Rethinking Our Design Through Physical Experimentation

The team’s star fort-inspired design, initially bold and complex on paper, was refined through full-scale prototyping, which revealed opportunities to simplify the form, enhance spatial clarity, and embrace making as a vital part of their design process.

By Matt Dougan [Designer]

Our recent design, inspired by the geometry of a star fort, pushed us to think boldly and ambitiously. On paper and in digital models, the form was striking, defined by sharp angles, layered panels, and a strong sense of symmetry. But it wasn’t until we built a full-scale prototype that we truly understood how the design worked in physical space.

This hands-on process revealed something we hadn’t anticipated.The number of panels we originally designed wasn’t necessary. The form, while conceptually powerful, became overly complex in execution. Once we stood within the structure, we saw how certain elements could be reduced or refined without compromising the overall impact. In fact, simplifying the paneling made the geometry clearer and the spatial experience more coherent.

Making at scale allowed us to assess the design’s rhythm, proportions, and interaction with light in real time. It also forced us to confront practical considerations such as how the panels connect, how people move around the form, and how the material behaves at full size.

This experience has fundamentally reshaped our process. Rather than relying solely on drawings and renders, we now see full scale prototyping as a critical design tool. It’s where assumptions are tested, ideas evolve, and better solutions emerge.

The star fort may have started on paper, but it came to life within our studio and found its clarity within our team.