This article describes an experimental didactic method, which is referred to as a balanced didactic model by the author of the publication. The method is based on engaging students throughout the entire design and implementation process, which is partially embedded outside of the academic design realities. The applied method aims at recreating a professional design environment, which students generally encounter only after their graduation. The purpose of the conducted experiment was to familiarize students with nonacademic knowledge and expose them to the realities of professional work. This task was performed through the implementation of tools used for parametric design and digital fabrication. The article depicts a multi-stage design and prototype building process of a parametric furniture piece – shelving unit, which is meant to be placed in a playroom of a public nursery. The furniture piece had been designed using algorithms created in Grasshopper software as well as digital subtractive fabrication method with the use of CNC milling machine. In the summary of the article, author describes the benefits gained by the students involved in this experiment.