Assignment 3 - Method Summary

"for some time now architecture has been tending towards the

assembly of factory made components; and, as can be seen across the world, factories tend towards

automated machine-made production. It’s worthwhile to point out at this stage that beautiful things are created in factories … Porsche, Honda, Apple, Prada and Boeing (to name a few) all use factories to create amazingly sophisticated products; most for a fraction of the cost of the average architect designed house.

If architectural models should reflect both the finished architecture and its mode of production they will need to employ automated processes such as digital modelling, laser cutting and rapid

prototyping. However, this studio isn’t dogmatic; one hand-made process will also be employed (hotwire cutting blue foam). In this studio students will be trained to use the laser cutter, rapid prototypers and hot wire cutters and have direct access to all three types of machines."

As such, 8 different methods will be used for this assignment to truly demonstrate automated and hand-made processes are applicable to architectural modelling.

Automated Process Summary:

1. 123d Catch
2. 123d Make
3. Wordle
4. Arduino

Hand Made Process Summary:

1. Sketchup modelling
2. Blue Foam modelling
3. Clay Modelling
4. Paper/Foil Modelling

Detailed summary as follows:

Automated process:

1. 123d Catch
• Uses a camera to shoot multiple angles of the same item
• Outputs a 3d model
  
2. 123d Make
• Uses an existing virtual model to realise an interlocking/stacked output file
• Outputs sheets ready to laser cut
  
  
  
  
3. Wordle
• User selected text mashed up together to make graphic
• Outputs a PDF of randomised (or user selected settings) text
  
4. Arduino
• Uses code as instructions and outputs signals
• Outputs blinks and colour codes to RGB LEDs
  
  
  
  

Hand-made process:

1. Sketchup modelling
• Mouse and Keyboard combo
• Outputs a 3d model (Smoove Tool)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
2. Blue Foam modelling
• Hands on approach in subtractive modelling with hot wire cutter
• Outputs a 3d model typically for "massing", mockup or model to be "caught" by 123d Catch
• Used if forms cannot be achieved by way of addition
3. Clay Modelling
• Hands on approach in additive modelling 
• Ouputs a 3d model typically for "massing", mockup or model to be "caught" by 123d Catch
• Used if forms cannot be achieved by way of subtraction
4. Paper/Foil Modelling
• Hands on approach in plane modelling
• Ouputs a 3d plane typically for landscapes to be "caught" by 123d Catch
• Used if surface randomisation is required