Project RiseHome: Turning Survival Into Stability

Hello! My name is Yash Patil, and I am a rising sophomore at Ardrey Kell High School. Since middle school, I have always had an interest in design, whether it be dabbling into TinkerCad or designing robots in FTC (First Tech Challenge). I instinctively knew that this competition would be my chance to demonstrate everything that I have learned about design and hopefully learn even more! After over 9 years of taking long drives to and back from my K-8 school near downtown charlotte, I have seen a countless number of homeless people on the road and have been intending to somehow aid in their lives. I am glad that I could finally find a platform related to explore this interest, and I thrilled to present what I have been working on to open it up to diverse perspectives. There is a Table of Contents below for easier navigation through steps.

Table of Contents

Research:

Step 1) Inspiration

Step 2) The Problem

Step 3) Research

Step 4) The Solution

Step 5) Selecting a Site and Analyzing Surroundings

Drawing:

Step 6) Sketching

Computer Aided Design:

Step 7) Educational License

Step 8) Selecting Software

Step 9) Downloading & Troubleshooting

Step 10) Adding Floors

Step 11) Inserting Reference Image

Step 12) Adding Walls

Step 13) Resizing & Scaling

Step 14) Interior Walls

Step 15) Importing Files & Autodesk Models

Step 16) Adding Doors

Step 17) Adding Vertical Circulation

Step 18) Adding Windows

Step 19) Adding Ground Floor

Step 20) Furnishing

Step 21) Changing Floor Textures

Step 22) Duplicating Floors

Step 23) Creating Holes

Step 24) Adding the Roof

Step 25) Adding Solar Panels

Step 26) Materials

Step 27) Final Building Renders

Step 28) Modular Unit

Step 29) Final Unit Renders

Step 30) Importing to Fusion

Step 31) Scaling

Step 32) Combining

Step 33) Exporting From Fusion

Step 34) Slicing

Creating a Physical Model:

Step 35) 3D Printing

Step 36) Finished Prints

Step 37) Painting

Step 38) Gloss Finish

Step 39) Building Furniture

Step 40) Assembling Base

Step 41) Adding Furniture

Step 42) Adding Carpet

Step 43) Adding Curtain

Step 44) Adding Wheels

Step 45) Photography

Step 46) Final Result

Conclusion:

Step 47) Reflection

Step 48) Acknowledgements

Software:

Autodesk Revit (student license) - For designing and rendering

Autodesk Viewer (free) - To upload models for viewing

Autodesk Fusion (student license) - For 3D printing parts

FlashPrint 5 (free) - For file slicing

Photopea (free) - For photo editing

Davinci Resolve (free version) - For video editing

Tools:

3D printer (Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite)

Gorilla superglue pen

Sanding block

Mod Podge gloss spray

Threading needle

Cannon DS 126231 camera

Materials:

White PLA 1.75mm filament (1kg)

Black PLA 1.75mm filament (1kg)

Tan PLA 1.75mm filament (1kg)

Clear PLA 1.75mm filament (1kg)

Red cloth

Clear Amazon packing plastic

White string

4x LEGO wheels

Growing up in Charlotte, I have seen the harsh reality of homelessness in the downtown area. While sitting in the car and being driven to my middle school, I would always encounter at least one family holding up a cardboard sign pleading for help or a tent set up in the median strip of the highway. Even as a kid I had the urge to help in any way possible; asking my parents if I could give any spare change in their wallets to those who needed it.

As I have grown up and gotten older I have developed an interest in design and construction. I feel like architecture can contribute to solving social problems such as homelessness. I have always thought "what if housing didn't just solve shelter, but created opportunity". This is the statement that drives this project.

The image above is a picture of “Tent City” in Charlotte. It is an area of Charlotte where the homeless put up hundreds of tents to live. My project aims to solve/reduce phenomenons such as this.

I hope that with this project I can propose a design that will truly aid the homeless and connect them to resources which can break the dreadful cycle. I truly aspire that this project will positively impact a place which I really care about - Charlotte.

