Designing SeaBubble docks

Abstract

The project that is performed is for the master thesis of the master study ‘Integrated Product Design’ at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering at the TU Delft. The final product is a handbook that functions as a tool to create a dock for SeaBubbles, and it is developed for the company Advier.
The process started with exploring the scope. The scope can be split up in three directions: the business direction in which the company Advier and its stakeholders is analysed. It becomes clear that Advier will give the handbook to a design agency that will create the actual dock design. The second direction is the analysis of the location. The network is situated in the area of Dordrecht, also known as Drechtsteden. The effect of the weather and tide on this area is analysed and the conclusion is drawn that the design of the dock must deal with changing water levels. The third direction focuses on the SeaBubble, in which the SeaBubble for seven passengers and twelve passengers are presented. The reservation system is mapped out and shows that the SeaBubble will define its route on the demand, in between it is possible that the SeaBubble will change its route. This has a large impact on the passenger journey.
In the passenger journey, two types of passengers are presented: a prepared and an unprepared passenger. The prepared passenger has bought a ticket at home, while the unprepared passenger must buy a ticket at the dock. From this point in the process, the focus will be on the experience of the passenger. By creating a building that fulfils the needs of the passenger when the passenger is being guided, is waiting, and is boarding, the experience of the passenger will be good.
The next part that is being analysed is the elements that is needed for guiding, waiting and boarding. For guiding, first the crowd flow is analysed. Based on this crowd flow, a general layout of the building is created for the location of ticket vending machines, waiting areas and potential one-way systems. Secondly, the needed information is analysed and tested in an online 3D environment. The location and the initial way of communication for several information elements is determined.
For waiting, literature is analysed, and people are interviewed and observed. The passengers will find distraction on a smartphone or while enjoying the view, having a seat is preferred.
For creating a comfortable boarding experience, two supports are needed in an area with even floor and no gaps. By getting inspired from the results, different configurations of docks were created.
By determining the principles behind the configurations, the design choices are mapped out. These design choices are structured with a morphological map and explained in the handbook, which is the final product of this master thesis. After finalising the handbook, interviews were held with the client and an architect to evaluate the final product.