Digital Ceramics a four-credit design course investigating the intersection between modern CAD/CAM tools and fabrication processes and age-old materials of casting ceramics. The course will address the issues architects face in introducing variation into typical standardized building systems and materials. Students will learn new ways of thinking about design in terms of rule-based modular material systems.

Digital Ceramics is taught by Molly Reichert, who specializes in digital design and fabrication and whose practice explores the intersection of architecture, fabrication, and art. Course work will draw on two different knowledge bases and skill sets, which merge ceramics with digital tools and fabrication processes. This course will familiarize architecture students with new ways of making, such as, 3d modeling and digital fabrication with the use of Rhinoceros a 3d printer and a CNC router. These techniques will be applied to the ceramic reproductive process of slip casting, which consists of making plaster molds, making slip, casting forms, firing and installing a site specific work.

Students will work individually and in groups on a series of exercises, presentations, and projects. Deliverables include reading and precedent research presentation, site research and analysis, and a fabricated series of tiles or a wall system of bricks.

PROJECT BLOG: Digital Ceramics 2014 

PROJECT CREDIT

INSTRUCTOR: Molly Reichert
MODULAR BEEHIVE: HyunSang Cho, Michelle Luan, Morgan Peterson, Digital Ceramics 2014
SOUND FACADE: Kristen Gjesdahl, Lwabeya Mutanda, Sean Wickman, Digital Ceramics 2014

DETAILS

Digital Ceramics Course Description
UMN Bachelor of Design in Architecture Workshop
Spring 2014