Laundry shops in urban India often prioritize throughput over experience—leading to cramped layouts, inefficient workflows, and ignored ergonomics. FreshFold reimagines these everyday workspaces with a user-first approach, focusing on posture, safety, and workflow clarity.

Key Observations

• Staff work long hours (8–10 hrs/day), facing strain from repetitive bending, poor reach zones, and inadequate floor safety.

• Existing layouts create crowding, bottlenecks, and misplacement of garments—raising both cognitive and physical load.

• Equipment controls, folding zones, and machine stacking lack ergonomic consistency, causing strain and inefficiency.

• Most laundromats lack structured zoning for washing, drying, folding, waiting, or delivery staging.

Design Focus

FreshFold is a service redesign project that tackles laundry shop ergonomics through spatial reconfiguration, posture-conscious machine placement, and modular workspace solutions. The objective was to reduce staff fatigue, improve process flow, and create a more humane, organized environment.

Process Flow

1. Context Study + Pilot Audit
Surveyed 4 local laundromats, conducted observational studies and ergonomic assessments (RULA, REBA), and mapped user journeys during peak hours.

2. Problem Mapping
Identified high-fatigue zones (folding, drying), poor access areas (top-shelf loading), and crowd congestion due to unzoned layouts.

3. Redesign Strategy
Proposed U-shaped workflow with ergonomic spacing, visual signage, height-adjusted folding surfaces, and anti-slip flooring.

4. Simulation + Prototyping
Created 3D layout models showing user flow and access, including optimized shelving, angled interfaces, and designated waiting zones.

Result

FreshFold converts laundry service chaos into structured utility. It reduces operator strain, enhances customer flow, and introduces zoning logic that supports both high-volume and personalized service. It’s not just about clean clothes—it’s about a cleaner, smarter workspace.