As part of their work on the Eco-Hut challenge the students at Wanaka Primary have started Sketch Up Club during Tuesday lunch times. In case you haven't heard of Sketch Up, it's a 3D modelling software package from Google that you can download for free. You can get it here.
This is a great way to try out any potential designs you may have for anything, from houses to pencils. Once you have gotten used to making different shapes and putting them together to create items then you can assign textures to the surfaces so the look like the material that you intend to make the finished design out of.
Thinking about the Eco-Huts it means that you can not only make a scale model of the hut you intend to build but with a combination of google earth you can place your hut on the intended site and then see how it will look. It is also possible to track sunlight with this, so if you've used any kind of passive solar heating you can check the placement and orientation of the building and ensure it captures the sun light you think it will.
I was absolutely amazed by the quality of the work that some of the Sketch Up Clubbers are producing. Look out Wanaka architects, you have some up and coming competition. I can't wait to go back there in a few weeks to see how they've progressed.
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