New Design Methodologies Between Research and Practice in Digital Fabrication of Wood in Architecture

Abstract

The last twenty years of the recent history of architecture has been influenced by the introduction of digital tools in the design process both in research and practice. Today we are certainly witnessing a more aware phase of study in which computational potential introduces innovative methods of form generation based on specific performative requirements and material features.

In this sense, contemporary academic research together with experiments in architectural practice is testing the technological developments through the definition of innovative design methodologies as an alternative to the conventional ones. From this premise, the paper aims to present and analyze case-studies representative of the application of digital tools in wood architecture based on analysis, simulation, associative modeling, generative parameters and digital fabrication tools.

The first two case-studies (Nine Bridges Country Club and Manchester Maggie’s Center) are inherent with the conventional design approach of architectural practice which applies digital fabrication in the final part of the process, in a logic of file-to-factory production strategy. The other two projects (Sequential Roof and Vidy Theater Pavilion) are strictly related with academic research environment and, thus, they have a more experimental approach which better exploits the computational potential. The comparison of the selected projects aims to offers an overview of some of the possible design methodologies and approaches enabled by computation which could be- come more common in a not too far future.