In our changing society, the old economic and industrial ways from the 20th century are being questioned for being sustainable. As we deal with the results of these practices, the importance of biodiversity in shaping our future becomes crucial. The IED Barcelona Design Area encourages students to imagine a future where nature and biodiversity are essential for our survival, going beyond just human needs to benefit all living species. This aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Carbon Collection Vehicle for Urban Mobility
Meet the Polestar Negative, an innovative vehicle that collects carbon and serves as a self-driving urban mobility solution. It operates in cities and between them, drawing inspiration from capsules and using air-trapping technology. The design features transparency, creating an air capsule effect that filters air and captures carbon.
Exterior Design
The industrial design of the Polestar Negative highlights its ability to consume carbon. Notable features, like a striking air filter at the front and a see-through body, emphasize air manipulation and storage. The transparent design reveals technology and mechanics while making mass carbon extraction easier through external hatches. Carbon cartridges, containing carbon slits, effectively separate captured carbon from filtered oxygen.
A crucial design aspect of this Polestar Concept is its modularity, visually splitting the vehicle into two main parts with distinct carbon storage areas. The interior module, linked to the carbon module, enables the extraction and reprocessing of solidified carbon. Strategically placed carbon cartridges inside airways can be easily removed through exterior hatches, simplifying mass production processes.
Interior Design
The interior design of the Polestar Negative prioritizes sustainability, using materials such as PET fibres, Flax fibres, and recycled Plexiglass. PET fibres, valued for their durability and recyclability, are used in upholstery and interior decorations. The central console acts as a primary carbon solidifier, detachable and suitable for various commercial purposes, such as graphene production and fashion.
The interior features chromorphous textiles that change colours based on user interaction or automated systems. These materials switch between black and white, acting as visual cues for carbon consumption in the vehicle. Chromorphous materials improve the overall look of the interior, adding to decorative designs and volumes.
Project Elemental
Project Elemental covers the global movement of collecting carbon between urban and rural areas. The Polestar Negative is the core, gathering carbon and acting as a crucial part of this groundbreaking project. The initiative involves autonomous vehicles, carbon processing stations/greenhouses, and carbon deposit stations, all designed for practicality, modularity, and mobility to maximize efficiency in capturing carbon.
About Designer
Youssef Omar has been a transportation design scholarship student at IED Barcelona since 2019 and is about to graduate after four years of studying Transportation Design. Throughout his academic journey, Youssef has gained recognition for his speculative projects that go beyond traditional automotive designs, delving into futuristic and sci-fi themes. His portfolio includes diverse designs, from motorcycles and alternate reality cars to boats and space drones. He is known for adding a concise yet compelling storytelling element to his projects, inspired by his passion for science fiction and film.
Additionally, he completed an internship at the professional automotive design studio, Rocket Supreme, in Barcelona. During this internship, he actively contributed to developing interior and exterior concept cars, demonstrating his practical experience and dedication to the field.
