Upcycle Project: ITLL Inspiration

The ITLL is a very unique building in that the building itself is a teaching tool. I would never have thought of this before this class’s, but does the ITLL have an aesthetic of its own? I believe it does! It’s mechanical systems are prominently showcased, unlike in other buildings where they are hidden away. Everything is very transparent: every aspect of the design invites the user to learn about how it works and examine its intricacies. My idea for my Upcycle project takes that theme and let’s me take it home! I have always wanted a thermometer for my car, and I thought the other day: I have all the skills to do it, and the ITLL has all the components I need to make it with. I will Upcycle parts, only using what scrap acrylic and microcontroller parts I can find left for general use in the building. But instead of hiding the inner components in a housing, I want the workings to be visible, I want people to be able to see what is happening behind the scenes: too often we just hit a button and check a screen, not appreciating all that is going on to make that device work.