Architecture Extrapolated I R-Ex

Architecture Extrapolated (R-Ex) works at the forefront of research in creating augmented construction and design systems combining the best of human skill, digital design, algorithmic translation, and robotic and digital fabrication. Our research areas expand from basic research in human-machine interaction, and reality computing to work and collaborations with engineers, material scientist, researchers and tradespeople immersed in theoretical and tacit knowledge of building construction. The focus of this collaborations is to explore human-machine collaboration in the high-skill domain of the building trades. R-Ex aims to merge cutting edge design, engineering and fabrication technologies with traditional craft to produce beautiful, coherent designs. We seek to embrace technology without forgetting the roots. R-Ex seeks to ‘augment human labour’ not eliminate it, by developing tool and techniques that encourage a symbiotic relationship between the human body and the digital tools. It seeks for opportunities to renew and broaden the possibilities of age-old craft work by digitizing its practice so that it can be both further disseminated and better integrated with novel digital design and fabrication techniques. Combining digital fabrication and manual craft and construction is a crucial aspect in the current context of a culture accustomed to mass production, that now with the advent of digital tools is becoming one of mass-customisation. There can only be mutual benefits on the digitisation of construction to both the upgrading and augmenting of the traditional building trades and the transmission of wisdom of traditional building cultures to digital practice. R-Ex believes in collaboration as the only means to challenge traditional preconceptions and produce groundbreaking work. We design, build and fabricate through collaborations and are always open to new dialogues.