Konshush Designs
Advancing Eco-Innovation Through Environmental Monitoring
Konshush Designs is a self-sufficient, eco-conscious design company that creates sustainable meeting pods intended to support off-grid living and carbon-neutral operation. As part of their continued innovation strategy, the company approached CEMET to explore how smart environmental monitoring could be embedded into their pods to better understand surrounding microclimates and improve long-term sustainability.
The aim of this collaboration was to research and evaluate the feasibility of developing a bespoke environmental hardware system capable of collecting real-time data to support informed ecological and agricultural decision-making. The outcome would support Konshush’s design roadmap and provide a comprehensive knowledge base to guide future technical development.
Designing the Solution
Konshush Designs required a technical framework for developing a reliable, scalable environmental monitoring device that could be integrated with their pods. This system would need to monitor key environmental variables including soil moisture, nutrient levels, wind conditions, and humidity. A key priority was identifying technology that supported industrial-grade performance while aligning with Konshush’s values of sustainability and low-impact design.
The research needed to balance cost-effectiveness, ease of implementation, and certification requirements to ensure the final product could be both commercially viable and compliant with regulatory standards.
Our Research
CEMET carried out a structured technical research project focused on evaluating viable hardware platforms, sensor options, communication methods, and certification pathways. A detailed analysis of leading microcontroller platforms—Arduino, ESP32, and STM32—was conducted, examining their suitability for prototyping and long-term product development. While Arduino proved ideal for prototyping, it was ultimately deemed unsuitable for mass production. STM32 emerged as the preferred platform due to its performance, reliability, and industrial relevance.
Alongside the core hardware platform, the research evaluated a wide range of environmental sensors, focusing on those compatible with STM32 and capable of accurately measuring soil and atmospheric conditions. Sensors measuring pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen, growth density, and wind speed were assessed for accuracy, durability, and integration potential.
Given the off-grid nature of the pods, the research also explored appropriate network communication protocols for data transmission. Ethernet and RS485 were recommended for fixed installations, while LoRaWAN was considered for future wireless iterations. The analysis also took inspiration from environmental control systems used in hydroponics and vertical farming, identifying proven technologies that could be adapted for Konshush’s microclimate monitoring needs.
To ensure commercial readiness, the study outlined the key steps and costs associated with achieving CE certification, covering UK and EU compliance testing for electronic devices.
The project resulted in a detailed knowledge transfer document, providing Konshush Designs with a full breakdown of the technologies, components, and processes required to develop their environmental monitoring system. The research offered a clear recommendation to adopt STM32 as the development platform, supported by a suite of compatible sensors and communication technologies.
By drawing upon techniques from precision agriculture and controlled-environment farming, the findings positioned Konshush to make informed decisions on whether to develop a custom hardware solution or integrate existing commercial products.
This foundational research enables Konshush Designs to move confidently toward building a scalable, regulation-compliant, and environmentally aligned hardware product—further strengthening their reputation as leaders in sustainable design innovation.. To find out more about their latest work visit their website.
This project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and supported by Swansea City Council.