Urban & home-based food production: VitaVista - a home hydroponic kitchen island for bulb vegetables in Malaysia's urban communities

Developing a Home Hydroponic Kitchen Island for Bulb Vegetables in Malaysia's Urban Communities The project aims to redesign practical food production systems in Malaysian communities to support sustainable urban agriculture. By understanding user needs and expert insights, the study aims to recommend practical, easy-to-use designs that remote local food production, enhance healthier lifestyles and contribute to environmental sustainability. This study promotes self-sufficiency in urban agriculture by allowing residents to grow their own vegetables, reducing reliance on imports an enhancing food security. Integrating hydroponics into furniture design supports sustainable 5 development goals and encourages green urban living. This innovation approach solves while meeting community needs. The combination of hydroponic systems with furniture design offers practical applications and academic chances, potentially contributing to a more resilient urban food system and inspiring further research in community gardening and hydroponic technologies. This research solves the difficulties urban Malaysian homeowners encounter when growing bulb vegetables in confined spaces by developing an innovative kitchen island integrated with an optimized hydroponic system. It focuses on enhancing user interaction and promoting sustainable urban farming practices. The findings aim to offer actionable design solutions that support efficient food cultivation in limited areas, contributing to improved food security and environmental sustainability in Malaysia’s expanding urban centers. There is a need to secure food security in Malaysia for urban residents by addressing limited spaces, challenges in local crops adoption, and reliance on imports. Designer to design a hydroponic kitchen island, named VitaVista, in a small home that optimizes bulb vegetable growth, maximizes space efficiency, and enhances user engagement. Research Objectives: 1. To identify the key challenges faced by urban homeowners in Malaysia when cultivating bulb vegetables in kitchen environments. 2. To analyze the effective hydroponic system for cultivating bulb vegetables in a kitchen island within small urban homes. 3. To design a hydroponic kitchen island that optimizes bulb vegetable growth while addressing space constraints and enhancing user engagement. Food security pillars: availability, Sustainable Development Goals: The project was focused on SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Research Method: The research used a mixed-methods approach. A total of 60 respondents aged 25 to 64, including working professionals, young families, and health-conscious people, participated in the survey to identify challenges and user needs. 9 respondents of experts from horticulture and farming, farmers, specialists of onion growing specialists, furniture designers, and an engineer of hydroponics engineer were interviewed to gain insights. Findings wth their significance: Findings show that space constraints, lack of knowledge in hydroponic cultivation, and limited access to suitable equipment are major barriers for urban homeowners. The VitaVista design integrated a flexible features hydroponic system inspired by biophilic principles, allowing users to grow bulb vegetables efficiently within their kitchen space. Conclusion: VitaVista offers a practical, low-maintenance solution that enhances food security and supports sustainable living in urban Malaysia. The outcomes highlight the potential of hydroponics in everyday home environments and open avenues for future research in automation, sustainable materials, and commercialization.

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