Advanced Digital Design + Fabrication
ADD+F is a newly established research hub at the Melbourne School of Design that brings together academics and lead technicians, covering a diverse field of expertise, from data-driven design and robotic to 3D printing and mixed reality environments.
ADD+F's key focus is to instigate innovation through a collaborative and cross-technological approach, applying design thinking methodologies and experimentation methodologies. The research hub seeks innovative and sustainable solutions that apply to industries – ranging from construction, health and well-being, to the arts, entertainment and design disciplines.
The Design Research Hub ADD+F:
- explores advanced digital technologies to challenge current design and construction practices seeking innovative and sustainable solutions that apply to the industry.
- engages with a wide range of industries partner including, construction, health and wellbeing, the arts, entertainment and design disciplines.
- ventures into new directions, formulating novel processes, methods, tools and applications, for a future-orientated discipline and profession.
- undertakes explorations through research and teaching in collaboration with national and international partners.
- Address:
- Melbourne School of Design
Glyn Davis Building (133)
The University of Melbourne
Parkville Victoria 3010 Australia - Contacts:
- A/Prof Rochus Hinkel
Dr Paul Loh
Leire Asensio-Villoria - addf-research@unimelb.edu.au
Research projects
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Systems Upgrade
The research is a deep study of material artifacts from design history, using advanced digital design and manufacturing tools, to construct bridges between design history research and contemporary creative practice.
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Parametric Adjustable Mould
PAM is a patented computer numerically controlled (CNC) mould frame designed to produce double curvature concrete panels with a single mould frame.
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Design Technology in Contemporary Practice
Research associated to this project reflects on how the world’s most renowned architecture practices use technology to support design and delivery of their projects.
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The Doppelgänger
Developing digitally manipulated and fabricated artefacts by combining documentation with speculation. Funded by: The UniSA, the SIDA Foundation and the David Roche Foundation Curatorial Research Fellowship.
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Prosthetic Nests for the Powerful Owl
This project uses more-than-human and interspecies design approaches to make and test prosthetic habitat-structures for the powerful owl (Ninox strenua).
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ROOM
ROOM: Digital design to fabrication in temporary accommodation options for youth homelessness
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Clay 3D Printing
Development of clay 3D printing techniques that provide viable fabrication options for the built environment.
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Indoor Positioning Simulation
The study grounds the method for determining the dynamic and room-specific occupancy limits to improve well-being in indoor environments.
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Computing and Design Thinking
Development and application of computational tools, processes and theories for automation, optimisation and machine learning in architectural design.
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Micro-Hortus Conclusus
The research aims of this prototype is an exploration of the capacities for novel fabrication technologies to construct cultivated synthetic micro-ecologies. These synthetic substrate prototypes are intended as components within green roof or wall systems.
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Right Tree Right Place Right Time
A visual-functional design approach to select and place trees for optimal shade benefit to commuting pedestrians
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Digital and data-driven innovation in asset delivery, operations and management
Digital and Data-Driven Innovation is transforming how built environment assets are designed, delivered, operated, and managed towards better outcomes for end-users.
Members of the ADD+F research hub teach and coordinate graduate and undergraduate coursework with a computational design and technology-driven focus at the Melbourne School of Design. You can find a list of subjects below showcasing the diverse design research undertaken by ADD+F staff.
Digital Design & Fabrication Electives
The Digital Design and Fabrication Electives offer students the opportunity to gain expertise and competence in the understanding and application of contemporary design tools – informing students’ design process, making, and thinking. All offerings are based on a culture of experimentation whilst applying contemporary design and making tools to create advanced physical and digital artefacts and environments. Individual subjects are taught by leaders in their field from industry, practice, and research. Students receive additional support and insights from guests and the MSD Maker Spaces staff and infrastructure, including specific training in the operation and potentials of the available fabrication equipment. Subject Coordinator: A/Prof Rochus Hinkel
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2022 - Digital Design and Fabrication Electives Offerings
The suite of electives offered in 2022 includes DF_Lab, R_Lab, SI_LAB, Ex_Lab, and F_Lab.
