Final Project Presentation

Final Project Video

Inspiration from related projects

The initial inspiration comes from interactive and kinetic wall systems shared on visual platforms such as Pinterest, where responsive surfaces react to movement, pressure, or proximity. These references demonstrate how modular systems, flexible materials, and simple mechanical principles can create dynamic and sensory spatial effects.

Conceptually, the project relates to the playful approach of Aldo van Eyck, who integrated play into children’s spatial environments, and to the atmospheric and emotional architecture of Peter Zumthor, who emphasizes sensory experience and emotional perception in space.

It also connects to experimental interactive environments developed at the MIT Media Lab, where technology and space merge to create responsive systems.

The conceptual starting point draws inspiration from classic games such as Tic-tac-toe (3 in a row), memory games, and other activities based on moving and arranging pieces. These games encourage concentration, pattern recognition, strategic thinking, and playful interaction.

By combining elements of memory, movement, and physical engagement, the project explores how these familiar forms of play can be translated into an interactive architectural experience. The goal is not to replicate a specific game, but to use their underlying principles to create opportunities for exploration, learning, and social interaction within educational environments.

Design proces

The core concept originates from traditional games based on movement, memory, and interaction, exploring how playful activities can be transformed into a spatial and architectural experience.

First stage: Direct interaction between two visible players in front of a shared surface, where the focus is on play, communication, and participation.

Second stage: Transition into a vertical system, where gravity and spatial orientation influence how elements move, creating a more dynamic and physical interaction.

Third stage: The wall becomes a separating element between children. Players are no longer visible to one another, creating anonymous interactions that encourage curiosity, exploration, and indirect communication.

Fourth stage: Architecture evolves from a passive backdrop into an active component of the experience. The wall is no longer just a boundary; it becomes an actor within the game, influencing how users interact, move, and engage with the space.

Fifth stage: Architecture becomes an interactive interface capable of communicating through physical contact and emotional engagement. Touch, movement, and sensory feedback create a dialogue between users and the built environment, transforming architecture into a medium for connection, play, and emotional experience.

This shift is fundamental. Anonymity reduces social exposure and pressure, allowing children to interact more freely. Instead of competing with a specific person, the user engages with the architecture itself. The wall responds physically — it compresses, deforms, or allows partial perforation through touch. Technically, it may integrate mechanical systems, pneumatic logic, or sensor-based electronics developed through digital fabrication processes in Fab Academy.

Project Goals

The project aims to explore how architecture can become an interactive medium that promotes emotional well-being, learning, and social connection through play.

Curiosity and exploration

Physical movement and active participation

Memory and cognitive stimulation

Play-based learning

Social interaction

Emotional comfort and well-being

Reduced social anxiety

Through touch, movement, and interaction, the project investigates how architecture can support children's development while creating engaging and emotionally supportive educational environments.

Moodboard and References

The project draws inspiration from interactive architecture, sensory environments, playground design, climbing structures, educational installations, and projects that encourage movement, exploration, and social engagement.

Connecting the Project with Fab Academy

One of the main objectives of the final project was to integrate the knowledge, skills, and technologies developed throughout Fab Academy into a single functional system.

Architecture for Emotions combines digital fabrication, electronics, programming, interface design, networking, and rapid prototyping. Each subsystem of the project was developed using techniques and workflows explored during different weekly assignments, demonstrating how the Fab Academy curriculum can be applied to solve a real design challenge.

The following diagram illustrates how the final project connects with the different Fab Academy topics and learning outcomes.

Main Project Components

To simplify the development process, the project was divided into four major components that were designed, fabricated, and later integrated into the final system.

01 Wall Structure

The development of the wall structure began with the digital design phase. Initially, the geometry was intended to be drafted in AutoCAD; however, as the project evolved, Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino) became the main design platform due to its flexibility for both two-dimensional drafting and three-dimensional modeling.

Using Rhino allowed the wall geometry, panel divisions, climbing hold locations, and assembly details to be developed within a single environment. The software made it possible to rapidly test proportions, modify panel layouts, and visualize the overall composition of the climbing wall before fabrication.

The design was generated using Rhino's modeling tools, including polylines, curves, offset operations, trimming, surface generation, and parametric adjustments. These tools enabled the creation of a geometric pattern that simultaneously serves as the visual identity of the wall and as a framework for the placement of climbing holds.

