Design and architectural experts from around the country will converge on the University of Houston to discuss digital fabrication (DigiFAB), at a forum titled, “Digital Strategies/Fabrication Tactics.”

The event begins at 3 p.m., Tuesday, April 3 at the UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture Theater. It is free and open to the public.

“Architects are pursuing ‘mass customization,’ merging computation with design and manufacturing, and streamlining the production of building components,” said Andrew Vrana, visiting assistant professor at the college and coordinator of the forum. “We’ve invited Gulf Coast educators and architects, along with key individuals from the East and West coasts, to discuss the future of Houston as a nexus of innovative thinking and building.”

Digital Fabrication refers to objects and prototypes designed and generated on computers using three-dimensional software and specialized equipment called Computer Numerically Controlled machines. This process is used by architects, industrial designers, manufacturers and medical researchers. It is attractive for the accuracy and quality of its components and the conservation of time and materials.

Speakers will hold 30-minute sessions. The event culminates in a panel discussion. Below is the schedule.

• 3-3:30 p.m. Scott Marble, Columbia University/Marble Fairbanks, New York
• 3:30-4 p.m. David Erdman, UCLA/davidclovers, Los Angeles/Houston
• 4-4:30 p.m. Brad Bell, UT-Arlington/Brad Bell Studio, Dallas
• 4:30-4:45 p.m. Break
• 4:45-5:15 p.m. Sean Lally, Rice University/weathers, Houston
• 5:15-5:45 p.m. Joe Meppelink and Andrew Vrana, UH College of Architecture/Framework-AD & MetaLAB
• 5:45-6:15 p.m. Santiago Perez, UH College of Architecture/Polylab Synthetic Architecture
• 6:15-7 p.m. Discussion moderated by Patrick Peters, UH College of Architecture/Longoria Peters

“The college is embarking on an ambitious initiative to integrate this way of designing into the culture of the school,” Vrana said. “We are creating the groundwork for a new type of educational and research culture at the college.”

WHAT:   “DigiFAB Forum: Digital Strategies/Fabrication Tactics”

WHEN:   3 -7 p.m., Tuesday, April 3

WHERE:  UH Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture, first floor
                For directions and parking information, please visit www.uh.edu/campus_map/buildings/ARC.html.