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Kawamura Ganjavian's "Ostrich," for the New "Working-Resting" Paradigm

By Ray Hu - May 24, 2011

in Object Culture

It was no surprise to us that Janine Benyus's introduction to biomimicry was one of the most popular videos in our Sustainability in 7 series last month: the notion of "solving design challenges by asking nature's advice" has an immediate appeal.

While Benyus uses a peacock feather as an example, architecture and design studio Kawamura Ganjavian has found inspiration in another, equally unique (Ganj?-)avian: the ostrich.OSTRICH offers a micro environment in which to take a warm and comfortable power nap at ease. It is neither a pillow nor a cushion, nor a bed, nor a garment, but a bit of each at the same time. Its soothing cave-like interior shelters and isolates our head and hands (mind, senses and body) for a few minutes, without needing to leave our desk.

Of course, it's a different approach to biomimicry, more a comment on cultural work habits than a biological trait: "We gradually spend more time in our working environments, and this in turn means that we often need to make work and rest fully compatible within the same space... in general the workplace has rarely adapted to this new working-resting paradigm."

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edao

12 years ago

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Could this be more of a freudian vagina if it tried?
Designer had serious maternal issues.
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Shalin

13 years ago

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clever...unusual, but clever. I wish napping were more accepted - I think I'd get ~20% more done in the day...
--S
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M4RK

13 years ago

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Lol imagine if this replaced the balaclava as the new way of disguising yourself while robbing a bank - 'everybody get under the sea!'
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Peter

13 years ago

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I had a friend who just booked the conference room out, put up a "meeting in progress" sign and slept under the table. Didn't suffocate or get kicked once .
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Andy Goulding

13 years ago

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i did not see my attacker, i was wearing an ostrich at the time.....
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MashMelon

13 years ago

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How do you breath?
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Lu

13 years ago

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The applications for this excellent innovation are endless. I'd take it into meetings and pop it on, when I got bored. One small point, I'm not convinced that Ostriches stick their fingers in their ears - surely they'd fall over?
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Thomas C Neith

13 years ago

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Just another excuse for people to not answer phones while at work.
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Harriet

13 years ago

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Ah a portable panic attack - just what i've always wanted.
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Geo Nalugala

13 years ago

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@M4RK - Way to think!

Does it come in any other shapes? Could have a big burger to ram into...

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M4RK

13 years ago

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If you ever wondered what it would be like to reverse the process of being born - then this product is for you!
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Joe Pemberton

13 years ago

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The punchline?

The front side is printed with the letters K I C K - M E. Because users are begging to be mocked.
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Bill

13 years ago

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I would be worried about someone messing with you while your hands and head or tucked away inside this thing. Probably not so great to use in a public space. Kind of ridiculous, I'll stick with a pillow.
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Dazed

13 years ago

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Better hide your wallet before using.
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Justin Murray

13 years ago

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This is a pretty interesting project. I can think of a few all-nighters where I wish I'd had one of these things.

The most uncomfortable thing for me about taking naps during the day is sleeping with the covers on my head. Although it does wonders at blocking out light and noise, it's just so hard to breathe. Recycled oxygen eventually turns into CO2 and we come barrelling out of the covers for sweet, fresh air. Although it doesn't illustrate it here, surely this product must have a clever solution?

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Hugh

13 years ago

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Ostriches don't bury their heads. It's a myth.
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Scott

13 years ago

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I agree that suffocation would be a problem, but I suppose some clever pillow use with a face hole could create ventilation paths.

My concern would be what co-workers think of having your head up inside something with such an, um, 'organic' shape. Don't get one in red.
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Anthony

13 years ago

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And we're not worried about suffocation?
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Integraphix | Creative Design Agency

13 years ago

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What an UNUSUAL object! So many times have I just wanted to curl up into a ball underneath my desk to take a quick nap and more times than I can count, I've laid my head down across folded arms and have fallen asleep there at my desk. The only concern I have is falling into too deep of a sleep with such a lack of air supply! Ha!! Great idea though and thanks for sharing!
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