Strategies to Integrate Design and Fabrication through Discretisation

AbstractThis thesis explores the transformative integration of digital discretisation and computational methodologies within architectural design and practice. By delving into advanced computational tools, it articulates a new paradigm where architectural form and function transcend traditional limitations through adaptability, sustainability, and responsiveness to societal needs. The research highlights how digital tools not only refine design and assembly processes but also critically address broader environmental and social imperatives.Through a mixed-method approach involving literature review, classification development, comparative case study analysis, and prototyping using parametric modelling environments, this study demonstrates the practical and theoretical implications of digital discretisation in redefining the role of architects—from designers to orchestrators of data and algorithms.The findings identify and evaluate key discretisation strategies based on segmentation logic, interdependency, and materiality, revealing their potential to enhance architectural expressiveness and fabrication feasibility. The proposed classification framework supports a more intentional application of these strategies within early-stage design. This thesis contributes to architectural discourse by advocating a shift towards a more holistic practice that harmonizes digital innovation with traditional craftsmanship to create spaces that are both aesthetically compelling and functionally significant.