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EnergyBOX
 

Sector

Urban equipment/urban intervention

Location

Can be placed anywhere

Year of project

2021

Competition

first prize/winner

- Creative Business Cup of Macedonia 2021

Community Award

- Social Impact Award Macedonia 2021

Participation and one-month program

-International Conference BRIGHT Copenhagen 2021

Designer

ArchX Studio + Elena Shuteva (developer)

3D visualizations

ArchX Studio

EnergyBOX is a new type of smart urban equipment ‐ micro center for outdoor work .
EnergyBOX is a combination of the concept of WORK , through the basic elements of a modern office (desk + electricity connection + stable internet) and the concept of a PUBLIC / OPEN SPACE, assembled in a small box 3x3x3 meters. Offers additional environmental, social and functional values: it is energy efficient ‐ it has solar power; it is
accessible for people with mobility disabilities; it’s modular ‐ multiple boxes can be placed joined to each other in a group; it is easy to install; has a branding area and has the opportunity for teamwork in other words ‐ completely adapts to the new way of life. EnergyBOX beautifies public spaces and can be placed in any open space.

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We came up with the idea for this project because of the pressure of the global situation ‐ the Covid 19 pandemic and the new era of connectivity and digital technologies ‐ where everyone needs to be available at all times.

We have identified two key issues that we are able to address:

1. Increasing number of people working online who spend more time locked up in their homes , causing stress and impaired mental and physical health
2. People have nowhere to charge and connect their devices to public spaces with a stable internet connection
 

EnergyBOX solves these problems by offering simple solutions :
1. Space to work outside
2. Charging station for digital devices
3. Hotspot for stable and fast internet connection .

Long‐term benefits to society resulting from the project:

Social implications:

   ‐ improvement of public spaces and a place for socialization
   ‐ raising awareness for sustainable and energy efficient interventions
   ‐ Promoting equality: accessibility for people with disabilities
 

Technological implications: ‐ innovation in the field of smart urban equipment
    ‐ICT layer / software ‐ part of a smart city
    ‐connection of architectural and information branches
 

Economic implications: 

     ‐expansion of the urban equipment market with a new segment


Improving quality of life: 

      ‐post‐pandemic awareness (public health awareness)
 

Environmental implications: 

      ‐energy efficiency
      ‐ zero footprint

The main features of the project are:
 

1. Outdoor work space

‐ EnergyBOX has only one central element ‐ a desk / work surface, suitable for 4 people. The table has movable compartments ‐ which can be divided for greater privacy in individual work, or to be lowered in group work.


2. Awareness of the effects in the post‐pandemic

‐ another function of the table partitions, and the chairs are placed at a diagonal distance.


3. Charging station for electrical appliances

‐ EnergyBOX has electrical outlets for 4 devices ‐ suitable for laptop or phone.


4. Solar power supply

‐ 3 150 W solar panels mounted on the roof , connected to an inverter and a small battery ‐ making EnergyBOX energy efficient and grid independent.

Screenshot 2025-02-17 110557inv_.png

5. Modularity

‐ the ability to connect multiple boxes in a group if there is a need for more work space.


6. Easy installation / disassembly

‐ easy assembly and leaving zero footprint on the environment.

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7. Accessibility for people with mobility impairments

‐ EnergyBOX has enough space and drop‐down ramps for easy access for wheelchair users. The chairs have a mechanism of lowering to the floor so that they do not represent an obstacle in the movement.


8. Multi‐purpose elements

‐ side surfaces can function as both walls and ramps ‐ depending on the need.

9. Possibility of complete closure

‐ when there is no sun (in the evening or in bad weather), EnergyBOX can be completely closed ‐ to protect the equipment inside


10. Stable internet connection

‐ router with hotspot


11. ICT layer ‐ mobile and web application

‐ a mobile application that will connect all EnergyBOX locations on a map, provide measurement data (temperature, air pollution, etc.), will be a platform for information and advertising at the request of the customers, it will also offer promotions and discounts by the customers.

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12. Branding area

‐ in addition to the app, customers can also advertise on the physical branding area at the top of the EnergyBOX . In addition, the open / closed side sections can be used.

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