Date of Graduation

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Architecture

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Architecture

Advisor/Mentor

Baker, Emily

Committee Member

Edwards, Vincent

Second Committee Member

Carpenter, Angela

Abstract

The goal of this research was to investigate the possible interconnections between handcrafted objects and digital fabrication technologies, specifically in ceramic 3D printing workflows. Digital fabrication tools have advanced rapidly in recent years, raising questions about the role handcraft can still play in the making of objects and buildings. While many artistic endeavors have investigated how far digital technology can be pushed, this study was focused on bringing handcrafted objects back into the conversation. Specifically, it sought to understand how irregular, handcrafted objects may be registered in the digital space and then used in 3D printing processes.

The study used 3D-printed and wheel thrown ceramics to investigate the issue of digital registration of physical objects. Registration here means aligning the physical objects with the digital; I created clay vessels on the pottery wheel, scanned them using photogrammetry technology, and then aligned them in the digital modeling environment. After registering the form, I used a clay 3D printer to interact with the handcrafted object through surface ornamentation and additional volume creation. Future large-scale creations, such as 3D printed buildings, will need to interact with irregular, handcrafted parts – printed concrete walls may need to align with wooden beams, traditionally framed walls, or irregular topography. The forms resulting from these experiments serve as a small-scale guidebook to the intersection of handcraft and digital craft in ceramic 3D printing.

This paper discusses and analyzes the successes and challenges of scanning objects, modeling prints, and printing on a handmade object.

Keywords

clay; gcode; 3D Printing; potterbot; Grasshopper

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