studio chahar
Research Course: Future Craft
Wentworth Institute of Technology. 2023. Graduate and senior level (ARCH-7800).
From the course syllabus: In today’s architectural practice, the transition from hand-craft to machine-craft as a response to the equilibrium of Quality/Scope versus Cost/Time, has shaped an architectural culture of rapid production and mass consumption. This transition has removed the maker and their interaction with material properties from the design process and has fallen short to account for historical “progress” and the role that diverse cultural identities and local resources continue to play in the creation of architectural value.
With access to innovative design and advanced fabrication techniques on one hand, and the possibilities for revitalizing diverse cultural identities, local resources, and traditional techniques on the other hand, now we are able to re-imagine a contextual, empowering and ecologically responsive architecture. One that follows the make-unmake procedure of craft and holds architectural practice responsible.
In this seminar we will explore craft as a context-dependent technological continuum that includes the handmade, the machine-made, and the computer-generated. We will evaluate architectural craft processes and material qualities and envision technology-based trajectories for traditional techniques that are shaped to produce lean solutions for a community’s needs. Through readings, discussions and class lectures we will discuss craft in correlation with the environment, historic heritages, community, technology, and aesthetics. Through hands-on workshops and adaptive use of (CAD/CAM) techniques and tools including but not limited to CNC router and the Robot Arm, this collaborative research-based class will explore the future shift in maker culture and architecture.