The scale at which laser cutting is employed by architects has changed dramatically in the last few years. Until recently, laser cutters were an emerging technology, initially reserved to drill holes in diamond mines and for the construction of aerospace technology. The technology\u2019s eventual adoption in the discipline of architecture started with and has remained largely in the realm of architectural representation: in other words, model making.<\/p>\n
In recent times though, laser cutting has been increasingly used in material fabrication for real-world construction projects. The following projects each harness laser cutting technology throughout the design process and apply it in the final construction, usually in the form of paneled fa\u00e7ades with intricate patterns.<\/p>\n
The perforated patterning of the fa\u00e7ades can serve the function of bringing light into interior spaces while maintaining a degree of privacy, or parametrically patterning openings to create custom conditions of light and privacy depending on climatic conditions, sun angles and programming. These patterned fa\u00e7ades each employ the technology of laser cutting such that it becomes a functional part of architecture, and its growing impact on the discipline can be visually understood.<\/p>\n
\u00a9 Amano Design Office<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
\u00a9 Amano Design Office<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n
Dear Ginza bldg. Project<\/a><\/b> by Amano Design Office<\/a>, Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n Built in an area with little appealing scenery, the framing of views from the interior of the building was not a priority for the design. While the creating of views did not influence the Dear Ginza bldg. Project, bringing light into the interior spaces was. As such Amano Design Office clad the building in aluminum, decoratively laser-cut to create visual interest and bring light into the space.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Roland Halbe<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Roland Halbe<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n SAN TELMO MUSEUM EXTENSION<\/b><\/a> by Nieto Sobejano Arquitectos<\/a>, San Sebasti\u00e1n, Spain<\/p>\n This project was designed both as an extension and a rehabilitation project for the San Telmo Museum. Working with the artists Leopoldo Ferr\u00e1n and Agustina Otero, the architects created a perforated steel fa\u00e7ade that is to be partially planted in the laser-cut openings.<\/p>\n \u00a9 PPAG architects, architecture export<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 PPAG architects, architecture export<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Multy-Storey Car Park<\/b><\/a> by architecture export<\/a> + PPAG architects<\/a>, Skopje, Macedonia<\/p>\n Designed as a response to a competition brief that asked for a car park with 320 parking lots, shops and offices with a neo-gothic or baroque-style fa\u00e7ade. The architects developed an endlessly repeating 3D pattern, laser-cut into aluminum panels that is reminiscent of the desired style, without arbitrarily copying the style.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Vaslab Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Vaslab Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n LIT Bangkok<\/b><\/a> by VaSLab<\/a>, Bangkok, Thailand<\/p>\n LIT Bangkok\u2019s courtyard fa\u00e7ade was designed to accommodate various functions behind it, all while creating a uniform look for the building face. The patterned openings in the laser-cut fa\u00e7ade allow for various degrees of shade and privacy depending on the program of the space that lies directly behind it.<\/p>\n \u00a9 plan:b, EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 plan:b, EL EQUIPO MAZZANTI<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n CHAIRAMA SPA<\/b><\/a> by plan:b<\/a> + Mazzanti Arquitectos<\/a>, Bogot\u00e1, Colombia<\/p>\n The Chairama Spa\u2019s fa\u00e7ade is composed of two membranes. The interior skin is composed of the concrete structure and glazing while the exposed skin is a metal sheet laser-cut with a pattern designed to resemble rock strata, which varies in density in order to provide variable conditions of privacy and sun exposure.<\/p>\n BLDG 92: Brooklyn Navy Yard Center<\/b><\/a> by Beyer Blinder Belle<\/a> + workshop\/apd<\/a>, Brooklyn, N.Y., United States<\/p>\n Brooklyn Navy Yard Center\u2019s BLDG 92\u2019s main curtain wall is clad in a metal screen, laser-cut with an abstracted image of the USS Brooklyn, to limit solar gain. In addition to regulating the building\u2019s interior temperatures, the pictorial screen is expressive of the site\u2019s history and the typical building materials used in the area.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Dale Jones-Evans Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Dale Jones-Evans Architecture<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n The ART WALL<\/b><\/a> by Dale Jones-Evans Architecture<\/a>, Darlinghurst, Australia<\/p>\n Dale Jones-Evans Architecture\u2019s six-story commercial building is wrapped in a delicate, laser-cut screen. The screen gives the building an iconic presence on the street and serves to reduce the air conditioning load on the building systems.<\/p>\n \u00a9 Tim Van de Velde Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n \u00a9 Tim Van de Velde Photography<\/p>\n\t<\/div>\n\n Incineration Line<\/a><\/b>by Erick van Egeraat<\/a>, Rosklide, Denmark<\/p>\n The Incineration Line is designed to both fit in with its industrial surroundings full of angular factory roofs, and stand out due to its particular function. The laser-cut circular openings that cover the umber-colored aluminum fa\u00e7ade are lit every hour by the incinerator\u2019s flame, demonstrating the building\u2019s unique program.<\/p>\n Aluminum House<\/b><\/a> by Unit Arkitektur AB<\/a>, Alings\u00e5s, Sweden<\/p>\n Unit Arkitektur AB\u2019s design for a new wing addition to a residence on G\u00e4rdsken Lake followed a principle developed from Japanese landscape art, which allows the visitor to glimpse the main vista upon entering the space that is then made to disappear out of sight before it can be seen again. Following this experiential sequence, the new design incorporates a laser-cut fa\u00e7ade that reminds one of the orchard, the home\u2019s primary vista, when it is out of sight.<\/p>\n The Diamondhouse<\/b><\/a> by XTEN Architecture<\/a>, Santa Monica, Calif., United States<\/p>\n A music studio extension to a canyon home, the Diamondhouse\u2019s fa\u00e7ade was designed to pay homage to the natural environment. The fiber cement panels were laser-cut with a custom-designed pattern created from abstractions of natural elements found on the site.<\/p>\n Architects: Want to have your project featured? Showcase your work by uploading projects to Architizer<\/a>\u00a0and sign up for our\u00a0inspirational newsletters<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The scale at which laser cutting is employed by architects has changed dramatically in the last few years. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":87,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"architizer_featured_type":"projects","architizer_featured_image":"1637605","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,3],"tags":[15],"architizer_project":[],"architizer_brand":[],"architizer_firm":[],"architizer_product":[],"class_list":["post-2017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-collections","category-inspiration","tag-collection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n\n\t
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