CARTA Professor Uses Art Studio to 3D Print Face Shields

Angela Rivas / Staff Writer

Miami Beach Urban Studios is home to one of the biggest 3D printing laboratories of its type in the United States,  but when the pandemic hit, it became the center of face shield productions which has helped save the lives of many. 

The studio is run by distinguished architecture professor, John Stuart for the College of Communication, Architecture and the Arts. 

Stuart runs the lab for students to print their original inventions, but when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, he shifted his focus to face shields for frontline workers. 

On March 10, he met with Tikkun Olam Makers, a global movement of communities that creates solutions to neglected challenges people face.  

“It [Tikkun Olam Makers]3D prints items for people who do not have a commercial option to buy,” said Stuart, “like they may need something that is not available or not affordable, and this 3d prints it for them at an affordable rate.” 

While meeting, they discussed the possibility of taking their printers home, but Stuart never thought that by Friday, March 23, it would become reality. 

Stuart and the team stayed home for a week, leaving senior special events manager, Colette Mello, and CARTA innovation lab manager, Jacqueline Thompson,to print the first prototypes for essential items at home. 

“This could be things like vent splitters,” Stuart explained, “to put more than one person on a ventilation machine, stethoscopes, and face shields.”

By Monday, March 23, President Mark B. Rosenberg and CARTA Dean Brian Schriner FIU’s authorized them to go back into the lab, as some of the first people allowed back to in-person work. 

While going to work during lockdown can be unnerving for some, Stuart views himself as fortunate to have a safe return under the supervision of assistant director of emergency management, Bridget Pelaez.

“From the very first moment we have worn masks inside the office, gloves, using hand sanitizer, and also being physically distanced,” said Stuart. 

Their return to the lab allowed them to start producing face shields for frontline workers, and within that same day, they already had an order of 1,000 face shields, turning what was supposed to be a few weeks of production into seven months as the pandemic worsened.

“The president [ of FIU ] mentioned when we started this that it was going to be two weeks of producing face shields, and then we all thought that face shields would be easily accessible, well that wasn’t the case 7 months later,” he says. 

10, 727 kits for essential workers including face shields have been created throughout those seven months. The kits were initially provided for Baptist health workers, police officers, firefighters and other essential workers. 

“Each kit comes in a labeled clear plastic ziplock bag containing one 3D printed brow band with Velcro straps attached,” said Stuart, “one clear acrylic shield that attaches to the brow band, and one page of instructions with images explaining how to attach the shield to the brow band.”

Stuart and his team also partnered with FIU Embrace–a university-wide initiative that promotes overall wellness for adults with developmental disabilities–to supply face shields to health care workers for adults with special needs.

Through this partnership, the face shields were distributed throughout all of Florida, from the panhandle down to the Keys. 

When talking about the partnership, Stuart says, “ It was really a big team effort,  not just by a long shot.”

Stuart and his team were recognized by both frontline workers and the community, garnering a nomination for the “Best if Miami in Crisis Time” award presented by the Miami Today newspaper, recognizing examples of residents doing good during hard times. 

 It was a wonderful tribute,” he said, “I just wish the award could go to everyone in the team.”

The opportunity given to Stuart to help frontline workers is one he views as inspirational and humbling, as he and his team spent many early mornings and long nights in the lab working. 

“We were not on the front line, but we were eager to help,” said Stuart. “It was also amazing to see the way FIU can shift its resources to help. Align your passions with something you see happening out there, and just ask for an opportunity to help.”