Materials Lab
Process
The Architecture Materials Lab has 10,000 square feet of shop facilities for the exclusive use of architecture students. College programs are deeply rooted in the connection between designing and making. The lab contains tools and machinery for working with wood, metal and plastics and includes a large paint booth. Students build prototypes, models and mock-ups of construction details and take classes on how to use the lab as well as study the working properties of materials, an essential component of three-dimensional design.
Model Making
Model making teaches students to deal with the qualities of materials and issues of connection, structure and craftsmanship.
Instruction
All first-year students take two semesters of class in the lab, which acquaints them with the techniques to build models and mock ups from wood, plastic, plaster and metal. A short safety orientation class is offered for transfer and graduate students. Electives are also available for more advanced instruction.
Lab Use
In order to have access to the equipment in the shop a student must pass a written test that gauges their knowledge of safe work practices. A short Safety Orientation Class prepares students to pass this test. These Safety Orientations are scheduled at the beginning of each semester, and signup sheets for these classes are posted by the office in the M&M building. Incoming Freshmen and Program 3 graduate students receive this instruction as part of their coursework and need not take this orientation.
In order to have access to the laser cutters students must attend a special, one-hour laser orientation. These laser orientations are also offered at the beginning of each semester and signup sheets are posted by the office in M&M.
Students can have access to the CNC mill and router and the mass printer by taking special elective classes dealing with digital fabrication.
Materials Lab Policies for Current Students
Lab Schedule
When school is in session the Materials Lab is open:
Monday-Thursday 9 am -10 pm
Friday 9 am - 6 pm
Saturday 12 pm - 5 pm
Sunday 12 pm -10 pm
Access to portions of the shop are often restricted when classes meet there, particularly on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Contact
Shop Office 312-567-3259
Tool Crib 312-567-3230
Laser Room 312-567-5895
Professional Staff
John Kriegshauser
kriegshauser@iit.edu
Michael Gillhouse
mgillhou@iit.edu
Brett Balogh
bbalogh@iit.edu
Capability
The Architecture Materials Lab includes a comprehensive collection of hand and power tools for checking out as well as the following stationary equipment:
Objet Alaris 30 3D Printer
Precix CNC Router Table
CNC Bridgeport Milling Machine
4 Universal 60 wt. Laser Cutters
6 Table Saws, SawStop 10”
Powermatic Jointer 8"
Powermatic 20" Wood Planer
Powermatic Bandsaw 20"
Laguna Bandsaw 16"
Grizzly Bandsaw 16"
2 Rockwell Bandsaws 14"
2 Delta Compound Miter Saws
Safety Speed Cut Panel Saw
Delta Jig Saw
2 Bridgeport Vertical Milling Machines
Rockwell Disk Sander
Delta Combination Sander
Rockwell 6" Belt Sander
3 15" Drill Presses
Vacuformer 16"
Laboratory Oven
Hot Wire Bender
Hot Wire Foam Cutters
Cincinnati Buffer
Sheldon Engine Lathe
Jet Horizontal Bandsaw
DoAll Bandsaw
DiAcro Sheet Metal Shears 36"
DiAcro Sheet Metal Brake 24"
DiAcro Bender
Baldor Grinder
2 Oxy-Acetylene Welding Sets
Lincoln Arc Welder
Miller Spot Welder
Lincoln Mig Welder
Lincoln Tig Welder
Paint Booth 8' wide x 6' deep