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The Learning-by-Making program at the University of Tasmania, School of Architecture & Design is based on principles of experiential learning, community engagement and the importance of ‘making’ in design education. The program has integrated a ‘homegrown’ digital fabrication tool into its design/build repertoire. Many opportunities for creative engagement with educational and training institutions have emerged. The projects illustrated in the paper – including an exhibition stand, an outdoor learning space, and several iterations of a transportable micro-dwelling – have been fabricated using a bespoke Sketchup plugin called ‘Superslob’. The plugin, designed with an emphasis on accessibility, transparency and reliability, ignores the lure of algorithmic gymnastics and instead focuses on the mass-customisation potential of five simple jointing patterns applied to sheet materials. Case studies describe how, from this simple, open-ended premise, Superslob has provided a flexible and reliable tool to support vocational training and enable collaborative design with primary school students. The paper suggests how digital fabrication can support ‘making’ as a collaborative, creative and socially productive act, and reinforces the value of long-term community engagement.

Item Type:	Refereed Conference Paper
Keywords:	digital fabrication, education
Research Division:	Built Environment and Design
Research Group:	Architecture
Research Field:	Architecture not elsewhere classified
Objective Division:	Construction
Objective Group:	Other construction
Objective Field:	Other construction not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Burnham, R (Dr Richard Burnham)
UTAS Author:	Holmstrom, K (Mr Kyle Holmstrom)
ID Code:	99295
Year Published:	2014
Deposited By:	Architecture
Deposited On:	2015-03-19
Last Modified:	2015-12-17
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