Material Ecology

Introduction Neri Oxman has described Material Ecology as being at the intersection of Computation Design, Additive Manufacturing, Materials Engineering and Synthetic Biology.  It is more than simple biomimicry as the process is collaborative in nature. Her lab focuses on the symbiosis of microorganisms, our bodies, our products and even our buildings. In order to better … Read more

Mission Critical Materials

If all architects and engineers saw the development of our projects as the aerospace industry does, we would begin to see many projects incredibly optimized for their use in structural, environmental, etc. Terms. In recent years we have experienced an increase in space exploration. Because technology has become more democratized, more simulations and experiments can … Read more

URBAN HIATUS

MANIFESTO Inclusive, Productive, Sustainable Urban Hiatus is a project that centers around human scale and brings back the lost identity for the people of Poblenou. It aims towards a structure that is inclusive, productive and sustainable.The latest urban plans in Barcelona solved a lot of issues, but sometimes forgot about smaller day to day spaces … Read more

UTIL_HUTS

THEORETICAL LENSEUtil_huts examines the ubiquities of traditional concrete design, construction and supply chain methods through the research and development of a design tool for backcountry safety huts in Iceland. This tool uses techniques in machine learning, parametric design and structural simulation to explore the architectural possibilities of cement mortar mixtures with basalt aggregates, also known … Read more

SCALE MATTER

Structural Materials Is the scale of the projects in the experimentation on computational design fabrication an obstacle or an opportunity?  Since architects started to shed their skin on the conventional way in practice and caught the digital era, the abundance of application of digital design on the realization became joyful for the audience. Mario Carpo … Read more

IS COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN THE RENAISSANCE OF THE STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS ?

The last 10-15 years of development in computers and software have given most engineers and architects the capacity to self-resolve every kind of problem with complex structural forming in a short amount of time.                                                                         This has allowed them to break the calculability paradigm. Where what was not able to be calculated, or even … Read more

Network of ribs as free-form space enclosing

What are the possibilities of enclosing a free-form space? The study reflects how geometry design will enhance the structural possibilities of increasing the maximum cantilevering degree of printing an enclosing surface. Applicability could be translated in printing projects above existent constructions and/or free-form developments. The research was coagulated into two distinct parts, the exploratory phase, … Read more

Rigidity Via Geometry: Embedding Structural Intelligence within 3D Printed Vaulted Structures

Rigidity: The extent to which an element is able to resist deformation or deflection  under the action of an applied force. Abstract Architectural history contains numerous examples of vaulted  structures built using a variety of design techniques and a range of materials, to serve or host different functions. One recurring function is the role of … Read more

Adaptive Support System: Retraction Control in Arched Vaults

Nader Akoum Architecture 3d Printing Earth

Support & scaffolding during consolidation of clay printing are quintessential to push the boundaries and capabilities of earthen architecture because, with said added support, opportunities for large spans, high arches, aggregated arches, and other structural phenomena arise. The options invented over time are diverse and, regardless of the used material, they can be very insightful … Read more

[DATA-CITY] MUMBAI

THE DESIGN AND FABRICATION OF CLIMATE ACTION INTERVENTIONS AND MODELS Our explorations surround the creation of climate action data models for the city of Mumbai. For a context that is only now becoming aware of the potential of data, The creation of interactive models can help educate citizens. The curation of multimedia models prototyped and … Read more

Urban Data Visualisation – Barcelona and Brazil

The aim of this studio was to explore the design opportunities arising from three common digital fabrication processes: Laser Cutting, CNC milling and 3D Printing. These exercises were supported by an interactive exploration of each technology and material, while also understanding conceptual and prototyping process of design. 1. Laser Cutting The first digital fabrication exercise … Read more

HANDS OVER BEIRUT and GREEN’IN CORRIDORS

HANDS OVER BEIRUT Beirut Blast impact assessment visualization Neighborhood: Mar Mikhael (Beirut port)/ Gemmayze – Bashoura – Ashrafieh The Area chosen has received the most impact and visualization of the plot of land where buildings got damaged but on a different scale is relevant to understand the shock wave repartition. To physically be able to … Read more

