Mac Simmons, Architectural Design, 2025
Mac is a senior Architectural Design major with a passion for digital illustration and fabrication. Her field of study sparked an interest in digital fabrication, which demands technical precision and harmony between hand-crafted and computer-aided model making. Eager to complete her BFA, Mac plans to strengthen her CAD designing skills through digital fabrication.
Skill Building
A series of technical exercises build and demonstrate skills in Rhino, laser cutting, 3D printing, and CNC routing.
3D Printing
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CNC Routing
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Project I: Luminous Object
The Luminous Shed takes a conventional shed form and creates a new luminous form, using the silhouettes from the cutout facades and chimney to provide light. This small-scale shed, intended to live on a shelf, is intended to provide a very dim and nostalgic air with it.
Process
This model was fabricated in Rhino, accounting for the material depth in the 3D representation. After converting all faces to lines, each surface was laser cut and assembled.
Project II: Physical Digital Interplay
This fabricated connection uses an altered replica of a highlighter to create a hanger for a desk brush. As a result, the tool has a connecting piece that allows it to hang from wider hooks or attach to a tote bag.
Process
After using Rhino to replicate the accurate dimensions of a highlighter, the base was altered into a heart shape and 3D printed to include a rod that fits into the hole of the brush.
Project III: Room Divider
Each student used the same panel dimensions to customize their module for a 10-piece room divider
Process
Each panel was fabricated by converting the Rhino design into a CAM file and using the CNC router. The frames were also cut with the CNC router and installed with screws. Each frame was connected with hinges to make an accordion fold.
Research
More Information
additional information and links