Playtime with Cardboard

After making some cardboard sheets with slits I ended up playing around with them and testing out different configurations. Next I am going to try cutting slits at various angles to see how that changes the way they fit.

Joining Cardboard Part 100

Another in the series of how to join cardboard together, this time it is simply cutting slots in cardboard sheets and then using them like a construction kit. The example I am testing is based on Charles and Ray Eames card construction game, which is like a pack of playing cards, but each card has six slots in it. These can then be joined to make all sorts of constructions. I have made template and testing out different sizes to see which works best, but they are easy to make and great for experimenting and exploring different forms for houses and shelters.

Click here for an example of how to make the construction cards, it is fairly easy to follow and once you make yourself a template you can make lots of cards. There are also examples, if you search for cardboard construction cards, using different numbers of slots, different angles and shapes of card, which means you can son develop your own system to explore building structures.

Gimme Shelter Workshop

The workshop on Saturday 25 October runs from 10 - 12 at The Commons, participants will have a pallet to work on or to use some of the security fencing to build against. Building on the pallet means we will be able to move the work, which will part of the FESTA 2014 exhibition.

More ways to join Cardboard

Other ways to join cardboard together can include plastic zip ties, which can be good for making flexible joints, so if you want to make a wearable building or shelter zip ties are a good option. The horse head below has been constructed from cardboard sheets and then all joined together using zip ties.

Sticky tape is a quick and easy way to join cardboard together both for small pieces and for whole boxes.

Taking cardboard boxes apart is a good way to see how they are held together, sometimes boxes are folded and tabs used to keep their shape and you can look at many other things to see how they join together and they might just work for cardboard as well.

If you decide you want to do further work on your shelters and buildings or get inspired to make more complex structures there are many options one being to visit your local Maker Crate where you can get access to a laser cutter and start designing and fabricating your shelters. If you search online you can find heaps of information and helpful advice as well as some pre-designed plans for cardboard buildings and construction pieces.