UNA

What it does

UNA is an indoor, tech-controlled farming device for plant-based diet which comes in form of ceiling lights. It grows vegetables in a clean and controlled environment to tackle the growing risks of food contamination caused by climate change and pollution.

Your inspiration

In this era, the safety of outdoor cultivation is compromised as crops may contain unwanted contaminants that could cause severe health problems. We were struck by the irony that the existing systems feeding us may now be a source of harm. Global warming will progressively weaken soil health, causing unreliable season, and depletion of ecosystem services such as pollination, increase pressure from pests and diseases

How it works

Controlled via a mobile app, its motorized pulley system lowers the plant unit for harvesting. Once harvesting is complete, users raise UNA back into the ceiling through the app, where it nests as interior lighting. Inside, full-spectrum LED lights support plant growth, while built-in sensors monitor light, humidity, and temperature. An AI system processes this data and adjusts conditions automatically to ensure optimal growth. The app lets users track plant development, receive care alerts, and view nutritional data of plants ready to harvest so they can balance their intake of protein, fiber, and carbohydrates. An ultrasonic sender and receiver are placed on the top and bottom of the product, emitting waves that support growth acceleration. A refillable water tank and automated irrigation system reduce manual work. Together, these integrated features enable UNA to control plant growth, minimize manual maintenance, and ensure a safe, reliable food source.

Design process

This project was developed as a strategic design task, meaning the focus was not on physical prototyping or live testing but rather on research-driven concept development, long-term design vision, and speculative design. We began with extensive desk research to understand the environmental, technological, and social context of indoor food production. Through benchmarking and market analysis, we identified three key pain points in home farming: large space requirements, maintenance hassle, and low yield in current solutions. Using system mapping, speculative scenario planning, and user journey development, we shaped the concept in stages. We defined UNA’s demands that come in keywords such as: self-sustaining, ease of maintenance, high product yield, supporting the right diet, resource efficiency, and suitable for urban homes. These demands defined what components and features UNA must hold. To bring the concept closer to realization, we transitioned into mechanical design. Through detailed 3D modeling and renders, we explored assembly methods, spatial integration, component placement, and movement mechanics. This phase allowed us to validate how the design could work in real life while remaining user-friendly and visually unobtrusive.

How it is different

Most existing indoor farming systems are either large industrial-scale systems not meant for homes, or aesthetic planters that offer little in terms of real food production. UNA was created to bridge that gap. We examined emerging indoor agriculture solution projects like NASA’s Advanced Plant Habitat (APH) and Growing Underground in London, which showed the potential of controlled food production in unconventional spaces. These references guided us toward envisioning a scalable system for private, in-home use, something missing from the current market offerings. Reimagining these solutions into an interior product, we envisioned a smart, space-conscious solution that fits naturally into homes. UNA is then designed as a lighting object placed in a space that is often overlooked, while housing a powerful technology that delivers the level of control, efficiency, and yield typically found in commercial farming systems. This redefines what indoor farming can be.

Future plans

Due to the complex nature of UNA, we plan to seek support from various experts including agricultural researchers, software engineers, and environmental specialists. With their help, we aim to develop a fully functional prototype to test the system over extended growing cycles while evaluating its performance, user interaction, and overall food yield. In parallel, we will explore partnerships with manufacturers, design incubators, and business mentors to guide us in the commercialization stage. Ultimately, we envision UNA evolving into a widely accessible product solution that empowers individuals to grow their own food right at home.

Awards

UNA was shortlisted among the top 300 out of approximately 7,000 entries for the iF Design Student Award 2025