CRAFT 2014

CRAFT initiated as an annual event to foster computational design and digital fabrication with realization of a 1:1 pavilion, through collaborative design and collective work. Focused on the design of a 4*4*4 m pavilion through mathematical definition of Gyroid, a periodic minimal surface. For the fabrication of this pavilion, flexible formwork strategy has been used, combined with composite materials. In a brief, the pavilion has been subdivided into pieces, for each, a unique formwork has been generated and cut with a CNC machine and further assembled. After applying the composite, the formwork opened and the pieces assembled together to shape the pavilion.

Algorithmic design tools have enabled us to design and fabricate complex objects. subdivision of complex curved surfaces is one of the examples through which, realization and fabrication of architecture becomes possible. craft 2014 designed and fabricated a pavilion in one to one scale. the main question was that how we can design and fabricate the project without subdividing it into tiles for fabrication purposes, but rather making it as a continues surface. although there were industrial cnc milling machines and laser cutters available for the work, the main material system of the project was resin and fiber in different formats. the challenge was to discover the possibilities of this composite material system to use this knowledge for the design of the pavilion. the process of material system development, experiments, design and fabrication of the pavilion till the very end point was accomplished by the work of participants. more than teaching the basics, discussions and group works were the generator of the design product. design through collective intelligence, and education through a design-research agenda were two main important achievements of craft 2014.