![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=f38f218c685142c54425b0292a8ca8f7 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=d031f88cbb1f04f07912675ef74b1d43 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=8935f7a743859fe351ef6b51134581d8 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=66334503b63955f4d1dbf73140113c8f 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=866b14503bd90ca6f0d206b6f864c3d0 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=6898998adb33a35d6dbe0d7cd2de1c2b 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9718-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=1a1bec953f22c605057c0d75755fa7de 1920w)
How did you make it?
I started off by making a test model that demonstrated how the LEDs would work in the thin floor slab, along with the finishes used. Once this was signed off, I proceeded to build a Rhino CAD model where I organised and prepared components for laser cutting, 3D printing and CNC machining, and decided which bits would be made on the workshop machinery. Once the CAD model was finished, it was a process of laser cutting the majority of components, then spraying them for assembly.
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=25f98a624e5b6ce93ddbe59d8f86f4b9 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=5fe6ff524ad3c9fb6075d3e8815e03ba 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=7c5e17fab26490474d6b82d764c5684f 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=2b301b8d3cb35ba2a712363f2cfd360d 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=d33e5207623426ef362d5de5c690d85d 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=fb7145ed789c7ab3ac07ca4ac58a92e9 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9715-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=2957b2b2667aa8018d342352a8aa3d0f 1920w)
Were there any interesting material choices, finishes, details or techniques in construction?
The floorplates were made from a sandwich layer system – the slab was 5mm with a 5mm soffit, so the main plate was a 4mm sheet with a 1mm skin on top with etched linework. The 4mm sheet had a channel cut out for the LEDs to sit in, with the 5mm soffit being a translucent acrylic to disperse light throughout the floorplate.
The horizontal louvres were made from brass etchings, so they were sprayed with a metal primer before an anthracite cellulose spray to represent the material in reality. The glazing had tiny holes cut out for the louvres to sit in. The tips of the louvres were dipped in a tensol solution that then could be attached to the glazing with dichlo (aka dichloromethane, or methylene chloride, a common PLA adhesive).
![#](https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=140&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=210&s=86a7b2625a54a3df05ae8457321dcaf0 210w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=420&s=267649879932fa9598fe8984249bbb82 420w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=512&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=768&s=435baa3b2fccf07853549feaeeb533c2 768w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=683&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1024&s=39fb1e1dfcb56cb35869530e8c02ba91 1024w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=934&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1400&s=9f5584033d5022dc0b95dfea7c593992 1400w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1067&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1600&s=039a5688ab02cd90d5686dcc36c8a36c 1600w,https://make-arch.imgix.net/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.makearchitects.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2020%2F06%2FIMG_9740-scaled.jpg?auto=format&crop=center&fit=crop&h=1280&ixlib=php-1.2.1&w=1920&s=1e1d076193ac89039c13672c032b8dbf 1920w)
Did you face any particular challenges and how did you overcome them?
The biggest challenge I had to overcome was figuring out how the louvres would work on the model. Calculating the shape, how many segments would slot into the glazing, would the edge of the etching sit against the glazing as a strip? We tested the various options on the test model I made, and found having three points on each louvre that intersected the glazing worked best, as it was quick to locate on the model, and three points of contact meant the louvre didn’t move.