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EXCELLENCE IN ENGINEERING DESIGN

PROJECT SUMMARY

How can I make a modern house with a limited terrain feel larger than it actually is?

I used Minecraft to create a realistic modern house inside of a small 12x30 terrain. My goal was to maximize the available space therefore making the house feel a lot bigger. I was very satisfied with the results, a relatively tall, contrasty and modern house that looks just like the perfect sub urban home. Although the house only contains one master bedroom other useful rooms like an office, or a roof sun bathing porch. To achieve my goal of making the house seem bigger I tried to avoid walls between rooms like from the dining room to the kitchen, instead using thinner see through dividers.

WHY?

The idea of this project arose when on the way home from visiting the house she'd been working on (she's and architect) she started talking about the importance of taking advantage of your space. She compared relatives or friends houses which seemed tiny but actually had a big chunk of terrain. I was trying to find out what things or details made the house feel larger or smaller.

HOW?

I created my project using a game called Minecraft, a game well known for entertaining creative and adventurous people alike. I utilized creative mode, basically giving myself an outlet to every single block in the game to be able to achieve the best possible results. I created a barrier which was my terrain that I couldn't cross, since theoretically there would be neighboring houses.

WHAT?

Through completing this project I found out the importance of trial and error. Designing a modern house is a great challenge in itself, figuring out which shapes, colors and textures match a modern house look. It took a bit of time but eventually I finished the bare bones outside of the house. What I didn't realize is the challenge had just begun. At first I used thick walls and glass between rooms and I didn't know where a staircase could fit. Unhappy with my results, I seemed guidance from the person who had sparked this idea in the first place, my mom. Together we began trying every single block, color and texture to achieve the open look I wanted. Thick walls were replaced with see through dividers and a full staircase with plants below it for decoration was added.

SO WHAT?

My results are important because I designed, built and furnished an eye-catching modern home using only a game and guidance. These results mean almost anyone can use their available resources to pursue what they want and shouldn't be discouraged because they don't have professional tools. I learned that seeking guidance shouldn't be frowned upon and that I should be thankful that I have the opportunity to learn from someone with experience.

WHAT'S NEXT?

I can extend my project by "purchasing" more terrain and potentially extending the house to add a bigger backyard and more space inside of the home for more rooms and a downstairs living room. I could also add a a budget to limit my spending and make me even more critical of what I use and spend theoretical money on. In terms of things I could've done differently I'd say I would've tried adding at least another room considering how much living space there is. I could've also made a little porch area in the backyard where you can have a grill and chairs to enjoy a nice summer evening. I could improve my project by making the sides of the house more interesting and adding more natural light. The next steps are to experiment with other programs more focused on house design like sketchup that will allow me to add more detail to my homes.

REFERENCES/ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Before building my house I researched modern homes and googled some examples to examine their builds and color schemes. I also watched this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2z20A7FEXI by a channel named Brian which explained the basics of building a home. Of course as mentioned before my mom (B.H.) helped me add details that gave the house more depth and made it seem bigger. Before that though when I was building the bare house my cousins J. and M. joined my world and helped me change the house design time and time again to get the look I wanted.

JUDGES FEEDBACK

This project stands out for a couple of reasons. First, the project itself is a really great example of using technology and logical thinking skills to meet a need in the real world. Second, this project shows the balance that must be found between many factors when solving real'world problems. I especially appreciate your discussion of Trial and Error.

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