Model House Architecture Design Project
Created byAndrew Keson
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Model House Architecture Design Project

Grade 11Technology5 days
5.0 (1 rating)
The Model House Architecture Design Project for 11th graders combines technology and design thinking to create 3D printed model houses that address societal needs and sustainability. Students engage in comprehensive research, explore diverse building functions, and develop CAD skills to design innovative houses for a future city. Through various portfolio activities, learners apply architectural principles and critique their designs for functionality and impact, fostering critical thinking and collaborative reflection.
3D PrintingArchitectureSustainabilityDesign ThinkingCAD SoftwareInnovationFuture City Design
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we, as architects, design and create 3D-printed model houses that address various needs and functions while considering sustainability, technology, and problem-solving in architecture?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What are the key considerations when designing a house for 3D printing?
  • How do different types of buildings serve various needs and functions in society?
  • What technologies and software are used in architectural design for 3D printing?
  • In what ways can design thinking help solve problems in architecture?
  • How does understanding the principles of architecture and design influence the creation of sustainable and functional model houses?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will be able to identify key design considerations for creating a house model suitable for 3D printing.
  • Students will understand the diversity of building functions and how different architectural designs meet various societal needs.
  • Students will learn to use technologies and software relevant to architectural design for 3D printing, such as CAD programs.
  • Students will apply design thinking to solve architectural design challenges, focusing on sustainability and functionality.
  • Students will create a model house design that integrates principles of architecture, sustainability, and innovative problem-solving.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

HS-ETS1-1
Primary
Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.Reason: This standard aligns because students need to consider societal needs and constraints in their architectural designs.
HS-ETS1-2
Primary
Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.Reason: This standard is aligned as students must break down complex architectural problems into manageable parts for their 3D designs.
HS-ETS1-3
Secondary
Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.Reason: This standard supports students in evaluating their 3D printed house designs based on various constraints and impacts.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7
Supporting
Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.Reason: This standard is aligned as students will research architectural design principles and 3D printing technologies.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Future City Conceptualization

Present students with the challenge of conceptualizing a house model that will be suitable for a city 50 years in the future. They must consider technological advancements, environmental changes, and other factors that could influence design decisions, which encourages forward-thinking and innovative problem-solving.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Future City Conceptualization Challenge

Students conceptualize and draft initial ideas for a model house suited for a future city 50 years from now, taking into account potential technological and environmental advancements.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research potential technological and environmental changes expected in the next 50 years.
2. Identify three key considerations for designing a future-proof house model.
3. Create a concept sketch of the model house with annotations explaining design choices.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA set of annotated conceptual sketches for a future-proof model house design.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS HS-ETS1-1 as students analyze future societal needs and constraints in their designs.
Activity 2

Building Type Exploration

Students research various building types and their societal roles to understand diverse architectural needs and functions.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Research different building types (residential, commercial, etc.) and their primary functions.
2. Create a comparison chart of building types highlighting their societal needs and functions.
3. Present findings to the class with a focus on diverse architectural solutions.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comparison chart and class presentation on various building types and their functions in society.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS HS-ETS1-1 by identifying societal needs related to different building functions.
Activity 3

CAD Software Savvy

Students get hands-on experience with CAD software, learning to draft basic architectural designs suitable for 3D printing.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Download and install a CAD software tool such as AutoCAD or Tinkercad.
2. Complete a beginner tutorial to understand the basics of CAD operations.
3. Draft a simple architectural model using the software, focusing on precision and scalability for 3D printing.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA basic architectural model designed using CAD software, ready for 3D printing.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with learning goals to use technologies relevant for 3D printing and supports NGSS HS-ETS1-2.
Activity 4

Design Thinking Workshop

A collaborative workshop where students use design thinking to iterate and improve their model house designs, focusing on sustainability and functionality.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Review the initial conceptual sketches created in the first activity.
2. Apply design thinking principles to identify and brainstorm improvements for sustainability and functionality.
3. Create updated sketches or CAD designs incorporating new ideas.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityRefined model house designs with enhanced focus on sustainability and innovative problem-solving.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with NGSS HS-ETS1-2 by refining complex problems into manageable solutions through design thinking.
Activity 5

