Through improved safety, simplified operation, and expressive home-friendly aesthetics, OCTA attempts to turn an utilitarian appliance into a piece of functional sculpture that enlivens a space. There is no need to trade beauty for warmth, yet most current heaters can be eyesores. OCTA differentiates itself with a fundamentally simple octahedral shape reinforced by a pleasantly repeating concentric grille pattern. This simple approach is functional yet expressive, even suggesting the possibility of gradient colour transitions across the grilles to further emphasise its form.
OCTA’s form is also intrinsically safer than most existing box-shaped heaters because it allows a free flow of air even when overturned. Conventional heaters can be easily tipped over, resulting in blocked intake or exhaust, which adds to the danger of overheating and fire. With OCTA’s octahedral shape and at least three sides of the grilles always exposed regardless of orientation, such blockages are now unlikely. Finally, while most existing space heaters present users with numerous buttons and dials, OCTA simplifies its controls to three simple buttons and subtle LED temperature indicators.
Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Concept | Domestic Aid