Blurring the Lines: Computer–Aided Design and Manufacturing in Contemporary Architecture

The first few years of the 21 stcentury have seen a revolution in the ways that we think about designing and making buildings. In no other area is this more apparent than in the interface of computer–aided design (CAD) and computer–aided manufacture (CAM). The potential blurring or assimilation of these two systems holds the still allusive but golden promise of a direct, smooth transference of design data into large–scale production facilities in which components are directly cut, modelled and moulded. How far off are we from seeing the widespread adoption of this technology? What is the potential for CAD/CAM beyond tailor–made forms? In the future, what is the possibility of complex, large–scale modelling being run out in mass–customised buildings?

Blurring the Lines draws together the expertise of both architects and engineers who are working at the fore in this field, with contributions from Mark Burry, Lars Hesselgren, Kristina Shea and ShoP Architects. In addition to essays on key topics, covering the intersection of CAD–CAM techniques, case studies are featured that bring into focus these pioneering technologies. These include among others: Gehry s D2 Bank Conference Hall; Nox Architects Son–O–House; Piano s Paul Klee Museum; Cook and Fournier s Kunsthaus Graz; and Massie s Digital Housings.

Blurring the Lines: an exploration of current CAD/CAM techniques (André Chaszar).

ARCHITECTURE.

Drawing in the Digital Age (Coren and William Sharples for SHoP Architects)

3. Designing Architecture Using a CAD System (Volker Mueller)

4. Blurring the Lines: an exploration of current CAD/CAM techniques parametric design and rapid prototyping: mediating between analogue and digital skill sets (Mark Burry)

5. Generative Design (Kristina Shea)

ARCHITECTURE CASE STUDIES.

6. Conference Hall, DZ Bank, Berlin (Tensho Takemori)

7. Son–O–House (André Chaszar)

The Parametric Bridge : connecting digital design techniques in architectural and engineering practice  (Andrew Maher)

ENGINEERING.

9. Engineering Form (Harald Kloft)

10. Building Performance Modelling: integrating computer simulation into the design process (André Chaszar, Nico Kienzl, Paul Stoller)

11. CAD–based Daylight Simulation and Analysis as a Design Support (Stefanie Reuss, Matthias Schuler Transsolar Energietechnik GmbH)

12. New Computer–aided Design and Communication Techniques for Architectural Acoustics (Neill Woodger, Arup Acoustics)

13. Bridging the Gap with Collaborative Design Programs for CAD/CAM (André Chaszar)

ENGINEERING CASE STUDIES

14. Blurring the Lines: an exploration in current CAD/CAM techniques Paul Klee Museum (André Chaszar)

15. Kunsthaus Graz/Museum of Modern Art Design development between the virtual and the real (Niels Jonkhans)

16. Blurring the Lines: case studies of current CAD/CAM Techniques BIX (André Chaszar)

CONSTRUCTION.

17. Blurring the Lines: an exploration of current CAD/CAM techniques CAD/CAM Applications in Hardware Design and Manufacture (Tim Eliassen)

18. The Development of CAD/CAM in Fabric Structures and Beyond (Angus Palmer, Craig Schwitter)

CONSTRUCTION CASE STUDIES.

19. Manilow and Nothstine Residences (Douglas Garofalo)

20. Blurring the Lines Case Study: Digital Housings an exploration of current CAD/CAM techniques (André Chaszar)

21. Blurring the Lines: Case studies of current CAD/CAM techniques The Chesa Futura (André Chaszar)

CONCLUSION.

22. Interior Eye CAD/CAM in the business of architecture, engineering and construction (André Chaszar and James Glymph).

André Chaszar is an engineer with an independent practice in New York. He combines his commercial work with research into CAD–CAM applications. An Adjunct Assistant Professor of Architecture at Columbia University, he has a B Arch Eng from Pennsylvania State University and an MSc Arch (hon) from The Technical University of Budapest. A professional registered engineer in New York, he is also a registered architect in Hungary.