harder to find than once thought. He is quite a large dog....

Most kennels were construction from Radiata Pine (Stained) and then cladded with weatherboard style planks and enclosed with a slanted roof and cladded with asphalt tiles.

After checking out these kennels it was clear that I could improve on the construction techniques and quality of materials. Air flow was quite an important aspect too, a lot of kennels I have seen previously are so enclosed that it doesn't take long before they start to smell quite bad. Another key improvement was to make the kennel mobile - caster wheels. 

Because Guinness already had a Aluminium framed bed, the kennel would act as a mobile shelter that can be moved anywhere the bed goes, simply slide the bed out and place in the desired spot and then unlock the caster wheels, roll over the bed and lock the wheels in place. Brilliant!



Below is the chosen kennel concept -

We picked Concept 2 to further develop, plywood roof won over shingles or corrugated iron.

A few design changes were made during the construction of the kennel. The most notable was the plywood roof. Originally it was inset between the front and rear framework. I changed the position of the roof so it covered all framework and so it had overhang. By doing this it provides protection from the elements for Guinness and the timber frame. Structurally it made the overall kennel stronger too.

Cutting the shoulder widths for the through slot - ready for chiselling!

Hand Chiselling each one keep the hand coordination right on check......

My sash clamps came in handy for this glue-up

Below is the assembly stage of the kennel

 

Here I have the solid Victorian Ash pitched frames with through slots

 

Steph fixing the battens onto the frame

Steph and Guinness enjoying a coffee break!

No Kennel is complete without a roof

I'd say hes pretty content with his new crib

Shout out to Stephanie Tan my girlfriend for helping with the construction of the kennel!

The New Joneses - Melbourne City Square

I was in the city the other week on my way to a Yarra Link meeting and I came across this demonstration of sustainable living. I thought it was great to see companies showing off their products and systems to assist ordinary people to leave a smaller footprint on earth. 

I ended up spending quite a considerable amount of time reading all the interesting facts that were placed everywhere from the bedroom to the kitchen stating statistics and info-graphics about consumerism and what we can do to make our lives more efficient and green. Also the  worm farm set up and the hanging plants caught my attention as something everyone should try to incorporate into their lives.

The initiative stated 10 steps to use less and live more (company and brand names are dropped extensively, all for good reason): 


1. MAKE YOUR MONEY COUNT
One of our biggest environmental and social impacts is our choice of bank. Part of the global movement refusing to finance fossil fuels, Bank Australia values our people & planet. Get a free home loan health check to see how you can save money & support a healthier planet.

2. BETTER ENERGY

Choose a greener energy company & support our clean energy future. Currently ranked 'greenest' by Greenpeace, Powershop is Australia's only 100% carbon-neutral power company. Consistently one of the cheapest, Powershop loves our planet & is easy on your wallet.

3. LOVE FOOD, HATE WASTE

Victorians throw $4 billion of edible food a year to landfill. This creates methane & wastes the money, resources & energy used to grow, process, package & transport our food. Shop to a list, buy what you need, eat your leftovers! Download theyumeapp.com for half-price, surplus food from Melbourne's top cafes and restaurants.

4. THE FUTURE IS ELECTRIC

When The New Joneses aren't walking or cycling, they're cruising their way to our fume-free future in their electric BMW i3. Their emission-free drive makes trips to the petrol station a thing of the past.

5. HEALTHY HOMES

Ecoliv Buildings' affordable, sustainable homes save space, energy, resources & money. The 8.2 star, off-the-grid, prefab home shows how easily we can embrace small spaces, maximize functionality, minimize material objects and unplug from urban life.

6. GAME CHANGING SOLAR STORAGE

Every hour, the sun provides enough power for our global annual energy demands. Battery storage now means we can harness clean power, AND store it for later. As fossil-fuel costs rise & solar prices plunge, join the rooftop revolution and be part of our clean energy future.

7. CHEMICAL DETOX

Keep chemicals from our skin, air, waterways & food supply with natural cleaning products, like lemons & vinegar. Choose grey-water-safe, plant-based products, like Earth Choice & Organic Care, who use recycled & recyclable packaging.

