The advances and proliferation of digital technologies impact architectural practice asking for a revision of not only design production but also the education of future professionals. Using a case study from the University of Belgrade—Faculty of Architecture, this paper examines the efficient application of 3D printing as a design tool and opportunities for the implementation of this technology in architectural education. The research goal was to establish an educational framework for the studio course that was appropriate to local settings, starting with a review of educational approaches and usage of 3D printing in architectural design. Starting with the premise that there is a bidirectional relationship between design and its tool, educational framework for architectural design studio was proposed, tested in real educational settings, and evaluated. The results indicate that the use of 3D printing in studio course proved to be an effective tool for design exploration and presentation that supports (1) linking the logical way of thinking that requires parametric modeling with concept-based thinking; (2) change in mindset that occurs in the design process when students have a physical model in front of them to assess; and (3) improvement of deep understanding of spatial cognition among students as well as their competencies related to the use of the specific technology in the design process. The paper demonstrates how 3D printing technology improved educational methods, impacted students’ experiences in the design process, and elevated design exploration to previously unattainable levels of materiality, detail, complexity, accuracy, and aesthetics. Keywords Design process Design tools Design studio Architectural education 3D printing

DoiFil - Repository of Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) Issued by Faculty of Philology, University of Belgrade

Because of their construction efficiency, regular tessellations are standardly applied in the design of discrete spatial structures. However, digital fabrication enables the application of intricate patterns that may be structurally even more rational, such as patterns based on isostatic (principal stress) lines or the application of patterns inspired by nature. This study explores the potential use of ornamental patterns in the design of spatial structures’ mesh geometry. A generative design tactic based on structural form-finding is suggested, wherein structural mesh geometry is created using mosaic samples. While computational form-finding is typically used in spatial structures design, the suggested design tactic is unique because it uses the sampling concept to define a generative system. In this context, sampling is an act of taking a fragment, or a sample, of one design and its implementation in different design solutions. Specifically, a series of mosaic designs were used to derive initial mesh geometry applied to the form-finding of spatial structures. Since form-finding directly links configuration with force in a closed loop, structurally rational designs are produced from the initial mesh patterns derived from mosaics. The effectiveness of the suggested approach was tested through design explorations. Further, the approach may also be extended to other patterns that are not conventionally used in the design of spatial structures.