Fabricating Design: A Revolution of Choice

Berlin-based practice Barkow Leibinger has become synonymous with expertise in digital fabrication. For 12 years, the firm has been engaged in designing buildings for machine-tool company Trumpf in Stuttgart - a relationship that has given the firm remarkable insights into the laser cutting of sheet metal. Here, Frank Barkow describes the fruitful research that the studio has undertaken in laser cutting as well as two innovative projects that have resulted from it. He explains why a new technology like that of digital fabrication must be for architects by necessity ‘a revolution of choice’ - a speculation on where best to exploit new possibilities, albeit informed by research and experimentation. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.