Diseño de mobiliario urbano elaborado con fibra de vidrio para la optimización de los espacios de descanso en el campus de la universidad técnica de Ambato

Abstract

This project aimed to design urban furniture made of fiberglass with the goal of optimizing rest areas on the Huachi Chico campus of the Technical University of Ambato. The study addressed issues related to the limited availability of functional and comfortable outdoor furniture, the insufficient use of green spaces, and inadequate ergonomic conditions by the university community. These factors affect social interaction, as well as user permanence and the overall experience within campus recreational environments. For the present project, the method applied was a mixed-method research approach, which was combined with direct observation, some interview and surveys with specialists, also a review of the rhetorical foundations related to urban furniture, fiberglass materials including ergonomics and user centered design. The design guided the development process, allowing the investigation know the user needs, which in this case includes all the community including teaches, students, and any other user in the area; therefore the validation process went along the establishment of design requirements, the general conceptual alternatives, and the successful validation was made through expert evaluation with the use of the Harris Profile method. The final design consists basically of an organic urban seating system that integrates most of the users with the natural extension of the landscape through accommodation developed based on the around existing trees. The material selected is fiberglass because of its incredible durability, the low maintenance requirements, the resistance it shows to environmental changes and different conditions, and the capacity to adapt to complex forms. The proposal also incorporates a color palette which was inspired by natural elements of the local landscape, that promotes visual harmony with the campus green areas. The findings show that this type of seating furniture does not just check the boxes for ergonomic and aesthetics, but it also meets functionality while enhancing user comfort and encouraging longer stays in outdoor spaces and improving social interaction among students. The project concludes that the implementations of fiberglass furniture in urban seating can contribute in such a significant way to optimize the university resting areas and boost the overall quality of outdoor campus environments.