Fab Lab 2020

Background and purpose, method

Since CNC machine tools are now affordable, manufacturing that was carried out by large companies has become familiar to individuals; therefore, change is happening in the architectural design method. Over the past three years, students have been using an assembly type 3D printer and laser cutter and learning the significance of Fab Lab whose motto is learning-by-doing.

This school year, in addition to them pre-working students as a fledgling engineer familiarized themselves with latest tools such as a CNC router, 3D scanning, UAV and HMD. Also based on the idea that ‘mother nature is the ultimate engineer’, they incorporated natural shapes into their project through nature observation by taking advantage of the location of our school. Further, unlike works that students up to last year had made were limited to building scale models and product prototypes, this year’s students built a full-scale straw shelter while exploring the possibility of practical application and being aware of waste plastic environmental problems.

Lakeside Fieldwork

Tools

・ Desktop 3D Scanner

・ HMD

Products

Production Process

Conclusion

Although there were difficulties in the corona, we got the opportunity to introduce recent personal digital fabrication to students aspiring to architecture and their guardian through our high school open day and cultural festival. And as part of our school’s community contribution activities, we carried out the production and installation work of a washi pendant light for a neighboring house. We also donated 3D printed face shield to the hospital. With these social action programme, students cultivated attitude to contribute to society through manufacturing.

These are excerpts of students’ impressions after the research: “When we had built a straw shelter with the corporation with the team members, a sense of accomplishment was awesomely incredible!” “At our high school open day, I was happy when I heard a middle school student looking at a work that I made painstakingly said ‘it’s amazing.’” ”Even though there were various difficulties and challenges in an assignment, I realized that I have friends who like to make anything and learned the fun of making a work as we talk and help each other without worrying myself.” “I was informed how important it was to coexist with the beauty of nature.”

Acknowledgement

Special thanks to Toda Mirai Foundation. Without their support, we wouldn’t have been able to drive this research project and spend productive time under the circumstances of Corona.