Virtual to Physical: Integration of Design Computing and Digital Fabrication in Architectural Pedagogy

This study examines the significance of digital fabrication of scaled physical models in the digital design process and highlights the integration of design computing and digital fabrication in architectural education. Advances in CAD/CAM technologies have increasingly influenced building design and construction practices by allowing the production of complex forms that were once difficult to design and construct using traditional technologies. At the advent of digital architecture, schools of architecture introduced digital technologies to their curriculum, focusing more on design computing than digital fabrication, preventing students from completely mastering digital technologies. The significance of digital fabrication for scaled physical models as a design media within the digital design loop is discussed. Two case studies of leading schools of architecture that are successful in building the bridge between both areas are given. These focus on the curricular structure to integrate both areas within design studios. Finally, a curricular structure offering students a balanced approach to these areas of knowledge is proposed based on what was learned from these case studies.