The Jigsaw Design Challenge

This article highlights an innovative take on the jigsaw format, an inclusive and cooperative active learning strategy, implemented in an upper-level engineering elective course. After students complete the usual two steps of the jigsaw method—first gaining mastery in “expert groups” and then collaboratively teaching their peers in “jigsaw groups”—they then complete a third step in their jigsaw groups, in which they work together on an authentic design problem, offering a practical take on applying course content. This activity was implemented in three courses offered both in person and remotely (online only). We share how this innovation can promote learning, problem-solving, perspective sharing, and teamwork in contexts with students from different backgrounds and levels of experience.

Developing a morphomics framework to optimize implant site-specific design parameters for islet macroencapsulation devices

Delivering a clinically impactful cell number is a major design challenge for cell macroencapsulation devices for Type 1 diabetes. It is important to understand the transplant site anatomy to design a device that is practical and that can achieve a sufficient cell dose. We identify the posterior rectus sheath plane as a potential implant site as it is easily accessible, can facilitate longitudinal monitoring of transplants, and can provide nutritive support for cell survival. We have investigated this space using morphomics across a representative patient cohort (642 participants) and have analysed the data in terms of gender, age and BMI. We used a shape optimization process to maximize the volume and identified that elliptical devices achieve a clinically impactful cell dose while meeting device manufacture and delivery requirements. This morphomics framework has the potential to significantly influence the design of future macroencapsulation devices to better suit the needs of patients.

Interconnections: An Analysis of Disassemblable Building Connection Systems towards a Circular Economy

This study investigates the interconnection methods used to create a circular economy building featuring modularity and designed for disassembly and relocation. Designing modular buildings for disassembly and reuse can decrease waste production and material depletion, in line with the circular economy framework. Disassemblable buildings require connections to be easily accessible. Visible connections may be unpopular features; however, concealing these, yet leaving these accessible, presents a substantial design challenge. This study demonstrates solutions to this challenge by analyzing a purposely designed case study: the Legacy Living Lab. The challenges of disguising and sealing, such as by waterproofing, two types of connections are analysed: structural and non-structural. This study details the materials and connections used across the two analyzed connection types and compares the weights and reusability of components. Thus, a necessary case study is provided for practitioners to advance circular economy theory in the building industry. Notably, all connections in the Legacy Living Lab can be easily accessed with standard building tools, facilitating its disassembly and fostering component reusability.

SP2.2.17The leaning tower of pasta: lessons in team performance and creativity from a core surgical training boot camp design challenge

Aims Unity of effort is an important component of strategic leadership and management theory associated with Core Surgical Training (CST) outcome. The aim was to determine the impact of team diversity on task completion: a creative design challenge, during CST Boot camp. Methods Attendees (n = 44) at a single Statutory Education Body’s CST Boot camp were stratified into teams related to specialty theme, and set a design challenge as described by Peter Skillman, to build the tallest free-standing tower out of spaghetti (20 pieces), tape (1 m), and string (1 m), with a marshmallow on top in 18 minutes. Primary outcome measure was tower height. Results Five teams (50%) completed the task with the tallest tower measuring 70cm (median 51, range 0-70). Median satisfaction with the simulation exercise was 4 (2-5) on a scale of zero to five, with five corresponding with highest satisfaction. Successful task completion was associated with team surgical specialty (p = 0.032), ethnicity ratio (p = 0.010,), and gender ratio (p = 0.003), respectively. On multivariable analysis, only team gender ratio was independently associated with tower height (HR 0.515, 95% CI 0.350 - 0.759, p = 0.001). Conclusion Modern leadership theory emphasises the important dynamic relationship between individual team members, the team, and task completion. General surgery themed teams with a gender mix were most successful in completing the design challenge; whether relative simulation performance predicts strategic organisational skill and career progression will be the next question.

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY ON DESIGN PROCESS IN ARCHITECTURE: PERSPECTIVE OF CREATIVITY

Any design challenge could be solved by identifying systemic complexity in the issue before following any problem-solving process. Designers approach problems in different forms but historically worked effectively to build a template or phase sequence. The design process can be used by designers virtually in any project which plays a crucial role in designing innovative architectural projects for many architects. Many studies were conducted to analyze, review, compare and recommend several creative approaches to problem management that allow designers to recognize their work and propose new solutions. However, there are not many studies on the stages to follow to undergo a comprehensive design process in architecture. This study aims to review the various stages involved in the design process. Firstly, it addresses the conceptualization phase of design critically examining the creativity and ideation process with creative and strategic thinking. Secondly, it discusses the representation of the design process expressing through storyboards and animatic, computer-aided design and building information modeling, and virtual reality and augmented environments. Thirdly, it discusses design assessment stage where the techniques for assessment of creativity in design and simulation for analyzing users’ perspective is explained. In the conclusions of the paper, a discussion has been made on an inter-relationship between the various stages in the design process and its relevance for a comprehensive understanding of the architectural integrative design process to address any design challenge both as a studio project for architecture students or in live projects by the practicing architects.