This course aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of discrete building systems, at the intersection of prefabrication and automation. Based on the proposition for automation in architecture as the digital distribution of discrete parts, this course addresses a range of questions related to technical logics, architectural qualities, and the socio-economic impact of automation.
The technical logics concern issues such as timber prefabrication, robotics, and discrete computation. Through a hands-on approach, participants will learn how to work with these technologies and explore their potential applications in architecture. They will engage in discussions about the benefits and challenges of using these technologies in building construction. We will analyse and build a number of building blocks developed by Gilles Retsin Architecture and AUAR.
The architectural qualities question the possibility of a discrete architecture and its spatial, aesthetic, theoretical, and experiential consequences. Through design exercises, participants will explore the aesthetic and experiential possibilities of a discrete architecture. They will examine the spatial implications of this approach by developing physical prototypes on a smaller scale. In this context, the course will explore the potential of Augmented Reality as a form of notation, to communicate directly from digital models to fabrication instructions
Participants will engage in discussions about the potential impact of automation on the architectural profession, including the changing roles of architects and the future of architectural education. They will also examine the potential for new forms of architectural production and distribution made possible by automation.
Participants will engage in discussions about the role of design in addressing social and environmental issues and explore ways to apply the principles of automation to create more just and sustainable built environments. This course provides a unique opportunity to explore the potential of automation in architecture and its implications for the design of our built environment. Participants will engage in hands
At course completion the student will:
ABSTRACT In this course we explored the strategies of modular construction using Gilles Retsin’s modules. Through strategies of stacking and post-tensioning we explored the opportunities and limitations of the module. We began by assembling the module and constructing a beam element where we pushed the limitations of maunal post tensioning. Afterwards, using Midjourney we transformed … Read more
