June 06 @ SAT : Architecture for the Body
Duration: 3 hours
Time: 10am - 1pm
Location: SAT
Facilitators: Priyanka, Sahil, Anam, Laura, Miley, Lizzie, Jess
Summary
Today we will explore how people, animals, and plants adapt to life in the desert by designing wearable architecture for the body. Using folding, bending, layering, and slotting techniques, we will create wearable structures that respond to heat, wind, dust, shade, and movement — while also looking cool. We will also think about ergonomics (how something fits and moves with our bodies) and aesthetics (how something looks and feels visually).
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Ergonomics, introducing problem solving alongside aesthetics (fashion)
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Warm up
Craft paper or newspaper
(alternately, print rejects from a print shop
Main activity
Added pages to their notebooks + pens, pencils for sketching
Box Cardboard
Craft paper
Scissors
Aluminum foil (1 roll)
leftover kebab sticks / palm fronds from ‘Material play’ workshop
Recycled fabric
glue, hot glue gun, scissors, string, staplers, tape
(optional) A mirror if possible, alternately turn on screen camera so kids can see their outfits
(optional) Are there mannequins leftover from SAT02? just curious
Warm up: 5 minute sculptures
Gather a base board, colored paper, glue & tape
Set a timer for 5 minutes
Create a 5 minute sculpture that explores one or more of the following paper construction methods
Main Activity:
Design challenge:
Design a wearable device that helps humans, cats, or birds adapt to one of these desert climate conditions:
- Extreme heat
- Protection from dust
- Increasing airflow and comfort outdoors
- Carrying heavy loads from one place to another
Use folding, bending, layering, and slotting techniques to create a wearable structure that responds to both movement and climate.
Think about ergonomics (how it fits and moves with the body) and aesthetics (how it looks and feels visually).
Step 1: Select & sketch: (10-15 min)
Heat, wind, weight or dust? Which body part will you design for? Head / arm / waist / shoulder / legs / feet?
Sketch your idea on your sketchbook
Step 2: Start building! (30 min)
You will be paired with one partner to test each other’s designs by wearing and moving in them
Start building your wearable design
Step 3: Test by trying on with your partner (10 min)
First quick body test with your partner
BREAK (15 min)
Step 4: Repeat build & test (30-40 min)
Step 5: Final adjustments
Conclusion
Wear your designs
Gather at one end of the class
Time for a.. Fashion show & tell with your wearable architecture!
If there’s time: discuss how you would improve your wearables if you had different resources
