Exploring Structural Viability: Structural Prototyping
February 2, 2024
Design+Build students began a rigorous exploration of joinery, assembly logic, and structural integrity. Leveraging Rhino3D and Revit applications, students tested their structural designs at full-scale, converging digital precision and tangible realization.
Using Rhino and Revit models, students meticulously extracted their structural designs for physical testing, each element meticulously calibrated to meet exacting specifications. With digital modeling complete, attention turned to the rationalization of components, a process that streamlined complex geometries into discrete elements suitable for fabrication.
Utilizing a multi-layered plywood assembly as their medium, students leveraged CNC milling technology to translate digital designs into tangible prototypes. Through automated precision, each component was meticulously crafted, ensuring total fidelity to the original digital model.
Assembled with meticulous care, these prototypes became the focal point of structural testing, where the efficacy of connections and material performance were subjected to rigorous scrutiny. Through iterative refinements, students optimized their designs, fine-tuning connections and materials to achieve superior structural performance.
It’s at the Creating_Making Lab where digital design transitions into physical realization. Through hands-on experimentation and iterative refinement, students expanded their understanding of the intricate interplay between digital design and physical fabrication.
As we completed this phase, we left with not only prototypes but also a deeper appreciation for the fusion of artistry and engineering that defines our discipline.
