Abstract:

The purpose of this article is to reflect on the use of rapid prototyping in architectural design teaching and the possible interference that the use of this method may entail. This study is the result of a workshop held at Mackenzie Presbyterian University School of Architecture and Urbanism during the XIV Living Metropolis Week, entitled “Urban Prototyping in Residual Spaces”. This publication covers the concepts presented to students, the methods and hybrid design experiments used and the results obtained. What contributed to the agility and precision in the experiments was the approximation between the studio and the prototyping laboratory. The design competition held by 3 groups of students in the architecture and urbanism course does not exhaust discussions about the teaching process in the architecture and urbanism course, but stimulates reflection by the group of teachers and students on the social transformations involved by new technologies. Incoming students already have expertise in technologies, so a paradigm shift in traditional methods in the teaching process is necessary. The object of study are the drawings and models produced by the students. The original contribution of this article stems from the opportunity for students to develop proposals for urban equipment in residual areas on the edge of Santa Cecília Subway Station, appropriating sketches, digital drawings, 3D modeling and digital fabrication of the proposed elements.

Keywords:

Design Process, Teaching, Rapid Prototyping, Laser Cutter, Digital Fabrication.