Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 2
Activity: Frame In this activity, the group used 40 strips of balsa wood to build the highest tower. We were only given super glues to hold the sticks together.
The base of the tower
The initial design of the tower is made up of triangular bases held by longer sticks on each corner. As a whole, it would portray a tapered structure, similar to the Eiffel Tower. We first created the base triangle by putting two sticks together and repeated this method two more times. We then attached the ends of the sticks to each other to form the shape of a triangle. This method was crucial for the tower because it stabilizes the structure. Initial sketch of the tower
In making the other triangles, we only use one stick on each side, unlike the base. In doing this, the succeeding triangles are scaled down. Unlike the base triangles, the succeeding forms were made with only one stick on each side. Moreover, they are scaled down as each layer of triangles are created.
Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 2
As another triangle is made, a strip of wood is then glued in each of the inner corners of the triangles as seen in the image above.
While making the tower, we found out that we were taking a lot of time in forming the triangles and attaching it to the tower. So we decided to connect/ overlap the legs of the tower first followed by securing the sides of the triangle to it.
Constructing Environments Karen Dionisio-See Week 2
Paper method
Overlapping
The tepee method
To speed up the construction of the tower, we decided to interlock the limbs of the structure together, similar to how tepees are made.
Through the process of the making the tower, we used some techniques like overlapping of sticks. We also used paper and pins when the glue would not work on attaching the sticks together.
Next, we then overlapped single sticks together creating a long line that we attached on the top of the tower. The final product of the tower is not exactly as the initial design but we made a structure that is almost stable and high enough to reach the ceiling.
Pin method
Final design of the tower