In this article, we delve deeper into the thoughts and experiences of the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences new MINNO pilot group. How have they experienced the different phases of the project? What lessons and insights have they gathered along the way? What has surprised them the most? Read on to discover the stories and perspectives of the MINNO pilot group members about what it means to work in such an innovative learning project.
We participated in the MINNO innovation project, where we were presented with a fascinating challenge by Metropolia, ABB, and Skanska: ”How can sustainable development goals be integrated into the housing life cycle, from design, construction to services, so that they are compatible with changes in lifestyles from an individual, community, and global perspective?” MINNO aims to teach problem-solving, innovation, project management, and teamwork skills. This year, we were also part of a pilot group, as the structure of MINNO is changing.
The Project Phases
The MINNO project was divided into several phases:
Team building:
During the team building phase, we tried to get as familiar as possible with each other’s tendencies and strengths and weaknesses. Our team consisted of four students from different cultural backgrounds, two teachers, and one student coach. Additionally, we collaborated with ABB and Skanska.
The students on our team were:
- Saara Laine, Energy and Environmental Technology
- Daniel Miekka, Automation Engineering
- Ati Eneojo Chris, Architecture/Construction and Real Estate Management
- Behnam Razmand, Civil Engineer/Construction and Real Estate Management
Discussing the process of Mind Mapping during the teaming up phase
Visiting Helsinki XR Center
As a way of creating group cohesion and finding out our interests, we visited multiple facilities to not only bond during this phase but also come up with potential ideas for the next part of the work. Some of the innovation hubs that we visited are mentioned below:
- Stadin AO:
A fantastic facility dedicated to training construction workers, where no expense was held back, and the trainees received the absolute best training that they could.
- SmartLab:
A collaborative effort between Metropolia UAS, ABB, and Skanska to create a fully automated apartment in the Myllypuro campus, where they could test different scenarios and figure out optimized and sustainable living.
- Helsinki XR Center:
The best experience we had during this project. The facilities located in the Arabia campus were like a magic show, all the while creating real life solutions to various problems. It was a great showroom for XR products and is recommended to anyone who is interested in XR and VR.
Understanding the problem:
No problem can be solved without fully understanding it in the first place, therefore, we brainstormed the challenge, focusing on sustainability, design, construction, services, and lifestyle changes. After our first meeting with ABB and Skanska, we realized the importance of creating a practical product for the end user customers within four weeks, as the companies were adamant to see a solution that would involve the people who will live inside the homes.
Empathy:
As a result, we had to see the problem from the perspective of the people living in their homes. Given the fact that the challenge was focused on sustainable development, we narrowed our focus to how residents can live more sustainably and how we could encourage them to commit to sustainable solutions. To better understand this, we conducted surveys and interviews, revealing a general interest in sustainability but a lack of specific knowledge about sustainable housing. This result was definitely an eye opener, because the majority of the interviewees were very familiar with the concept of sustainability in general, however when it came to sustainability in housing, a lot of them lacked any knowledge.
Ideation:
Our key insight from these surveys was that the main barrier to adopting sustainable solutions at home was cost. Since we couldn’t address the cost issue directly, we decided to focus on the second biggest problem: lack of knowledge about sustainability in housing. We proposed a simple and interactive way to inform home users about sustainable development in housing through posters, a website, and a calculator that would demonstrate how compatible are their life choices in housing with the concept of sustainability in housing. This would benefit end users by increasing their awareness and allow companies to promote their sustainable housing solutions. After all, companies could have the most amazing products that contribute to sustainability beyond expectation, but what good does it make if the customers are not aware of the need of such products.
Validation:
After going through numerous ideas in the ideation phase we realized that bringing awareness in regards of sustainability in housing was the direction that we wanted to follow, therefore, due to the limited time frame, two more weeks before the testing phase, we decided to create a well-established framework to advance in the project and produce the prototype systematically. We used SMART goals, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals, that would help us deliver. In this stage we focused on what TO DO and what NOT TO DO, so we would not waste any valuable time.
Prototyping and testing:
The development phase was intense. We aimed to create an easy-to-understand and interactive platform that would educate residents on the impact of their choices. Our solution included:
- Posters: Visually engaging posters with a QR code leading to the website
- Website concept: An informative website that offers deeper insights into sustainable housing, practical advice, and resources. The website also includes a calculator that allows residents to see the financial and environmental impact of their choices in real time.
After the prototype was finished, we presented the idea in the Myllypuro showroom opening on 12th of June 2024, in front of the construction industry leaders and our peers. Also, as we had a stand in the showroom, we presented our prototype to interested visitors. The purpose of this phase was to gather feedback on our prototype to hopefully further develop it in the future.
Presentation of the prototype in the Myllypuro showroom opening featuring ABB and Skanska
Key Insights and Focus
Teamwork and collaboration while focusing on innovative thinking:
One of the key focus points of this project was the emphasis on innovative thinking, which was an added pressure, however, sometimes pressure can turn coal into diamonds. The collaborative effort among all the team members to provide a completely safe space to put forward innovative ideas was the main factor that made this project extremely pleasant. The most fun part was working together on a daily basis and as complete equals, because that was when the real crazy ideas came out. But managing the group, their ambitions and interests while focusing on the project’s progress was the most valuable thing gained throughout the process, thanks to the coaches and team members.
Working with Industry Experts
Collaborating with industry experts from ABB and Skanska was invaluable. They provided us with critical feedback and industry perspectives that helped shape our project. Their emphasis on focusing on the end user’s needs was a pivotal moment in our project development.
Conclusion and Reflection
The MINNO project lasted seven weeks, and although time constraints prevented us from developing highly technical solutions, we were able to create a solid foundation for increasing awareness about sustainable living among residents.
Overall, the MINNO project was a significant learning experience. It highlighted the importance of clear communication, user-focused design, and the practical challenges of implementing sustainable solutions in housing. We are grateful for the opportunity to work with such a diverse team and esteemed companies like ABB and Skanska. This project not only enhanced our problem-solving and innovation skills but also deepened our understanding of sustainable development in the housing sector.
In the end, We would like to thank everyone involved, including teachers, coaches, and industry partners, for making this a memorable and educational journey.
– Saara, Daniel, Eneojo Chris, Benham