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Task developed by Karen Yager Knox Grammar School 2013
Northern NSW da Vinci Decathlon SAMPLE
An academic gala day
for years 9 and 10
Engineering
Session 2
‘Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication’ Leonard da
Vinci.
Team Number _____________
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2
The Design Challenge
When and where? You have 40 minutes to complete this task. You
will be asked to take your prototype to a designated area for
marking at the end of the task. Background Any building, no matter
how sophisticated the design, is made up of primary shapes that
have been cleverly put together. Primary solids are the building
blocks of the world. There are four basic geometric shapes used by
architects in designing buildings: the circle, square, triangle,
and rectangle. A building may use one or a combination of the
shapes in its design. Architect, Frank Lloyd Wright created
buildings that used these basic shapes. Simple cubes were supported
by cylinders, and circles added a futuristic look to his roofs.
Wright loved to play with light and colour in his buildings. His
windows were simply an extension of those ideas. Sometimes
Wright’s
stained glass windows are referred to as “lights” or
“lightscreens.” He used abstract organic patterns inspired by
nature (usually plants). French architect Le Corbusier, like
Wright, used the primary shapes to design his buildings and
incorporated the interplay of light and mass. He stated
‘Architecture is the masterly, correct, and magnificent play of
masses brought together in light. Our eyes are made to see forms in
light; light and
shade reveal these forms.’ Design Parameters
§ You are to design and create a prototype out of paper and
cardboard for a house that consists of at least TWO of the primary
shapes, such as a circle, square, triangle and rectangle.
§ Like Frank Lloyd Wright you have to incorporate ONE stained
glass window in the house, ensuring that it is a central feature.
Your stained glass design that incorporates the cellophane must be
inspired by nature.
§ You will have up to forty minutes to design and create your
prototype of a house. There is no size restriction for the ONE
stained glass window but it must complement the design of the
house.
§ You must submit a design brief that explains the design of the
house and the stained glass window.
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Material Limitations You are provided with the following
materials but you do not have to use all of the materials. Provided
you create a prototype of a house consisting of at least TWO
primary shapes and ONE stained glass window as a feature, it is up
to you whether you need all of the materials.
§ 6 sheets of A4 paper § 2 15cm X 15cm squares of cellophane
(Two different colours) § Sticky tape – no restriction but remember
that too much will look tacky! § 2 sheets of A4 cardboard
Testing Conditions
§ Your prototype for a house must feature at least TWO of the
primary shapes, such as a circle, square, triangle and
rectangle.
§ It must remain stable and upright. § The house must feature
ONE stained glass window with a design inspired by
nature. § The design brief must clearly describe the design of
the house and the stained
glass window. Marking Criteria You will be marked on the basis
of the following criteria:
v Original design and stability of the house /10 v Use of
primary shapes /10 v Original design of stained glass window /10 v
Design brief /10
Marking Grid
Criteria Skilful 9-10
Effective 8-7
Sound 6-4
Limited 3-0
Original design and stability of the house
Use of primary shapes
Original design of stained glass window
Design brief
Team Number _____________
TOTAL /40
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Design Brief
1. Explain how and why the primary shapes have been used in the
design of the house.
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2. Explain the design of the stained glass window and how it
complements the
house.
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