A context based approach to digital architectural modelling education

Abstract

This paper presents a context based framework for introducing digital modelling and fabrication to architecture students. Modelling has being taught either as a separate skill, or introduced within a comprehensive context of conventional design approaches. We argue that, a 'digestive context' might guide students to gain designing experience with/in digital media in a gradual and a cumulative way. This paper is based on a series of modelling and fabrication exercises as part of a one-semester digital design and modelling studio course for postgraduate students. We focus on the impact the initial exercises we assigned our students had on the final design product; We discuss the affordance and adaptability of the method that was developed by the students. © 2014, The Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA), Hong Kong.