Material Strategies in Digital Fabrication

In this second edition of Material Strategies in Digital Fabrication are new case studies, improved wayfinding, the inclusion of composites and plastics, and references to similar strategies between different projects. In 400 step-by-step diagrams dissecting 39 case studies in 10 countries on 3 continents, the book shows you how material performance drives the digital fabrication process and determines technique. The book identifies the important characteristics of each material, including connection types, relative costs, deformation, color, texture, finish, dimensional properties, durability, and weathering and waterproofing to link design outcomes to form. The book is divided into five main chapters by material — wood, metal, concrete/masonry, composites/plastics, and recycled/pre-cycled — to help you reference construction techniques for the fabrication machines you have on-hand.

Includes projects by SHoP Architects, Gramazio & Kohler, Schindlersalmeron, The Institute for Computational Design (Achim Menges, Patkau Architects,Sebastien Wierinck, Blue Dot Furniture, Marble Fairbanks, Studio Gang Architects, Macdowell.Tomova, Thomas Heatherwick Studio, Heather Roberge, MX3D, Matsys, Asbjorn Sondergaard, Block Research Group (Phillipe Block), Ball Nogues Studio, Matter Design, WORK Architecture Company, and SoftLab.

Christopher Beorkrem is associate professor of architecture at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.