Silver Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Products Design · 2025
Plants Rhythm Air Conditioner
by Zhejiang Zhongguang Electrical Co., Ltd.
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Products Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Outes
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 25,681
- Verification code B11EC89B3D · Verify this award
About Plants Rhythm Air Conditioner
Plants Rhythm is an air conditioner with an integrated planting module. Condensation water from the unit is collected inside and used to irrigate the plants. A detachable cover, made of a metal frame with a plastic grid, allows air to pass and supports plant growth. The transparent cover on the sphere can be rotated so the plants are easy to replace. The plants release oxygen in light and help improve air quality. A built-in light switches on in low light and can be used at night. The design reuses water that is normally discharged.
Within the evolving landscape of contemporary climate control design, this work emerges as a compelling meditation on the relationship between technological function and natural presence, suggesting new possibilities for integrating living systems within domestic appliances, the circular form references longstanding symbolic associations with wholeness and cosmic order while the precise ventilation apertures demonstrate sophisticated engineering considerations translated into visual rhythm, the designer appears to have engaged deeply with biophilic design principles, recognizing that human wellbeing benefits from sustained visual and psychological connection with natural elements, the central terrarium functions as both aesthetic focal point and conceptual statement, proposing that climate control might extend beyond mere temperature regulation to encompass a broader understanding of environmental comfort that includes the presence of growing things, technically the work demonstrates remarkable material restraint, the white housing achieving visual lightness while the black fin elements provide necessary contrast and functional airflow distribution, the transparent dome creates a portal effect, transforming the act of checking room temperature into an opportunity for contemplating botanical growth cycles, one might observe how the miniature landscape within echoes traditions of contemplative garden design, compressing the experience of nature into an intimate scale suitable for interior display, the typography presenting temperature information maintains the overall minimalist ethos while providing essential functional feedback, this integration of utility and beauty, technology and nature, invites consideration of how designed objects might better support human flourishing by acknowledging our fundamental need for connection with the living world, viewers may find themselves drawn to observe the terrarium's small ecosystem, discovering in its contained wilderness a counterpoint to the precise geometry that surrounds it.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- This air conditioner seamlessly integrates functionality with aesthetic appeal. Its internal mechanism automatically repurposes condensation water for plant irrigation. The integrated planting module, designed for straightforward installation and removal, enables users to customize interior landscapes by seasonally updating the vegetation. The incorporated greenery enhances air quality through continuous oxygen release via light-driven conversion. Additionally, an automated illumination system activates under low-light conditions to ensure nighttime accessibility.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- 370mm×70mm×370mm
- Tags
- Recycle、Air-Conditioning、Environmental protection、Remanufacture、Reuse
- Production Technology
- The detachable green plant decoration cover adopts the structure of combining metal frame and plastic grid, which can not only ensure good air permeability, but also provide stable growth support for green plants. The plant ball adopts an automatic irrigation system, which automatically adjusts the amount and time of watering by sensing indoor humidity and temperature to ensure the water required for the growth of green plants.
- Design Challenge
- The first problem we face is how to make use of air conditioner wastewater; Secondly, how to combine green plants with air conditioning should be considered; Finally, we need to think about how to skillfully integrate the new design into the family environment. Therefore, various attempts have been made in the shape and structure of the product.
- Project Duration
- The project started in Lishui, China in September 2024.
- Operation Flow
- Rotate the transparent cover on the surface of the sphere to replace the plants inside. Easy to install and disassemble, allowing for easy replacement of plants inside the ball. The built-in lighting design allows it to be used as a night light decoration at night. The soft lighting, combined with green plants, has a healing effect on the soul. The product has a deeper emotional connection and interaction with users. Simultaneously improving the home environment.
- Research
- With the continuous growth of the world population, the number of water scarce areas is also increasing. Given this, make full use of water resources that were once overlooked by people. Recycling neglected air conditioning condensate water to achieve water conservation and protect water resources.
- Inspiration
- In conventional air conditioning design, air conditioning condensate is often discharged as wastewater. In fact, after cleaning the interior of the air conditioner, its purity is high and its pH is neutral, making it a high-quality irrigation water source and providing a good growth environment for green plants. Based on this, we have designed an environmentally friendly air conditioner that allows for the recycling of condensed water, achieving symbiosis between plants and the air conditioner.
- Image Credits
- Zhejiang Zhongguang Elec
- Patents
- Zhejiang Zhongguang Elec