8. SOIL - WHERE FOOD BEGINS

Like us, soil needs food. Keep kitchen scraps out of the bin. Feed them to chooks, put them in worm farms or make compost to send nutrients back into our soil. Council-supplied green-waste bins take garden waste to make compost for farms and gardens. Use today's food & garden waste to grow tomorrow's lunch.

9. SHOP LOCAL

About 50% of money spent with local independent shops goes back into our local economy, compared to less than 14% from chain stores. Support local independents, like Barry the butcher, for healthier, happier, connected communities. Get online for home delivery from locals you love. 

10. LIGHTEN UP

LED lights not only save up to 89% off energy bills, now they can change how we live. Sengled revolutionary LEDs light bulbs, with built-in speakers, cameras & WiFi, reduce clutter, energy & waste. Lighten up with Sengled for smart, safe, super-sounding homes.

 Here are some photos from the set-up :

Hanging plants inside a cocoon of coconut fibre

Worm farm set-up

Growing your own vegetables is a highly rewarding activity

Very impressive set-up at City Square, Melbourne

The initiative was on from the 9th - 27th of February.

 For more information about the event go to:

http://www.thenewjoneses.com/

Yarra Link Project + Clean up Australia Day

 

Yarra River at its best

Once again the yearly event to clean up our act is here. Its only one day and only a few hours you can dedicate out of your weekend to keep our environment clean. This day doesn't solve all the litter and rubbish pollution that enters our ecosystems but can spread awareness to all that every bit of packaging, wrapping and materials that does enter these areas does effect every living organism whether now or in 100 million years time. Lets act together because we made this mess together.

The Yarra looks good from a far, but you don't have to look too closely to find litter.

The Yarra Link Project is a non-profit group dedicated to renewal of indigenous vegetation in a riverside parcel of land near Heyington Station, Melbourne. 

By removing litter from the Yarra Rivers banks and surrounding vegetation we will improve the rivers health and provide a cleaner ecosystem for all walks of life to enjoy. Please join us on the 6th of March to help improve the health of the river. We will be conducting a litter clean up along the banks of the Yarra River. And also other areas surrounding the river.
 
If you have any questions about this event, please don't hesitate to contact myself. 

My email is : rowan@yarra.link
 
Site Address
70 Heyington Pl
Toorak
VIC 3142 

Meeting Point: Meet at the corner of Lansell Rd and Heyington Pl. This spot is just outside the rear carpark of St Kevins Junior School. 

Date: March 6th 2016 

Start time: 10:00 AM 

End time: 11:30 AM 

DIA - Graduate of the Year Award Nomination (GOTYA)

Firstly happy new year to everyone!

I'm officially a graduate now. Never thought I would say that. But hey I'm going with it. I was notified not long ago that I have been nominated for graduate of the year in my category Industrial Design for Victoria/Tasmania. The judging process is quite lengthy and myself and the other nominees won't find out until mid to late March. But I'll keep you posted until then. 

Follow the below link to see last years winners and runners up graduates.

http://www.dia.org.au/index.cfm?id=320

Here's some pictures of Project Galada from the MADA Grad show. (Photos credit - Zan Wimberley)

Project Galada Full Barrier - MADA Grad Show 2015

Link close up - Accoya timber rings and recycled HDPE components

Endemic aquatic plants grow inside the barrier providing biofiltration for the Yarra River

MADA Graduation Show / Project Galada - A litter capture barrier for waterways

Last night was the graduation show opening night. What a night to remember, So many emerging designers, artists and architects about to step into the real world. It makes for an electric atmosphere full of fresh ideas, energy and determination to create and shape the future. 

I must say that being apart of the Industrial design crew to graduate this year is such an amazing feeling. And I wouldn't have done it any other way. My fellow designers have done such a great job considering the tough year we all had to punch out so much work but at such a high quality level. And I think that comes down to the way we worked in studio and outside it to provide feedback and help to each other. Bouncing ideas of each other and really deconstructing the design intent, objectives and direction was something we all did. I think everyone has had some contribution or influence on each and everyone's project.

 So here's my project -

Insitu Barrier set-up

Project Galada is an adaptable litter capture barrier designed to trap and contain floating litter.
The increasing pollution in Melbourne’s water environments is drastically effecting the health and quality of its water.
 
