After conducting the readings and the short prototyping lecture, we got together to discuss our next move. We ultimately decided to take a two pronged approach to prototype our early solution. The prongs we decided on are a website and a 3D model of the physical space. The website will be used as a way to bring the community together by creating a space for them to communicate, schedule the space, or handle rental activities for the relevant housing complex it be utilized for. The model will be a representation of the space that will actually be used by those that have access to the website. Overall both will help enhance downsized living by providing a space where a sense of community can develop.
We split up to have two people work on each prototype. Sarah and I volunteered for the model. In class we made a ton of progress brainstorming possible solutions to make the space functional, convenient, and customizable for a wide range of events. We started by thinking of the main possible usages of the space and what would be needed for each. Sarah drew a 3 dimensional 3 walled space on the board and we added things as we went. Towards the end of class, I felt like we had a pretty good idea the direction we needed to go in when it came to actually constructing the prototype.
Sarah worked on gathering materials and building the base for the design. She messaged me the dimensions of the space we were looking at and I developed a plan to match it. Even with the general idea, there were still things I added or rearranged the longer I worked on it. For example, the space flowed well when it wasn’t divided, but caused problems when the movable wall was closed to create two spaces. I had to experiment with the positioning of some furniture and design to ensure functionality of both spaces. Eventually this is what I finished with.
We met to discuss the design and then later in the same day reconvened to put it together. Sarah did most of the cutting because she had a significantly cleaner cut than I did (I have used exacto knives before, just not with posterboard like this). She also did the couch sections that can be moved along with the desk tops and bar spaces. I worked on the rest of the furniture including the coffee table, movable kitchen island, and a shelf that can fold into a table. After Sarah built me a sturdy box for the kitchen, I worked on drawing the details to display the utilized appliances. I also drew the overhead cabinets and helped assemble the walls and bars. Obviously this will not be every detail of the final solution, but it paints a great picture for users to experience as any prototype should. I especially find the 3D model helpful because it gives us a better idea how the space transforms when the movable walls are closed allowing for two bookings at once.
Lastly, I put together a very quick sketch of the general idea I had for the roof to run it by Sarah. I noticed that in our plan, 3 walls did not have windows. This does not seem as bad with the 4th wall being covered in windows that can open up to the outdoors, but natural light was still lacking. The idea I had was to have a gable roof that had windows at each end in the area below the roof but above the walls. Orientating the buildings construction to maximize sunlight by having one receive the sunrise and the other receive the sunset. In the near future I expect to add other “Green” elements to the space and this could be one that could help reduce in electricity needed. It also provides a more modern and fun design.
