box fan air filter.
box fan air filter design using an off-the-shelf 20" box fan and furnace filter. winter 2018.
This project arose from a friend's need for a powerful air filter that matched her room's color and furniture and achieved a modern, high-tech aesthetic. It also had to be low-cost to fit a college student's budget. Conventional consumer room air filters can reach hundreds of dollars with expensive filters that need to be changed frequently. Fortunately, there are plenty of cheaper off-the-shelf alternatives such as the widely accessible 20-inch box fan, made by the likes of Holmes and Lasko, as well as cheap furnace filters (~$10) used for large vents. There have been other DIY hacks to incorporate these two alternatives to much acclaim, but I took it on as a design challenge to inject minimalist functionalism and create a more premium yet accessible experience.
The materials chosen for this build were affordable MDF and hardboard panels that can be found at a local hardware store. The aesthetic of the filter is functional and minimalist, thus eliminating some of the curves, lights, and buttons found adorning other air filters. Even the rounded corners of the box fan are hidden in favor of preserving straight lines. The hole pattern also followed the same guidelines, and outline a box, the key design feature found throughout the filter. The perforated panels are hardboard panels painted white to provide a clean, industrial look, while the side panels maintain their wooden aesthetic to distinguish a furniture aesthetic. The side panels possess a key feature in the handles found on both ends. The first reason for being on both ends is because the filter can function on any orientation along its sides. As such, handles must be accessible from all orientations. Secondly, the symmetry continues to preserve the identity of the true box form, indistinguishable through each 90 degree rotation.
The perforation will be made through laser-cutting, the most cost-effective prototyping method for high-precision pattern cutting. There are small wooden posts that serve as structural supports, connecting the side panels, which also provide a platform to situate the box fan and filter. The door that accesses the replaceable filter is controlled via manual sliding through a pin found on the top. This proved to be the simplest mechanism that was low-profile and easy to use.
This project is still a work-in-progress, and was made for a user that valued affordability and minimalist design. Her room layout consists of many simple furniture pieces that share the same aesthetic of simple lines and white with wooden accents. Additionally, this filter's key design feature of affordability and ease of use will make it popular among other users as well. An idea of creating an even more accessible cardboard design is also being explored.
The materials chosen for this build were affordable MDF and hardboard panels that can be found at a local hardware store. The aesthetic of the filter is functional and minimalist, thus eliminating some of the curves, lights, and buttons found adorning other air filters. Even the rounded corners of the box fan are hidden in favor of preserving straight lines. The hole pattern also followed the same guidelines, and outline a box, the key design feature found throughout the filter. The perforated panels are hardboard panels painted white to provide a clean, industrial look, while the side panels maintain their wooden aesthetic to distinguish a furniture aesthetic. The side panels possess a key feature in the handles found on both ends. The first reason for being on both ends is because the filter can function on any orientation along its sides. As such, handles must be accessible from all orientations. Secondly, the symmetry continues to preserve the identity of the true box form, indistinguishable through each 90 degree rotation.
The perforation will be made through laser-cutting, the most cost-effective prototyping method for high-precision pattern cutting. There are small wooden posts that serve as structural supports, connecting the side panels, which also provide a platform to situate the box fan and filter. The door that accesses the replaceable filter is controlled via manual sliding through a pin found on the top. This proved to be the simplest mechanism that was low-profile and easy to use.
This project is still a work-in-progress, and was made for a user that valued affordability and minimalist design. Her room layout consists of many simple furniture pieces that share the same aesthetic of simple lines and white with wooden accents. Additionally, this filter's key design feature of affordability and ease of use will make it popular among other users as well. An idea of creating an even more accessible cardboard design is also being explored.