STUDIO ARC300: THIRD YEAR DESIGN
University of Kansas, School of Architecture and Urban Design
Nils Gore, Assistant Professor

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Enjoli Dixon

The Box with A Purpose

Cardboard is a material that can be stable and unstable at the same time. It can also vary in thickness. I learned that the stability of the box primarily depends on the thickness of the cardboard. When I received this project I could not help but think; “I don’t want to build a box out of cardboard, how boring.” After a few brainstorming sessions I realized that I wanted to make the ideal box, a box that any person could pack, hide, or store their most important possessions. I also wanted to develop a box that was easy to carry and compact with interchangeable compartments.

This idea came about because this summer I had to build my bedroom set for my new house. When I started to shop for the set I had to find one that was comfortable, compact and easy to move. So I found a set that contains a bed that sits on top of the drawer and closet space (See figure 1). This project drove me to design a box that was similar.

This ideal box would contain spaces that would change according to the size of the item. There is no correct way to duplicate this box. One can create as many compartments and an entry just as long as it is suitable for storing and protecting the items the box contains. One can start with just dividing the box in half, then into four spaces (See figure 2). From there, you also have to decide where to open and close the box and the size of the items. You also have to have to figure out if you want doors or compartments to slide out like drawers (See figure 3). All of these things need to be taken into consideration while constructing your box.

I learned that pieces must be measures and cut precisely. Also it is easier to sketch or draw the design first and make a small study model. Good luck and have fun building your ideal box, but remember these simple goals:
1. Make sure pieces are measured and cut accurately
2. Make sure the box is compact
3. Make sure it is easy to transport
4. Make sure it had adjustable compartments