by 
Recently we are more concerned not only about the air we breathe but also about the things we touch or put on our face. In addition to air purifiers, all kinds of sanitizing devices have proliferated, from those that use UV-C light to other less common methods such as ultrasonic washers for glasses. What binds all these machines together is their appearance as machines, things that stand out and would look out of place in a living room or art gallery. These boxes and towers don’t really need to be designed that way, just that it’s the most common manufacturing option and, therefore, the cheapest option. Fortunately, the trend seems to be changing, and these sanitary devices have undergone a few more aesthetic redesigns, such as this ultrasonic cleaner that could easily be mistaken for an art pot among other decorative pieces in a room.
Designers: Sohee Park, Deric Jeon (above.studio)
Granted, an ultrasonic cleaner isn’t exactly a common household appliance even today, but they serve an important purpose in some places, especially those that might deal with bacteria or dirt that could be harmful not only to the health but also for other things within that space. . This includes laboratories, museums, and art galleries where your accessories could accumulate dirt or microorganisms that could damage equipment or make people sick when moved.
Ultrasonic cleaners fire high-frequency sound waves through the liquid to scrub submerged objects, such as glasses, without physical contact to reduce the risk of damage to the objects themselves. These machines often come as uninspiring and highly technical boxes with a small metallic bay embedded at the top. It is the most convenient design for such a machine, but with today’s technologies, the designs need not be so limited, and that is what this redesign concept tries to achieve.
The metal tray that holds the cleaning liquid and the things to be cleaned is still there, but it is now embedded in a bowl-like structure that better represents its purpose, which is something that could be important and valuable holding And instead of a clunky metal box with knobs and switches, this black bowl sits atop a paraboloid structure that serves as its base, creating a shape that almost resembles a large goblet that is smooth and almost detailless. Standing next to vases and decorations, this ultrasonic cleaner would look very much at home, revealing its true nature and purpose until needed.
The redesign does not fundamentally change the function of the ultrasonic cleaner, although finer control may be lost due to the absence of those knobs and switches. However, it makes the device look less intimidating and more approachable, especially in places where a metal box would stand out as an eyesore. Such designs could even make cleaning and sanitation devices more common, increasing their use and demand in households, which, in turn, could help prevent on the spread of disease within homes.
