Synthetic

Purpose: The aim of this paper is to show the results of a research whose aim is to investigate the potential of architectural surfaces to produce hyper-realistic effects through the invention of new breeds of artificial matter, using Nature and the observation of its micro-scale details as a field of investigation which is instrumental in analyzing and understanding its structure and behaviour. - Method: The research started from the digital three-dimensional acquisition of case studies drawn from plant and animal kingdom that were chosen as significant in terms of shape complexity and of the levels of detail of their geometry. Physical 3D models have been built using artificial materials with the purpose to extend the potential of digital surfaces and experience new visual and tactile effects. Modulation of texture, relief and colours derived from 3D scanned materials were the primary design sources. CNC machines combined with various techniques of tooling, laser etching, casting, vacuum forming, painting, and finishing were employed to fabricate physical model of the digital 3d acquisitions. The research provided a continuous transition from digital reality to the physical one: through the whole process, both analogical and digital procedures were used as agents of comprehension and design innovation. - Result: One of the challenges of this research was to test the possibilities of enlarging the dimensions of micro-scale details acquired using 3d laser scanners, without losing geometric detail. During the digital manipulation process, the quality of 3d models has constantly been compared to the required level of details provided by magnification of 2d images. In order to supply the lack of information due to laser scanner accuracy and resolution, reality-based models have been implemented using 3d modelling packages that allow adding the third dimension to 2d images. This improvement added hyper-realistic effects to digital models, with evident drawback upon the possibility of managing huge data sets, so that decimation procedures became necessary to overcome this aspect. In order to create new visual and tactile repertoire of synthetic materials, many different manufacturing methodologies and procedures have been tested, each one highlighting different characteristics and critical aspects. - Discussion & Conclusion: Although many technologies and methodologies to acquire and manipulate accurate 3d models are actually available and widespread, nowadays the best way to build reality-based 3D models that contain a pre-defined level of detail is still a combination of different modeling techniques. In fact, as a single technique is not yet able to give satisfactory results in all situations, concerning high geometric accuracy, portability, flexibility as well as hyper-realism, so that image-based and range-based techniques are generally combined to fully exploit the intrinsic potentialities of each approach.