Digital Steam Bending: Re-Casting Thonet Through Digital Techniques

Abstract

Digital Steam Bending is a design and fabrication research project that investigates the historically relevant, regionally significant technique of steam bending using advanced parametric software modeling, STAAD structural analysis, and computer numerical control (CNC) fabrication methods to reenvision the nearly forgotten technique of wood steam bending developed by Michael Thonet in the 19th century. In doing so, Digital Steam Bending performs several operations: it reclaims a forgotten technique of fabrication and reframes it through the lens of contemporary digital craft, it claims new ground in the traditional periphery of architectural practice through shifting scales, and it confronts the difficulties of digital design and digital form generation through applied material practices. It also gestures toward the possibilities that regional resources and craft may leverage against high-carbon globalized manufacturing.Digital Steam Bending was conducted as a series of interconnected feedback loops in which material resistance, formal manipulation, and digital tools were each allowed to influence the others. Material testing on various wood species began simultaneously with the development of formal digital models, where built-up aggregations of unique but similar individual parts were parametrically modified to derive possible means of tectonic connection and overall form in search of spatial, architecturally scaled assemblies and structures. Locally harvested, FSC-certified, air-dried white oak evolved as the optimal material due to its high density, consistency of grain, natural durability, and local abundance. Several base components were designed, tested, and refined before ultimately arriving at full-scale fabrication. The assemblies were then installed and documented as an exhibition at the University of Michigan's Taubman Gallery and a full-scale gateway structure at Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, MI, during Art Prize 2010.

Promoting experimentation and integrated design process through the exploration of the steam bending technique in wood: Essay F8 challenging orthogonality

“…Por último, se reflexiona sobre la importancia de complementar la técnica integral de diseño con un modelado de software paramétrico avanzado, análisis estructural y métodos de fabricación CNC (Computer Numerical Control), entre otras técnicas, para reinventar los procesos de diseño, ya que como lo propone (Schulte et al, 2011), los modelos deben ser capaces de tratar con características tradicionalmente difíciles de visualizar como la elasticidad y la recuperación elástica de un material, manteniendo un seguimiento preciso del conjunto detallado de instrucciones que se pueden comunicar a elementos de desarrollo digital.…”

“…La propuesta se desarrolló realizando pruebas de la técnica y propiedades del material, a menudo llevándolo al límite o punto de falla (Schulte, M., Mankouche, S., Bard, J., & Ng, 2011). Estas experimentaciones actúan como un complemento los procesos de diseño actuales y permiten repensar la construcción rumbo a incorporar la fabricación digital.…”

Proceedings of the 27th Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) [Volume 2]

“…In the last decade there has been a renewed interest in steam bending to materialize 3D splines produced with parametric design software. These include furniture by Mathias Pleisnig, experimental structures by Harvard GSD students (Menges, 2011), small pavilions at the University of Michigan (Mankouche et al, 2012), and permanent shelters at the Architectural Associations Hooke Park campus (Self, 2014). In each of these projects, the design space of parametric models is deliberately constrained to geometry that is deemed within the bending limits of the timber, and steam bent parts are confined to underlying surface geometry or small jigs.…”