22/04/2025
As part of our R&D project ‘(𝗦*𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹) 𝗘𝗿𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗩𝗥 – 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆’, our startup Atorix Design engaged in a unique collaboration with Hogeschool PXL (UD Living Lab) and Universiteit Hasselt.
This cross-disciplinary Design Sprint ( ) brought together students from the fields of Occupational Therapy, Interior Architecture, and Architecture, who worked around the research question:
𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥-𝘰𝘯𝘴 (𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘥𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘴) 𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘓𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥/𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘴?
The aim of this project is to take the functionality of our Intimacy Furniture to the next level, and to support new, specific target groups facing mobility challenges in (s*xual) autonomy.
After a deep dive into the world of , intimacy, and (s*xual) ergonomics, the students began researching the target audience and refining the core problem. We applied the methodology throughout the sprint.
To bring their ideas to life, they used technology, which enabled them to efficiently develop digital prototypes, simulate s*xual positions and activities using anatomically correct bodies, and validate dimensions at 1:1 scale.
✨ It was a first for us to open up our design method and philosophy — including our VR-based workflow — to external participants. Despite the novelty of this approach, the process ran remarkably smoothly. The students quickly embraced the method, showed strong motivation, and handled the topic of intimacy with impressive maturity and respect — resulting in innovative solutions.
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𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗱 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲?
✅ Tangible, manufacturable concepts: multifunctional add-ons enabling new forms of intimate experience for individuals and couples. Special attention was paid to specific types of impairments, such as asymmetrical mobility.
✅ Innovative thinking around modularity and adaptability, helping the Chaise Longue support a wider range of intimate scenarios — beyond traditional notions of penetrative s*x.
💡 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁?
We’re currently evaluating the presented concepts. Selected ideas will be further developed and tested in the next stages of the project.
Meanwhile, pilot couples are testing Chaise Longue (prototype V2) in real-life, household settings and offering us invaluable feedback.
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🔗 This project was also featured in the press!
Read the full article at www.atorix.design/press or via Het Belang van Limburg (https://tinyurl.com/2k7cwkjh)
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📸 Images (1 - 2 - 8 - 12) by Images
📰 Press article by Pauline Brabants
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👥 A warm thank you to all the students, supervisors, and experts who made this Design Sprint such a success!
Erwin Vanroye
Jan Vanrie
Lien Reekmans
Jenna Mikus, PhD
Hubert FROYEN
Charlotte Beckers & Katelijn Quartier (Retail Design Lab)
Eva Severens, PhD
Nikita Aulov (Atorix Design)
🎓 Hogeschool PXL - PXL-Research - UD Living Lab - UHasselt - Faculteit Architectuur en Kunst