Parametric constructs : computational designs for digital fabrication

Abstract

This thesis explores strategies for building design toolchains in order to design, develop and fabricate architectural forms. The hipothesys of this research is that by embedding ruled based procedures addressing generative, variational, iterative, and fabricational logics, into early phases of form finding or form research process, it is possible to enhance and augment the repertoire of possible design methods yet facilitating the development and fabrication of such designs. Shape computing, parametric modeling, scripting, and digital fabrication are the tools chained in the research presented in this thesis. Complex curved forms were chosen in the different case studies to exemplify the advantages of this method in designing and fabricating this complex shapes which have proven to be particularly difficult to construct by traditional methods, usually requiring a reduction in complexity. The method proposed here allows the designer to maintain certain level of complexity and yet explore better and more appropriate solutions.