Introduction: Designing a Resilient Rainforest Survival Base

Tinkercad Projects »

We have Designed a nice looking (in our opinion) swamp house that accommodates the needs of both humans and the surrounding wildlife!

more information below!

Supplies

Drafting supplies:

  1. Graph paper
  2. Mechanical pencils
  3. Protractor (with flat edge)
  4. Tape measure
  5. (Opt.) Clipboard

3D C.A.D. supplies:

  1. Laptop/PC (with a web browser)
  2. Stable internet connection

Prototype supplies:

  1. 3x Round rods (48 x 1/4 inch)
  2. 1x JB kwikweld "quick set" epoxy
  3. 1x Heavy duty cardboard box
  4. 1x Hacksaw
  5. 4x Gatorade because holy cow its hot outside and that hacksaw is dull


Optional supplies:

  1. Friend :D


Step 1: Initial Ideas

When I come up with ideas such as these, I like to draw out everything that comes to my mind and then choose the one(s) that I like the most. I find this process really helps me visualize different ideas.

I had a couple of initial ideas, but out of all of them, the one that stood out to me the most had to be swamp base design. I really liked the idea of having an all in one space that has all of your needs taken care of without having to leave. I feel this design would be easily set up and taken down, while being resilient enough to withstand the harsh swamp environment.

The design is 3 feet elevated off the ground to accommodate swamp predators, such as tigers

Step 2: Explanation of Ideas

Slanted roof: the roof is slanted so that the water will fall downwards into a water barrel.

Plants: These plants are optional food for when the people want to eat plants instead of fish

Fishing hole: This is to catch fish to eat. in one of the crates there is a stove

Solar panels: I didn't put these in the 3d model because we felt it would make it look too cluttered

Transparent walls: in real life the walls would be painted green. the walls are clear so you can see inside easily

Antennae: this is for communications with the outside world

Step 3: Enter Tinkercad

Go to tinkercad.com and create a new project.

Step 4: Create Bounding Boxes

Make some boxes that are the exact size of your project. This will help you visualize where everything inside your project will go.

I made my bounding boxes out of the "hole" material so that you can see through it, although you could also just change the color to transparent.

Step 5: Add Railings/support Beams

Add support rails and have the tops slant downwards for the roof

We have made this entire project to scale so that 1 inch = 1 foot.

Step 6: Add Walls and Roof

i also added some extra things to the sides. these kind of docks will connect to bridges and will serve as nice little hangout spots

Step 7: Plan Out Interior

the scribble tool is great for this! I've hidden the roof so that we can see the inside.

I love how easy this program is to use!

Step 8: Make the 3d Models

I had my friend do most of these.

He did a great job!

Step 9: Place the Models in the House

This step is pretty self explanatory.

Step 10: Make It Look Nice!

Step 11: Physical Prototype

It rained outside and destroyed our JB weld (it hadn't dried yet) and cardboard before we could test it.

I tried to find a picture of the destroyed prototype but I deleted it already.

:(