"Thinking Inside the Box"

Authors: Ed Allen, John Reynolds, Adil Sharag-Eldin, Emad Afifi, A. Ogen

A. Magic Bullet:
- driven by a design challenge
- lasts only one afternoon
- whole-body learning, either in studuio or ECS class

B. Thermal/Luminous Learning :: Comfort and Aesthetics
- several different projects
- all based on small boxes made of foam core or corruguated cardboard (material will change impression of interior space...)

C. Method:

D. Examples:

Box for Displaying Miniature Works of Textured Art:
1. Box is worn on the head, space for head + 15" of length
2. One opening at far end to insert head from below
3. Three works of "art"; stripped cardboard
4. Sun peg on top (aka "sun dial")
5. Teams of 2; must first build the base box
6. One student sits with box on the head, the other steers.

Design Problem:
1. Optimal illumination for all 3 works of art on 2 solstices and equinox; one warm, the other cool.
2. First both students observe and record light conditions on 3 separate dates
3. Then, they add openings, diffusers (copy or tissue paper), reflectors (foil or white surface), shading as needed. These can be movable.
4. End of Day: Evaluation -- it would be helpful to have some sort of photographic record of this for comparison of effectiveness of solutions for different times of day/year.

Alternate could be use make "hand boxes" to experience different thermal sensations. Box could be pre-loaded with materials or objects that would change the environment; something warm, cool, wet, dry.