Image Source: Tent City

There are too many news reports of increasing homelessness and forced relocation. It is too common to see people sleeping on the corner of every street. Because of events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Atlanta is already trying to rehouse as many homeless as possible. However, there should be a long-term approach to ensuring that everyone is housed.

Homelessness indirectly and directly causes numerous issues for the homeless and for others. One of these issues is safety; homeless are subject to increased violence, and areas with many homeless individuals have reported increased crime rates. The homelessness issue does not only negatively affect the homeless themselves. People in the surrounding area also suffer higher rates of poverty and income inequality. Areas with higher median housing costs correspondently have higher rates of homelessness.

Homelessness is also associated with considerably higher mortality compared to the general population. This is due to a variety of factors such as lack of healthcare access, mental health issues, exposure to extreme conditions, and absence of hygiene facilities. There is an estimated 20-30 year difference in life expectancy from a homeless individual to a housed one. From a moral standpoint, this is absolutely unacceptable. No one should have a shorter life only due to their mental and financial situation.

Image Source: Vox

Homelessness is a worsening humanitarian and public health crisis. In January 2024 a record 770,000 people experienced homelessness in one month. That is an 18% increase since 2023 (the largest recorded annual raise ever). Approximately 150,000 children were homeless in 2024 which is a 33% jump. Family homelessness surged even more (40%) during the same period. Chronic homelessness (federally defined by the U.S. HUD as individuals with a disabling condition who have experienced homelessness for 12 months out of the last 3 years, Federal Definition Source: HUDExchange) has also increased, affecting 152,000 people nationwide in 2024. This spike is primarily due to the end of pandemic-era assistance, increasing rents, and a shortage of low income housing.

Mecklenburg County (a part of Charlotte) has recorded a record amount of 2,415 people experiencing homelessness on April 30th, 2025. 147 of these individuals are unaccompanied youth and 164 are veterans. The rise of homelessness can be noticed all across the country; it is concerning that even my home city is suffering due to this epidemic.

There is racial inequality in homelessness. Black residents are disproportionately impacted by homelessness in Charlotte, making up approximately 80% of the unhoused population despite representing only 34% of the overall community. This is due to longstanding systemic inequalities, such as historic housing discrimination. The persistence of racial inequality in housing reflects structural issues, not individual choices. This highlights the need for equity driven housing solutions.

Preexisting homeless shelters have selective access and long waitlists, which cause people to have to live on the streets some days. They also often have unregulated and substandard conditions, leading to the homelessness issue not yet being solved and even worsening.

Graph Sources: USAFacts, MecklenburgHousingData, MecklenburgHousingData

Research Source: MecklenburgHousingData

After doing some research on types of housing concepts, I came across the topic of modular units. However, instead of creating a house as an individual modular unit, I decided to create an apartment complex which will contain many units as well as housing and basic amenities for its inhabitants.

1. This allows for each inhabitant will have one unit to live in, the rest of the amenities remain for the use of all residents of that specific floor. This will highly cut the costs as the only thing belonging to the individuals themselves are their specific units (instead of building each house with a bathroom, shower, and kitchen for only one or a few people to use).
2. Each floor will house 4 bathrooms (all gender) as well as 2 showers. These sanitary utilities will be of use to all the residents of that specific floor. This public utility model will aid in reducing construction costs by reducing the number of bathrooms and showers needed to be built.
3. The complex allows any race or ethnicity shelter, highlighting the equity based approach.

The actual “homes” themselves will be units which can be moved based on whom the residents are. For example, if a family is staying together, they can move two units together and stay in proximity. There are 2 variations of the units. One will contain a larger bed and a large cabinet (meant for one individual). The other will contain 2 smaller stacked beds (bunk bed) as well as 2 smaller cabinets (meant for two children). This unit based model allows for additional flexibility for residents and their families.

This shared utility system allows for an elevated sense of community for those living in the same facility. By making people interact organically with each other, trust is built between people, which can even form friendships. This design also reduces isolation and creates more of a welcoming and low-pressure environment to connect with others, which would be especially helpful for homeless people who might not have had much interaction on the street. Inhabitants can mutually support each other with daily tasks (or sharing resources or offering emotional support) which can alleviate stress and improve well-being. This system also promotes shared responsibility, as people will feel the need to maintain and respect the co-used spaces. Residents can swap skills (such as cooking tips or job-search help) leading to improved knowledge of everyone in the building. Events can be hosted easily when there is a designated area for joint-use.

