Bird house project

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Brief:

Ireland has a very rich variety of bird species visit here throughout the year. Many tourists come from other countries to Ireland especially to go bird watching.

Design and make a bird house to be set up in ones garden to attract the variety of birds Ireland plays host to. The bird house should be pleasing to the eye and offer easily accessible food for the birds. The house should also be designed to withstand the harsh Irish weather.

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Research and investigation:

This section explores some of the main elements of the design process involved in solving a brief, and producing an artefact. The chart across outlines the design process sequence followed (some additional elements are required).

You can view the design process for this project by clicking on either the powerpoint or PDF version below.

View PDF version

Download powerpoint version

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Sample solution:

Project outline:

This project is based on a basic house design. The two sides have a peak creating an angle of 90 degrees that supports the roof, which is joined to the sides using panel pins. The base, front and back are pinned to the sides also. The internal divisions in this solution have been housed into the front and back and joined together by a cross halving joint.

Duration:

This project should take approximately 4 double lessons depending on the ability level of the group, situation and the resources available.

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Pupil's individual design input:

Within the framework of the sample solution shown above there is good scope for individual design input in relation to the artefact. The sides of the house could be designed in a more decorative manner by the pupils. Certain additions could also be made to the design such as a perch (example shown below). Also the method of dividing the internal section could be designed by the pupils in terms of number of divisions and joints used, the image on the right below shows a method where three division where created using two dividers housed into the front and back pieces.