SURU’BA: Sistema Utilitário Recombinante Utópico-Universal Baseado na Autonomia

Abstract

We propose in this term paper the creation of an open technology of product-system named SURU, which is based on the concepts of product-systems, meta-products and infra-products. This document is a projectual dialogue and a blurring between the limits of consumers and projectors and aims to stimulate an alternate consuming logic: autopoetic, antropofagic, symbiotic and parasite, through the means of upcycling, open design, decentralized production and modularity. The principal components of the product-system are a collection of mobile-parts (modules) – covering universal-parts, junction-parts, and specialized-parts – like chair and table legs and and large support surfaces such as tops and backrests. In a few words, it’s a multitude of varied parts that can be assembled to become more complex objects. In conjunction with this furniture system, a CNC milling machine is proposed, also modular and of open design. It can produce SURU modules in small spaces and has the possibility of being extended. In its most reduced form it can create basic parts and proportionate the infrastructuring of a decentralized fabrication system. To demonstrate the viability of this idea we have successfully developed the SURU technology and fabricated 35 Surus, 63 Sururus, 1 Surubona, 6 Suruletas in parallel to the fabrication of the SURUMAC (CNC) prototype.The primary objective of this project is to explore the alternate roles that designers can assume in the under-developed brazilian society, to overcome colonialist, consumerist and user-centered contradictions.