Design and Development of 3D Printed Teaching Aids for Architecture Education

Abstract

This article describes how the implementation of 3D printing in classrooms has brought many opportunities to educators as it provides affordability and accessibility in creating and customizing teaching aids. The study reports on the process of fabricating teaching aids for architecture education using 3D printing technologies. The practice-based research intended to illustrate the making process from initial planning, 3D modeling to 3D printing with practical examples, and addresses the potential induced by the technologies. Based on the investigation into the current state of 3D printing technologies in education, limitations were identified before the making process. The researchers created 3D models in both digital and tangible forms and the process was documented in textual and pictorial formats. It is expected that the research findings will serve as a guideline for other educators to create 3D printed teaching aids, particularly architectural forms.