The Modern Forager
Task
To explore the least invasive way of cooking in nature, using only the elements.
For this project, we were challenged by TEKA to play around with the concept of ‘taking the kitchen out of the kitchen’ We brought it a step further: we took the kitchen out of the house. To do that, we embarked on a journey of exploration of alternative and traditional outdoor cooking methods, to come up with a set of appliances that allows you to cook with the elements (fire, water and earth), and reconnect both with the act of cooking and with nature.
The Modern Forager is a speculative device conceived as a ritual object, allowing the user to reconnect with nature and enjoy a more mindful approach to outdoor cooking. The set, consisting of three portable kitchen appliances, includes a solar kitchen, a water purifier and a foodstuffs identifier.
Food identifier
Solar kitchen
Water purifier
Have you ever wandered around the forest and asked yourself if this or that berry was edible? The Forager allows you to easily analyze anything, giving the user basic information about what it is and whether or not is edible. Besides, it allows them to store a handful of products, enough for a nutritious meal. However, and aligned with the less extractive values imbued in this project, the reduced size of the storage unit sends a clear message to the user: be mindful of what you take and take only what you need.
remove the lid
place the item
in the central compartment
put the lid
back on
the light ring will flicker
and then identify the item
Water is crucial for most cooking processes and it can be used in many different ways. However, the first step is always to collect it, and in a polluted world like the one we live in today, it is also crucial to ensure you’re using clean, drinking water. From dangerous chemicals to microplastics, microorganisms, or even salt, most water sources have become toxic for our bodies. The water purifier is not only able to collect and store water, but it is also able to purify and filter it when needed, making it perfectly suitable for human consumption.
remove the lid
collect the water
put the lid
back on
wait until the water
has been purified
Fire is the number one tool in the kitchen. And what better way to use fire in nature than channeling the energy we get from this huge fireball we call ‘sun’? Using sunlight to light up a fire is an ancient technique that requires nothing but a lens and some wood chips. However, getting the angle and the range right can be a quite difficult and tedious process, and that’s when the technology comes in. Using a variety of sensors to calculate the optimal angle and range, the lid of the device will assist you in the process. In addition, it includes an instant fire extinguisher mechanism in case of an accident.
remove the lid
place the tinder
in the central compartment
orient the magnifying glass lid
with the help of the light ring
now you can start
building up the fire
This speculative piece is a mix of primitive and bleeding-edge technologies. Our goal was to shift the way we approach technological devices and the values associated with technology (such as efficiency, speed, or convenience). In the end, after many different iterations, we concluded that the only way to do so was by removing technology from where there was no need for it to be.
The Modern Forager doesn’t have a screen, buttons, controllers, or any other invasive technology features, but rather a minimal hidden screen that provides you exactly with the information needed and only when you need it. This radical ‘tech minimalism’ is what allows the user to focus on cooking, reconnecting with nature and enjoying a more mindful outdoor experience. Beyond cooking, our goal was to reassess the values we currently associate with tech and spark conversation to reexamine and rethink the devices we use today.
