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The Beautifully Simple and Green Mast Humidifier

Industrial Design
Jan 27, 2010
7 Comments


I so love this beautifully elegant and simple “Mast” humidifier. Made of Japanese cypress (hinoki), it was designed by Shin Okada and crafted by Masuya Koubou.

Known for its high-quality timber, rot-resistant qualities and lemony scent, the thinly sliced Hinoki mast absorbs water from the hull and diffuses it, and its intrinsic aroma, into the room. And it goes without saying, but no electricity needed. I am willing to bet money that it will look more elegant than the damp washcloth draped over my ceiling fan.

There is an interesting possibility that sees consumers of going back to basics, using traditional materials and products to solve modern day problems. Imagine the money you would save on power bills with this humidifier? I wonder how we lived before we had fridges?

Via: Snow Mag and Spoon and Tamago.




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    • Comments

    Bernardo
    Jan 29, 10 – 3:13 am

    It’s a great product. Usefull, simple, elegant, green (i think).

    Before fridges we used salt.

    DT
    Jan 29, 10 – 9:49 am

    Hey Bernardo,

    Now that I think about it. I also wonder how green it is, and if it is made from trees that are sustainable.

    zippyflounder
    Jan 31, 10 – 3:50 am

    Its nice looking, however how well does it do the job? The surface area is good, the materials capillary action is unknown but unlikely to be as good as cotton or felt. The holding tank is small leading it to run dry often. This is in my opinion a nice “organic” room decoration that provides a pleasant aroma for a while.

    DT
    Jan 31, 10 – 10:14 pm

    Hey Glen, Thanks for your comment and sharing your insights. I would assume that they tested this thing out. I’m not convinced it worst than cotton and felt, as wood traditionally is suppose to transfer nutrients from the roots to the rest of the tree. If my memory in biology serves! LOL. I do agree that the holding tank looks a little small, but this is the sort of thing you need to look at the real product to make the true assessment.

    zippyflounder
    Feb 03, 10 – 3:27 pm

    Dt: Your idea on the tree being good at moving water, that’s a LIVE tree not dead wood. A live tree creates a pretty substantial pressure drop that enhances capillary action as the leaves transpire the oxygen and water. Ok so I am a bit of a science geek, so have them ship me one and I will gladly eat my words if it works better than felt on a head to head test.

    DT
    Feb 03, 10 – 10:25 pm

    LOL! You are right and spot on Zippy. In that case I’m interested in seeing how it really works!

    zippyflounder
    Feb 04, 10 – 2:18 am

    zippy knows shit DT :)


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