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- Title of Abstract:
Coded Ornament: Contemporary Plasterwork and the use of Digital Technologies (Ref #95)
- Date:
- 14-09-2006 11:28:20
- Status:
-
Accepted
- Rating:
- 8
-
Details:
- Conference themes: Craft and digital process, Craft and manufacturing
Keywords: craft, digital technology, ornamental plasterwork, architecture, collaboration, industry
The ornamental plaster industry is predominantly driven by the reproduction of traditional designs and by restoration work. The manufacturing technologies used in this industry have developed little since the 19th century.
The current resurgence in the use of decoration within interior and exterior architectural design along with the author?s interest in digital technologies prompted him to undertake a practice based research project which sought to investigate the role of digital technologies in the design and production of contemporary ornamental plasterwork.
The research took the form of a collaborative project involving the author (a maker and researcher) and a ornamental plasterwork company (Hayles & Howe). The author was interested in not only the productive potential of digital technologies, but also their role in creating new forms of sustainable practice for independent makers. The specific questions addressed by this project where:
1. By working in collaboration with an established manufacturer of decorative plasterwork, can an independent designer-maker be instrumental in developing an innovative new range of products or create the potential for new markets/contexts for architectural plasterwork.
2. Can the integration of CAD/CAM technologies with the traditional skills and processes used in this industry help promote innovation and create the potential for mass customisation.
This project involved the author working within the workshops of the plaster company in order to gain an understanding of their ?traditional? production processes and assess how digital technologies could potentially extend their current working procedures. He then when on to undertake four small projects employing a range of different digital technologies, (incl. laser cutting, 2D and 3D CNC milling and some rapid prototyping), in order to develop new design and production procedures and a number of new plasterwork prototypes. The project culminated in a large scale exhibition of the new work developed, a documentation of process and demonstrations of some of the technology employed.
This paper will take the form of a case study report on this project. It will briefly describe the aims of the project, provide an illustrated description of the processes used to develop the new work and reflection on the author?s experience of the collaboration. The conclusion will discuss to what degree the questions posed have been addressed and highlight any generalizable outcomes which may be of relevance to independent makers undertaking collaborative projects with industry.
Reviewer Comments: