Tangible Construction Cube Exhibiting Nonpolar Behavior

In planning applications, it is common to create massing models to demonstrate how structures will look so that they can be discussed. These are commonly created physically, which have a fixed design, or digitally which, although variable, require skill to manipulate. In order to facilitate discussion during interaction and reduce the barrier to entry in creation of the massing model, we created a tangible construction cubes which exhibits non polar magnetic behavior. When brought together the 3d printed cubes adhere and maintain contact when moved. The cubes exhibit nonpolar behavior attaching in any face to face orientation and do not rely on indexing features. This allows users to easily and rapidly create massing models which can take a wide variety of forms, be quickly and repeatedly reconfigured, and be moved as a single unit.

The design of the cubes allows for 3 main types of forms to be created, the solid, the hollow, and the cantilever. The simplest form, the solid, is created from effectively stacking cubes on top and next to each other. The solid is representative of most building geometries. Due to their light weight construction and that they attach together from any direction the hollow is created by filling a void between 2 cubes but having no cubes underneath. Hollows can be used to create tunnels, bridges, or Menger Sponges. Combining the strength of bonding between cubes, their minimal weight, and the multiple attachment direction, cantilevered structures, which extend into free space anchored from one cube, can be made