HYGROW

Concept

HYGROW is a product-service system of pot, plant, and interaction created to address the challenges faced by the hospitality industry. These challenges include the overuse of water, which is the number one cause of potted plant demise or polluted air, a health risk that affects 99% of the global population; and the lack of awareness among the 65% of guests who don’t even consider sustainability when booking.

HYGROW is a porous ceramic pot designed to save water and simplify plant care. With HYGROW, you water the pot, not the plant! Simply remove the lid and pour water into the pot’s cavity. The porous ceramic mix that we crafted absorbs the water, creating a humid microclimate and simulating the natural way plants absorb water from the soil. This technology can sustain them for an entire month because the plant autonomously absorbs the water it needs, avoiding the overuse of water.
HYGROW hosts a selection of plants studied by NASA. They were chosen because they survive with little water and care and filter up to 15 cubic meters of air from pollutants, fostering a cleaner and healthier environment.
The guided interaction aims at increasing eco-awareness among hotel guests and staff through an NFC tag in the pot, which brings users to the HYGROW website. Here, data about the benefits of the pot and plants is provided, as well as instructions on how to best care for the plants and minimize resource waste.

These benefits of HYGROW aren’t just limited to hotels. Guests can purchase their own HYGROW pack after the interaction. Additionally, HYGROW is scalable to restaurants, cruises, hospitals, schools, and more.
To minimize environmental impact in terms of logistics and production, HYGROW collaborates with Italian partners for producing the pot and supplying the plants. However, the concept is designed to be adaptable and can easily be expanded to other regions, allowing the product to be tailored using local materials, plants, and producers.

In a nutshell, HYGROW isn’t just a plant pot. It is a game-changer in the hospitality industry, transforming potted plants from mere decorations into vital components that reduce resource waste. HYGROW promotes regenerative tourism and shows how small changes in habits can significantly impact our planet.

 

 

The Team

Leonora Melli
Leonora Melli

Politecnico di Milano

Gaia Foschini
Gaia Foschini

Politecnico di Milano

Laura Fajenza
Laura Fajenza

Politecnico di Milano

Leonora Melli
Leonora Melli

Politecnico di Milano

About Leonora Melli

Leonora is an interior design student who perceives design as more than just spatial planning. She views it as a comprehensive design methodology and a creative approach suitable for solving problems across various fields. With a strong desire to further her education, Leonora aims to pursue a master’s degree in Product-Service System Design. This advanced study will allow her to develop a broader conception of design that encompasses system design and design thinking.
In her expanded view of design, Leonora places significant emphasis on sustainability. She is a fervent advocate for the responsibility of designers to ensure their projects are sustainable, both environmentally and socially. That’s because she believes that sustainable design is not just a trend, but a crucial obligation for the future of our planet and society.
Eager to seize all opportunities that arise, Leonora is dedicated to fully embracing every challenge. Her ultimate goal is to leverage her skills and knowledge to create designs that positively impact the planet and society. By focusing on innovative and sustainable design methodologies, she aims to contribute to a better, more sustainable future.

Leonora Melli
Gaia Foschini
Gaia Foschini

Politecnico di Milano

About Gaia Foschini

During her years as a student of interior design at Politecnico di Milano, Gaia honed her skills and deepened her understanding of the field of design. Her journey into the world of design began at Liceo Artistico Torricelli Ballardini in Faenza, where she specialized in design and ceramics. Gaia’s passion for art and design has been a constant in her life, driven by the desire to express her ideas and viewpoint through creative means. Her studies in ceramics during high school increased her interest in design, motivating her to pursue it professionally. Moving to Milan, the capital of design, further enriched her grasp of design thinking, where she developed a unique approach that combines craftsmanship with aesthetic sensitivity.

Motivated by a deep curiosity towards sustainability, Gaia sees design as a powerful tool to promote environmental awareness and social responsibility. Her project aims to integrate sustainable practices into design. Her approach is characterized by a thoughtful integration of her ceramic experience, where craftsmanship and attention to detail play a crucial role in defining her projects.

Gaia Foschini
Laura Fajenza
Laura Fajenza

Politecnico di Milano

About Laura Fajenza

Laura was born in a small mountain village in the province of Bergamo, Italy. Determined, curious, and enterprising, she faced initial challenges but eventually moved to Milan to enroll in an interior design course at Politecnico di Milano after spending a year at university in Turin. During high school, she developed a passion for art, which led her to an interest in design through museum exhibitions.

Recently, she has developed a strong interest in social design and sustainability, wanting to find ways to use design to help people, solve their problems, and enhance their well-being. She believes that sustainable design is essential for creating lasting positive impacts on communities and the environment. For this reason, in 2025 she will begin a master’s degree in Product Service System Design at Politecnico di Milano, aiming to create new services and experiences tailored to people’s needs, while also considering the ecological footprint.

In personal life, she aspires to travel and get to know different cultures and people, enriching her cultural background. Her curiosity about life keeps many paths open for exploration. She believes that understanding diverse perspectives is crucial for designing solutions that are both innovative and inclusive, contributing to a more sustainable and harmonious world.

Laura Fajenza

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