During my research, I also came across Swedish rehabilitation facilities. The Swedish approach is to create a more humane environment and provide opportunities for personal development. My design is inspired by this and will feature a home like environment to feel more relaxed and laid back to inhabitants. It will also include mobile partitions which can be placed by individuals to satisfy their level of privacy. This layout builds a culture of belonging, where residents don't just live in the same building, but are part of a shared community.

Image Source: Guerdon

Research Source: HorizonSun

To find a potential site, I scouted on Google Earth for areas in the heat of downtown Charlotte that had flat ground and access to public utilities. I didn't only choose Charlotte because it is my hometown, I chose it because I have lived here all my life and I know that it struggles with the issue of homelessness (which can be noticed in statistics as well). I found the idea building location at 1803 W Trade Street, situated in the city’s Historic West End. I picked this location for its unmatched proximity to important resources and its potential to support residents transitioning out of chronic homelessness. The site is also located in an area with many homeless individuals, so getting residents won’t be an issue. The site is located directly along the CityLYNX Gold Line, offering reliable transit access to uptown jobs, healthcare, and services. It is also across the street from Johnson C. Smith University, an HBCU (Historically Black College or University) that represents educational and community partnership opportunities (College Link: JCSU).

The surrounding area has key services that meet day-to-day needs: pharmacies, grocery options, childcare centers, and many healthcare providers. Just a short walk from the site is the Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center, which offers fitness programs and community activities that promote socializing. Additionally, there are religious buildings (Ex. churches) and restaurants within walking distance from the site which makes this area a natural fit for enhancing community engagement, employment opportunities, and a sense of belonging.

I created an annotated map using Photopea to show the building site in context, highlighting its connections to transportation, education, recreation, and services. The map underlines why 1803 W Trade Street is a strategic location to serve individuals experiencing long-term (chronic) homelessness. I also rendered a video using Davinci Resolve displaying the building site I proposed.

Charlotte’s weather is usually pretty mild, but it can change a lot depending on the season. Summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often in the 80s or 90s, which can feel even hotter with the humidity. Winters are cooler, but not too cold, with temperatures mostly in the 40s or 50s. It doesn't snow a lot, but sometimes we get a light dusting. Spring and fall are the nicest, with comfortable temperatures and not too much rain. Overall, Charlotte has a mix of weather that gives you a bit of everything throughout the year. This is good because the building design doesn't have to be resistant to extreme weather conditions.

Map Location Link: Google Earth

Graph Source: rssweather

Now that we researched enough and properly developed a solution in our head, pick up a pencil and paper to start sketching your idea into a design. I find it simpler to put my ideas on paper and then CAD to streamline the design process. I used graphing paper as well as a ruler to make my image more clean and neat. I hadn't drawn using the 3D perspective technique since middle school art class, so I had to look at some YouTube tutorials. I made three sketches, each of a different aspect of the building.

1) Overall building exterior

2) Floor plan

3) Individual unit

Now that we have sketched what we essentially want to make, we can get started with CAD (computer aided design). Autodesk has a good deal of different software, but I chose to use Revit as I was recommended to use it by a proficient user through Discord. He said that it can be used to make detailed floor plans. I was previously familiar with AutoCAD, but I thought trying something new would be a challenge which would push me to learn more. I tried to use Revit on my laptop, but it was extremely choppy and was practically unusable. To troubleshoot this, I simply used my desktop pc.

First we have to sign in. Sign In Link: SignIn. If you don't already have an account, click Create account and enter your information. Once you are signed in you can either buy the application you want or if you are a student you can get it free of charge. Autodesk offers a free student subscription which can be used by anyone at least the age of 13 who is associated with a qualified educational institution.

Now that you are signed in, you just have to verify and download. First, we have to select which product/software we want to install. In my case, this would be Revit. Product Link: AllProducts. For the following steps, images will be provided at the top of the step for visual clarification. Click the black “Select” button under the software that you want to install.

