Science Formal is an annual formal event run by the engineering society to celebrate each year’s graduating class of engineers. The event takes place in Grant Hall, where a structure is built on the stage. The Science Formal team in charge of planning the event is always looking for new and innovative stage designs to include in the event and asked APSC 103 students to design a stage suitable for at least 20 people to stand on (approx. 1240 kg) that fits on the existing Grant Hall stage. The stage was to be two stories tall and accessible from the second level of Grant Hall. Safety systems must be implemented into the design to ensure no one falls or can hurt themselves on the structure.

The students had to ensure the stage fit within the specific dimensions of Grant Hall and could be feasibly set up and taken down – making a modular design crucial. The students also came up with a theme to incorporate with their design and represented this through thematic architectural elements added throughout.

The students produced a scaled down prototype of their final design, CAD modelling, force analysis of the stage, and financial modelling. The students considered various building materials, deciding on wood, using a post-joist design, to construct their “Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day” stage. The students overestimated the load on the stage to be 1550 kg to account for variations. They also produced a construction manual the Science Formal volunteers can use during set-up.