ABSTRACT
Directly, computer numeric controlled (CNC) equipment can cut, carve, and shape materials to fabricate architecture components; indirectly, CNC equipment can cut, carve, and shape custom tooling (e.g. molds, patterns, and jigs) to manufacture architecture components. Instead of fabricating a single-use mold that then is either disposed or recycled, this book focuses on custom-building components that are made using durable, reusable tooling. Today, repetitive manufacturers use CNC equipment to fabricate tooling. With its indirect use, CNC equipment has made it affordable and practical to customize repetitive manufacturing (CRM) on a per-building basis, making CRM an option in producing custom architecture components. The relationship between computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and CRM is complex, and although CRM can overlap with CAM, they are distinct from one another. Generally, CRM allows for human engagement between the maker and material in a way that CAM does not. In addition, CRM has notable advantages over the direct use of CNC equipment to produce custom architecture components. We have collected over 460 examples of CRM in architecture. The CRM examples are located around the world and demonstrate a global application of this approach. A wide range of architecture practices have embraced CRM for their designs, including large global offices, internationally recognized design firms, mid-sized offices, and small, award-winning practices. Through data analysis and visualization, this chapter explores which architecture firms use multiple CRM processes, how CRM has changed over time, its application for different building types, and the prevalence of each CRM process.