Next, click the black “Select” button under the Student section if you are a student. Now you should be in verification page. Enter the information that is asked of you so that you can be given educational verification. You may run into issues with the last step (Step: 4 - Educational verification). I had to upload my document verification multiple times to be granted verification. If you run into any issues, I highly recommend that you speak to Autodesk support. First go to the Autodesk home page. Home Page Link: Home. On the bottom right there should be a black speech bubble - click on it. You can type your issue and then click connect with an agent. The customer support agents are extremely helpful and will have your issue resolved swiftly. Once you apply, it will take up to 24 hours to get verified.

Now that you are verified, you can finally download Revit or whichever software you want to use. Simply click download on whichever version of the software you want. It took me about 20 minutes to install.

I used Default.rte for my template to make the designing process tailored to building design. Visuals for the following steps will be provided above.

Since my design has 3 floors + a roof, I would need 4 levels. After you open your design, click on the architecture tab at the top left of the screen. Then click on level at the upper middle of the screen. You can add floors as you wish with the spacing that you desire. My floors are spaced 10' apart.

Go back to the floor plan view by clicking Level 1 on the left side of the screen. Select the “Insert” tab at the top of the screen and click import image if you have a reference image for the walls. I used Google Earth to make reference lines at my buildings' location that I will now use to trace over in Revit.

Now all we have to do is trace over the image. Select “Architecture” on the top left of the screen and click “Wall”. Now you can simply draw over the outside of the image. Select a starting point and click, then click in another area to draw a wall between those two points. If you want different shapes, you can use the selection tray. I used “Start-End-Radius Arc” to create the circular portion of the building.

Since I just traced over a satellite image from Google Maps, the measurements are messed up. Because we traced the proportions of each wall are the same, so if we find the correct ratio of one wall's size to the correct size we can just scale the whole thing by that amount. You can check the length of a wall by clicking on the specific wall you want to measure and looking at the “Properties” tab on the left tab and checking the number stated to the right of “Length”. To find out what the correct measurement is, you can simply place two points on Google Maps and measure the distance between them. After finding these two numbers, we can compute the scale factor correctly. I wasn't expecting to have to use a calculator, but here we are. My current wall value is 63.9270833 ft, but I want it to be 96.59 ft. I used Desmos graphing calculator to work it out (Desmos Link: Desmos). The process is explained in the screenshot above. Once you figure out the scale factor, you are ready to put it into Revit. Highlight all the outer walls of the building, then click on “Scale (RE)” at the top of the screen. Select “Numerical” and enter the number you calculated to the right of where it says “Scale”. Click away and the building will change size according to what you entered.

We should have the outline of our building now, so we have to add the interior walls (for example bathroom walls or room walls). First, select the “Architecture” tab at the top left of the screen. Then, click “Wall” right under where you just clicked “Architecture”. On the left side of the screen, you can select the type of wall (I selected Interior - 4 7/8" Partition (1-hr)).

This step is extremely important for future steps. If you want to add furniture or other items which are not standardly available through the Architecture tab, your first option is to check Autodesk's preexisting families. First, make sure you have “Insert” selected at the top left of the screen. Then, click “Load Autodesk Family” and use the left bar to navigate to what you want. If what you want isn't there (for example an elevator) you will have to find a custom model online. I have found that BIM Project is great for finding custom models (Link to BIM: BIMProject); all you have to do is select “Revit” (or whichever software you are using) next to the search bar and search for whatever you need (for example, a custom door). Once you have the file, you just have to select “Insert” and click “Load Family”. Then, locate and insert the file. It should show up in the category which it applies to (for example, a door would show up in the doors section)

Doors are an integral part of buildings, as they allow for easy transportation between areas of the building. To add a door, select the “Architecture” tab at the top left of the screen and click “Door” directly under it. Now you can click on a wall on either side to add a door opening to either direction of the wall. However, I wanted to add large sliding glass doors to the kitchen/lounge to give a more open feel to the area. First I found a model that I wanted (Model Link: BIM) and downloaded the .rfa (Revit) file. Now that you have your file, select the “Insert” tab at the top of the screen and click “Load Family”. Then simply upload the file, and it should show up in the doors section. If you need more context on uploading files or using Autodesk's preexisting models, reference Step: 15.

