CitySens first steps were made in January 2012, when Xavi Rius set up his first hydroponic vertical garden of tomatoes in his laboratory as part of his doctoral thesis on nanosensors at the University Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona, Spain).
During the thesis, Xavi met Francisco Andrade and Pär Blanking. Together they began to investigate how people living in cities relate to houseplants. After conducting surveys, interviews and group meetings, they discovered that the main barriers to enjoy more nature at home are lack of time and space or knowledge to take care of them.
CitySens was founded to solve those problems.
After more than 5 first prototypes, a first viable product was designed. It was well received by the first 70 visionaries, who bought the first CitySens garden. Their opinions and ideas were incorporated into the ultimate design by Pär Blanking and Lúcid Design Agency.
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Our products
In November 2015, the CitySens vertical planter was launched with a crowdfunding campaign that received the support of 265 backers and surpassed the 100% of the campaign goal in just 48 hours.
With the time, the vertical planter has been complemented with various plant families, customization options and eco-friendly plant care kits.
In April 2019 CitySens launches a new plant shelves: a modular design with automatic watering and made from PEFC beech wood and 100% recycled polypropylene. The new crowdfunding campaign received the support of 130 patrons.
Along with the plant shelf, they design an automatic drip irrigation system. It is a self-watering drip system with a minimalist and attractive design, ideal for watering plants on the shelf as well as self-watering for indoor plants or automatic watering for outdoor plants.
As an effect of the introduction of the new plant shelves, it is possible that all CitySens products are manufactured of 100% recycled and 100% recyclable polypropylene since September 2019.
In 2020, the new CitySens wall planter was launched. This is a new modular solution for creating vertical gardens on any wall. The wall planter contains all the characteristics of CitySens' DNA: it is modular, includes a self-watering system, is produced from 100% recycled materials and has a positive social impact.
From the beginning, all CitySens products are assembled and packaged at the Santa Teresa and Pere Mata Foundations (Tarragona, Spain). This way, CitySens supports the great task of promoting foundations for the social and professional integration of people with disabilities.
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CitySens' team mission
The entrepreneurial team is formed by Irene Martín, Judit Escarrà and Xavi Rius. In addition, Francisco J. Andrade and F. Xavier Rius Ferrús are part of the team as advisors.
Our goal is to bring nature closer to all the people who live in cities. Through design and technology, we create products that are practical, inspiring and adapted to the needs of today's lifestyle.
The entire CitySens team shares the values of social, environmental and economic responsibility. Accordingly, we work with passion to ensure that this entrepreneurial project has the least impact on the environment and a positive impact on the society.
Above all, CitySens has become a reality thanks to the support of all the people who have decided to enjoy CitySens products at home or work. Thank you for your support!
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