Wool study pod developers bag young innovators award

Indeed, Iona College from the Hawke’s Bay’s, inspired by previous junior winners, entered for the first time, only to walk away with the People's Choice Award in the Young Innovator of the Year contest.

Their ‘Wool Be Studying’ 100% Wool Study Pod was a collaborative project focused on wool within the Design Technology class, led by Year 13 student Phoebe Butler and Year 12 student Maddie Foote, supported by head of technology Kirsten Le Bon and deputy principal Stephanie Russell.

The key entry criteria was that the innovation must have application in the food and fibre sector. Kirsten Le Bon was a strong advocate for sustainability and using wool and natural resources in many of the students’ projects. Butler and Russell both live on sheep and beef farms and were keen to support successful innovation using strong wool as a high-value product.

Their innovation project, ‘Wool Be Studying’, is a prototype study pod paired with 100% sustainable flat pack furniture, designed to provide a quiet, functional space for individuals in workplaces, study areas or libraries to work efficiently. The project emphasises the versatility and sustainability of wool in modern design whilst also offering the advantages of being sound-reducing, breathable, durable and portable.

The innovative pod has been shaped by the collective efforts of many designers, architects, manufacturers, and institutions seeking to meet the evolving needs of modern work and study environments. Collaborative thinking between students and college staff established that wool has many qualities that lend well to the concept of a pod being breathable, sound-absorbing, durable and 100% natural.

Designed, developed and constructed fully within the Iona College Design Technology classroom, fabric samples, wooden blocks, and tent poles were used to construct initial prototypes, while mathematical modelling was applied to finalise the pod pattern for construction.

Practical considerations saw multiple students sit in the pod to test the height and ideal dimensions to accommodate a desk and chair, with the combined height and width proportions tweaked to ensure a comfortable space for both students and adults.

The wool study pod was designed and constructed fully within the Iona College Design Technology classroom.

Development overcame a key challenge of the woollen canopy bearing down on the structure, leading to the final prototype design using PVC pipes and fittings to replace the original frame and strengthen the front band, which is designed to be placed against a window to reduce any feelings of claustrophobia, and bring light into the pod.

During the project, students were mindful of the levels of skill required to develop prototypes and the costs associated, aided by major sponsor, Big Save and others including the Fabric Store, who helped with development costs.

Iona College principal Willy Kersten says he is proud of the girls’ achievements, both in terms of gaining a finalist place, but also in receiving the People’s Choice award across the 62 entries in the Innovation category.

“The high level of interest in the girls’ work has emerged, not only because of the product itself, but because of the girls’ ability to articulate clearly all aspects of the project they embarked on; from concept to rationale, research, design and construction.”