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DF_Lab Summer 2022 Intensive (ABPL90378)
In this Summer Intensive students will be joining a team of researchers from ADD+F Research Hub to develop a modular street fixture for outdoor ambient cooling. Students will have the opportunity to take part in the design and making of a structure that supports an evaporative cooling system.
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Si_Lab Semester 1 2022 (ABPL90422)
SI_Lab (ABPL90422) introduces students to the use of advanced spatial information tools that allow architects and designers to better observe and represent buildings, objects, and environments.
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R_Lab Semester 1 2022 (ABPL90412)
Non-human habitats will be the focus of the R_Lab elective during Semester 1, 2022. In the age of the Anthropocene we need to care for other species. R_Lab students will design habitats for non-humans close to a creek in Melbourne.
Building Information Modelling Electives
The BIM Electives aim at developing students’ understanding of available innovative technologies and methodologies, particularly BIM, as crucial elements to the future of the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Through these subjects, students will receive hands-on tools experience and will learn about the BIM concept and the typical workflows of BIM implementation. Also, during the semester, BIM professionals in the industry will be invited as guest speakers to share their knowledge and experience on relevant topics. By completing these BIM Electives, students will be able to demonstrate a sound understanding of BIM-related processes as they unfold in practice and eventually prepare themselves for their future careers in the industry. Subject Coordinator: Dr Mehran Oraee
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Building Information Modelling
This subject will introduce BIM principles and break down the jargon in the BIM context. During tutorials, students will work with popular BIM software to develop and coordinate building information models including 3D, 4D and 5D BIM models.
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Building Information Management
In this subject, students will explore typical workflows of implementing BIM within organisations and on construction projects managed by multidisciplinary teams.
Graduate Research
Design and Creative Practice research are actively supported in the Melbourne School of Design and the University of Melbourne through the PhD model ‘Thesis by Creative Work'. Academics in the ADD+F research hub have the capacity to supervise PhD research projects, especially those with a design and creative practice focus.
Creative Practice Research is multi-modal in approach, combining tacit and embodied know-how with critical and contextual knowledge of the relevant design field. Explorative, open-ended and autoethnographic methodologies are supported with an emphasis on asking ‘what if?’ as well as ‘so what?’ enabling both creative and critical approaches to work side by side within a research project through various media. Relevant contemporary theories are mobilised to actively reflect and test creative practice work in progress and questions are raised concerning societal and disciplinary relevance.
A spectrum of interdisciplinary design and creative projects are supported by the MSD, and ADD+F research hub has the competence to supervise projects exploring art, design, architecture and heritage, urban design, placemaking and digital design and fabrication technologies. We encourage potential applicants to contact individual hub members or the co-directors for further advice and feedback on their applications.
Potential candidates find further information about the PhD program:
https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/preparing-my-thesis/thesis-with-creative-works
Application requirements and due dates: https://study.unimelb.edu.au/find/courses/graduate/doctor-of-philosophy-architecture-building-and-planning/how-to-apply/
Co-Directors:
Dr Rochus Hinkel, A/Professor in Architecture and Design
Dr Paul Loh, Senior Lecturer in Digital Architecture Design
Leire Asensio-Villoria, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Design
Researchers:
Dr Ajibade Aibinu, A/Professor in Quantity Surveying & Construction
Dr Sofia Colabella, Lecturer in Construction Technology in Architecture
Dr Dominik Holzer, A/Professor in Digital Architecture
Jas Johnston, Fabrication, Innovation, Technology Manager
Dr Nano Langenheim, Lecturer In Landscape Architecture & Urban Design
David Mah, Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Urban Design
Dr Mehran Oraee, Lecturer in Building Information Modelling
Ryan Pennings, Coordinator Robotics Lab
Dr Alberto Pugnale, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design
Dr Stanislav Roudavski, Senior Lecturer in Digital Design
Dr Djordje Stojanovic, Senior Lecturer in Architectural Design