Kickoff 2026 I Design Development

Every successful installation begins with a single idea. For this project, that journey started with project leads Saad Malik and Jose-Miguel Calle, who began developing the initial sketches and concepts that would lay the foundation for the installation.

During the early planning stages, Saad and Jose explored different approaches for the node connections that would become the framework of this structure. They also investigated ways to integrate LED lighting into the design, ensuring that the installation would be both visually interesting and interactive. Through sketching, brainstorming, and testing ideas, the project began to take shape.

Initial Sketches From Saad's Sketchbook 

The first design for the installation aimed to mimic a kaleidoscope incorporating an open design that allows visitors to enter. The structure would use coloured translucent acrylic to reflect light.

Initial Design Concept with an Entrance 

Initial Design Concept with Kaleidoscope

The final design mimics the original geometry of the classical soccer ball using the truncated icosahedron. It will feature Alucobond reflective panels that act as a kaleidoscope that reflects like a gem within the structure.

Final Render of the Kickoff Instillation

Animation Showing Colour Changing Concept

As the school year came to an end in April, a team of students from first and second year came in to help turn this idea into reality.  Students worked together to develop the first physical model of the installation, working closely with the shop supervisors and each other to learn new skills. Using the shop's machinery and fabrication tools, students laser-cut and hand assembled the first physical model of the installation. These hands-on experiences allowed students to see how their designs would function in a three-dimensional space.

(Photos Taken By Andy Nguyen and Jorge Cruz Toro)

Students working together to construct the first model

The design continued to evolve as students refined details, tested new ideas, and improved upon earlier iterations. Through ongoing feedback and experimentation, the installation became more detailed and comprehensive with each revision.

Collaboration played a key role throughout the process. First- and second-year students worked side by side, sharing knowledge and learning new skills from one another. Together, they explored fabrication techniques, problem-solved design challenges, and gained valuable experience in both digital and physical creation.

With the groundwork established, the project entered its construction phase. Students began developing a more advanced physical model while simultaneously creating a detailed Rhino model to support the design process. These digital and physical prototypes will help guide the next stages of development as the installation continues to grow from concept to reality.

As the project moves forward, students remain committed to innovation, collaboration, and creative problem-solving. What began as a series of sketches has already transformed into a promising installation, and the team is excited to continue bringing their vision to life.

Flux Panel Prototypes

Here are a few images of the Flux team developing a prototype of the bar for their 2016 Come Up To My Room installation. Ever the resourceful students, the team used cardboard and paper to get a sense of the structure and panels given the entire portfolio of workshops in the university are currently unavailable.

Trichotomy: Initial Sketches

Here are some early sketches that the Trichotomy team developed for the DME Wall proposal. As with other [R]ed[U]x Lab projects, we look forward to seeing how the final work manifests itself relative to these initial ideas.

Additional Initial Sketches of FLUX

It is always a great exercise to compare and contrast what the initial ideas are relative to what the final outcomes are, especially in the realm of design and fabrication. Here are some initial concept sketches that the Flux team developed for their submission to the 2016 Come Up To My Room. Let's hope the team is able to translate their ideas into built reality with a high level of fidelity!

Initial Design Ideas

For this year's Night Market Cart, the [R]ed[U]x Lab wanted to continue its legacy of outstanding illuminated design but realized that there were several ideas at play including: 

• Potent, bright LED lighting
• Wood
• Interesting structural gymnastics
• Coordination with the restaurants
• Connections with Canadiana

An interesting concept arose pertaining to the ideas of sheltering in the romanticized Canadian wilderness. The portage and canoe became an engaging structure and form that inspired the group moving forward.  

[R]ed[U]x Lab's Night Market Cart Concept 2013

Many people have asked what the design intentions behind this year's Night Market cart design and the team has been fairly secretive about their work.  As the Night Market event is a week away, it is time to finally outline the design from its initial concept submitted a few months ago including an initial conceptual sketch:

  

Dissemination Via Disassembly

The 2013 [R]ed[U]x Lab design proposal for The Stop Night Market cart embraces the notion of change over time. Despite the brevity of the event, many variables evolve during the evening including the ambient light, volume of people, and food availability.  The design serves as both a vessel for the display and serving of culinary works, but also an artifact accentuating the event's dynamics.  Using a digitally fabricated framework, the design serves as a lattice supporting a tessellation of components that may be removed or altered by attendees ultimately transforming the cart into a lantern by nightfall.  The premise is that upon coordination with the assigned culinary organization, [R]ed[U]x Lab would design the components to create a suitable taxonomy of units ranging from serving containers or utensils to small lights or keepsakes.  The design intent is that the cart begins the evening as a monolithic mass that, over the course of the event, is dismantled and disseminated throughout the crowd casting a wide network of illumination while simultaneously transforming the cart into an illuminated focal point as the night draws to an end.

Size, Scale, and Service

In order to address the concerns by the Stop Night Market organizers, the [R]ed[U]x Lab team put together a quick sketch of an iteration of the design (the final design is a bit under wraps for now) showcasing the approximate size of the cart, its scale relative to users, and the anticipated service (i.e. queuing, preparation, etc.). We are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the pairing between the cart design teams and the restaurants in order to put up an appropriate signage condition.

Sketches and Design Iterations

Slowly but surely the [R]ed[U]x Lab team has been translating their ideas to prototypes.  Here are some of the conceptual sketches that have been put forth.  These are just concepts for now; the actual design that is shaping up in the Department of Architectural Science is far more than just conceptual.  Technically this project will be a challenge on account of its smaller scale and material explorations that the team wishes to undertake.