ARCH - 537 | Fabrication | Winter 2021

Taubman College of Architecture + Urban Planning

Instructors: Tsz Yan Ng (coordinator), Mick Kennedy, Mark Meier, and Jonathan Rule, GSI: Gabrielle Clune

The three-credits M. Arch Fabrication course is designed to bring heuristic knowledge in material making, consisting of techniques for material manipulation, with broader framework for design and assembly logic. While we all engage with computational design today in our various architectural work through different platforms and tools, this compulsory fabrication course is an opportunity to introduce skills in using specific advanced fabrication tools available in our Fablab as well as other digital processes that relate to physical making. More than realizing designed elements, the course emphasizes explorations in design thinking that is invaluable toward architectural production. This includes material performance and assembly logic, jointing details, and emergent designs afforded by unique fabrication techniques. This introductory course is not intended to cover every single tool available at Taubman College. Rather, it is to provide initial exposure to students in working with these tools and techniques. Skills gained from this course aim to compliment production for other classes such as design studios - with the possibility of exploring more in-depth in other elective courses later on should students find specific fabrication techniques compelling.

For Winter 2021, this course will be either fully remote or hybrid. Whatever could be conducted on-line will be done so remotely. The in-person option is for those who are in Ann Arbor, who could work with specific tools and techniques at the Fablab. Those that are not in Ann Arbor can choose a remote learning workshop that does not require the student to be physically present at the Fablab. Class meetings for both remote and in-person will include discussion and review of prototypes and fabricated work. Given the morning class time, all students will be able to meet and work together during class regardless of geographic location and time differences.

Screen Divider

Tsz Yan Ng

Framing Objects

Gabrielle Clune