Rigby & Rigby develop a Technology Driven Sculpture

‘Rigby & Rigby have developed a design for a bespoke 3D printed ceramic design that utilises a set of data inputs dependant on a client’s achievements that has been used to developed a parametric script to form the design of an organic vase.’

This new technology utilises the use of Grasshopper a software that is a parametric design tool. Aside from the software, this whole new way of designing is rapidly being utilised by architects. It is a process based on algorithmic thinking where your design is defined by data parameters as opposed to your traditional design thinking. One of the earliest examples of parametric thinking was by Antonio Gaudi.

The first stages of the vase design involved mapping a timeline that drew from a unique set of data to our client and his achievement. This formed part of a design script for points that were lofted to create the undulating surface found on the vase. Creating the script itself took several months of trial and error since you are always balancing the data with an aesthetic design output.

The production of this vase utilises digital fabrication technologies, specifically 3D printed ceramics. This method of printing allowed Rigby and Rigby to work in collaboration with CommissionIt, to create highly complex patterns which otherwise wouldn’t be able to be produced by hand.

The end product is a seamless collaboration between data and design.