IKO E-BIKE CHARGING STATION

Compact e-bike charging station for urban environments, designed for space efficiency and vandalism resistance.

BA 2nd year project with Maximilian Wolf. Focus on minimal footprint, intuitive access control, and urban integration. The station uses a fold-out mechanism that reveals the charging cable only when needed, reducing its footprint and protecting components from vandalism. When closed, the slim profile blends into urban streetscapes while providing a secure bike lock point.

Urban e-bike infrastructure requires stations that balance accessibility with space constraints. The brief called for a minimal-footprint solution suitable for high-traffic shopping areas where bikes are parked temporarily, with robust protection against weather and tampering.

The station embeds into the ground with cables concealed underground. A card-access system unlocks the fold-out mechanism, which uses a pneumatic spring to reveal the charging cable on an automatic retractable drum. The folded position doubles as a bike lock point, maximizing utility within a compact form.

Materials chosen for urban durability: corten steel and aluminum blend into various city environments while requiring minimal maintenance.

The design balances three competing requirements: space efficiency through the fold-out mechanism, vandalism resistance through minimal exposed components when closed, and user accessibility through intuitive card-based operation.

BA 2nd year | Project work with Maximilian Wolf