WELCOME TO BLOCK-BY-BLOCK CONSTRUCTION!

You will be playing with blocks in this session!

OBJECTIVES: BUILDING BLOCK-BY-BLOCK

• Stage 1: Build a digital block structure simulating building with concrete masonry units in a computer lab.
• Build two complete walls
• Build one partial wall
• Create window and door openings
• Stage 2: In the construction lab build a block structure that has other colors you can freely play with to create patterns.

REAL & DIGITAL

• The images below first show a real-world construction application, followed by a digital model you will create in SketchUp that you can later use to build a Lego-style structure, experimenting with patterns in the construction lab.

PLAYING WITH DIGITAL TOOLS

• Below are six SketchUp tools you will use to build your project.

1. Select: The selection tool allows you to activate the item to change or move.
2. Move: After you have selected a block with the selected tool, the move tool allows you to move it into space. (hint: click a bottom corner and the block and snap it into the place on the structure)
3. Orbit: Clicking on orbit allows you to navigate three-dimensional space.
4. Pan: The tool is also considered a hand tool to grab the screen and move it in multiple directions
5. Zoom: Click and push the left mouse button and move the mouse forward and backward to zoom in or out. You can also use the center scroll wheel.
6. Zoom Extends: Only needed when you get lost in the model.

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BUILDING BLOCK-BY-BLOCK IN SKETCHUP

• Key points to building the model
1. End blocks 2x2 end a wall or openings smoothly since most models are 2x4 blocks. In the example, the door uses six end blocks, and the window uses four end blocks, while the wall on the right side of the model terminates with five end blocks.
2. Openings like doors and windows need a bond beam or header. In this case, one 2x8 block is used per opening for a total of two blocks per model.
3. Corners need overlapping blocks to create a solid structure.

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BLOCK CONSTRUCTION EXAMPLE

Block Positioning

• To build with blocks in SketchUp
• With the selection tool, select a block to move.
• Click on the move tool, then click a point on the block that is a straight line to where you want to place it.
• Drag the block into position.
• Click the select tool, then click a blank area to deselect, then move to next block to place.

Move Block in Place

Pick a Block Corner

START BUILDING!

QUESTIONS AND NEXT STEPS

• You will have approximately 40 minutes to construct as much of the model as possible. Most of you will be set up in groups two so we will have a switch approximately 20 minutes in so everyone gets a chance to play with the digital blocks.
• If you do not finish the digital model that is okay, it is supposed to be fun and stress-free play.
• After this digital building activity we will head down the hall to the construction lab which you will build a similar structure with Lego-style blocks.
• Following a similar form of creating the digital block wall, now you will use patterns of color and imagination!
• If you have any questions during any of these activities we have members of Eastern Constructors here as well as myself that can assist you will any questions!

QUESTIONS

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LAST STEP

You Built a Digital Model

Now Build with Blocks and Patterns

THANKS FOR VISITING EMU!

Want to play more?

• The first QR code will first take you to a link that will allow you to download this PowerPoint, a short video of the process, the start and finish SketchUp files, plus a link to a free SketchUp Pro trial, and SketchUp Free.
• The second QR code will take you to the home page of our student organization Eastern Constructors.

Eastern Constructors

Block-by-Block Construction