BreatheU
Smart Bus Stop Installation to Make Air Pollution Visible
Overview
An interactive installation that turns invisible air pollution into a sensory experience—using algae, movement, and live data to raise awareness at everyday bus stops.
Air pollution is often invisible to the naked eye, making it difficult for people to recognize its health risks—especially in regions with only moderate pollution. BreatheU is a speculative smart bus stop installation that makes the invisible visible through interactive design and green technology, encouraging the public to reflect on their environment and adopt greener habits.
Design Brief
How might we help people see and understand the invisible danger of air pollution?
Design a public installation that visualizes air quality data in real time while engaging passersby through movement, light, and responsive materials. The installation should educate, inform, and inspire change—without relying on technical charts or overwhelming text.
MY solution
BreatheU is composed of:
Transparent Algae Tubes: Live algae grows inside clear tubes, with color and opacity shifting based on air quality data.
Breathing Modules: Bulging cells expand/contract to simulate inhaling—responding to human presence.
Info Display: Shows AQI level and simple environmental tips.
Impact
Turns a passive wait-time into a moment of awareness
Helps people see pollution, not just read about it
Inspires behavior change through emotional, embodied experience
final thoughts
I led this individual project from research and concept to prototyping and interface design. It challenged me to combine data, sustainability, and emotion into one clear public experience.
BreatheU taught me how to transform abstract data into something tangible, beautiful, and alive. It reminded me that design can translate urgency into empathy—and that even a bus stop can become a portal for environmental change.
