Step Well / Tower - Positive Form Negative Space

thingiverse

This was inspired by the step wells in south Asia, used for collection of rainwater. This object explores the stepped form by utilizing both the positive and negative pieces saved from laser cutting each layer. Shown here is the Step Well made from 3mm birch plywood. Mathematically, the positive form should fit perfectly within the negative part. But, alas, due to slight imperfections in assembly (glue bulging out, imperfect alignment of stacked pieces etc) it does not. So, it's shown here with the positive tower on top of the lid which conceals the space below until removed. The attached SketchUp file has the Step Well modeled and uses Scenes to show its component pieces laid out for easy exporting to 2D laser cutting files. Some adjustments to the model would make it appropriate for 3D printing.