Parametric fabrication of engineered timber products in a pedagogical environment

As the construction industry shifts during the third Industrial Revolution it is imperative that computational tools (software and hardware) are being integrated into existing and new design/fabrication methodologies. Timber buildings were traditionally designed, fabricated, and erected by master carpenters, the ‘designer-makers’ while contemporary building design and construction requires input from multiple stakeholders and consultants. The direct nature of the digital design and fabrication process combined with the flexibility and workability of timber and wood products can allow a recombining of designer and maker disciplines to enable individuals and groups of designer to conceive, document and produce complete building solutions. Concurrently pedagogical environments and delivery is required to adapt in order to produce the next generation of designer / maker. This paper explores the role of digital design (parametric and associative workflows) and fabrication (CNC machining) methodologies in a pedagogical environment as a mechanism to empower future design/makers and challenge current expectations of the design and procurement of timber-based construction.