Digital Design and Fabrication of Freeform Concrete Blocks The experience of ‘Cobogo Trança’

Abstract

This paper describes the methods and results of an experimental workshop held at the Department of Architecture of PUC-Rio devoted to exploring design alternatives and digital fabrication techniques to produce concrete façade elements for the Consulate General of Portugal building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The workshop aimed the adoption of advanced computer-aided design and production methods within a rare and innovative university-industry collaboration context in Latin America. The paper aims to discuss contemporary concrete casting methods and its applicability, as well as the achievements and pitfalls of the adopted technique. The results are discussed under the light of Antoine Picon's notion of contemporary ornament and Branko Kolarevic's perspectives on digital imprecision.