3D Modeling and System Simulation

Once the panel geometry was defined, the complete wall was assembled digitally inside Rhino. This stage made it possible to evaluate dimensions, component distribution, climbing hold positions, and the overall visual appearance of the project.

Working within a single 3D modeling environment simplified decision-making and reduced potential fabrication errors. The digital model also helped visualize how the different modules would connect and how the final installation would appear when assembled.

The simulation phase was especially useful for validating the placement of the climbing holds, checking panel proportions, and understanding how users would interact with the wall. It also allowed several design iterations to be evaluated before moving to fabrication.

Preparation for CNC Fabrication

The fabrication of the wall structure was developed as part of the Computer-Controlled Machining week using a ShopBot CNC router. During the early design stages, the wall was conceived as a series of modular panels. However, after evaluating the assembly process and structural requirements, it was decided to manufacture the wall as a single CNC-machined panel, simplifying fabrication and reducing assembly time.

Once the geometry was validated in Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino), the design was prepared for machining and exported as production-ready files. Special attention was given to material dimensions, machining constraints, fastening locations, and the positioning of the climbing holds.

The wall was fabricated from 18 mm plywood, providing the structural strength required to support the climbing holds and user interaction. A 6 mm end mill was selected for all machining operations, allowing both cutting and engraving processes to be performed efficiently.

The decorative pattern engraved on the surface was machined with a 4 mm engraving depth, creating the visual identity of the project while maintaining the structural integrity of the panel.

In addition to the engraved pattern, the CNC process generated the mounting holes required for the climbing holds. Each hold is attached using a 7 mm bolt; therefore, the corresponding holes were machined with a 7 mm diameter to ensure accurate alignment and a secure fit.

Before machining, the complete toolpath strategy was verified, including cutting operations, engraving operations, and material optimization. This preparation ensured accurate manufacturing while minimizing material waste and reducing the need for adjustments during assembly.

The complete digital fabrication workflow—from design in Rhino, through 3D simulation, and finally CNC machining on the ShopBot—allowed the wall structure to move seamlessly from concept to physical production.

Interactive Holds

The climbing holds were digitally modeled in Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino). Special attention was given to ergonomics, ensuring that the shapes and dimensions were appropriate for children between 4 and 8 years old.

Each hold was designed with approximate dimensions of 70 mm wide, 100 mm high, and a maximum thickness of 35 mm. These dimensions provide a comfortable grip while maintaining a safe and playful interaction.

The hold was divided into two separate parts to facilitate the integration of the electronic components. The internal cavity houses both the push button, which detects user interaction, and the LED lighting system, which provides visual feedback during gameplay.

A central 7.5 mm hole was incorporated into the design to accommodate the mounting bolt used to secure each hold to the wall structure. The internal geometry also includes channels and spaces for routing cables between the LEDs and the push button.

Prototype Fabrication

The initial fabrication strategy was based on resin 3D printing, explored during Week 16 – Wildcard Week. Resin printing offered excellent surface quality and transparency, making it ideal for diffusing the LED light inside each climbing hold.

However, after evaluating production costs, fabrication time, and the number of holds required for the final installation, a different manufacturing approach was selected.

The final holds were produced using transparent filament 3D printing. This solution reduced costs, accelerated production, and allowed multiple iterations to be fabricated within the available project timeline.

To improve durability and withstand continuous use, the printed parts were manufactured with approximately 50% infill. This increased the mechanical strength of the holds while maintaining sufficient transparency for the integrated lighting system.

The final result combines digital design, electronic integration, and additive manufacturing into a single component capable of providing both physical interaction and visual feedback within the climbing wall.

Electronics

The electronic system is built around an ESP32 microcontroller, which acts as the brain of the project. The ESP32 was selected because it provides wireless communication capabilities, fast processing, and enough computational power to manage the interactive functions of the wall.

The project includes 16 interactive climbing holds, each equipped with touch detection and integrated lighting. Since the number of available input and output pins on the ESP32 is limited, additional circuitry was required to handle all the signals efficiently.

To solve this challenge, the system incorporates two multiplexers. These components allow multiple signals to be managed using a reduced number of microcontroller pins, making it possible to monitor all climbing holds while keeping the electronic architecture simple and scalable.

In addition, the design includes two ULN2803A driver ICs. These integrated circuits amplify and distribute the signals coming from the multiplexers, ensuring reliable operation across all interactive elements of the wall.

