Construct3D 2017

Digital fabrication is poised to change the architectural design industry in both compelling and concerning ways. Virtual and physical spaces, objects, and designs are on a converging path. Understanding the skillset inherent to this intersection is key to engaging the opportunities and developing designs that are not driven by, but inspired through the use of digital fabrication. In his book Change by Design, President of IDEO Tim Brown discusses three overlapping courses of a project describing an “inspiration space, ideation space, and an implementation space” each of which build a comprehensive design process. Adding a digital fabrication process to these first two phases of design (inspiration and ideation) builds stronger critical thinking, and has the possibility of building a stronger customer value proposition through new forms of communication and education. The implementation space that Tim Brown discusses though is an entirely new mode of development for designers outside of the “design-build” business model. Final implementation of the physical forms through digital fabrication of a design has incredible potential to significantly increase project scope, build office backlogs, and construct a bridge toward retail markets previously unimaginable at a wide scale within the design industry.