Funding and Design Selection
The prices for potential solutions range from $90 – $340, with the parametric shelves being the cheapest, and the “home-inspired” toolshed being the most expensive. The depreciation of the solutions was calculated based on a 10-year lifespan, with maintenance costs of approximately $10-50 per year. Concerning funding, there are a few available resources:
- LaFarm
- The Engineering Division at Lafayette College
- Fundraisers
Because of the low-cost disparity between each solution, the project will not be heavily reliant on funding. The decision was predominantly guided by the insights gained from our survey responses. Among the three potential funding sources, hosting a fundraiser would notably influence the scope and complexity of the project. Should a fundraiser be organized, it would significantly enhance the capacity to upscale and enrich the overall project.
| Project | Material Costs ($) | Labor Costs | Maintenance and Depreciation | Additional Features | Funding | Summary/ Notes |
| Plant Bed Riser | Aluminum beams: $80-100
Additional Hardware: $20-50 Total: $100-150 |
Volunteer efforts from the Engineering Division (welding, etc) | Maintenance:
$10-20/year Depreciation: $10-15/year |
Design created by art majors and brought to life by engineering students. | Potential funding from the Engineering Division. | Use of aluminum to create structures for the base of a plant bed. Possible help and funding from the Engineering Division. |
| “Home” Inspired Tool Shed | Wood: $150
Metal Roof: $40-80 Paint: $60 Total: $300-340 |
Volunteer efforts from students/community: $0 | Maintenance: $50/year Depreciation: $30-34/year | Lighting: $50 Initial $10/year for batteries | Potential for community involvement and donations. | Materials for home-like appearance and durability. |
| “Closet” Inspired Tool Organizer | Clear Casing: $100-150
Colorful Frames/ Panels: $50-70 Movable Racks: $50 Hardware: $40 Total: $240-310 |
Volunteer efforts from students/community: $0 | Maintenance: $30/year Depreciation: $24-31/year | Paint and Decorative Elements: $20 | Given its collaborative nature with art students, there is potential for in-kind donations of materials or funds to support the project. | Focus on visibility and accessibility. – Use of clear/translucent materials. |
| Mounted Parametric Shelves | Wood Panels: $50-70
Pegboard: $20-30 Hardware: $20 Total: $140-170 |
No cost for CNC machining $0 | Maintenance: $20/year Depreciation: $14-17/year | Decoration: $30 for paint and supplies | Institutional support for CNC machining. | Utilization of advanced manufacturing (CNC) at Lafayette College. |
Table 1: Economic Analysis of Plant Bed Riser and Tool Storage Options