This past semester, Foundation Fellow Virginia Melnyk's Design Related Media course on Deployable Structures worked collaboratively to bring their small-scale models to a full scale construction. Through a process of scaling up their designs, the students crafted a full scale design where attention to connections and material details was vital.

Using scissor mechanisms, the structure transitions from a compact form to a large deployed frame. Students worked together to lift and transform the structure from the folded form to the deployed shape. Sewed fabric is attached to the frame, creating a harmonious blend of form and function, and offering protection from the elements.

This unique course offers an immersive experience, allowing students to explore the transformative possibilities of architectural design. It's a testament to the power of collaboration and the incredible results that can be achieved when minds come together.

Deployable Textile Structures is part of the special offering by the Foundations Fellow and will be offered during her Term at Virginia Tech!