Participants will design a chair developed for large-scale additive manufacturing. The project will examine how computational geometry, structural logic, ergonomics, and fabrication constraints can be integrated into a single furniture design workflow.
The project will progress through case study analysis, computational modelling, geometric refinement, fabrication assessment, and development of an individual furniture proposal.
The fabrication focus will be large-scale 3D printing. Overhang angles, wall thickness, layer height, print orientation, material behaviour, self-supporting geometry, and continuous toolpath logic will inform the design and fabrication strategy.
Students will:
- Analyse and rebuild a chair using computational design in Houdini.
- Develop complex geometry with ergonomic and structural considerations.
- Integrate overhang, wall thickness, print orientation and production constraints.
- Prepare self-supporting geometry for large-scale additive manufacturing and robotic 3d printing.
- Develop and present an individual fabrication-ready furniture proposal.
Program
Day 1: Case Study & Computational Furniture Design
- Introduction to large-scale additive manufacturing and reference projects
- Showcase and analysis of Reference Houdini Workflows design to production.
- Guided rebuild of a chair in Houdini, every participant ends Day 1 with a working procedural setup.
- Design Ideation and development of individual geometry variations with ergonomic and production considerations.
Day 2: Fabrication, Design Optimisation & Final Proposal
- Refinement of furniture geometry with surface patterns and adaptive transitions.
- Production optimisation based on overhang, wall thickness, and print orientation.
- Preparation of geometry for continuous robotic toolpath generation; slicing and G-code output demonstrated as time allows.
- Final development, presentation, and review of individual furniture proposals.
