Computer-aided Manufacture in Architecture - The Pursuit of Novelty: Changing the Craft of Design

"Computer Aided Manufacture in Architecture" is both a critical introduction and a practical guide to CAM. It argues that our understanding and exploration of CAM requires more than knowledge of the technology involved. It also demands an awareness of its relation to existing practices of design and making. By placing CAM within the context of both traditional craft and mechanised mass production, this book shows how we can begin to 'change the craft of design'. Callicott covers both the origins of CAM and its future applications outside of conventional manufacturing. A number of experimental projects - undertaken specifically for the research of the book - consider the strategies for future multi-disciplinary applications. Techniques explored include both the rapid prototyping of objects within the design studio and large-scale examples within the manufacturing industry using CNC machining strategies. Together they provide designers with an unprecedented opportunity to carry out complex and unique proposals within research and commercial practice. Computer aided manufacture greatly increases the palette of tools available to designers and in so doing changes both the craft of design and the design process itself. This book explores the questions that this throws open and challenges the way in which we design today - do we succumb to pre-packaged solutions, or are we still in control of the technology we use? This is a concise, clear, 'how to do it' guide to a new and exciting area of architecture, which allows you to explore the challenges that face architects today. It also describes techniques and outlines what value they bring to the design process.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 - Industries in Transition - The changing tools of architectural practice; The devolution of the factory; A brief history of computer controlled machine tools; Part 2 - Techniques and Processes - Definition of basic fabrication processes; Applications and examples; 'Non-Traditional' machining processes; Rapid prototyping; Part 3 - Production Environments - The workshop and the site; Case studies.

Review :
'This book is a must for anyone who possesses an interest in being able to function as a designer or architect in the next decade. Instead of polemic, it gives the reader a simple steady-handed, non-esoteric introduction to CAM, but it is not shy of the far-reaching ramifications that are inherent in its implementations as a mainstay to future practice. What more can one expect from an architectural book?' Architects Journal 'I am writing a thesis on how computer aided manufacture is being integrated and redefining the design industries with particular interest in modelmaking. This book helped a great deal, giving an excellent unbiased objective from many sources. An easy to read and understand book that allows the reader to form an educated opinion. This is a relatively new technology that's here to stay, so this is a definite must for people who want to know more about it. Five stars.' Amazon.com customer review.