Integrated Computational Design to Augmented Production of Timber-Dowel Structures: A multi-criteria system for informed variation and community co-production

This research explores the design-to-production computational framework of a Timber Dowel System, emphasizing an integrated computational workflow informed by fabrication and assembly feedback. This workflow incorporates contextual and fabricability parameters, enabling a parametric framework optimized for performance, adaptability, and scalability. The initial design process utilized a modular plug-and-play approach, employing manually controlled surfaces and poly-surfaces to explore flexible geometries and structural configurations. Two full-scale prototypes were developed using AR-guided assembly and robotic milling, addressing production challenges such as dowel placement precision, material limitations, and assembly feasibility. Feedback from these prototypes informed refinements in the computational framework, translating into practical parameters to improve structural integrity and procedural efficiency. A horizontal orientation was prioritized due to its standalone stability, while multiple extensions of the initial basket prototype were analysed to evaluate and study the system performance under varied geometric configurations. By integrating community-driven requirements and contextual considerations, this research lays the groundwork for a multi-criteria framework that supports informed design variation and facilitates collaborative co-production workflows.