Stairs

People need a way to get between floors easily so we need stairs. Adding stairs is similar to adding doors. Simply select “Architecture” at the top left of the screen, then click “Stair” at the upper middle section of the screen. You can add many types of stairs such as L shaped or U shaped, but I went with strait as it would be the most efficient for my space.

Elevator

Some disabled individuals cannot climb stairs and my design in meant to be inclusive, so I have to add some way to get up floors accessible to everyone. I chose to use a singular elevator. You can either use Autodesk's standard elevators or download custom ones. I used Autodesk's electric elevator, as it is smoother and lasts longer than hydraulic. To add it, first select “Insert” at the top left of the screen. Then click “Load Autodesk Family”. Search “Elevator” and select the electric or hydraulic one. Click the blue “Load” button on the bottom left of the window to download it. Now that you have it loaded, go back to the “Architecture” tab and click “Component” (elevators show up in the components section). Once you add the elevator, add interior walls around it and add an elevator entrance to the side which it opens toward. If you need more context on uploading files or using Autodesk's preexisting models, reference Step: 15.

Windows are extremely important to give a more home like and natural feel to a building. That is why I chose to incorporate many windows and many varieties of them. To add windows, first select “Architecture” at the top left of the screen and then click “Window” under it. On the left side of the screen, you can change the type of window that you are placing. I used larger windows outside the kitchen/lounge area as it would allow more sunlight into the room (just to make it feel more accessible and open). I added a small window behind each bathroom and shower to have at least some sunlight inside (they would obviously be blurred for privacy). For the rest of the building, I placed double cased windows every 15-6". Some of the windows I used were not readily available and had to be downloaded from Autodesk. Reference Step: 15 for a guide on how to download items from Autodesk.

I should have done this earlier, but it never occurred to me. Adding a floor to your building is extremely straightforward. Just select “Architecture” at the top left of the screen and click “Floor”. Then click the walls (trace around automatically) and click the green check mark when you are done. The floor will be generated inside the boundaries that you set.

A building is nothing without furniture. Furniture adds an aspect of life to a building. To add furniture, I simply used Autodesk's preexisting families. Reference Step: 15 for a guide on how to download items from Autodesk. I added curtains (can be found in the “Wall” section of “Architecture”) outside the bathrooms to provide privacy and separate the toiletry section from the rest of the building. I added toilets inside each bathroom stall and showers inside each shower stall (with seats so they can be accessible for individuals with disabilities). In the middle of the bathroom stalls and showers I added sinks, a mirror, a water fountain, and a washer/dryer. In the reception room/entrance, I added a reception desk with a chair (for a staff member) and some benches in case people have to wait to check in. In the lounge/kitchen area I added coffee tables with chairs next to each window (4) which would help people to converse when sitting nearby. Closer to the kitchen, I added two dining tables (each with 10 chairs) which people can use to eat together or just chat. Under each dining table there is a 11x11" carpet. As for the actual kitchen area itself, it includes 3 stove tops. 3 sinks, 1 oven, 1 fridge, 2 cabinets, and drawers under every appliance. It also features floating cabinets above the whole area for extra storage. I left the rest of the area empty for units.

I wanted to change the entire floor to wood (for a warm, home-like aesthetic), the kitchen area to tiles (for durability and easy cleaning), and the bathroom area to tiles (for easy cleaning and sanitary reasons). First, I outlined the kitchen area using the floor tool. To do that, select the “Architecture” at the top left of the screen and click on the “Floor” tool. Then simply outline your area using the tools provided. After that, click the green check mark at the top of the screen and select that part of the floor. Use the “Properties” window on the left side of the screen to select whichever floor type you want (I used ceramic tile). To make the bathroom area tile, I followed the same method. An important last step for the tile sections is to change the “Height Offset From Level” to 0' 0 1/16" or some small increment (in the “Properties” window to the left of the screen) to give the tiles depth and separate them from the rest of the floor. Now to change the texture of the rest of the floor, first select it (it will glow blue) and then simply change the type in the “Properties” tab. I used wood finish for all the floor other than the kitchen and bathroom areas. Reference Step: 19 if you are having trouble creating the floor.

