Ornamatics

In recent years, ornamentation has increasingly (once again) become a compositional issue in architectural design. At the same time, computer-aided modelling protocols - in combination with new production technologies - have contributed to new ways of shaping building elements.

Some examples of new techniques, which have recently become very successful in building production and in architectural design education, are: 2D Laser cutting; 3D Rapid Prototyping; 2,5D and 3D Milling. Such new approaches not only create new opportunities for traditional production processes (including physical modelling), they also offer new perspectives for design and manufacturing on the level of architectural components and connections.

The course combines a focus on the opportunities for new forms of ornamentation, with the active utilisation of computer aided-modelling and manufacturing techniques. The course couples the analysis of historical and contemporary aesthetic paradigms with the opportunities and evolvements of a variety of 3D digital platforms.

It tries to stimulate the discussion about the role and meaning of ornament and decoration in the present, by setting the design in relation to an existing project.

The issue of Ornamentation involves study on the level of historical architecture styles and production techniques, finding / analysing / categorizing of typical examples, development of a critical view on aesthetics related to building components.