FAQ
Can I rotate the shell?
Yes, but we don’t know why you would need to. There is no front or back of the shell so you really should not need to. If for some reason you see a need to rotate the shell, you are welcome to do so.
Can I scale the shell up/down?
No. That would be changing the initial shell and that is not allowed.
Can I add doors and windows to the initial walls?
Yes. Just don’t move the initial walls or add additional exterior walls. Doors and windows are practically required for a functional building so add as many as you want.
Do I need to do an interior?
Yes. It does not have to be detailed but part of making a functional building requires an interior layout. The goal here is to make a functional building of some kind. While a fully 3D interior is preferred, If you just want to do a 2D floor plan that is fine too.
Can I add a basement?
No. While that would be very cool, that counts as adding new exterior walls and is not allowed. You are welcome to bury part of the shell though and build it into the side of a hill or create a hobbit hole-esque model. Just make sure not to alter the initial walls as you are doing it.
Can I add a foundation?
Yes, but do be careful as you add it to preserve the initial walls. Any distortion to the initial walls are not allowed.
Do I need to do landscaping?
No, but even a simple landscape can add a lot to a property so we do recommend at least doing something simple. You do not have to use the entire lot provided in the file either. The initial lot is there to make it easier for individuals that do not have access to Sandbox tools as creating a grid to work from can be annoying otherwise.
Can I do a rooftop space?
Yes. You are not adding additional walls so this is allowed… If you want to get some extra space for your design this would be a great way to do it.
Can I add a deck or patio?
Yes. There are technically no walls being added so feel free to add them should you desire. Just be careful to preserve the initial walls.
Can I make a roof?
Yes. A roof is a welcome addition to the building. If you are particularly creative, you might even be able to get some additional space for your building with an attic. Skylights are also welcome as part of a roof. The entire roofing process is the biggest grey area of the challenge as you may end up dramatically altering the look of the shell as you add your roof. If you have questions about if your roof is okay to use or not please feel free to post in this topic to ask us. We will let you know as soon as possible.
Where is the building located?
Anywhere you want! You can decide where you want to put it so if you want a quiet and cozy winter cabin or an open plan beach party house, go for it! Again, we ask that you keep your design grounded in reality as much as possible, but if you think the shell is calling out to be a Mars base or something equally fantastic, go for it.
Is there a theme for this challenge?
Nope! Your model can be anything you want, in any style you want. We are hoping to get a bunch of radically different entries that are as diverse as our community! We want to see the creativity of everyone really shine!
Is there a size limit to my file?
Technically no, but if a file runs smoothly that is a plus. We are all working from home right now so we don’t exactly have access to our office workstation hardware at the moment. While we would prefer for files to be uploadable to the 3D Warehouse, if your model requires a bit more space and has to be uploaded as multiple files, we won’t disqualify you.
Is there a prize?
The designers of the best entries will be invited onto Friday livestreams to talk about their designs. We are planning on doing one each week for the foreseeable future.
When is the deadline for submissions?
We do not currently have a deadline for submissions as we are planning on featuring one submission a week for the foreseeable future. The more submissions we get the longer we will feature submissions. The first submission we review is planned for April 24th.
