CAVE is a three-stool interactive tunnel for learning and play, built for children ages 3-6 at Happy Valley Elementary’s special education preschool.
The maple-veneered plywood for this project was donated by Mount Baker Plywood Products in Bellingham, WA. The fleece tunnel concept came from the observation that the children were seeking comfort beneath a classroom table. Stools were used to provide a modular solution to developing a product for a crowded and dynamic classroom environment.
Research was conducted on child and adult ergonomic factors for dimensions. The stools are the correct table height for children, which is coincidentally also the comfortable chair height for adults. A peg board feature was added to encourage creativity and learning with shapes and colors. Fleece material was used to connect stools and reflect a familiar children's comfort blanket material.
5th Place, Mount Baker Plywood Competition 2013
http://idsandbox.blogspot.com/2013/06/mount-baker-products-plywood-furniture.html?view=classic
The maple-veneered plywood for this project was donated by Mount Baker Plywood Products in Bellingham, WA. The fleece tunnel concept came from the observation that the children were seeking comfort beneath a classroom table. Stools were used to provide a modular solution to developing a product for a crowded and dynamic classroom environment.
Research was conducted on child and adult ergonomic factors for dimensions. The stools are the correct table height for children, which is coincidentally also the comfortable chair height for adults. A peg board feature was added to encourage creativity and learning with shapes and colors. Fleece material was used to connect stools and reflect a familiar children's comfort blanket material.
5th Place, Mount Baker Plywood Competition 2013
http://idsandbox.blogspot.com/2013/06/mount-baker-products-plywood-furniture.html?view=classic
Text from Poster Describing Process:
CAVE is a three-stool interactive tunnel for learning and play, built for children ages 3-6 at Happy Valley Elementary’s special education preschool. Plywood for this project was donated by Mount Baker Plywood Products.
CAVE is a three-stool interactive tunnel for learning and play, built for children ages 3-6 at Happy Valley Elementary’s special education preschool. Plywood for this project was donated by Mount Baker Plywood Products.
RESEARCH: Personal interviews and
observation with the teacher, Gina
- The children like hiding under a
classroom table (1).
- Classroom space is limited (2)
- Needs multi-functional solution
- Favorite classroom tools are
interactive objects which stimulate
different learning styles and senses
(3,4).
observation with the teacher, Gina
- The children like hiding under a
classroom table (1).
- Classroom space is limited (2)
- Needs multi-functional solution
- Favorite classroom tools are
interactive objects which stimulate
different learning styles and senses
(3,4).
IDEATION: Concept sketches and
preliminary models (5)
- Acknowledged human factors such as
keeping table surface heights at 18-20
inches for preschool age children.
- Wanted to make initial interactive tunnel
bench ideas more modular
- Stability and comfort
- Investigation into different shelters and
child comfort objects, primarily blankets
preliminary models (5)
- Acknowledged human factors such as
keeping table surface heights at 18-20
inches for preschool age children.
- Wanted to make initial interactive tunnel
bench ideas more modular
- Stability and comfort
- Investigation into different shelters and
child comfort objects, primarily blankets
CAD MODEL: Using Rhino and KeyShot (6,7)
- Dimensioning and obtaining cut angle
measurements
- Shop Bot cut pattern layout (8)
- Dimensioning and obtaining cut angle
measurements
- Shop Bot cut pattern layout (8)
3D MODEL: Full Scale Foam Core Model (9)
FABRICATION: Final plywood stool set
- Sewing fleece connector blankets (10)
- Assembling and finishing stools (11)
- Sewing fleece connector blankets (10)
- Assembling and finishing stools (11)
Larger image of ideation process including sketches, bits of research, and foam core models