3D Printing Critique & Reflection

Students print their final model house designs and participate in a critique session to evaluate their works against set criteria, including sustainability, aesthetics, and functionality.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Finalize CAD designs and prepare them for 3D printing.
2. Print the model houses using a 3D printer.
3. Participate in a class critique to discuss the designs based on functionality, sustainability, and cultural/social impact.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA 3D-printed model house along with a reflective critique summary of its design process and final evaluation.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports NGSS HS-ETS1-3 by evaluating designs on various criteria and aligning with CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.11-12.7 through reflection and synthesis of the design process.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

3D Printed Architectural Model Design Rubric

Category 1

Conceptual Understanding and Innovation

Evaluates the depth of conceptual understanding and innovative thinking applied to the design of future-proof model houses.
Criterion 1

Research and Analysis

Ability to research and analyze technological and environmental trends to inform design decisions.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts comprehensive research integrating diverse sources and presents a nuanced analysis of future technological and environmental trends.

Proficient
3 Points

Completes thorough research drawing from multiple sources and provides clear analysis of future trends.

Developing
2 Points

Performs basic research with some source variety, offering limited analysis of future trends.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows initial effort in gathering information and minimal analysis of technological and environmental trends.

Criterion 2

Innovation in Design

Creativity and innovation in the conceptualization of 3D model house designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates exceptional creativity and innovation, integrating forward-thinking concepts that address sustainability and future architectural challenges.

Proficient
3 Points

Shows clear creativity and innovation, applying current concepts in an effective and thoughtful manner.

Developing
2 Points

Exhibits basic creativity with attempts at innovation in design concepts.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited creativity or innovation in design ideas.

Category 2

Technical Skills and Execution

Assesses students' abilities to use CAD software and 3D printing technology to realize architectural designs efficiently and accurately.
Criterion 1

CAD Skills

Proficiency in using CAD software for designing architectural models.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows advanced proficiency in CAD, producing detailed and accurate models prepared for 3D printing.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates solid proficiency in CAD, creating reliable and precise models for printing.

Developing
2 Points

Exhibits basic skills in CAD use, with models showing some technical inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Shows limited proficiency in CAD, resulting in models with frequent inaccuracies.

Criterion 2

3D Printing Execution

Effectiveness in preparing and executing 3D printing of model house designs.

Exemplary
4 Points

Executes 3D printing with precision, resulting in high-quality, functional models that exemplify design thinking.

Proficient
3 Points

Prepares and executes 3D printing with good accuracy, producing reliable models.

Developing
2 Points

Displays basic preparation and execution skills in 3D printing with some quality issues.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles with 3D printing, resulting in models with significant quality issues.

Category 3

Critical Evaluation and Reflection

Focuses on students' ability to evaluate their designs critically and reflect on their learning process.
Criterion 1

Critical Evaluation

Ability to evaluate model houses based on set criteria including functionality and sustainability.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides in-depth evaluation with comprehensive justification based on criteria including functionality, sustainability, and social impact.

Proficient
3 Points

Delivers sound evaluation with clear rationale, focusing on core design criteria.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic evaluation with some reasoning based on design criteria.

Beginning
1 Points

Presents limited evaluation with minimal reasoning related to design criteria.

Criterion 2

Reflective Thinking

Students' reflections on their learning process and design journey.

Exemplary
4 Points

Shows profound reflective insights into the learning and design process, identifying growth and future improvements.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides thoughtful reflections, articulating learning impacts and identifying areas for growth.

Developing
2 Points

Offers basic reflections on the learning process with general observations.

Beginning
1 Points

Attempts reflection with limited insight into the learning process.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Describe the most important lessons you learned about architectural design and 3D printing throughout this project.

Text
Required
Question 2

How well do you think your final model house meets the needs and constraints you originally identified?

Scale
Required
Question 3

Which technologies did you find most challenging to use, and how did you overcome these challenges?

Text
Optional
Question 4

Rank your confidence in applying design thinking principles to real-world problems after completing this project.

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Not confident
Somewhat confident
Moderately confident
Very confident
Extremely confident
Question 5

In what ways did your understanding of societal needs and building functions influence your design decisions?

Text
Required
Question 6

How interested are you in pursuing further learning or a career in architecture or related fields after this project?

Scale
Optional
Question 7

What feedback from the class critique was most beneficial in refining your design, and why?

Text
Optional
Question 8

Do you feel that you effectively collaborated with your peers during the project? How did this affect your final product?

Text
Required