KINETIC FACADE SYSTEM

CONCEPT The concept of the project was to create a system that detects solar radiation throughout the day and adjusts the facade angle accordingly to keep the internal area of the building cool and shaded using a Photoresistor. Also, at the same time to prevent the rainwater from coming inside the building using a water … Read more

Permutation Growth

Abstract The introductory course of Software I focuses on the computational logic for assamblage and growth processes guided by algorythms. For starting, voxels were created as basic units and then joined to create a basic element geometry. By using Grasshopper and Anemone plug-in, different growth assamblages were established depending on the element’s position and starting … Read more

Digital Fabrication – Testing & Prototyping

During the 3-week course of the Digital Fabrication course, we tested and investigated the opportunities and limitations that the latest fabrication methodologies provide in terms of design and fabrication. In this regard, we tested different materials and machines using CNC Milling, Laser Cutting and 3D Printing strategies. CNC Milling For the CNC Milling testing and … Read more

Introduction to Digital Fabrication

The introductory Digital Fabrication course proposed a three-week program of how to use three manufacturing methods- 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling in order to understand the correlation between computer data and machine based fabrications. The intensive course dealt with research and study of each of the 3 techniques and led to detailed explorations … Read more

Slicing, Smoothing and Precision

Over the past three weeks, we took the Digital Fabrication introductory course through which we developed a foundational understanding of production techniques such as 3D printing, CNC milling, and laser cutting. In each section, we explored the capabilities and limitations of the manufacturing processes through test prototypes before finalizing the geometries. 3D PRINT_Angle Slicing In … Read more

Digital ways of Fabrication

Abstract The introductory course on Digital Fabrication proposes exploring new production techniques through the relationship between computer data and machine-oriented fabrication. The final purpose was to acclimatize with the three most common digital fabrication processes:  CNC milling, Laser Cutting, and 3D Printing.Our personal exploration of these techniques is here disclosed with these three models, which … Read more

Fabricating with Parameters

During the Introduction to Digital Fabrication course, we aimed to understand the methods of programming 3D Printing, CNC Milling and Laser Cutting machines. To learn the fundamentals of digital fabrication process, we had a certain amount of time for each method. Within the scope of the task, we wanted to get a grip on the … Read more

From Pattern to Modular Solutions

In order to familiarize and introduce us to different types of machinery tools and techniques, our studio was divided to three weeks of learning and exploring different machines related to different forms of digital fabrication. Each week we learned how to design and execute our model on different software related to the fabrication typology. This … Read more

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL FABRICATION | GROUP 3

In the Introduction to Digital Fabrication we were required to explore and investigate 3 different manufacturing processes which consisted of using a Laser Cutter, a 3D Printer and a CNC Milling machine. In the laser cutting exercise we looked at how to form a 3D spatial joint from 2D laser cut pieces. Essentially figuring out … Read more

Exploration to digital fabrication

ABSTRACT The digital fabrication studio introduced us to new techniques and ideas through relation between computer data and machine-oriented fabrication. AIM The aim of this course was to explore the design opportunities arising from three common digital fabrication process: 3D printing, CNC machine and Laser cutting. Each of us have designed their own idea and … Read more

Liquefied Conjectures

The aim of the digital fabrication introductory course was to utilize three fabrication methods – 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC milling – to explore different possible geometries and outputs. The group’s aim for the three exercises has been to conjecture what different geometries would produce the most interesting outcomes in combination with the different … Read more

Optimizing Form & Material Behavior

Abstract The aim of this exercise is the understanding of new production techniques through the relation between computer data and machine-oriented fabrication, bringing in a new perspective towards architecture and digital fabrication. As well as being able to invent strategies to translate geometry and systems into articulated and constructible solutions through exploring the opportunities arising … Read more