Transformable Luminaire Design: From digital sketch to fabrication through computation and simulation

Abstract

Advanced computational design tools can help architectural and product designers to create novel and innovative designs. In this paper, we describe how advanced tools from research projects may be used together to design, simulate, and fabricate transformable luminaires. These tools support rapid design and simulation iterations to converge towards a realizable, usable and aesthetically design, which negotiates real-world constraints such as production costs, manufacturing time and material properties. We report on our experiences with integrated design and production workflows from teaching a digital design and production class, asking students to design and produce a luminaire based on a given production infrastructure. The design process starts with a conceptual part, where design intentions and basic ideas are explored with a 3D sketching tool. Students then develop parametric models by determining independent and dependent design parameters. As a required feature, the luminaire should have a transformable screen designed by a generator for flexible quad-surfaces. Real-time rendering tools allow for a fast, visual evaluation of these designs. After selecting the most suitable design regarding the design intention, students evaluate production feasibility and iteratively update their design until all production constraints are fulfilled. We describe the didactic and technical concepts and conclude with a discussion of open issues.