During this project, my class was given an unused area of land outside the Maker Space and instructed to create a proposal of what to do with it. My group propounded a fairly simple idea which we believe to be a good use of the space; to pave the ground with decomposed granite and construct workstations that double as lunch tables. We also designed a layout with strategically-placed, convenient concrete pathways to mitigate wear, as well as trees and plants for shade and aesthetics — also the plants we chose to place proved cheaper than pavement, and so slightly lowered our price estimate. I personally designed the workstations and lunch tables on a site called Vention (the design software is free to use and gives you an exact price for each part).

Directly below is our presentation with our models, materials, budget (the decomposed granite costs the most, followed by the tables/workstations, the concrete, and then the plants and trees), etc. Below that is a material testing lab we conducted to determine if concrete was, in fact, a viable option for a pathway that would not get too hot (spoiler: it was).

Environmental Factors — we chose plants and trees that are low-maintenance and can survive in extreme heat, as well as rain. Decomposed granite and concrete don't get too hot and don't get slippery in the rain, but can be quite permeable to help with drainage. There are also some drainage areas we marked, some of which are already — or may already be — in use. The tables and workstations are made of metal. They are waterproof, but they do heat up. The tabletops, however, are made of eco-friendly recycled plastic which is very cheap to replace if broken (about $8). This plastic is also waterproof and does not get very hot. Also, decomposed granite can be pliable which could be useful for paving this oddly shaped area if it is paved as is. This is also good news if an earthquake hits, which would not be ideal.

Human Use patterns — we laid out concrete pathways outside the classrooms and Maker Space where we predicted the most use — we made the pathways to the field less direct to encourage students to get more exercise. Hopefully, this will also help mitigate wear from the decomposed granite — and possibly students' shoes. The tables are also set up where we predict they will be most useful; outside the classrooms, and close to the Maker Space. The tabletops are made of cheap, durable, eco-friendly recycled plastic — if they do break or get damaged from students using tools irresponsibly, they are easy to replace. We also put plants and trees in areas where we believe everyone using the area can get the most out of them (aesthetically).

Material Choice — For our main pavement, we chose decomposed granite because it is cheap, pliable, permeable and has a nice earthy look. For our pathways, we chose concrete because it is durable, permeable, it does not overheat, and is significantly smoother than decomposed granite (to reduce the wear of shoes). For our workstations/lunch tables, we choose metal and plastic because they perform well with water, are durable, and, the plastic (tabletops) does not get very hot, is eco-friendly and cheap. Our plants and trees are fairly low-maintenance and can survive in heat and rain. They are also colorful and aesthetically pleasing.

Blueprinting —

*The left is before, and the right, after

3D Modeling —

*These are the workstation and lunch table designs

*This is (was) the current area

*These are earlier designs for the space — the blueprint is the final draft

*These models are rather flat because, if they were actually to scale, it would be difficult to see everything. Also, we had limited resources (model-wise)

Budget — Our final design is estimated at $94790.56 (including a 15% contingency) with all workstations; no lunch tables. There were a lot of variables — especially with the plant choice — so we decided to not list the price for every facet of the design because we felt that it might make our idea seem overly complex. Simply, however, in order of price (greatest to least); decomposed granite pavement, workstations and/or lunch tables, concrete pathways, plants and trees.

During this project, I collaborated well, and also did an adequate job thinking critically. I collaborated well by doing my share of the work as well as helping my group members with their parts; one of my group members went on a trip during the project, and the other got a concussion, so I had to do the 3D models, most of the blueprints, design the workstations and lunch tables, calculate price estimates, and put together most of the presentation. I did the materials testing (effect of heat on concrete) lab with only one other person, as well as the blueprints with the other person only. My other group members did not do a great job working with each other, and one of them did a mediocre job staying on task for most of the project. I did a good job thinking critically when I was lacking other group members; I figured out how to work on the part of the project I was assigned, as well as the parts they were assigned. I also tried to make the best of my time in class, but still had to work on the project at home after school and on weekends. It was difficult to get through the project with limited help.

In the future, I can communicate better and be more creative. I feel like this project turned out rather bland; our original final design was very bland so I changed the blueprint a lot — added more plants, trees, pathways, moved tables, etc. — and the final result still feels kind of plain. Perhaps we could have added a gazebo or pergola or something unique. We thought about this based more on function than appearance, save the plants. As for communication, most of my communication with my group members was in class; I did not really contact them when they were out of school, but I did show them everything I had changed when they returned to make sure they were okay with the improved designs.