Building a Climate Progress Thermometer
For a climate-focused event at Redeemer Community Church, I was asked to create a large visual centerpiece that could help communicate a hopeful message about climate action.
After kicking around a few ideas, we landed on a giant thermometer.
The basic idea was simple: as communities adopt cleaner technologies and practices, carbon emissions go down. So unlike a traditional thermometer where the liquid rises, this one was designed to show progress by moving downward.
Design
The project started with a few rough sketches and eventually made its way into Figma.
I wanted the piece to be large enough to be seen from across the room, but also simple enough that someone could understand it within a few seconds.
The final design included:
- A large thermometer graphic
- “Climate Progress” lettering
- A movable indicator
- The phrase “A Cleaner Creation is Possible”
The overall size ended up being about four feet tall and two feet wide.
CNC Fabrication
One of my goals for this project was to continue getting more comfortable with CNC fabrication.
The lettering and various graphic elements were exported and prepared for cutting on my CNC router. Most of the components were cut from 1/4″ MDF and then assembled into the final display.
There is always a little bit of a learning curve with projects like this. Toolpaths need adjusting, tabs need tweaking, and sometimes materials decide to fight back.
In this case, some of the MDF sheets arrived damaged and needed repair before they could be used. A combination of patches, filler, sanding, primer, and paint eventually got everything looking the way I wanted.
Assembly
Once all the parts were cut, the project became a giant puzzle.
The individual components were painted, assembled, and mounted to a backing panel. A custom easel supported the finished piece during the event.
This is usually my favorite part of a project. There’s something satisfying about watching a pile of flat parts gradually turn into a finished object.
The Event
The completed thermometer was displayed at the climate event and served as a visual focal point for attendees.
What I appreciated most about the project was that it helped make an abstract topic feel a little more tangible. Climate action is often discussed through charts, reports, and statistics. A large physical object doesn’t replace those things, but it can help start conversations and give people something concrete to interact with.
Reflections
One of the reasons I enjoy projects like this is that they sit at the intersection of several interests of mine: design, fabrication, communication, and hands-on making.
The project started as a sketch, became a digital design, turned into CNC-cut parts, and eventually ended up as a physical installation at a community event.
That’s a pretty satisfying journey for a piece of MDF.
Tools & Materials
- Figma
- Fusion 360
- Easel
- CNC Router
- MDF
- Primer and Paint
- Assorted Sanding Supplies
