3DPA 25/26 Design to Production

Introduction

The third phase of the 3DPA program contemplates the design and construction of the winter prototype as well as the development of extended architectural proposals in Vision. After a construction and Research phase, which saw you develop numerous useful conclusions, we can address the next short phase: “Design to Production”. During this phase, you need to, as a collective, develop a design proposal (week 1) and plan its construction (week 2).

At the end of the first week, all design decisions will have been made and key constructive aspects will have been solved. At the end of the second week, all construction information will have been produced, including 3d files, g-codes, detailed drawings, bill of quantities and construction calendar. For both of these weeks, we will organise ourselves into four working groups, which will be led by four different faculty members.

Roof structure with Philipp Wienkamper

This team will work together with Faculty Philipp Wienkämper on the design of the roof structure, following the learning and construction strategies of Teixit. During the first week, the group will make a physical model and define a functional 3D model that integrates with the work of the other teams. 

During the second week, the team will prototype and develop all construction details, presenting them in a printed dossier. This dossier will include a bill of quantities, covering both materials ( wood, panels) and hardware (screws, fasteners, metal plates), as well as a plan for the construction and assembly of the roof structure.

Building details with Nacho Monoreo

Several construction details need to be solved and documented for the construction. They are located at the limits of the earth walls: foundation/wall connections, wall/roof connections, window and door details, as well as other, more generic details such as the floor. During the first week, the first task is to list and locate the situations as well as document existing solutions in the Forest Campus and elsewhere, after that to decide on selected solutions and to derive a first bill of quantities. During the second week, the group will need to draw and – likely – model the solutions, print a book of details and produce a final bill of quantities.

Wall geometries with Nestor Beguin

One group needs to address the design, but more importantly, the modelling of the walls to be printed. During the first week, the group will address the integration of the results of the Research but also some of the features decided the year before, such as the ventilation system. Additionally, this group will define the printing solutions for the edges of the walls and therefore, collaborate closely with the detail group and the roof group. During the first few days, as the final distribution will still be designed, the work needs to remain generic. During the first week, this group will be asked to produce catalogues of solutions to engage in conversation with the rest of the class so that the main decisions can be taken collectively. During the second week, this group will work towards the final 3d model and the preparation of the G-code.

Spatial mission with Alex and Edouard

The widest mission out of the four groups. The aim of this group is firstly to develop the architectural layout, or distribution of the prototype. From then, it will be a central group that collaborates with the other 3 groups, negotiating the encounter with the roof, with the windows and with the foundations. It also needs to respect the climatic strategy set up by the previous year’s team. During the first week, the group will produce catalogues of options and present them to the class to host a collective conversation and decision-making process. During the second week, this group needs to develop the general building strategy, organise the onsite production calendar, the team organisation onsite and foresee all aspects of the construction logistics. 

Learning Objectives 

At course completion, the students will: 

1. Design a one-to-one prototype that crystallises the learnings of Phases 1 & 2. 
2. Define all constructive aspects and building details of the prototype. 
3. Produce the documentation necessary for the construction of a 1:1 prototype. 4. Work collectively on the detailed design of a one-to-one project.