Since my building is 3 floors tall and all of my floors are mostly identical, I can just copy and paste the floors up and edit them slightly. First, select your whole building so it's all highlighted blue. Then, click “Copy to Clipboard” (looks two stacked papers at the top left of the screen) and click the white arrow under “Paste” (directly to the left of “Copy to Clipboard”). When the options open up, click “Aligned to Selected Levels”. This allows you to select which levels to copy the floor to. In the “Select Levels” window, click on the levels you want to copy to (I only chose Level 2 because I need to make edits to this layer).

Stairs need to go through floors in order to guarantee passage. To fix this, we need to create a hole in the floor to allow the stairs to pass through. First, select the “Architecture” tab at the top left of the screen and click the “Shaft” tool (located in the “Opening” section of the top bar). Draw around the area your stairs are (I used the straight line tool). Then, in the “Properties” window on the left side of the screen, change the “Base Constraint” to whichever level the stairs start on (Level 1 for me) and change the “Top Constraint” to whichever level the stairs end on (Level 2 for me). Click the green check mark at the top of the screen, and it should cut an according hole in the floor.

I copied the second floor to level 3 using the same method used in Step: 22. Adding the roof is extremely simple (similar to adding the floor). First, select the “Architecture” tab at the top left of the screen and then click the “Roof” tool on the top toolbar. Select the perimeter walls of your building and change the “Base Level” in the “Properties” window (on the left of the screen) to the top floor (Level 4 for me) if it isn't already set to it. I want a flat roof so that it will be easier to add solar panels on top. An important step to get a flat roof is to uncheck the “Defines slope” box at the top left of the screen. When you are done making adjustments, click the green check mark to confirm. You may get a popup asking, “Would you like to attach the highlighted walls to the roof?”. I would recommend clicking “Attach” as it will fill in any uneven gaps if you have any.

For buildings such as mine, solar panels can offset 30% to 70% of the electricity bill. I used Autodesk's solar panels, so there is no need for downloading from the internet. To download them, first select “Insert” at the top left of the screen and click “Load Autodesk Family”. In the search bar at the top of the window, search “Solar panel”. Click on “Solar Panel” and click load at the bottom left of the window. To place some, select the “Architecture” tab at the top left of the screen and click the “Component” tool in the toolbar at the top of the screen. Now you can place as many as you want. I chose to cover about half of the building.

To make the construction cost of this building as cheap as possible, I tried to use the least amount of materials I could. I also used home-like colors to reinforce the idea of comfort and safety. I used a lot of brown and white, which are the most common colors in a modern house. I used custom textures for many surfaces, which did not standardly include them. The texturing process was mostly simple and straightforward.

Using Revit's built-in render system, I created realistic visuals of the entire building. For some renders, I isolated the first floor to expose the interior. This was my first time experimenting with rendering, and I am very pleased with the results. I downloaded the entire building as an .STL file. Then I uploaded that file to Autodesk Viewer (Viewer Link: Autodesk Viewer) so that other people can explore the building for themselves.

Using the same steps that I used to make the main building, I made the individual mobile modular unit. It is the perfect size to balance comfort and spatial arrangement. The unit has a modern yet realistic design. It includes a full size bed, a lock secured storage cabinet, floating overhead cabinets, a bean bag chair, a table, a lamp, a wall mounted light, a 24' x 24' window, a carpet, a wooden wall sweep (can be used for storage), and a wood finish floor. It also boasts a full overhead glass roof, and a curtain wall. With this wall layout, the unit balances isolation with a feeling of openness. For the unit to be mobile, it has 9 sets of 2 trolley wheels attached to the bottom of it, which allows for each unit to be repositioned when needed. The benefit of mobility is that extra space that is not being used can always be repurposed. I used an extremely similar pallet of materials and colors with this unit and the entire building so that it doesn't feel excluded from the rest of the building.

