mola 4 lets you assemble structurally-sound models of iconic buildings

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mola 4 structural kits assemble models of iconic buildings

Designed by Márcio Sequeira de Oliveira, Mola presents a playful and creative, hands-on approach to understanding how form affects structural efficiency. The Mola 4 Structural Kit takes future architects and designers through the world of arches and shell structures with its intuitive, structurally-sound system, intertwined with origami principles and folding techniques.

It includes 145 modular parts, as well as an instruction manual for assembling the springs, magnets, pre-marked sheets, and connectors that enable customization by incorporating other materials such as cardboard, EVA, acrylic, and 3D printed parts. Users can then build intricate small-scale models of iconic buildings, including the Palazzetto Dello Sport from Pier Luigi Nervi, Félix Candela’s Los Manantiales Restaurant, Zarzuela’s Hippodrome, Álvaro Siza Vieira’s Expo’98 Portuguese National Pavilion, and the Millennium Dome in London.

Zarzuela’s Hippodrome in Madrid, by Eduardo Torroja | all images courtesy of Mola

designed by Márcio Sequeira de Oliveira for Mola

On the surface, Mola 4 can be thought of as a cross between LEGO and Apple — a system of parts that is modular, playful, meticulously designed, and well-crafted. On a deeper level, it serves as a gateway to the world of structural engineering, designed to activate one’s mind and senses and appeal to anyone interested in understanding the buildings that surround us. Brazilian designer Márcio Sequeira de Oliveira builds on the core tenets of the brand — to create high-quality intuitive tools, to provide three-dimensional learning experiences that digital technology simply cannot replicate, and to foster an understanding of basic and complex theoretical concepts by providing intuitively playful moments of delight.

Each set is designed to work together in the product ecosystem, allowing users to build hundreds of configurations. ‘Whether you’re a student, an educator, a professional, or a DIY enthusiast, the possibilities are limitless, and no prior technical knowledge is required to have fun with this system of parts,’ notes the Mola team. When combined with other sets, Mola 4 can be used to recreate stunning small-scale models of iconic structures.

Millennium Dome in London, by Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners

This qualitative understanding of structural behavior is integral to improving the collaboration between civil engineering and architectural studies. ‘Mola’s carefully designed kits allow students of all levels to interactively learn basic principles in structural design. This invaluable hands-on experience empowers them to apply these basic principles to the design of full-scale structures,’ says Professor Tal Cohen of MIT.

Mola Structural Kit 4 is backed by engineers and architects from prestigious institutions including MIT and Foster + Partners, valued at an MSRP of $229. It will be available for pre-order starting at $169 via Kickstarter beginning on the 3rd September, and the complete product line is available via Molo’s website or Amazon.

Mola 4 Structural Kit presents a playful, hands-on approach to understanding how form affects structural efficiency