GUAN LEE AND DANIEL WIDRIG
DIGITAL MANUAL
Statement about the Research Content and Process Description
Methodology
This research argues for the place of human skill in an increasingly automated manufacturing industry. It explores ways for strengthening the interdependence and mutual benefits between manual craft and digital production. Through a series of built projects, the research investigates methods of fabrication using composite materials and new ways of manufacturing architectural components. These hybrid design and fabrication techniques make computation design more accessible and relatable to nonspecialist users.
1. Research trips to digital or craft-based art and architecture fabricators, including metal forging, casting, stone carving and brick laying, in the UK, Europe and China; 2. Computation design, 1:1 prototyping, digital programming and use of augmented reality (AR) technology; 3. Working with materials directly through trial and error and empirical experimentation; 4. Interdisciplinary workshops and exhibitions with educational institutions, museums, architects, craftspeople and artists.
Questions
1. What are the key differences between traditional/manual and digital/ computational workflows in the context of digital fabrication?
Dissemination
The research has featured in one solo exhibition (The Aram Gallery, London) with another postponed to 2021 (Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury). It has been included in three group shows (Cité de l’Architecture et du Patrimoine, Paris, London Design Festival and Building Centre, London). The work has featured in an article in Cubic Journal and another in Architecture Today, alongside numerous online pieces about the exhibitions. It has been the subject of eight lectures and conference participations.
2. What is the role of hands-on production in the context of automation? 3. How can feedback loops be established between digital and manual modes of production to harness the best of both? 4. How can material research be more sustainable for the environment and for manual crafts? 5. What is the role of empirical testing in the age of digital simulation?
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