Computer technologies and transdisciplinary discourse: critical drivers for hybrid design practice?

Abstract

We report on the findings of an ongoing, practice-based and critically grounded PhD research project. It has been recognised that an increasing number of practitioners are able and willing to negotiate working across the disciplinary domains of architecture, product design and sculpture. It is proposed that computer-aided design and manufacturing technologies can enable new models of practice. This paper positions the notion of transdisciplinarity as a critical driver for design vocabularies and methods towards an indicated new object grammar. Existing exemplary projects are reviewed to critically map how an increased level of sophistication in the implementation of these technologies contributes to design discourse in a cross-disciplinary manner. An existing technology adoption model is referenced to provide examples of integration which are understandable across discourse communities. It is indicated that there is a need for further research to identify and establish the benefits and limitations of this model of practice.

Keywords:

• Architecture
• CAD/CAM
• Objects
• Product design
• Sculpture