After I finished the design for the modular unit, I rendered it the same way I rendered the entire building. If you look closely at the 4th picture, you can see the wheels under the unit. I also exported the unit as an .stl file and imported it in Autodesk Viewer for anyone to explore (Viewer Link: Autodesk Viewer). The last image is a render of an example of how the units can be arranged inside the main building. I also used Revits “Walkthrough” system to render a video orbiting around the unit.

Renders are great for visuals, but a physical model is more practical. I only want to make a physical model of the individual modular unit, since it is an integral part of the concept. So I downloaded the .SAT file of the modular unit design. I downloaded Fusion 360 using the same steps I used to download Revit (Step:7 - Step:9). Once you open Fusion, click “Open” at the top left of the screen and then click “Open from my computer...” at the bottom left of the popup window. It will open file explorer. Now find the .SAT Revit file and double-click on it. Fusion will create a new document with your design.

Since my model is 8 feet tall, and I am not creating a life-sized 3d print, I have to scale down the model. First figure out how large you want your 3d print to be. The scale factor calculations are the same as in Step: 13. When you calculate the factor, select your whole model and type “s” on your keyboard. On the right side of the screen, in the “Scale” window, enter your scale factor to the right of where it says “Scale Factor”. I used a scale factor of 0.063. Then click “OK”. Your model should either shrink or grow depending on your scale factor (mine shrunk).

Some objects might be broken up into many bodies. To merge bodies, click on the “Combine” tool in the top toolbar. Then simply select all the bodies you want to combine by clicking on them and click. When you have them selected, click “OK” at the bottom right of the “Combine” window at the right of the screen. Fusion will merge all of the selected bodies into one singular body.

On the left side of the screen, click “Browser”. It will open the Browser window on the left side of the screen, from there click on any “Body” and right-click. From the new window, click “Save As Mesh”. A new window will open on the right side of the screen. In this window make sure the “Preparation Type” is set to “Export”, the “Format” is set to “STL (Binary)”, the “Unit Type” is set to whatever units you are 3D printing with (mm for me), and “Refinement” is set to “High”. Once you are done, click “OK” at the bottom right of the window. Below, I attached all the individual .stl files I exported (although some colors are messed up).

You can't just put .stl files into a 3d printer. Think of it like this: Slicing is the process of converting a 3D model (like an .stl file) into instructions your 3D printer can understand (G-code). I know it's confusing, I'm not a 3D printer expert either. There are many free slicing softwares, I tried to use UltiMaker Cura, but it just wouldn't work. After some searching, I found that Flashforge (my 3D printers brand) has their own slicing software called FlashPrint. After downloading it and conducting some tests, it worked! As soon as you open the application, it will ask you what 3D printer you have and what model (mine is Flashforge Adventurer 3 Lite), enter yours. To import your .stl file, first click on the file icon at the top left of the screen. Then select the file out of file explorer window pop up. You can print as many files as you want at one time, as long as they all fit in the printer's area (mine is 150x150x150mm). The toolbar on the right side of the screen allows you to do many things. You can rotate, resize, and move models. You can also add supports (if there are floating aspects to your print) and connect your printer. I tried to use a USB stick to transfer files to my printer, but it couldn't detect them. My printer supports Wi-Fi, so I just connected it to the same Wi-Fi as my pc. If you click the link icon on the bottom of the right toolbar, it allows you to connect to your printer. When you want to print, just click “Slice”. It will open up a menu with many options (“Slice” window). I would suggest making sure that everything in the “Printer” tab is the same as your printer settings. But you can use whatever settings you find to be the most efficient and clean. There is a setting called “Raft”, from my own experience I would enable it on larger prints but disable it for smaller, more compact prints. A raft basically acts as an adhesion between the print and the build plate. When you are satisfied with your settings, click “Slice” at the bottom right of the screen. Now that you are in slice mode, you can click “Slice Preview” at the top of the screen to see exactly what your 3D printer will print. If you are satisfied, click on the link icon again and select your 3D printer, then click “Send G-code”, your printer will start printing.

