It is recent development that the use of 3D Printer for the purpose of reconstructing missing facial bone or organ. In fact, including 3D Printing, various digital fabrication technologies, paired with CAD(Computer Aided Design) methodology, such as CNC Milling, Laser Cutting, Robot Arm, etc. have been adapted and utilized in divers industries to facilitate efficient and accurate translation of one’s idea into physical form. It seems over years digital fabrication technologies are utilized not only in an architectural practice but also in a scientific assignment to serve various purposes in different situations. Identifying, therefore, how digital fabrication technologies can affect the process of transforming an idea to physical form and how they can change the notion of a traditional designer may provide an important clue to understand the significance of the technologies.
Digital Fabrication
There are two types of digital fabrication and there is a hybrid method: a subtractive manufacturing process, in general, means any process in which raw material is cut into desirable shape. This includes cutting, boring, drilling, carving, etc. Another type of digital fabrication is an additive manufacturing process in which raw material is constructed into a 3 dimensional object. A 3D printer uses an additive manufacturing process in terms of lying down multiple successive layers. Then there is a robot arm. In robot arm, by choosing a specific tool that can be attached to a robot arm, robot arm can do either cutting raw material or building a 3 dimensional object.
Use of Digital Fabrication
Historically architecture involves the person who builds and the process of constructing. Today architecture seems to embrace even larger possible tasks which can be ranged from constructing the structure of small cell to building a moon base. Herein with specific cases in which digital fabrication takes a central role to realize interesting yet challenging aspiration, it may be possible to comprehend the significant effect of the technology on designing and building ideas.
Trezona Fossil Reconstruction Project
Trezona Fossil Reconstruction is a collaborative effort between a geo-scientist professor Adam Maloof and a New York-based design studio and digital fabricator, SITU Studio. The aim is to visualize and construct a 3 dimensional model of the creature which is engraved onto newly found fossil. The project is realized by combining scientific knowledge and architectural form-making methodology. Combining CNC(Computer Numerical Control) technology and CAD(Computer Aided Design) 3D modeling software results a complete and accurate reconstruction of the creature which is identified as one of the oldest animal in the history of earth.
Digital Grotesque
Digital Grotesque is occupiable space designed and built by two Swiss architects, Michael Hansmeyer and Benjamin Dillenburger. Two architects’ approach to the project is to finish the project digitally as much as possible: using a 3D model and customized algorithm is a way to formally elaborate and the 3D model is directly, without generating any working drawing, carried over to a 3D printer to construct large pieces of sand stone structure. Their unique approach enables physical realization of the complex geometry with relative ease and accuracy compared to a traditional fabrication method which would have not been able to convey the exact duplication of the 3D model.
Mulberry House and Barclays Center
Mulberry House and Barclays Center are distinguishable in terms of their size and program. However both have complex facade system that requires an active adaptation of parametric 3D modeling and digital fabrication technologies to develop the design the way it is efficient and economical to be built. Using those two aspects throughout the whole design process, it is possible to achieve maximum efficiency and accuracy in terms of the realization of complex 3D geometry given physical conditions and parameters.
Conclusion
The notion that digital fabrication can help to achieve more efficient and optimized design is integral for an architect to re-claim his/her own task, in the past, which was to take full responsibility throughout the whole design-realization process as a chief builder or master builder.