Synthetic

This paper collects the results of a research project aimed at investigating the potential of natural materials to inspire hyper-realistic sensory effects. New artificial breeds of matter were created through the process of micro-scale observation, documentation and imitation, manipulation, and finally re-production as architectural surfaces. The research began with the acquisition of digital information via the 3D scanning of existing surfaces. The selected surfaces were chosen from the plant and animal kingdom because they exhibited significantly interesting complexity in terms of shape and recurrent geometry. The acquired scan information was then manipulated digitally through the modulation and layering of texture, relief, and color which was derived from or inspired by the original surface characteristics. The modified information digitally represented new “synthetic” variations of the natural models, which were translated back into the physical realm through the application of diverse tooling techniques including printing, CNC milling, laser etching, casting, vacuum forming, painting, and finishing. Critical to the research process was the fluid progression of surface information from physical to digital and back to physical which enabled the potentially resulting hyper-realistic effects to be manifested and assessed as visual and tactile surfaces.