Inspired by bike chains the modular pods link together and incorporate cylindrical planter pots that provide a buoyant eco-system for endemic aquatic plants to provide bio-filtration for the Yarra River. Capturing and collecting litter accumulating on water surfaces will help preserve and improve the health, biodiversity and quality of Melbourne’s waterways for the future.

Connector Link Versatility

The square toothed Connector link allows an angle to be chosen providing the direction for the next link. The barrier can be constructed to suit its surroundings.

Bio-filtration

Root stocks from the endemic aquatic sedges and rushes keep temperatures low, increase oxygen levels, reduce risk of algal blooms and soak up excess nutrients like phosphorus and nitrogen which are then converted to growth. 


 

Litter Gate - Closed

 

Litter Gate - Open

The Yarra River is an estuary therefore downstream and upstream flows need to be accounted for. The flap is opened by downstream flow letting in litter. Upstream flow pushes the flap closed keeping litter inside the barrier.


It was also a great experience to have the project supported by Yarra Link - The Yarra Link Project is a non-profit group dedicated to renewal of indigenous vegetation. For more information about this initiative go to - https://www.yarra.link/

Massive thanks to especially Frank and Meg for their continual support throughout the year.


You can also find my project at :

http://artdes.monash.edu/gradshow2015/#!/design/industrial-design/rowan-turnham.html

Project Galada - Update

So not long to go now. One week and a half to go until everything is due. 

I've been busy preparing for the exhibition along with all the standard folio requirements, presentation content and general organisation of everything else. Actually I don't think I can call it a folio anymore. This time round its called a Critical Justification and entails everything that has been done to date. I'm immensely proud of it, it was sent off to printing last week and I should get it it by the end of this week. Its a large book, actually the largest I've ever done - 320 pages. 

The weekend of the 14th - 15th Novemeber is the Bump-In for the exhibition and also Monday. So I'm aiming to have everything done before then.  


 The opening night for the MADA Grad show is:

When: 19th November
Time: Open from 6pm
Where: Building G, Caulfield Campus - Monash University 

I'll post proper details in the coming week or so for the exhibition.


Until then here are some progress shots of exhibition prep and construction. Also imagery from the Yarra River installation will be put up soon!

Barrier Props getting their first coat of paint

Machining slot in circular base for the litter gate

Litter gate water flow paddle arm

Just put the chrome dome nuts onto the links!

 

Alberto Alessi in Melbourne

 

Alberto Alessi - New York Times (Photo - Steve Legato)

Today I'll be heading into the city to listen to CEO and President Alberto Alessi. He will be sharing his experiences about the design world and everything else that comes with being apart of such an iconic brand.

Alessi was founded in 1921 and started as a workshop for processing brass and nickel sheet metal. Such humble beginnings where the artisan had full control and an eye for detail. The transformation and evolution of Alessi in nearly a century has been huge. They now manage and facilitate design from all over the world but still have close ties with their traditions and cultural values. I look forward to hearing from Alberto about his perception on design and everything else that surrounds it. 

"A true design work must move people, convey emotions, bring back memories, surprise, and go against ..."  - Alberto Alessi

Public Lecture Details (Sold Out)
 

Alberto Alessi - Public Lecture 

12.30-2.00pm

Thursday November 5th 2015

Deakin Edge - Federation Square

Melbourne, Australia

 

Project Galada - A litter capture barrier for waterways

Over the past year I have been doing my Honours year for my Bachelor of Industrial Design at Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. I'm excited to reveal my project after keeping it concealed for quite some time until it was well refined and tested.

This project brings together my love for making, nature and design. 

Over the next 6 weeks my project will come alive with the barrier in construction right now. I'll be busy making, making and more making. Since finishing high school in 2008 I have gained a Diploma in Furniture Design and Technology at RMIT. Also for quite some time I worked along side my belated father (Kevin Turnham) a builder by trade as a casual job, learning so many hands on skills that have made me such a better designer and maker to this day. For the past 2 years I have been doing Horticulture work, my love for being outdoors is endless and I have directed my new knowledge of plants into this project. Its been a big year, here is Project Galada. Stay tuned for more information about the project in the coming weeks.

Project Galada is an adaptable litter capture barrier designed to trap and contain floating litter. The increasing pollution in Melbourne’s water environments is drastically effecting the health and quality of its water. 

