Abstract:
This dissertation deals with the makings of a
multidisciplinary off-site manufacturing(OSM)
education and research facility, focused on the
development and use of Computer Aided Drafting
(CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM)
techniques, to design, manufacture and assemble
buildings. Post-industrial revolution, construction,
manufacturing and architectural professions have
been developing CAD/CAM techniques within many
facets of the built environment - some more successful
than others. Lately the value and intention of these
OSM elements in general have become obscured.
Dall and Smith(2019) argue that any mass produced
elements that are being reproduced and shipped all
across the world, is inherently meaningless, because
the sense of effort exerted on its creation is lost.
The trend of moving back towards craft “everything”
at the onset of the 21st century is directly linked to
this meaningless feeling created by mass production.
In a phenomenological sense this puts architecture
in danger...: As it is the implied bias of architecture
to create meaning via the design and construction
of spaces. This disconnect between the built
environment professions within the development of
off-site elements, is what this dissertation will address.
In order to restart this artisanal dialect, the intention
is to design a multidisciplinary research, manufacture
and education facility, that could aid the off-site
manufacturing processes related to precast concrete,
steel structures and timber computer numeric
controlled (CNC) fabrication.
