After successful completion of the course, students are able to deepen competence in both design and production of three-dimensional objects through practical and theoretical exposure to foundations of architectural geometry and 3D modelling, computational design and digital fabrication, material and artistic research. The set of skills needed for the design and production of artistic works is transferred by means of various teaching formats, including vertical lectures, design reviews, from software tutorials to hands-on material experiments.
HARDSOFTSOFTHARD
By mixing references and bridging methods from the fields of art [1], architecture [2], toy design [3] and computational fabrication [4], the course aims at the production of an open-ended construction system at the scale of the human body. Through a practice-based approach and a constant use of 1:1 scale physical prototyping, the course will focus on the design and fabrication of three-dimensional interlocking components by using materials with contrasting properties - e.g. soft/hard, transparent/opaque, brittle/elastic, heavy/lightweight. Design and fabrication will agnostically look at both analog and digital techniques. Intuitive hand-made physical models and advanced combinatorial algorithms will be used to explore the emerging design space afforded by the parts, while traditional physical modelling methods and robotic fabrication techniques will be juxtaposed during the production phase.
Independent research; workshops; work on site in the "Modelliersaal" as well as outdoor space; weekly meetings and feedback sessions; individual and independent development and presentation of physical prototypes and objects in the field of product design or sculptural artistic design; presentation of the results in the context of exhibitions; work in small as well as in larger groups.
Schedule
The course takes place mainly on Tuesdays in the Modelliersaal (Main building, Karlsplatz 13, 4 Floor, Entrance through Hof 1 Stiege 10).
A more intensive period will take place in the end of June.
An introductory workshop will take place at Ziegelwerk Nicoloso Pottenbrunn (Bahnstraße 50, 3140 St. Pölten) on the 14th of March (more information will follow).
Dates
March
14/3/23 8:00-18:00 (Kick-off day Workshop-Nicoloso, meeting at Reselgasse 3 TU WIEN)
21/3/23 10:00-18:00 (Lecture, Workshop-Modelliersaal)
28/3/23 10:00-18:00 (Lecture, Workshop)
April
18-19/4/23 9:30-18:00 (Computational design workshop)
25/4/23 10:00-14:00 (Design desk-crits)
May
9-10/5/23 10:00-18:00 (3D printing workshop)
23/5/23 10:00-14:00 (Midterm presentations)
June
1/6/23 10:00-14:00 (Design desk-crits)
13-15/6/23 10:00-18:00 (Production)
20-22/6/23 10:00-14:00 (Production)
27-28/6/23 10:00-18:00 (Assembly)
29/6/23 10:00-14:00 (Final presentations)
Language
The course will be held in German and English.
COVID19: If, due to requirements of the federal government or the Vienna University of Technology, it is not possible to hold the course and the examination or the partial performances in presence, the online format will be used. By changing to the online format, the dates announced for the face-to-face course and examination (partial performances) may change. In the event of a change to the online format, the course will be held via zoom meetings and the examination mode will take the form of an oral final presentation.
