Gymnastics Mat Re-design for Sustainability
Undergraduate Project
Industrial Design
Background
After being a gymnast and coaching gymnastics for many years, I wanted to research and design something for the sport that had given me so much. I knew gymnastics clubs focus on performance, health, safety and keeping costs down. But I wanted to find out what they thought about sustainability, and whether it is plays a role in their actions. I had an assumption that gymnastics clubs did not consider sustainability when thinking about their equipment and matting and I wanted to challenge that assumption.
Process
Research
The research phase of this project kicked off with a literature review of the sustainability of materials used in gymnastics matting, gymnastics culture and the Australian and Global standards. By understanding the space I was working in, I sent out a survey to gymnastic clubs around Australia. The survey was a way to challenge my assumptions and gain qualitative and qualitative data about how gyms think about their matting. Based off the information found in the survey, I prepared an interview guide to interview three participants involved in gymnastics either as a coach, club owner or chairperson. I also wanted the manufactures point of view and was able to get a tour of a manufacturing facility to see the production process. I analysed and organised all the data collected from primary research. From the analysis, I created visual representations of the data and created a report.
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Design
From the research, it was clear that gymnastics clubs maintained their mats carefully. Gymnastics clubs were even following sustainable practices, but is was not the driver for their actions. The gymnastics clubs' motivation was safety and to reduce expenses. Therefore, my design could target manufacturing and the end of life system to make it easier for gymnastics clubs to achieve their goals. I begun researching new materials that had the same properties as foam, but could be recyclable, or bio-degradable. With help from the university manufacturing professionals, I found out about what manufacturing processes would be suitable for these materials and I could begin prototyping. When my prototypes were ready I asked gymnasts and gymnastic coaches for their feedback at every chance I could. I finally picked one prototype to run with, and designed the rest of the mat to be modular and recyclable.
Impact
The final design called Hex Core, was the first environmentally conscious landing mat designed for gymnastic use. Hex Core’s unique hexagonal structure absorbs impact, creating a safe and stable landing platform. To decrease waste going into landfill, Hex Core contains 100% recyclable materials internally, and has a cover made from a recycled billboard skin. These parts fit together without the use of adhesives, allowing for easy repair and replacement.
I presented Hex Core on several occasions. Firstly to a group of peers, university staff and industry designers. Then at a few events including the royal showcase at QUT in 2018. Each presentation of Hex Core begun a conversation around how new products can replace existing foam products and create less landfill.