The photographs shown above correspond to the prototype stage on a breadboard. This setup was used to validate the complete electronic architecture before manufacturing the final boards. During this phase, the ESP32, multiplexers, LEDs, push buttons, and power distribution system were tested to ensure that all components communicated correctly.

Once the electronic system was fully validated, the circuits were transferred to custom PCB designs. The main control board was then fabricated using a CNC PCB milling machine, allowing precise production of the electrical traces. After machining, all electronic components were soldered and tested individually before integration into the wall.

Communication & App

The final component of the project is a custom control application developed to manage the interactive climbing wall. The application allows teachers, therapists, or facilitators to create and control different activities directly from a computer.

The interface was programmed using Python, providing a flexible and customizable environment for communication between the user and the wall. This approach allowed rapid development while maintaining the possibility of future updates and new game modes.

The application displays a digital representation of the climbing wall, where each hold can be individually identified and controlled. This visualization makes it possible to select specific holds and create custom sequences adapted to different learning activities.

Once a sequence is selected, the information is sent to the ESP32 microcontroller, which activates the corresponding LEDs on the wall. The child must then observe the illuminated pattern, memorize the sequence, and reproduce it by pressing the correct climbing holds.

The interface also includes calibration tools that allow the position of each hold to be adjusted digitally. This feature was particularly useful during system testing, ensuring that the virtual representation matched the physical installation accurately.

Communication between the application and the electronic system takes place in real time, allowing immediate feedback during gameplay and simplifying the configuration process.

System Integration

The application acts as the bridge between the user and the physical installation. It connects the digital interface, the communication network, the ESP32 controller, the electronic boards, and the illuminated climbing holds into a single integrated system.

By combining Python programming, network communication, embedded electronics, and interactive architecture, the project transforms a conventional climbing wall into an intelligent environment capable of supporting memory, movement, learning, and emotional engagement.

Communication & App

Fab Academy Learning: The communication system was developed using the knowledge acquired during Week 14 – Networking and Communications and Week 15 – Interface and Application Programming.

To control the interactive climbing wall, a custom web application was developed using Python. The application acts as the main interface between the user and the physical installation, allowing routes, activities, and game sequences to be configured in real time.

The system was developed using a local Python server, which provides a web-based interface accessible from a computer, tablet, or mobile device through a web browser. This approach eliminates the need for dedicated software installation and simplifies future updates.

The first interface, called Control Panel, allows the user to manage the wall and create climbing routes. Through this panel, individual climbing holds can be selected manually, generating custom routes adapted to different learning activities and difficulty levels. The interface also includes predefined route options such as Easy, Medium, and Difficult, enabling rapid activity setup.

Additionally, a calibration mode was implemented to adjust the digital position of each climbing hold. This tool was particularly useful during the integration process, ensuring that the virtual representation accurately matched the physical installation.

The second interface displays a digital representation of the climbing wall. Each climbing hold is positioned according to its real location on the wall, creating a visual twin of the physical system. Whenever a route is selected from the control panel, the wall visualization updates automatically, allowing the operator to verify the selected sequence before sending it to the hardware.

Communication between both interfaces is handled through a local API developed in Python. When a route is created, the selected hold numbers are transmitted to the ESP32 microcontroller. The ESP32 then activates the corresponding LEDs installed inside the climbing holds.

During gameplay, children must identify the illuminated holds, memorize the sequence, and physically interact with the wall by pressing the correct climbing holds. The integrated push-button sensors detect the interaction and send feedback to the electronic control system.

The application serves as the central communication layer of the project, connecting the graphical interface, network communication, embedded electronics, and interactive architectural installation into a single integrated system. By combining Python programming, real-time communication, and digital fabrication technologies, the project transforms a conventional climbing wall into an intelligent educational environment that promotes movement, memory, learning, and emotional engagement.

Project Conclusions

The Interactive Climbing Wall successfully transformed a traditional climbing activity into an intelligent educational environment that combines physical movement, memory training, and digital interaction. The project demonstrated how architecture can become an active participant in the learning process, encouraging children to engage not only with a physical structure but also with a digital interface that allows them to create their own challenges and personalized routes.

User testing produced unexpected but positive results. The wall was originally designed for individual interaction; however, children aged 4 and 7 years old naturally started playing simultaneously, creating collaborative and competitive dynamics that had not been anticipated during the design phase.

The project confirmed that architecture, electronics, programming, and digital fabrication can be combined into a single system capable of promoting learning, movement, social interaction, and emotional engagement.

Challenges & Difficulties

Future Opportunities