Digital Vernacular: Architectural Principles, Tools, and Processes

by James Stevens, Ralph Nelson

Overview

Digital Vernacular addresses the why and how of digital fabrication in hundreds of step-by-step color images, illuminating a set of working principles and techniques that join theory with practice. Authors James Stevens and Ralph Nelson reconcile local traditions and innovations with globally accessible methods and digital toolsets. By combining ethics with hardware, the book will root you in the origins of making, ensuring a lasting and relevant reference for your studio practice.

The book opens with the origins and principles of the digital vernacular, then outlines digital vernacular tools including computer numerically controlled (CNC) mills, laser cutters, and 3D printers. You'll even learn to create your own digital fabrication tools out of inexpensive materials. The book concludes with the processes of the digital vernacular, including techniques for removing, joining, forming, and adding.

A companion website at make-Lab.org hosts additional step-by-step processes and project outcomes.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781138017139
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/02/2015
Pages:	314
Product dimensions:	8.62(w) x 10.88(h) x (d)

About the Author

James Stevens is an Associate Professor and the Director of makeLab, a digital fabrication studio in the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University in Michigan, USA.

Ralph Nelson is an Associate Professor in the College of Architecture and Design at Lawrence Technological University and Principal of Loom, a collaborative design practice, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.

Table of Contents

Forewords by Branko Kolarevic and Michelangelo Sabatino Preface Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Origins of the Digital Vernacular 1.1 On Origins 1.2 The Digital 1.3 The Vernacular 1.4 The Maker 2. Principles of the Digital Vernacular 2.1 On Principles 2.2 Place and Time 2.3 Evolution and Sufficiency 2.4 Logic and Limits 2.5 Play and Innovation 3. Tools of the Digital Vernacular 3.1 On Tools 3.2 Tool Evolution 3.3 Walk-In Toolbox 3.4 Discovery and Acceptance 3.5 Tool-Making 3.6 Open Source, Hacking, and Shopping Around 3.7 3-D Printer 3.8 Laser Cutter 3.9 CNC Mill 4. Processes of the Digital Vernacular 4.1 On Process 4.2 Guiding Precedent 4.3 Defining Proposition 4.4 Fabricating Preference 4.5 Removing 4.6 Joining 4.7 Forming 4.8 Adding 5. Evolutions of the Digital Vernacular Image Credits End Notes Index

Editorial Reviews

"Digital Vernacular presents an easy to read and flowing text with articulated descriptions and step-by-step photographs. Undergraduate students especially will benefit from the basic knowledge presented in this book, as well as the range of tools and processes used." – Mine Özkar, Associate Professor, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey

From the Publisher