Snoezel Patch Blanki-pt1... shelter
The Patch Blanki idea has stemmed from a want to make a snoezel object that is modula in style.
I feel this is a useful way to approach the object as it can cater for a wide range of kids/patients/users. It can also have the possibility of being assembled by the carer specifically for the user. Furthermore the object itself can be used in different ways..... a mat, a blanket or a shelter.
First I'll show my idea's regarding the Patch Blanki as a shelter.........
The shelter idea came from recognising a need for isolation of the users. The isolation and darkening of the space assists in the calming process and blocks out the other stimulation from the surrounding environment. Furthermore, by darkening the space, objects can be introduced that play with visuals, lights and shapes. It is considered quite a succesful tool to have such visuals in a dark space as many of the users are visually impaired and by providing high contrasted visuals is very effective. This approach both stimulates and relaxes.
As the purpose of this project is to create an on object that is easily relocated, I wanted to play with light weight structures such as tents.
As a starting point I looked at designs such as the Quechua 2 second tent... (http://seconds.quechua.com)
So I played with scraps found in the fab lab to make this little stucture....
These plastics bits, once the ends were cut off were hollow, therefore allowing me to thread elastic through to make a something that resembled a small scale tent frame. It could coil up, become a circle and be folded into rods.
I cut out an oblong piece of fabic and put a tubed hem around so as to thread the miniture 'tent poles' into it. As you can see it coils nicely to become a flat object.
When the coil is unfolded the fabric opens out to create this shelter. It only stays in shape and holds its form if there is something to keep the sides attached to the ground. The second image shows how a person can sit in the shelter.
In general I'm not so happy with this design as it currently stands. However, I still like the idea of making a shelter of some sort and will hopefully continue to play with ways of helping it to hold its structure.
