Who rules the city: architecture… or the neighbor’s dog?

Sip-Buster

Loretta Zago

In urban environments, the interaction between animals, people, and architecture can lead to various issues, such as damage to building façades and pollution of public spaces caused by dog urine. These problems, often overlooked, negatively affect the appearance and usability of city spaces, causing discomfort for residents and visitors alike.

This project aims to offer a practical and sustainable solution to this daily issue. The proposal involves installing an extruded aluminum profile designed to divert dog urine away from building surfaces, channeling it beneath the sidewalk through an integrated drainage system. The device works in tandem with a hydrophobic paint applied to the affected walls, which makes surfaces more resistant to moisture and helps liquids run off easily, further reducing the risk of permanent stains and damage.

The main goal is to prevent unpleasant odors, surface degradation, and soil contamination, thereby improving hygiene and the visual quality of urban spaces.

The profile is made from extruded aluminum, a recyclable and corrosion-resistant material that ensures durability and environmental sustainability over time. Installation is simple and non-invasive, featuring a minimal design that easily integrates into various architectural contexts without altering their original appearance.

A project made in the course

Unveiling Scents. Designing With, Through, and For Smell.

While visual, acoustic, and tactile impressions often take center stage in design education, olfactory perception has received relatively little attention in design practice. Yet, most of our experiences are accompanied by a scent, even if we are not consciously aware of it. Among all our senses, none is as deeply connected to personal memories, and emotions - both positive and negative - as the sense of smell. Shouldn’t this dimension receive at least as much focus and appreciation in design education as the more established media of contemporary design?
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