Material Syntax

Instructor(s)

This course will explore design at multiple scales. Building from the micro-structure of material, the process of materialization to the functioning form, this course will challenge students to design an experimental façade building component at full scale. Conceived of as a hands-on concise design project of a façade element (3DP masonry component), the course will look at Making as an emergent and non-linear design process through direct engagement with additive material processes.

Operating as a small experimental micro-studio, the course will consist of introductory/foundational lectures followed by weekly design crits and hands-on experimentation with digital clay 3D printing. This course has been developed as part of a research collaboration with MasonryWorx into innovative masonry components.

Interest in materials to inspire curiosity and a strong interest in challenging design boundaries are assets for this course.

Student Work Gallery

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    Model photo
    Fired Dome prototype
    Kelley Gu / Emma Moseley
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    Digital process diagram.
    Digital Process
    Kelley Gu / Emma Moseley
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    Rendered dome.
    Rendering showing lit condition
    Kelley Gu / Emma Moseley
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    Photograph of brick.
    Twisted Brick
    Kelsey Dawson / Mia Mialnovic / Nathanael Scheffler
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    Photograph of brick connection and detail.
    Brick connection and detail.
    Kelsey Dawson / Mia Mialnovic / Nathanael Scheffler
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    Photograph of façade assembly.
    façade assembly.
    Kelsey Dawson / Mia Mialnovic / Nathanael Scheffler
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    Photograph of façade assembly.
    Façade assembly.
    Kelsey Dawson / Mia Mialnovic / Nathanael Scheffler
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    Photograph of model component.
    Component Detail
    Nupur Garg / Camilla Vespa / Prateek Wason
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    Photograph of model component.
    Component Detail
    Nupur Garg / Camilla Vespa / Prateek Wason
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    Photograph of model detail.
    Assembly
    Nupur Garg / Camilla Vespa / Prateek Wason
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    Render view of the wall.
    Speculative Assembly
    Nupur Garg / Camilla Vespa / Prateek Wason
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    Photograph of model.
    Play!
    Salman Rauf / Kevin Kunnappilly / Julie Niu
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    Section drawing of assembly
    Section
    Salman Rauf / Kevin Kunnappilly / Julie Niu
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    Rendered view of assembly
    Speculative assembly deployment
    Salman Rauf / Kevin Kunnappilly / Julie Niu
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    A linear array of various nozzle types and their resulting textures in clay.
    Nozzle and texture results
    Yi Ming Wu / Isabel Kim / Andrew Kenny
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    Six prototype units displaying different textural results in the clay using different nozzle designs.
    Prototype units
    Yi Ming Wu / Isabel Kim / Andrew Kenny