Inspired by bike chains the modular pods link together and incorporate cylindrical planter pots that provide a buoyant eco-system for endemic aquatic plants to provide bio-filtration for the Yarra River. Capturing and collecting litter accumulating on water surfaces will help preserve and improve the health, biodiversity and quality of Melbourne’s waterways for the future.


http://amassdesign.com/project-galada/

Temple & Webster + Sydney Visit

With Matt Harding and Myself being nominated for the Temple and Webster Emerging Designer award, we were invited to the launch night at China Heights Gallery, Surrey Hills. I went along to represent both of us. 

It was a great night, especially to meet all the designers that were nominated. A big shout out to Daast for winning the award and Nicholas Fuller for winning the peoples choice award.

My girlfriend and I decided to make a long weekend of it and we stayed in Bondi for 5 days. Here's some pictures from our stay in Sydney!

Temple and Webster Emerging Designer Launch Night

 

Steph's excited about the Powerhouse museum!

UTS - Frank Gehry - Curvacious and fluid like!

Central Park - More buildings should have vertical gardens like this

The array of mirrors directs light down inside

More real plants, makes such a positive impact...

Came across this vertical canvas pouch garden

Can't not take a photo of Sydney Harbour + Opera

It was awesome to check out Sydney again, always finding something new and different there.

The Turnhams and their new Laundry

How do I even describe this project, I think the word persistence would be the one word that sums up this home project.  We started this laundry renovation back in July, 2013. When I say we, that includes my late father (Kevin), Mum (Erica) and Twin brother (Callan). The existing laundry then was a very worn, weathered and old set-up. The tiles continued in from the kitchen, vinyl tiles with repetitive motifs which are only good for dirt catchment. While the washing machine stood on a huge cold slab of concrete with a second-hand red mat cut to fit around it. Basically the laundry had character and lots of it.

Now two years later, along with a lot of stop and starting. I have finished the laundry. This was my last university break and I took it as a personal mission to finish the laundry that we started so long ago. I'm not one to leave things undone. 

I won't list everything that got in the way of the project. I could just say life did. But I might just state a long contributing factor. My father had cancer and battled it for 3years. During this time he had ups and a tonne of downs. Luckily when we started this project, he was in quite a good place. Unfortunately after fighting it for so long, it got the better of him. We stuck by his side through all of it, we basically had a mini-hospital set up at home. So for 2 weeks straight I made it my goal to finish the laundry before my fathers 1 year anniversary and I made it. I was proud. And I was also very grateful to my girlfriend Stephanie Tan, thank you so much for helping me with the grouting, tiling and painting. And I can't forget my brother Callan, cheers for helping with the painting. Mum, I hope this laundry lasts long into your senior years.

This laundry is another tribute to my dad, Kevin Arthur Turnham.


Below are some progress photos of the renovation. Hope you enjoy another Turnham Project.

This stump, I had to wait 6mths to put in because of excess water from a water leak....

Floor Joyce and stump fixed in place ready for yellow-tongue floor

Cement sheeting is nailed down ready for tiling

Tiling the floor area was a rewarding job!

Here are some proper photos of the details of the laundry. My favourite part is the Mahogany Gum bench top that I custom made. 

Mahogany Gum Bench Top

Grouting on the floor looks great Steph!

Washing machine only just fitted in once cement sheet and tiles were put in....

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the imagery and the words. I must now focus my efforts on my final semester of university. I will be posting soon my project and its features, so keep an eye out!


   

Temple & Webster Emerging Designer Award 2015

Matthew Harding and myself after exhibiting our Exo lights in Milan this year at Salone Satellite were recognised by Temple & Webster for our lights and other design projects. Our Exo series will be on display at the launch night this Thursday in Sydney.

We are amongst 9 other designers/studios who have been selected.Very exciting to be apart of I must say!

Our fellow designers are listed: Stephen Roy, Nicholas Fuller, Alison Jackson, Jack Frost, Andrew Southwood-Jones and Alexander Kashin of DAAST; Kenny Yong-soo Son of StudioKyss; Elliot Gorham of Noddy Boffin; Chris Gilbert, Chris Haddad and Josh FitzGerald of Archier Studio and Hugh Altschwager of Inkster Maken.

We were chosen by a panel of independent contributors and influencers from the Australian design community. And that is such a great privilege to have been acknowledged by those people.