My 3D printer is located in our garage so that it causes minimal noise. I created a compiled picture for each individual print (uploaded above) with three components, the slicer model, the print in the 3D printer, and the finished product. I printed all items of one color first and then changed filament and printed items of the new color to be as efficient as possible. After the printing is done, if there are any supports in the print, remove them. Supports come off fairly easily as they are mostly hollow and are meant to be removed. The wall print took over 6 hours to complete, but the bed frame print took about 10 minutes, so time all depends on size and complexity. Changing the quality in the slicing software also has an effect on the printing time (higher quality --> longer printing time).

I removed any supports and cleaned up strings and other anomalies on the prints before the picture.

I had a variety of filament colors, so I don't need to paint much. I only had to paint the chair. I painted the chair green using acrylic paint &I used 2 layers and let it dry for 20 minutes between layers.

I sprayed a “Mod Podge” gloss finish onto all the prints to make them more reflective and realistic looking. It is best to spray chemicals outside so and with mask to cause the least harm to yourself. I did 3 coats and let it dry for 15 minutes between coats.

I printed some furniture in two pieces because they had different colored sections. For example, the bed is made of the bed frame (tan) and mattress (white). I used Gorilla Glue (superglue) for all the glueing. I assembled the bed, lamp, and window.

Before applying Gorilla Glue, I used a sanding brick to create an uneven surface for glue to fill. Sanding ensures that the glue will stick to both surfaces. After sanding, I applied glue to the perimeter of the floor and pressed the walls into the floor.

To add furniture, I sanded the surfaces which were going to be connected to the base. Once the surfaces were sanded, I applied glue and pressed the item into place. Some objects had a tight fit as they were printed to fit exactly. First I added the storage cabinet, then the floating cabinets, then the bed, then the wall sweep, then the chair, then the table, then the lamp (on the table), then the window, and lastly the two roof pieces. The window didn't fit at first, so I sanded down the edges until it went in flush with the wall.

To add the carpet I decided to cut a piece of red cloth as it would have more texture than a 3d printed slab. Once I cut it to size, I used glue to stick it to the floor of the model.

For the curtain I cut a piece of transparent plastic from an Amazon package. Then I folded it into many sections to look like a folded curtain. I used a needle to make holes in the top of the curtain to put string through. After that, I tied the string to the top of the left and right sides of the front wall.

You can't call the unit mobile unless it has wheels. I chose to use LEGO wheels to represent how the unit would move. I superglued four wheels (2 on each side) to the sides of the unit. In reality, they would have a locking system so that the unit wouldn't be moving around while someone is sleeping in it.

To take the best photos I can, I used the Cannon DS 126231 camera. During post-processing (on Photopea) I tweaked camera-raw settings (Ex. exposure, contrast, saturation) to make the photos look as aesthetic as possible. I also blurred the background.

1:17 Scale Model

It has been almost 4 months since I started typing the introduction step on this very document. This whole production process was not easy and has caused a lot of frustration (mostly involving 3D printing) but in the end I got the job done. And I didn't just get the job done, I took away countless valuable design skills from this one project. Autodesk Instructables has given me the platform to document my journey. Before the project, I had never touched Revit nor Fusion, but now I feel like I am proficient with both softwares. I have gotten better at 3D perspective drawing (still working on it). Additionally, I have basically learned how to 3D print from scratch (I have never printed by myself before this project) which is a huge accomplishment to me. The point is, I feel like this project has taught me that if you just try something, eventually it will click and you will understand it. At first, I was scared of even touching Revit, but now I could say I enjoy using it.

I could not have done all of this by myself, so this paragraph is dedicated to crediting everyone who helped me along the way. The “Autodesk Chat” Discord server has many proficient Revit and Fusion users; they answered most questions that I had. And if they couldn't answer something, then I would search for an answer on YouTube. YouTube has loads of tutorials for most Revit topics. I also want to thank Autodesk's customer service agents, as they were quick to talk to and patient with me. When I had issues getting educational verification and downloading software, they resolved my issues. I want to thank my family for providing me with the resources to make my physical model and for providing feedback every step of the way. My cousin (who is a design major) also gave me tips on traditional building design methods, which I am extremely thankful for. But most of all, I want to that Autodesk Instructables for creating this wonderful opportunity of a competition.

Feel free to drop any suggestions or questions in the comments below!