Framing digital fabrication in the architectural research practice through a taxonomy

Abstract

This paper examines the integration of digital tools in architecture, exploring their transformative effects on the design process. Despite the increased control and innovative possibilities these tools provide, their impact on research-driven architectural design studios remains underexplored. The research focuses on the role of digital fabrication, a method that has revolutionized design and construction, but also brings several misperceptions about its role in architectural practice. By analyzing selected architecture offices, the investigation uncovers new modes of design thinking, highlighting the architect's role in solving complex processes and expanding architectural vocabulary. A taxonomy approach is utilized to categorize methods and identify interrelationships within the design process. Ultimately, the study contributes to a deeper understanding of digital tools in project-based research methodologies in architecture, offering insights that challenge traditional practices and pave the way for innovative design mechanisms.