Adaptive Cardboard Furniture

Inspired by the New York-based organization Adaptive Design, and the documentary "Among The Giants" by young film-maker Cory Tomascoff (19 years old), we are building cardboard chairs for PYP 1 and 2 (aged 5).

The inspirational and moving film about what Adaptive Design does using such a simple material is truly a must see! It merges human ingenuity with community and service, by designing innovative and clever furniture and adaptations for children and adults with special needs and physical disabilities. It's also sustainable and eco-friendly for our environment!

On Wednesday we visited Ms. Amanda and Ms. Leron and the PYP 1 and 2 students. We interviewed them asking what they needed and wanted for chairs. The chairs they have currently are comfortable but too heavy for the students to move them. They have 2 smaller wooden chairs which they like, but wished there were more curved edges. Our Design Students took measurements, asked a lot of good questions and are currently designing a chair for their clients. When construction is finished, PYP 1 and 2 students will paint them!

Watch it here!

Among The Giants from Adaptive Design on Vimeo.


A quick search online uncovered an amazing library of interesting resources for cardboard design furniture.

Below are some ideas for innovative chairs:

Some more links of designers and their designs using cardboard:

• http://www.leokempf.com/
• http://www.gilesmiller.com/products.html
• http://www.innovativecardboard.com/
• cardboard rooms! http://inhabitat.com/2007/04/18/cardboard-rooms/
• http://www.crookedbrains.net/2009/01/furniture.html
• http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
• http://www.designboom.com/cardboard3.html
• http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/03/cardboard-furniture.php

MYP 3: Costume Design for Music Video Production

MYP 3 has just finished making their innovative and new instruments from found materials. Students created a tribal identity and composed songs in Music class to tell their stories of oppression. (They studied the music of oppressed and minority groups).

To finish off their performance, they will be creating costumes and producing a music video to tell their stories through sound, music and dynamic visuals. We will be looking at tribal costumes and rituals from around the world with a focus on the New Zealand Haka. The Maori perform the historical Haka, a rhythmic and traditional dance. It is often considered a war dance for it's intimidating components, and today it is performed at rugby games for their opponents, but it is historically rich and truly a party of the Maori cultural identity. To learn more about the Haka, visit this wonderful and interactive website: http://www.newzealand.com/travel/app_templates/haka/index_content.html

Other inspiration comes from around the world from Asia to South America.

We looked at African tribes who use natural elements to adorn and create costumes for ritual performances.

Finally we watched two videos by Empire of the Sun, an Australian electronic rock band who created some very fantastical videos, good music and beautiful and creative costumes! Check them out -



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ltRV41TXO4&playnext_from=TL&videos=wZ9AXm9f9OU&feature=rec-LGOUT-exp_fresh%2Bdiv-1r-4-HM

Stay tuned to see what they come up with!!

MYP 2: Building Sustainable Practices in Architecture & Urban Planning

MYP 2 has begun to create their Sustainable City, named "Serenia".  There are so many great ideas out there already, but we could use more. So far students have come up with some revolutionary and innovative ideas for their city in terms of the technology implemented as well as green architecture design, and very importantly the planning and location of components within the city.

For inspiration in architecture and city planning we watched a few videos on green roofs, sustainable buildings and interesting concept ideas for cities. Check them out below, and check back for photos and information on our new city. Construction begins this week!










See inside the ultimate tree house (above): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcBpwJ0xYG4&feature=related


The Venus Project: Very cool urban plan & theory for a new sustainable city! Some interesting ideas...What do you think?
"The Venus Project is an organization that proposes a feasible plan of action for social change, one that works towards a peaceful and sustainable global civilization. It outlines an alternative to strive toward where human rights are no longer paper proclamations but a way of life."





Overconsumption: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9mnd0GC0yQ&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=17

Green Roofs:



Green Roof Images & Building Designs!



Green Building Revolution: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X8EgthqsQ0&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=12


What does a Green Architect Do? How do they think? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiR1bY6kzjE&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=21


Some more links:

Weighing the Benefits of Green Roof Design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMjxvw5bOhk&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=15

Interesting "Green" Home Design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVgYr60n18g&feature=related

Stockholm Emission Free City: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yOhPJYAjLI&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=9

Radical Nature - Architecture & Art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz8Ra9wUNTw&feature=PlayList&p=D4D4B6F57050D9D5&playnext_from=PL&index=18

600 Floor High Tower Concept Design: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wX73emHURuk&feature=related

Creating Animations from Google Sketch Up

So you've finished your fabulous 3D model. Now, you want to show off your hard work in a presentation. How can you do that effectively? How can you show your model to someone who doesn't have Google Sketch Up?

Not to fear!! There are many options to presenting your work from Google Sketch Up. Ever seen those incredibly professional looking animations of a 3D model? (like this one)


Well we can do that!

You can:
- Export Screenshots of your model into image files. You can place those image files into a Power Point presentation, Word document or any other software which allows Image files.
- Export a movie animation of your model. This is a great way to show a professional, interactive walk through of your model. You do this using the Scene and Animation options (which I will show you in class today).

