Preventing ecological invasive presence in urbanising cities
DESIGN BRIEF & OBJECTIVES
The project envisioned how using up-cycled materials, a functional product might be able to repel the abundant wildlife that invades both society and industry on Durban, South Africa.
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Focusing on the primary reason for the invasion (resource scavenging) needed to become discouraging. By targeting open air bins and primates as the main culprit, a non-harmful solution was created by using spices as natural repellent.
SAPREF
THE CLIENT
SAPREF is a joint venture between Shell South Africa Refining and Beyond Petroleum Southern Africa. They are the largest crude oil refineries in the whole of Southern Africa operating at 35% of SA (South Africa) refining capacity. Located on the outside of Durban, on the east coast of South Africa.Â
SAPREF is neighbour to one of the highest natural dunes in KwaZulu-Natal cost, which is home to a variety of indigenous wildlife and plants. In order to rehabilitate damaged sections they have planted 200,000 indigenous plants. Within these dunes various lizards, duiker, mongooses and vervet monkeys reside. Vervet monkeys unlike the other animal species often descend from their dune and spread within their territories henceforth dominating SAPREF.
PRODUCT EVOLUTION
After observing and talking to the Durban community various solution were eliminated. Mostly due to monkeys abilities and intelligence. Therefore the problem changed from physically discouraging them, to how can I alter their behaviour. The solution came in the form of a spice based spray that would cover the trash, over time discouraging monkeys from going into waste collection points.
