Cardboard Structure Mock-Up
This project challenged our CAEE team to transform Revit-based designs into a structurally sound, cathedral-style cardboard building!
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Problem
The primary challenge was designing structurally sound and visually coherent buildings using a nontraditional, low-strength material while ensuring the physical model accurately reflected the drafted and modeled designs. Limited material capacity and construction tolerances required careful planning to prevent instability, deformation, or collapse during assembly.
Solution
The team addressed these challenges by applying drafting principles, Revit-based modeling, and iterative design refinement to optimize geometry and load distribution. Structural elements such as folds, laminations, and internal supports were strategically incorporated, allowing the cardboard structures to maintain stability while preserving architectural intent.
By integrating drafting, BIM modeling, and hands-on construction, the project reinforced the connection between digital design and physical implementation, strengthening understanding of structural behavior, material constraints, and collaborative engineering design.
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