Ever since the beginning of digital fabrication (d-fab), it has been used to gain advantages in fields that usually require strenuous, grueling work. One of those fields is Architecture. Architecture has been around since human beings learned to erect structures. However, the process for it is vastly different in the modern age than it was many years ago. d-fab has allowed for ideas and projects thought to be impossible, completely plausible in the modern age.
As you may know, before the creation of d-fab, architects and designers only relied on design drawings or sketches to create their structures from. While this worked well for the time, it was limited in the scope of what could be accomplished as well as how long it would take to create structures. The introduction of d-fab to the architecture world was largely brought on by Frank Gehry, an architect who is now known for his many innovative and impactful buildings. His designs were like nothing that had been done before and were only made possible due to the efforts of d-fab pioneers. With the introduction of computer aided design, many avenues that we previously closed opened up revealing near endless possibilities. The early stages of architectural computer aided design mainly consisted of making models of structures instead of drawing them. The uses of d-fab in architecture only expanded from there.(Sojo)
After the beginning stages of d-fab’s uses in architecture, structures began to be made with pre-constructed parts that are to be put together in order to simplify and quicken the process of constructing a building. d-fab allowed architects to experiment with new materials and expand the scope of their structures. Concrete became popular as a d-fab material because of its ability to be shaped in any way the user desires. As a result of this, structures could be made with unusual shapes and geometry that would be impractical or impossible without d-fab. Examples of structures that use unconventional shapes include the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the Spencer Dock in Ireland, and many more as time goes on. The future of architectural d-fab becomes more expansive every day. (Sojo)
While no one can say for sure, the future of d-fab seems to be getting bigger and brighter with every given day. The technology of d-fab is still relatively new in the grand scope of things which usually means massive potential is still ahead of us. As of 2022, one of the next big influences of d-fab is the creation of 3D printed houses. Right now, this technology is being expanded but has yet to see much commercial use. What used to be just a science fiction idea is becoming a reality. We may soon see widespread usage of 3D printed housing as the technology progresses and becomes more cost effective and conventional.
To say the least, digital fabrication has been a massive part of architectural progression, especially in recent years. With how fast technology progresses, we may soon see some of the aforementioned technologies become the norm for architecture and construction.
Cite
Sojo, Andreina. “Evolution Of Digital Fabrication In Architecture – RTF | Rethinking The Future”. RTF | Rethinking The Future, 2022, https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/technology-architecture/a2546-evolution-of-digital-fabrication-in-architecture/.
Cutieru, Andreea. “An Overview Of Digital Fabrication In Architecture”. Archdaily, 2022, https://www.archdaily.com/940530/an-overview-of-digital-fabrication-in-architecture.
Brownell, Blaine. “The Intersection Of Digital Fabrication And Architecture”. Architect, 2022, https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/the-intersection-of-digital-fabrication-and-architecture_o.