Abstract:

The form-finding process involves the generation of multiple formal iterations in order to determine the shape that best corresponds to the functional and aesthetic needs. In this sense, the schooling period of students in the field of architecture plays an essential role in training the ability of imagination, rapid iteration and decision through critical analysis and selection. At the Faculty of Architecture and Urban planning, Politehnica University of Timisoara, the teaching activities of the first year of study are complemented by a series of thematic activities of practical work designed to enrich the repertoire of formal expression, to stimulate the imagination and creativity of students in architecture. As part of this program, the Digital modelling and 3dprint workshop organized in July 2021 aimed to familiarize students with the parametric digital modelling workflow and the 3d print technique used to materialize models in the virtual space. The students were assigned to develop two types of structures that explore small-scale objects and large-scale elements in the form of architectural installations with node and bar structures, where the node is the element of study.

In addition, the teaching and learning method is based on a hybrid system in which the theoretical part is organized in the form of video tutorials conducted online, while the application part involves face-to-face meetings that facilitate the observation of the 3D printing process, learning from trial-and-error by analyzing 1: 1 scale digitally fabricated models and post-processing and finishing of final models. At the end of this workshop, the results obtained by students reveal that they have acquired digital modelling skills, understanding of how the transfer process between the digital model and printing equipment are interrelated, how the type of printing equipment can influence the modelling process and vice versa.

Based on this experience, the paper is exploring how digital modelling and 3D printing can be used as a tool to enhance the creative process of first year students of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban planning, of the Architecture bachelor program. At the same time, it explores the challenges of teaching digital modeling software’s during online sessions and is comparing the obtained level of knowledge after the online lessons with the digital skills obtained after the face-to-face discussions based on the models which were created during the two phases of the workshop.

Keywords:

Creativity, digital modelling, form-finding, 3D print, workshop, online education.