ARCHDRC 700 : Advanced Digital Fabrication

Creative Arts and Industries

2023 Semester Two (1235) (15 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Covers fabrication technologies and materials, practical experimentation with a range of fabrication tools and an introduction to current research and development.

Course Overview

Digital technologies provide architects and engineers with dynamic tools to create new forms and constructions. Simulation programmes are used for the optimisation of complex shapes and digital fabrication for their execution.  In addition, the integration of intelligent technologies into the building fabric enables architecture to respond to environmental conditions and user behaviour. In unprecedented ways, this expands the possibilities for the design and construction of architecture.

The seminar will explore and test and how additive and subtractive digital fabrication technologies can be used to produce new effective solutions and new architectural aesthetics. The seminar is embedded in the research at the arc/sec Lab at the School of Architecture and Planning. We will collaborate with other laboratories at UoA such as the Creative Design and Additive Manufacturing Lab at Engineering to introduce cutting edge digital fabrication tools and adjoined technology. The seminar will give a step by step introduction into the technology. The course will offer a hands-on experience that allows testing of the latest fabrication technology that the University has available.  The outcome will be a series of 4 experimental physical prototypes each paired with a technical report to summarize findings.

Course Requirements

No pre-requisites or restrictions

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of the key technologies and concepts of additive and subtractive digital fabrication technologies (Capability 1.1, 1.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1 and 6.3)
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of of the use of this technology in relation to the design, fabrication and assembly process (Capability 1.1, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1 and 6.3)
  3. Identify , contextualise and analyse comparable fabrication reserach projects (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3)
  4. Demonstrate improved fabrication skills and communication skills for technical topics (Capability 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.3, 3.2, 3.3, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3 and 6.3)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Project 1 incl technical report 10% Individual Coursework
Project 2 incl technical report 25% Individual Coursework
Project 3 incl technical report 25% Individual Coursework
Project 4 incl technical report 40% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4
Project 1 incl technical report
Project 2 incl technical report
Project 3 incl technical report
Project 4 incl technical report
fabrication project and technical report

Teaching & Learning Methods

A series of key lecture and workshops will define the research framework and explain the use of specific fabrication technologies.
Students are expected to assemble information on their individual investigation through self-directed research.
Four oral presentations by each student are setup to initiate group discussions and to offer feedback for the further development of the project and the four fabrication projects

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 15 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect o.5 hours of lectures, 0.5  hours tutorial,  3 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 6 hours of work on assignments every week.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is required at scheduled activities including labs/tutorials/studios to complete/receive credit for components of the course.
Lectures will be available as recordings. Other learning activities including tutorials will not be available as recordings.
Attendance on campus is required for the oral presentions.
The activities for the course are scheduled as a standard weekly timetable.

Learning Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

added on Canvas

Health & Safety

Digital  fabrication tools and machinery  will be operated by or under the supervision of UoA technicians and DRH staff

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

The 2021 course was disrupted by lockdowns. Access to the workshops was hardly possible. There should be no interruptions this year.

Other Information

To pass this course, all 4 projects must be completed and achieve an overall pass mark. Regular attendance is expected.

Time extensions can only be granted under reasonable circumstances, i.e. medical. Please get in contact if applicable.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Class Representatives

Class representatives are students tasked with representing student issues to departments, faculties, and the wider university. If you have a complaint about this course, please contact your class rep who will know how to raise it in the right channels. See your departmental noticeboard for contact details for your class reps.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course students may be asked to submit coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. In exceptional circumstances changes to elements of this course may be necessary at short notice. Students enrolled in this course will be informed of any such changes and the reasons for them, as soon as possible, through Canvas.

Published on 20/12/2022 08:01 a.m.