FAB-Challenge
This week’s Fab-Challenge has been focused on building a manual brick-pressing machine became more than just a fabrication process; it was a reflection of my entire research approach. What started as a simple, low-tech solution to a practical need in my community of practice evolved into a complex learning process shaped by material constraints, unexpected challenges, and shared effort. Working inside the IAAC Lab allowed me to reconnect theory with hands-on practice. The machine, inspired by conversations with the community of practice, responds to their desire for new structures like a storage for gardening tools made possibly with eco-brick, so I thought that I could experiment with waste materials from the university context to start with, reinforcing the idea that value exists in what is already around us.
Throughout the week, the making process was iterative. Adjustments were constant, each decision reshaping the final outcome, just as in real community design contexts. Reusing waste wood proved challenging, requiring continuous re-evaluation of the material, creative problem-solving, and redesigning the system around what was available rather than what was ideal.
As to mention one, during the first attempt at making the brick, the upper mold part, while pressing the material, starts to slightly crack because of the poor quality of the wood as well as its thickness. After, I developed a second one to reinforce the press strength.
It became clear that working with reclaimed materials demands not only flexibility, but also a systemic mindset, one that considers how each part functions to others, both structurally and socially. This experience has been useful to already test the system I will use during the MDEFest.
This challenge also reminded me how knowledge doesn’t sit in isolation. Between classmates, we exchanged ideas, supported each other, and built a fast-paced micro-ecosystem of growth.
Ultimately, this experience affirmed that we're always in a learning process where doing, adapting through feedback, and building systems is essentially meaningful in design that matters.
Check the documentation here 👇
Last updated