GlowGaurd UVC
2020
Understanding their concerns, Winston felt a responsibility to help. He believes that designers have a social responsibility to shape the material future—ethically, beautifully, and sustainably. Motivated by the challenges faced by restaurant workers like Brooke during COVID-19, Winston set out to design GlowGuard UVC, an outdoor heater that not only provides greater warmth but also offers enhanced protection from the virus.
A frost is coming.
Brooke, a 23-year-old Philadelphian working in the restaurant industry, expressed her worries: “I just don’t know what restaurants will do if indoor dining is still so limited come winter.” Her friends, all cooks, servers, and hosts, nodded in agreement. One added, “My livelihood is at stake. Many people will sit outside for their morning coffee with an outdoor heater, but most refuse for dinner. Those machines just aren’t warm enough for East Coast winters.”
Use UVC light to protect against viruses.
A study from Columbia University Irving Medical Center provided inspiration. Researchers found that 99.9% of exposed coronaviruses can be killed by very low exposure to far-UVC light. Winston saw an opportunity to integrate this technology into his design. GlowGuard UVC features a UVC light that continuously sterilizes surfaces, offering additional protection against COVID-19. The UVC light can be activated independently of the heater, giving users flexibility and safety.
Warm your whole body, not just your head.
Traditional outdoor heaters direct heat from above, leaving people uncomfortably cold below. “I hate how the top of my head is always too hot, but my body is freezing,” said Benjamin LaFirst, a Vienna resident. Winston addressed this issue by rotating the heater’s deflector vertically and lowering the heating element. This design ensures GlowGuard UVCprovides more even warmth, so a seated person feels comfortable from head to toe.
An app to keep you toasty.
The solution is at your fingertips.
Control your comfort with ease. Winston collaborated with UX/UI designer Gabriel Mamites to create an app that allows users to control every aspect of the heater. The app can adjust the temperature, position the motorized reflector, schedule heating times, activate the UVC light for continuous sterilization, and even monitor energy efficiency in real time.
