“Flora” by a schoolgirl from Ivano-Frankivsk has been recognized the best work of the Module “3D Modelling and Printing”

At the final contest of the Module “3D Modelling and Printing” 30 schoolgirls introduced their ideas for city space change with a view to adapting Ukrainian cities to the necessity of keeping social distance for a long time. They designed 3D prototypes of city benches to help keep the social distance regime.

The Module`s participants represented 13 Ukrainian cities and fitted their ideas to their native cities` space. The ideas have been diverse – from an inclusive bench for bookcrossing up to swinging benches for introverts. The contest grand prix has been given to 14-year-old Iryna Luchyn from Ivano-Frankivsk. The winner describes her idea so:

“The bench is intended for two persons. It provides place for a disinfectant. The tree in the pot and the partition allow for a social distance. There is also a lantern to light up the bench at night. The bench is called “Flora” for a reason, since there are flowerpots next to the seats. In the middle there grows a tree, and plant patterns were taken as a basis for the back design”.

Iryna`s idea was highly estimated by the project jury:

“Iryna`s model features complexity and form perfection – the details are carefully and prettily rounded and in general the form is unusual. To that end Iryna used the modelling instruments, which do not belong to basic ones. A lot of 3D designers not always pay attention to the final form smoothing and Iryna followed it through. This points to the sense of taste and the effort”, - so has Olga Syniakevych, Fabricator Fablab designer and one of the educational project speakers, commented on the work.

But there is certainly a way to refine the prototype in the future:

“In addition to the general aesthetics, the architectural element must be easy-to-use. That is why it shouldn`t be forgotten, that the norms for ergonomic bench characteristics are already determined (for instance, the seat back anatomy, size of seat etc) and it would be nice to make use of them. Once the norms find their place, the original design will change, all the more that the benches are positioned as a post-adaption to the social distancing requirements. Therefore, the projects are more of a concept now and will survive a lot of iterations before reaching the stage of a final architectural facility. But their creativity and potential are impressive and leaves no one cold” – advised Anastasiia Makridina, another speaker of the project and program assistant for the America House Kyiv.

On winning the contest Iryna Luchyn`s model was printed at the scale 1:6 to the real size from PLA-plastic – a biodegradable material, produced from processed maize, sugar cane, starch and cellulose. 

Second place was taken by the ideas of Victoria Konashchuk from Kyiv and Nelli Tarapata from Dnipro.

Victoria has proposed as much as three different models of benches. The bench for the elderly is suitable for communication, offers a 1.5 meters distance between the seats, disinfector, handles facilitating getting up and taking one`s seat and even a hole for putting a stick. The bench for kids is funny and dynamic, of spiral form, fitted with hammocks for playing. As the main project Victoria introduced a bench for youth:

“I must admit, I would really like to see such bench in my city. And I am sure, it would be always taken. But it would be safe, as all the seats are at a 1.5 meters distance. As a facility I added tables. They are always helpful to have a snack, to read or even take a nap. As a practical thing, there is a tent that serves as a solar panel as well. Thus, we can also enjoy USB-ports, you can come any time and get your device charged. And there is also antiseptic to stay safe” – told Victoria in the presentation of her work.

Nelli Tarapata introduced her own idea – a bench for two, that turns into an element of urban lighting at night.

“The bench is designed for two seats, that are at a distance from each other and separated by a barrier so as during the quarantine time not to get infected, and in the aftermath – not to violate one's privacy and not to bother others. And as soon as the sun goes down, the bench starts lighting up. The unobtrusive white light looks quite attractive. And it will be nicer at night, not so scaring to walk around in parks and gardens”, - describes the author her idea in the presentation.

On top the bench is covered by a canopy, protecting it from rain, snow and sunlight. The canopy also provides place for solar panels. Nelli tells, that she choose them because of them being an ecological and economical solution. Moreover, they allow for the bench autonomy, as there will be no need of long cables for maintaining lighting.

The girls had only a day to develop the prototypes. The prize for the grand prix winner was a 3D printer and a trip-surprise to an international STEM-event after the quarantine restrictions are lifted. The winners got the online course “Software for 3D printing” by the University of Illinois