To train yourself or review, please watch the following video on Scenes or click here.


For more videos or if you need help understanding how to use a specific tool search the SketchUp YouTube channel to see if one of their 96 video tutorials cover it, or turn on your "Instructor" (Window>Instructor) to get help while you work in Google SketchUp.

To see some great examples of how animating a 3D model enhances your impression and understanding of it and makes it easier for a client to see, check out the following videos of architectural animation:

1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fZsoH3idh4
2.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBkaLQ27qLk
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn0tvNdc1gM&feature=related
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iZ5ydpuCg0&feature=related
5. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CixUCsbxVw&feature=related
6. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdmhN7YbjIw&feature=related
   

Photojournalism...far and wide, by Nathan Fried Lipski

One of my friends, Nathan Fried Lipski, is a talented photographer who has documented people and places far and wide. Recently he took a trip to the community slum of Dharavi in Mumbai, India. I thought these photos were poignant and striking. Especially interesting for my MYP 4 students who are designing innovative urban solutions for informal cities. Thank you Nathan for sharing your view with us and the world!

All photos and text below by Nathan Fried Lipski (Copyright). See more on his blog.

A girl walks along a water pipeline in Dharavi.

One of the largest issues facing the people of India is the lack of clean water.
In many areas running water is not available to the people on a regular basis and water delivery trucks provide clean water once each week.
I witnessed people illegally selling small bags of water to those who missed the delivery.

Water delivery in Baigan Wadi.

We photographed for a short while at a place called Dhobi Ghats near Mahalaxmi train station.  A dhobi is traditionally a laundryman and the ghats are the places where laundry is washed.

If you know the brands Ecko Unlimited and French Connection,
you might be surprised to find that they are being made not by machines, but by the hands of many real people who work tireless hours for little wage.

We found that riding the rails in Mumbai takes a special quickness since most trains never actually come to a complete stop. There are cars for men and cars for women. The women will not hesitate pushing you out if  accidentally hop in their car. Getting out is even more challenging than getting in and you must prepare many stops ahead and begin making a move. Its a special sort of dance that I am not sure of I could handle on a daily basis. 

A men's train during rush hour

Check out more of Nathan's work on his website or blog. You won't be disappointed!!

Google Sketch Up TRAINING (MYP 4 & 5)

For your architectural & urban planning solution product models, you will be creating a color model in 3D using Google Sketch Up. You need training!! 
Once you gain an understanding of this amazing software you'll be able to create models like the ones below:

You can download if for free from here: http://sketchup.google.com

After getting the basic (see the blog entry from February), try the following recommended tutorials to develop more advanced skills and understanding of Google Sketch Up.

Recommended Tutorials

Scale Tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_xqUsZnzJA&feature=channel

Add Text
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClHdYWFczgU&feature=player_embedded

Paint Bucket & Materials Window
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OvSP54o_KqY&feature=player_embedded


Follow Me - a helpful feature to complete a shape dragging your mouse along a path...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GOxrFN7JbiQ&feature=channel

Copy & Arrays - helpful when making symmetrical designs with elements repeated
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk6ok7S8goA&feature=player_embedded


How to Create & Work in Sections
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiMA1IAn8HU&feature=player_embedded

Working in Layers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBdP499iw0Y&feature=player_embedded

For ALL Video Tutorials from Google visit:

http://sketchup.google.com/training/videos/new_to_gsu.html

MYP 4 - PeePoople & a great solution for sanitation

Peepoople...what a great name. This is the name of an organization that deals with innovative sanitation solutions for developing and disaster areas. Now THIS is a great example of an innovative but simple design solution for a very necessary, life-threatening problem. (visit their website)

What is the Problem?

"In the world today, more than 2.6 billion people have no access to basic sanitation. That means that 40 out of every 100 people lack even the most simple latrine to perform their needs. The lack of toilets affects both society and the individual through the contamination of fresh water and ground water. Human faeces contain viruses, bacteria, worms and parasites which kill and infect people. One child in the world dies every 15 seconds due to contaminated water." (to read & learn more click here)

About Peepoople...

"Peepoople AB was created to develop, produce and distribute the Peepoo (pat.pend) sanitation solution. The mission of Peepoople is to provide universal access to dignified and hygienic sanitation.

The company was founded in 2006 and is based in Stockholm, Sweden.

Research has been conducted in co-operation with the Swedish University of Agricultural Science (SLU) and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH)."

About the solution, PeePoo...the product

"The Peepoo is in the form of a slim elongated bag measuring 14 x 38 centimeters.
Within the bag there is a thin gauze layer measuring 26 x 24 cm. The inside of the Peepoo is coated with a thin film of urea. Without sacrificing ergonomic function, the bag’s design is adapted in every way so that it might be manufactured at as low a price as possible and sold to groups with the weakest purchasing power in the world.
The Peepoo is easy to carry and easy to use. It doesn't need any supporting structure, but, for convenience, a cut PET-bottle can help a lot." (to read & learn more click here)