#3 Experiments for Design Thinking

🏗️ Design Thinking & Idea Lab

• Process
• Materials
• Experiments
• Assessment
• Outcomes

CIVIL ENGINEERING • FIRST YEAR • DESIGN THINKING

Build. Test. Think. Improve.

Two hands-on house construction model experiments designed to introduce Civil Engineering students to the complete Design Thinking process through creativity, prototyping and testing.

Explore Experiments ↓ Design Thinking Process

From an Idea to a Prototype

The house is only the prototype — the real experiment is the thinking process behind it.

Core Design Thinking Idea

A good civil engineer does not merely build a model. A good civil engineer observes a problem, understands the user, creates alternatives, tests the solution and improves the design.

The Design Thinking Journey

Students follow an iterative problem-solving process.

👥

Empathize

Understand the user.

🎯

Define

Identify the problem.

💡

Ideate

Generate solutions.

🏗️

Prototype

Build the idea.

🧪

Test

Evaluate performance.

🔄

Improve

Redesign and refine.

Materials Required

Simple materials. Unlimited ideas.

📦

Cardboard

Base, floor and structural elements.

📄

Paper

Walls, roof and partitions.

🥤

Straws

Columns, beams and bracing.

🧴

Glue

Rigid connections.

⭕

Rubber Bands

Flexible connections.

🖍️

Colour Pens

Presentation and labelling.

House Construction Experiments

Choose an experiment and follow the complete Design Thinking cycle.

Experiment 01

Low-Cost Sustainable House

Design and construct a compact, economical and comfortable house using simple materials.

🎯 Design Challenge

"Design a small house for a low-income family that is economical, stable, comfortable and suitable for the local climate."

🏠 Suggested House Components

• Living room
• Bedroom
• Kitchen
• Toilet
• Door and windows
• Roof
• Basic structural frame

📐 Suggested Dimensions

• Cardboard base: approximately 30 × 25 cm
• Straw columns: 4–8
• Paper walls according to layout
• Lightweight roof
• Provide adequate door and window openings

1

EMPATHIZE — Understand the User

Students imagine themselves as the occupants of the proposed house.

• Who will live in the house?
• How many people will use it?
• What are their needs?
• Is the climate hot, rainy or windy?
• How can natural lighting be provided?
• How can ventilation be improved?

2

DEFINE — State the Problem

Students convert their observations into a clear engineering design statement.

Example Problem Statement

"We need to design a compact, low-cost house that provides adequate space, ventilation, natural lighting and structural stability using minimum materials."

3

IDEATE — Generate Alternatives

Develop at least two or three alternative house layouts.

• Idea A — Courtyard house
• Idea B — Compact rectangular house
• Idea C — Sloping roof house with large windows

Select the best concept using: Cost + Stability + Comfort + Functionality + Appearance

4

PROTOTYPE — Build the House

1. Cut the cardboard base.
2. Draw the floor layout.
3. Construct straw columns.
4. Add horizontal beams.
5. Attach paper/cardboard walls.
6. Provide doors and windows.
7. Construct a lightweight roof.
8. Use glue and rubber bands for connections.
9. Decorate and label the model.

5

TEST — Evaluate the Prototype

🏗️

Stability

Gently apply horizontal movement. Observe whether the structure remains stable.

⚖️

Roof Load

Place a small lightweight object on the roof and observe deformation.

🌬️

Ventilation

Check whether adequate openings are provided for natural ventilation.

6

IMPROVE — Redesign

Identify weaknesses and modify the prototype.

Example:

Unstable roof → reduce roof span → add triangular support → retest.

Experiment 02

Earthquake-Resistant Straw House

Design, construct and test a lightweight house for improved resistance to simulated earthquake movement.

🌎 Design Challenge

"Can you design a lightweight house that remains stable when subjected to simulated earthquake vibrations?"

