Canari: Clean Air You Didn't Know Was There.

More than just an air purifier, Canari is a modular product platform designed to integrate seamlessly into any home environment—from nurseries to living spaces and beyond. Inspired by the critical need for cleaner air for newborns, Canari rethinks traditional air purification with a flexible, user-centric approach.

Its customizable modular system allows users to scale and adapt purification to their needs, while its minimalist aesthetic ensures it complements, rather than disrupts, interior spaces. Crafted from sustainable materials, Canari balances performance with environmental responsibility, reducing waste without compromising efficiency.

Simplicity and functionality define Canari—a vision by Play&Co that challenges conventional notions of home wellness technology. Designed for effortless integration, adaptability, and long-term impact, Canari is air purification made invisible, yet indispensable.

Design Team

Jason McGinnity, Senior Designer

Matt Locascio, Art Director

Tyler Wilkinson, Designer

Michelle Passe, Designer

Karen Hutchieson, Director

Brendan Hutchieson, Director

Ariel Piazza, Graphic Designer

A New Approach to Air Purification

The Canari concept was born from a simple but powerful insight: newborns need superior air quality for healthy lung development. Yet, most air purifiers on the market are bulky, disruptive, and designed as afterthoughts rather than integrated home elements. Play&Co set out to rethink air purification—not as a standalone appliance, but as a seamless, adaptable piece of the living environment.

As designers—and parents of young children—we were collectively disappointed by the lack of thoughtfully designed air purifiers that truly addressed the needs of growing families. Our research quickly confirmed we weren't alone. Studies show that:

- Air pollution can impair lung development from a young age, leading to smaller lung size and decreased lung capacity for life.

- We spend up to 90% of our time indoors, where concentrations of some air pollutants are 2-5x higher than outdoors.

- Newborns sleep between 14-19 hours per day, meaning the air they breathe during these critical early months has a lasting impact on their health.

- Nursery shelf space is at a premium, making multi-functional, space-efficient designs essential.

- Millennials—who are now becoming parents—are overwhelmed by choice and increasingly prioritize products that combine strong design, health benefits, and sustainability.

- The demand for air purifiers has surged since Covid and the rise of extreme wildfires, making clean indoor air an urgent concern for parents.

With these insights in mind, we posed a question: What if air purifiers could go beyond simply cleaning the air and help parents create a more organized, nurturing environment?

The Process: Blending Product and Brand from the Start

At Play&Co, concept projects typically begin with a loose framework. We allow for conceptual exploration, debate, and the time, space, and safety to challenge conventional assumptions. We ask questions like: How far do we want to push the concept? What do we hope to learn? What does a successful outcome look like?

Canari started like many of our projects—first as an ambitious idea, then as a concept with potential to scale beyond parents to a much broader audience. This led to the development of a modular system that could seamlessly adapt to different environments.

We began with moodboards — purposefully honing in on an aesthetic language that balances timeless elegance and visual comfort. We sketched purposeful details, attachable accessories, and multiple configuration options. CAD form studies were drafted, and real-life cardboard and foam-core models were built to validate scale and proportion. Color and materiality were then visualized and refined — finessing every element until we achieved a harmonious blend of function and aesthetics.

As the product concept took shape, so did the brand story. Initially a working title, 'Canary' affectionately resonated with our team — eventually becoming the brand concept 'Canari'. What started as a product name evolved into an opportunity for a strong brand concept.

Why is brand integration important? Research shows that 78% of millennial parents use smartphones to research products and brands. For a product to succeed, it must be designed not only for functionality but also to live and inspire online.

At Play&Co, we believe product stories are brand stories and brand stories are product stories. When product and brand designers work together from the outset, product features and functionality become storytelling opportunities. By uniting product and brand narratives, we ensure that every interaction—whether physical or digital—reinforces the value and purpose of the concept.

A Modular, Scalable, and Sustainable Design

At its core, Canari is a modular, scalable platform that evolves with users' needs. Unlike traditional purifiers, which dictate where and how they must be placed, Canari offers a range of interchangeable bases, tops, accessories, and covers. Whether nestled in a nursery, blended into a living room, or positioned in a workspace, it effortlessly adapts to its surroundings. This modular approach extends beyond aesthetics—it allows for personalization and sustainability, reducing waste by letting users update or repurpose components rather than replacing an entire unit.

Purification, Reimagined

Canari's filtration system is as thoughtfully designed as its exterior. Instead of relying on visible, bulky vents, Canari optimizes airflow with a subtle yet highly efficient design:

- A washable 3D-knit spacer mesh pre-filter, inspired by the soft form of an ottoman, captures larger particles like pet hair and dust.

- A multi-layered HEPA and activated carbon filtration system removes fine pollutants, ensuring fresher, healthier air.

- A quiet airflow system with a fluted tabletop underside evenly disperses purified air without disruptive noise or drafts—ideal for sleeping infants, focused workspaces, and shared family environments.

Designed for Life, Built for the Future

From a production standpoint, Canari is designed for manufacturability and scalability, making it an attractive proposition for brands looking to push the boundaries of home wellness. Its clean, minimal aesthetic ensures it integrates naturally into any space, while its thoughtful material choices support a more sustainable future.

With Canari, Play&Co has created more than just a concept—it's a vision for how air purification can be reimagined to serve people, their evolving needs, and the environment. By challenging the status quo, we're proving that everyday products shouldn't just exist in our spaces—they should elevate them.

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