This course emphasizes using advanced machining technologies in architectural design and making. Utilizing machining not only as a means for making but also as an apparatus for design is at the core of Machining PRAXIS in Architecture. Students will operate based on the knowledge gathered from the individual experiments of MPA-1 for the design, development, and making of a real-scale pavilion. The design task of the seminar is a team-based design (there will be one pavilion as the final project of the semester) and there will be no individual final project for each student. Hence, students will be given time to develop initial ideas and they will work together to form a final project.

The Kick-off session of this seminar will occur at the same time as the Final Review session of Machining Praxis in Architecture 1 (WS 2024-25). By reviewing and evaluating the work done during the winter semester we begin the journey of the second semester and we define the design task for MPA-2 students. 

The kick-off/Final Review session will be in the third week of March. The exact date will be confirmed in the first week of March.

The seminar will be held as blocked/full-day sessions. This format proved to accommodate better the requirements of the seminar for Learning, Designing, and making. 

The Block days of the seminar will be scheduled during the kick-off meeting in coordination with all students, and considering the schedule of the IOA.

The outcome of the seminar will be a large-scale pavilion, installed at the premises of the Angewandte.

the course timeline has 5 phases :

1- Design phase: individual students or teams of students will propose initial ideas and designs for the final pavilion, based on the achievements of MPA-1. These ideas will be eventually evaluated and one idea will be selected as the goal of the entire class. 

2- Workshops and tutorials: The core concepts and techniques covered during this seminar follow the requirements defined by the design that students develop during the first phase.

3- Setup: teams will run initial tests to cope with the issues of making, finalizing the design, and calibrating the settings of the machines.

4- Making: students will make all the individual parts of the pavilion over this phase.

5- Assembly.

Students will be evaluated for the following objectives during the course and as they participate in design, development, and making.

1- Machining proficiency: making accurate machining files and employing machines. 

2- Design: Considering the limitations and aspects of making during the design process. Incorporating the techniques and tools of making in the design process.

3- Teamwork, timely delivery of assignments, and communication

4- Active participation

5- Creative problem-solving

6- Skills in making and manufacturing

Requirements :

• This course is exclusively for those who have participated in MPA-1.  ( see next bullet point for clarification)
• If you are a student who did not manage to join the MPA-1 or you are from disciplines other than Architecture and wish to participate in this course, please write me an e-mail in advance (afshin.koupaei@uni-ak.ac.at) and I will evaluate the chances you may be able to participate.
• Full proficiency with Rhino and proper knowledge of Grasshopper is required.
• Competence with RhinoCAM/other relevant CAM software and dexterity in using CNC milling machines (special case at IOA, ISEL)
• Participants are required to bring their own laptops/computers (co-working or two students on one laptop is not an option). This Laptop/Workstation needs to be present at the location of the course with the participant as they are required to make files during the course hours.

Participants should have Microsoft Windows installed on their computers ( Plug-in requirements )