⚠️ Problems to Consider

• Excessive lateral movement
• Weak structural connections
• Heavy roof
• Lack of bracing
• Uneven structural arrangement
• Structural collapse

🏗️ Structural Components

• Foundation/base
• Columns
• Beams
• Diagonal braces
• Flexible joints
• Lightweight roof

1

EMPATHIZE — Understand the Problem

Students consider the experience of people living in earthquake-prone regions.

2

DEFINE — Engineering Design Statement

Problem Statement

"Design a lightweight house that can withstand simulated horizontal earthquake movement without collapsing."

3

IDEATE — Explore Structural Systems

Students develop different structural concepts.

RECTANGULAR FRAME

   ┌─────────────┐
   │             │
   │             │
   │             │
   └─────────────┘


CROSS-BRACED FRAME

   ┌─────────────┐
   │\           /│
   │ \         / │
   │  \       /  │
   │   \     /   │
   └─────────────┘

Question: Which configuration will move the least during the earthquake test?

4

PROTOTYPE — Construct the Model

1. Prepare the cardboard foundation.
2. Construct vertical straw columns.
3. Connect horizontal beams.
4. Add diagonal bracing.
5. Add lightweight paper walls.
6. Construct the roof.
7. Use rubber bands at selected joints.
8. Label columns, beams, braces and joints.

5

TEST — Simulated Earthquake

Place the model on a cardboard sheet and gently move the sheet horizontally left and right.

Observation	Result
Lateral movement	Low / Medium / High
Roof movement	Low / Medium / High
Column deformation	Yes / No
Joint failure	Yes / No
Structural collapse	Yes / No

6

IMPROVE — Redesign the Structure

Students modify the model after the first test.

Example Iteration

First Prototype: No diagonal bracing → large movement

↓

Second Prototype: X-bracing added → reduced movement

↓

Third Prototype: Improved joints + bracing → better stability

Compare the Two Experiments

Two different engineering problems — one common Design Thinking methodology.

Feature	Experiment 1	Experiment 2
Theme	Low-cost sustainable housing	Earthquake resistance
Main Problem	Cost + comfort	Stability + safety
Major Material	Cardboard + paper	Straws + rubber bands
Civil Engineering Concept	Planning and building components	Structural stability
Design Thinking Focus	User needs	Safety problem
Testing	Stability, ventilation and roof load	Lateral vibration
Redesign	Improve functionality	Improve structural stability

Student Assessment Rubric

Suggested 20-mark assessment for the laboratory activity.

Assessment Component	Marks
Empathy / User understanding	2
Problem definition	3
Creativity of ideas	3
Prototype quality	4
Structural / functional performance	3
Testing and observations	2
Redesign / improvement	2
Team presentation	1
Total	20

Student Lab Record

Students may use the following structure in their laboratory record.

📘 Record Format

1. Experiment Number
2. Date
3. Title
4. Aim
5. Materials Required
6. Design Problem
7. User Requirements
8. Initial Ideas
9. Selected Design
10. Prototype Sketch

📝 Observation & Reflection

1. Construction Procedure
2. Testing Method
3. Test Results
4. Problems Identified
5. Modifications Made
6. Final Observation
7. Learning Outcome
8. Team Reflection

Learning Outcomes

After completing the experiments, students should be able to:

LO1 — Empathy Understand user requirements and real-world housing problems.

LO2 — Problem Definition Convert observations into a clear engineering design challenge.

LO3 — Creativity Generate multiple solutions to an engineering problem.

LO4 — Prototyping Develop a physical miniature prototype using simple materials.

LO5 — Testing Evaluate prototype performance using simple tests.

LO6 — Iteration Improve a design based on test results and feedback.

"Prototype → Failure → Learning → Redesign"

In Design Thinking, failure is not the end of the experiment. Failure is feedback.

Think Like a Designer. Build Like an Engineer.

The best prototype is not necessarily the most beautiful one. It is the one that solves the user's problem effectively.

Design Thinking & Idea Lab

House Construction Model-Making Experiments for First-Year Civil Engineering Students

Empathize • Define • Ideate • Prototype • Test • Improve