Connecting design and fabrication through algorithms: current and future prospects for AEC

Abstract

Algorithmic Design (AD) tools enable the creation of geometrically complex architectural shapes that might be challenging to manufacture. This paper presents an overview of recent design-to-fabrication processes based on AD. It reflects on how AD can help overcome fabrication limitations and enhance the connection between architectural geometry, material, and manufacturing, approximating design exploration and construction.After analysing the literature on AD-based design-to-fabrication processes, the research identifies methodological trends, showing that AD is often used to increase (1) design flexibility, (2) tool interoperability, and (3) control over design manufacturing. It also reveals that custom and standard algorithms are equally used at early-stage design tasks, but that custom algorithms are markedly more used at later stages, where the amount of data and level of detail are higher. The research concludes with a critical reflection on the still-existing design-to-fabrication barriers and proposes future research directions.