Pataphysical Prosthesis: Bringing the 3D Printing Industry from Detroit, MI to the World

Abstract

Modern architectural theory criticizes the use of computers in architectural design for producing cold, inhuman environments. How then should we use the fascinating technology at our fingertips if we are told that doing so will result in meaningless architecture? Historically, man has been driven to push technology forward. Technology plays a crucial role in the way that humans perceive and experience the world, and the innate calling to advance technology has become a construct of our identity as a species and a culture. However, we stand at risk to lose control of technology, and in doing so would lose a rich architectural environment based in symbolism and contextual ground. This thesis proposes an architectural solution that embraces future technology while remaining grounded in the broader reality of the cultural context. The project takes shape as an industrial complex for the storing and manufacturing of 3D-printed architectural components, housed within the ruins of an abandoned industrial giant: the Packard Plant in Detroit, MI. The site simultaneously holds the weight of its historical significance and its current state of abandonment and perceived irrelevance. The introduction of one of man’s newest technological discoveries to the forgotten Motor City could potentially revitalize its cultural identity and redefine its place in the continuum of our current history as the home of the newest leading technology.