Scan-to-Assembly: AI-Assisted Design and Fabrication of Recyclable Wood Structures with 3D-Printed Nodes

6000

This project investigates how recycled and irregular wood logs can be transformed into a spatial architectural installation through AI-assisted scanning, computational design, and digital fabrication. Rather than standardising natural materials through excessive cutting or processing, the project treats each irregular wood element as a valuable digital and material resource. Students will use 3D scanning methods such as photogrammetry or LiDAR to capture the geometry of wood logs, process the data into a digital material library, and develop computational workflows for adaptive assembly.
A central focus of the project is the design and prototyping of custom 3D-printed connection nodes. These nodes act as interfaces between irregular natural materials and controlled assembly logic, enabling precise, reversible, and non-destructive connections. Through iterative prototyping, fabrication, and assembly, the project aims to construct a small-scale spatial installation in the Design Building as a demonstrator of circular construction principles.
The project integrates research-through-making, computational modelling, geometry processing, 3D printing, and physical installation. It contributes to sustainable architectural design by exploring how irregular, locally sourced materials can be reused through scan-to-assembly workflows and reversible node-based construction systems.