Prototyping Digital Ceramic Lattice Structures

This paper will discuss the digital design and fabricationof a series of complex lattice structures andthree-dimensional tiling systems as ceramic materialprototypes and modular architectural assemblies.The research investigates integrating innovativedigital technologies with traditional manufacturingtechniques for earthenware ceramics and slipcastplaster mold reproductions for climaticallyresponsive building systems. As a result, a series ofgeometrically complex assembly designs and irregularthree-dimensional tiling systems were developedand produced in a stoneware ceramic. These opengeometries, based on cellular lattice structurespermitting the free movement of air and light, as inscreen wall architectural applications, would typicallyhave been difficult and prohibitive to producedue to the high degree of difficulty in producing themolds and forming the necessary parts. In order tosimplify the production and maintain a greater levelof precision, a number of digital technologies wereapplied to streamline the process. By introducingvarious digital fabrication techniques at differingstages of the design and production process, the efficiencyof traditional ceramic production is balancedagainst the more versatile rapid prototyping technologies.As a result, highly articulate and formallycomplex modular ceramic systems were realized asreproducible modular ceramic parts, which werethen assembled as stable lattice structures forbioclimatic architecture in hot-humid and dry-aridclimates. Various digital fabrication technologieswere considered, from 3D printing models directlyinto a stoneware ceramic medium, as well as hybridmethodologies, such as casting reproductions of 3Dprinted original parts and casting production piecesfrom master molds milled on a computer numericallycontrolled (CNC) router. The digital design andmanufacturing processes investigated through theproduction of the finished prototypes and structurallattices will be discussed.

Volume Editors
Urs Peter Flueckiger & Victoria McReynolds

ISBN
978-1-944214-16-6