A Multi-resolution Design Methodology Based on Discrete Models

Abstract

The use of programming languages in design opens up unexplored and previously unworkable territories, mainly, in conventional architectural practice. In the 1990s, languages of continuity, smoothness and seamlessness dominated the architectural inquiry with the CNC milling machine as its manufacturing tool. Today's computational design and fabrication technology look at languages of synthesis of fragments or particles, with the 3D printer as its fabrication archetype. Fundamental to this idea is the concept of resolutionthe amount of information stored at any localized area. Construction of a shape is then based on multiple areas of resolution. This paper explores a novel design methodology that takes this concept of resolutions on discrete elements as a design driver for architectural practice. This research has been tested primarily through additive manufacturing techniques.

Multi-resolution in architecture as a design driver for additive manufacturing applications

“…The concept of resolution in design has not been highly explored. In the “Discrete Computational Methods and Resolution” section of this article, we reviewed previous work, 8,16,18,19 where even though the term resolution although not explicitly expressed, it is implicit in the use of discrete computational methods (the size of the discrete elements can be measured by resolution). It is only in Dillenburger and Hansmeyer’s study 17 where resolution is described as the main engine of each technique.…”

“…It is only in Dillenburger and Hansmeyer’s study 17 where resolution is described as the main engine of each technique. In Ladron de Guevara et al’s 16 study, multi-resolution refers to the potential that adjustments in multiple resolutions across a studied object may offer as a design opportunity, since the inherent discreteness of the process provides the means to reconfigure the object’s morphology. An object may embrace multiple configurations at once.…”

“…Resolution is normally defined as the amount of data in a given region. 16 In other fields, this concept is fundamental—for instance, digital images measure resolution by its number of pixels, each containing a tuple of numbers that represent values for different channels, alpha, red, green, and blue in a colored image. There are recent examples in architectural research either involving the word “resolution,” or using discrete computational methods, as the main design scheme.…”