tanya ismail

For the structure, after consulting a few experts, I was advised NOT to use plywood To develop the modular structure so I decided to use standard 2x4 lumber and then CNC the stairs, side and floor panels to run across the structure for the base and top platform. I prototyped several scale models to try and decipher the joints and crossover of members. The final structure is composed of 3 repeated layers that overlap and use spacers to create a variety of spaces: an enclosed room, an open platform accessed by steps and an open but shaded area.

I produced a laser cut template out of bristol board to guide the locations of holes where the threaded rods/rope would pass through but this too delicate and it was quicker to just assemble and clamp one of the sections and drill holes in the appropriate places. As with cutting, once the first measurements were done, these pieces became the templates and guides for the sizing and marking of the others. Determined to assemble the structure before measuring the sizes of the panels to be milled - figuring out how to move and transport the parts was a big challenge. I decided to focus on the electronics to be integrated into the system.

Referring to weeks 9 & 10 for the light activated motion sensor and the solar tracking servo mechanisms for the PV panel (check the links to see them working!). I started to try to integrate them onto a single board. I found it useful to test the systems with arduinos and breadboards which also for quick iterations to find a working solution before recreating a custom board. Unfortunately, when I tried to integrate them, they were no longer responding as before. After much unsuccessful debugging, I decided to move back and produce them as separate boards. When i reproduced the original setups they were not working at all anymore! At one point I ended up burning the uno with a 9v supply even though it says it can accept 7-12v. I replace the 5v voltage regulator and it was working again but was very temperamental and started overheating. I borrowed an arduino mega2560 and proceeded to test the codes again, making sure to update the  board, processor and port but was still unable to combine the codes successfully.  Desperate, I designed a casing for the electronics to be embedded under the stairs to be hidden away, but a failed print and lack of definite dimensions meant this was a futile effort at this point. With so many setbacks and such little time, it became evident that this was far too ambitious a project for the timescale and with the final deadline coinciding with my thesis reviews, as usual time management became my greatest downfall.

But all is not lost! Even though how it all comes together may not be so clear yet, I have been been looking for an opportunity to make this project happen for a while. So despite the class being over, I'm very committed to completing the project over the Christmas holidays: so watch this space for more updates to come soon! 

Next steps:

- Transportation and assembly: I wanted a modular structure so that it would be easier to disassemble, move and assemble - but these still involve an investment of time and effort and planning with the longest members at 96". My plan is to move them to their final location (home) for assembly to reconfirm dimensions and from there start to bring all the remaining pieces together for integration.
- Produce a master controller and instead of integrating all - keep boards separate for each of the previously working parts. I still want to add the temperature controlled features, so lots of electronics learning and debugging coming up.
- Recompile the website to include a detailed record of all the processes and projects