Cocoon

by Sylvie Slinger

Abstract

As people continue to live further away from job hubs in cities due to rising living costs, commutes are becoming longer, creating an uneven life-work balance and increasing stress in workers. Active commuting must be better facilitated in trains to increase work fulfilment and job satisfaction. Cocoon creates this environment.

Extensive research of the market (trains in cities) showed that there was a lack of interactions (physical and visual) to enable the creation of habitual active commuting (interaction in a space to create behavioural patterns in productive commuting). From surveying, basic needs were not met in trains for users, such as storage, power, internet, stress-relieving materials, etc.

Cocoon is an adaptable workspace in trains that allows interactions to occur to create productive, healthy habits like active commuting. Using premium, stress-relieving materials like wood makes users feel comfortable and more inclined to work on trains. User needs such as storage, ergonomic working, adjustable light, power, and privacy are also answered. The metal extruded frame makes the design lightweight and easy to fit into pre-existing Sydney train carriages. Vandal-resistant material encapsulates the sides of the pod, allowing ease of repair and durability. All these interactions (physical and visual) create a beautiful space to facilitate active commuting while boosting motivation and stress reduction, creating more fulfilled and healthy workers.

This design would be an explorative concept for the commercial use of NSW Transport.