Design computing of complex-curved geometry using digital fabrication methods

Abstract

The production of design information for digital fabrication is presented in this thesis. This thesis outlines the research of generating information for physical construction as architectural models of complex curved walls built from unique units. A series of computer programs and physical models as examples of orthogonal, non-orthogonal, and complex curved walls as designs were developed. The wall examples here are built of non-uniform, interlocking units using an integral connection approach. This is an exploration of design tools that construct complex curved structures in CAD for fabrication with a 3D printer. The thesis explores the evaluation processes used by architects when evaluating digitally fabricated desktop models. The research involved in this thesis takes the direction of investigating a new methodology for solving a modern and aesthetic approach to architecture. The research conducted investigates design as a way for synthesizing a grammatical (Stiny, 1977) approach as the systematic engine that is used to solve less systematic, curved, non-uniform form (Smithers, 1989).