SOLAIR | Assembling Initial 1:1 Module

The design of Solair was well refined – time for construction. A section of the wooden frame was produced at scale to test structural integrity. With the confirmation of the structure, the CNC machine was used to precisely produce each component of the wooden frame and each reflective panel of the project. Through the early stages of construction, the project’s structure began to emerge.

Figure 1: Students discussed the specifics of the reflective panel connection to the wooden framework.

Figure 2: Students discussed the dimensions of each component of the structural framework. 

Figure 3: Students kept a careful eye on the CNC machine to ensure accurate production of each component.

SOLAIR | Physical Prototyping with Model Making

Bringing the vision to life – one piece at a time. With the design process complete the students assembled a small-scale model which served as a crucial step to understanding the design details. As each piece was carefully assembled, the design became reality, offering a tangible preview of the vision ahead.

Figure 1: Students prepared the laser-cut wooden frame pieces

for the assembly of the 1:5 partial scale model.

Figure 2: Students assembled the structural wooden frame of the scale model.

Figure 3: Time-lapse of the students assembling the small-scale model.

NOVA | Family Day

NOVA landed Monday morning right in time. Children and families had the opportunity to interact with the pavilion for family day. 

One Last Look at NOVA

NOVA | Final Imagery (Day & Night)

Upon the completion of NOVA, the finishing touch of TMU’s 2024 Winter Station was to capture its final physical form. To the delight of the team, the final imagery not only executed the initial renders, but exceeded them! Exemplifying its mission to an even greater extent than expected.

Render vs. Reality

Day & Night

NOVA | Onsite Construction

The installation went smoothly and to plan. The team erected the station at Woodbine beach on February 15th, 2024. Even with the adverse weather conditions, the team did a great job of securing the footings into the sand, and connecting the station's structure onto the lifeguard stand concisely. Although the wind and temperature made the installation more difficult than expected, NOVA landed on the beach on time, and in its anticipated form.

Woodbine Beach

Installed Just in Time Before the Snowstorm

NOVA | Full-Scale Mockup

Assembly of the NOVA Winter Station is now underway. This assembly includes constructing the 4 modules with all final components to determine if the structure is working correctly. Furthermore, the cutting and sewing of the official fabric that will be used for final installation has started. Ensuring that the seams are correct, and the holes line up for node and pipe connections is paramount. This is all in the effort for a full-scale mockup to prepare for the final installation. A group of student quickly assembled NOVA in the atrium of 325 Church Street.

Connecting Pipes to Nodes

Connecting Fabric to Frames

Completed Modules

Arranging Modules

Connecting Top of The Structure

Full Assembly 

Mockup in Atrium

NOVA | Textiles

Students explored stitching variations on 4 different types of materials to ensure the tension was correct with the bolt connections. Felt, canvas, and nylon were all tested on to ensure that the layout was sufficient. Because of the low-cost of the felt, it was also used for practicing the stitching.

NOVA | Assembling One Module: Fabric, Pipe, and Nodes

With the layout, textiles, piping, and nodes figured out, the time has come to assemble one module at full-scale with final materials. This will be important to gauge whether the project is ready to be assembled in its entirety. A group of students assembled one module seamlessly and with no complications. Now the team is ready to fully put NOVA together to prepare for the final installation next month.

Connecting Piping to Node

Securing Top Node to Complete Module Frame

Completed Module Frame