Two Story Outdoor Classroom

Hi, I'm Sidney Sarmiento. I am a senior at the Academy of Our Lady of Peace. For my entry, I built an outdoor classroom. I thought this modular would be pertinent to my community as during the covid pandemic learning outdoors was utilized. Being outside allowed students, including myself, the ability to be surrounded by nature, but also acted as another way to be safe as the outdoors allows for the constant circulation of air.

• 2x Shipping Containers
• 1x Door
• 3x Windows
• 3x Wooden Pillars
• 20x chairs
• 6x long desks
• 1x whiteboard
• Recycled Wood
• Green Paint
• Plants for decor

Supplies Utilized Within this step:

• Two Shipping Containers

The first step in building this outdoor classroom would be the placement of the shipping containers. I wanted to create an interesting shape that allowed for a second level. The "L" shape produced by placing one of the containers vertically allowed for that and it created additional rooms that could be used for storage or a small office space. In this step, the spaces for any openings and windows would be cut.

In Tinkercad:

I used the model for that shipping container that was provided. I then duplicated it and rotated 90 degrees to make it stand on the 8' x 9'6” side (Making this build 20' high- enough for two stories). To create the cutouts for the windows and doors, I used the box and circle tools and selected them to be holes. After this, I grouped the the container and the box or circle to combine.

Supplies Utilized Within this step:

• 3x Wooden Pillars
• Recycled wood (Deck)

The next step in building this outdoor classroom is to add structure. The added structure of the three wooden pillars would help support the wooden deck that acts as another learning space. These wooden pillars would be partly buried or underground to ensure stability; however, being wood, they still have the ability to be repurposed in the case of deconstruction. This is the same for the deck pictured in the photo. It is a wooden deck that can be built from repurposed wood and be repurposed again, keeping inline with the idea of circulating materials. The deck allows for more space for seating, additionally it acts as a weight on the shipping container to keep it in place and safe.

In Tinkercad:

To create the pillars, I used the cylinder tool and changed its radius. I also lengthened it to be as tall as the shipping container. I then copied and pasted them to make them identical in size (I did lengthen the one that would support the over hang). Using the box tool, I made the deck. I changed its radius to 0.12 to curve the edges.

Supplies Utilized Within this step:

• Recycled wood (Upper Deck, Sides of deck, Overhang)
• Door

Next, the upstairs up-cycled wooden deck will be attached as well as the overhang. One problem that I anticipated with having a two- story classroom built out of shipping containers was the noise from the people moving on the second floor. Metal can be really loud when stepped on which would interfere with learning on either floor, so adding the wooded decks combats this problem by being a cushion. Like the bottom deck, the upper deck extends the space and ensures the strength of the structure. Since the second deck connects with the vertical shipping container on two of its sides, it sturdies it which is something that is vital due to the unique shape.

In Tinkercad:

I used the box tool for the upstairs deck and overhang. Like the bottom deck, I curved them by changing the radius. To create sides for the deck, I made a thick box and grouped it with a hole to create sides and bottom where furniture and people could be.

Supplies Utilized Within this step:

• Recycled wood (Stairs, railing)

The next step allows access for the top floor. The stairs are located behind the shipping containers. Like the decks, these stairs can be made from repurposed wood. For the stair railing, I wanted a unique shape. I designed these railings that had cut outs. These allow for if any younger children utilize the upper space to see surroundings. The window also allows for student work, banners or posters to be displayed.

In Tinkercad:

I used the box tool to create a step and copied and pasted them to ensure they were uniform. For the railing, it too was made using the box tool and grouped with a hole to create the cut. The radius of the box was was changed (0.18) to curve the edges.

Supplies Utilized Within this step:

• Recycled wood (railing design)
• Green Paint for accented parts of the build
• 20x chairs
• 6 Long desks

As step four finished the build, furniture can be put in place. While a layout for the furniture is depicted and will be described, I would like to note that the furniture within this build is moveable as to keep later deconstruction and repurposing in mind. The top is furnished with two long desks that sit outwards overlooking the surrounding area. Also included are eleven chairs and some greenery. On the bottom, it is furnished with four desks and nine chairs. The two rooms created from the vertical shipping container can be used in multiple ways. They could be restrooms, offices, or storage rooms depending on what is necessary for wherever this outdoor classroom is built. As a final touch, I added a white board in the bottom classroom.

In Tinkercad:

The windows were made through using different transparent shapes. Seating and plants came from the featured collections that tinkercad offers to be used in builds. The desks were made by combining box tools to create counter tops.

My physical model is made out of:

• Chipboard
• Popsicle sticks
• Paper
• Paint (Shades created by mixing brown, white, and green)

These supplies were adhered together using hot glue.

*not depicted in this model is the stair railing and furniture.

Also pictured is some sketches I did about this build.

1. Circulation of Materials
2. Formation of questions: What is a material that can heavily be relied upon that can be reused for this project, then reused if deconstructed? What can be done about any left over materials?
3. Steps to solving:
4. Going through materials and listing how easy they can be reused and deconstruct ex. concrete hard to reuse)
5. Choosing the material
6. Looking at leftover or unused materials
7. Deciding what to do with them
8. I was really drawn to using wood. Wood could be reused as long as it is healthy from other builds. This gives it another life and prevents more trees from being cut down. I think the wood also adds to the nature and outdoor feeling. If the wood is still in healthy condition it can be reused if this build was ever deconstructed. The materials that would be left over would be the cut outs for the windows and entrances and the one wall of the container. These could be donated to someone looking for scrap metal or they could be reused in another project as roofing.
9. Noisiness of Metal
10. Formation of question: What is a way to decrease or eliminate the noisiness of the metal when standing or moving on it?
11. Steps to solving:
12. Knowing when you insulate or cushion something it is quieter
13. Finding the material (Q1.C)
14. Creating the deck
15. Adding a level on top of the metal as to make it so nothing steps or moves on it directly will decrease how loud it is. The decks will act as a cushion decreasing the noise.
16. Instability of vertical container
17. Formation of question: The height and skinniness of the vertical container could be unstable structurally; what are ways to ensure that it is stable and safe?
18. Steps to solving:
19. Connecting the vertical container
20. Adding structure
21. Based on a bridge strength project I did in middle school, I know that structure is really important for the safety of those using any build. In anticipating structure issues, I decided to attach it to not only the horizontal container, but connecting in on multiple sides towards its middle using the deck. The deck is then supported by three pillars.

Through this I was able to immerse myself in designing with CAD and push myself to problem solve my designs. I was able to flesh out an idea that could be used in my community and many others, especially after experiencing a pandemic when being outdoors was even more vital. Thank you for reading my outdoor classroom idea instructable!