Rise & Shine
In collaboration with Shiro Inoue
2008
Waking to the loud beeps of an alarm has been proven to induce stress upon awakening. On the other hand, waking naturally, leads to increased alertness, concentration, and productivity.
By looking at the different senses – in particular sight and sound – we reconsider how to wake up on time, creating an altogether more pleasant experience.
Our approach has been to use the surrounding environment as a means to reconnect the user with the outside world, by creating interventions within the bedroom, which utilize the senses and develop an overall awakening experience.
Dawn Horn:
Awakening to the jarring noises of the alarm buzzer creates a negative start to the day. By slowly amplifying the sounds of nature into the bedroom when it is time to rise, we awaken to the ambient noise of our environment, thus reconnecting us with our surroundings. ‘Dawn Horn’ uses natural amplification to channel ambient noise into the room at the desired preset time, via a sound catching horn or network of horns.
Welcome Window:
"Electrochromic windows can change their transparency by applying an electrical current in response to a signal or electrical control. using this emerging technology, we envisage a window that ‘dissolves’ at a preset time, allowing natural light into the bedroom to awaken the user. Sunlight helps to regulate a multitude of hormones and neurotransmitters that control the body clock and have strong effects on our mood and behaviour. Awakening to natural daylight is proven to have a positive effect on the body and reduces stress.
Photography by Jeroen Musch