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Experience architecture work
hands-on

tangible HexArch

tangible HexArch

'The Blue Zone' example with tangible HexArch - Hexagonal Architecture

What is
tangible HexArch?

tangible HexArch is a toolkit for hands-on knowledge transfer in trainings and collaborative workshops for designing Hexagonal Architectures (Ports and Adapters).

  • Using a tangible modelling approach to design a Hexagonal Architecture promotes architectural clarity and discipline.
  • The toolkit encourages reflection and discussion about design decisions as they emerge.
  • The physical and spatial constraints of the board are not an obstacle — they are deliberate design constraints.
  • Deviations from the original pattern are possible — the physical constraints force explicit, considered design decisions.
  • Architectural trade-offs become easy to identify and discuss.

Why a tangible board
for software design?

Training and Knowledge Transfer

Logical constraints become physically tangible boundaries. Violations of hexagonal architecture design principles are made literally graspable.

Hands-on work deepens understanding of the pattern and is an excellent complement to trainings.

Ideation and Prototyping

What would an existing service look like after a redesign with hexagonal architecture? What problems arise from the intended design?

Ideas and concepts around hexagonal architectures can be explored playfully and with low friction through tangible work.

Review and Redesign

Scenarios that cannot easily be represented by arranging the physical building blocks provide explicit signals of potentially suboptimal design, poor coupling, or violations of core hexagonal architecture principles.

Tangible design helps to identify and discuss trade-offs.

How does
tangible HexArch work?

The tangible HexArch Set consists of

  • the tangible board: visual reference frame for the hexagon pattern
  • Ports with Required and Provided Interfaces: boundary between the application and its external environment.
  • Driving and Driven Adapters connect the ports to external actors
  • Actors: encompass all external dependencies or consumers of the application
  • Domain Concepts: used to validate the architectural boundaries.

The tangible board makes architectural edge cases and pattern violations physically apparent, thereby initiating targeted design discussions.

Download quick guide

Collaborative architecture work with
tangible HexArch

Hexagonal architecture workshop with tangible HexArch SetHexagonal architecture workshop with tangible HexArch SetVisualisation of interactions between domain building blocks within a hexagonal architectureAnalysis of adapters and ports for clear separation of domain and technical concernsPlenary phase with joint reflection and alignment of key architecture decisionsCollaborative group work on a hexagonal architecture with tangible building blocksFacilitated team discussion on shaping ports and dependenciesJoint analysis of ports-and-adapters structures in a workshop contextHands-on modelling of a hexagonal architecture in an interactive sessionIn-depth group analysis of architectural decisions in the HexArch workshopDeveloping the core domain layout as the domain core of a hexagonal architectureOverview of the tangible HexArch workshop setup with board, building blocks, and structure

tangible HexArch
for your team

tangible HexArch

free paper version

With the free paper version, you and your team can test how to work with our tangible set and find out whether this approach makes sense in your projects.

tangible HexArch

Acrylic Tabletop Set

Ready to take Hexagonal Architecture to the next level?
Ask us about our acrylic tangible set — reusable, just wipe clean and relabel.

Our Services

Collaboration

Workshop Facilitation

Facilitation, preparation, and follow-up of design workshops. We guide your team through collaborative architecture work and support with both technical and methodological expertise.

  • Facilitated workshops
  • Pre- and post-session support
  • Results documentation

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Software ArchitectureCollaboration

Training & Coaching

Practical training in architecture patterns and architecture practice. Together with a mentor, you embed the methodology in your day-to-day work — individually, in small groups, or with the whole team.

  • Targeted training
  • Team accompaniment
  • Mentoring

Get in touch