Digital Fabrication

In lieu of todays lecture on digital fabrication, I thought i might investigate some forms created using digital techniques. Perhaps the key point i took from todays lecture is that a structure need not have any digital function to represent the digital world. This is evident in the structures below as all forms have been created using digital software and hardware yet most do not require fancy lighting or touchscreen technology to suggest their digital beginnings.

Future Bar Design

Project Thoughts

Given the dynamic nature of the area surrounding the Howard Smith site, I have decided to design somewhat of a musical performance space. I feel that it would effectively accentuate the cultural ties the site holds with the surrounding areas.
I also think that it would be a very appropriate function given the perpetual shift towards digital equipment and practices in both the creation and performance of today's music. For example:



The natural slope bounding the site to the North would not only offer elevated views of live performances but may also maximize the acoustic qualities of musical acts within the Howard Smith site itself. Considerations could be made to employ some sort of semi open stage that is able to be seen from both outside and inside the building itself. Or, alternatively, angled screens may be installed on the upper level of the structure to offer uninterrupted views of musical performances from the site's elevated extremities.

Expressive Facades

Here are a few of the more outrageous examples of how structures are able to be visually emphasized by applying digital technology to the facades of buildings. This first building is the Galleria West in Seoul:










This 'wooden mirror' concept could be employed on a greater scale to make a very interesting facade or interior space. It is probably more likely to be effective within the building as dynamic light factors, like the sun, may mess with the associated camera component. Considerations would most likely need to be made in order to minimise the sound of the moving wooden tiles (rubber underlay or reflective gel tiles instead of wood). Weatherproofing techniques would also need to be considered if it was decided to install something similar on the exposed facade of a building.


Flare Facade:


Aperture Facade:


Kiefer Technic Showroom:










Digital Building (Beijing):














This final video shows how a group of European hackers were able to use knowledge of the digital world to ultimately alter the function of a building's facade. It is mentioned that people walking past were able to remotely control the display using their mobile devices. The scale difference between object and human in this case would no doubt have resulted in a far more immersive experience for the user.

Future Design

Design for the future must aim to address current issues that are likely to affect the population in future years. This first clip shows how some fresh thinking and a funky background beat may be able to solve the problems likely to arise as a result of global warming.



These next two videos are more in relation to existing structures and buildings. Whilst some of the buildings have little to no relevance in terms of digital technology (stonehenge), many show the way in which the approach to architecture has dramatically evolved in order to keep up with the perpetually advancing technology around it.

Jaques Fresco

Here are a couple of interesting clips I dug up from Youtube. They are essentially one man's unique interpretation of the direction in which architecture is headed, and how technology will evolve and be utilised in order to accomodate this. Pretty old but still relevant.

Project 1A

So im fairly new to this whole blog thing but i have managed to post my panels for part A of project 1. I'm not sure why they are not able to be viewed in a larger window but i will attempt to repost them as soon as i figure it out.