Japanese Joinery Adaptaions

This project is the first part of the idea of utilizing emerging CNC toolsets (CNC machines, CAD, and CAM) as methods of creating Craftsmanship quality artifacts. This is direct challenge on the notion of the apparent differentiation of "Hand-Made" vs. "Machine-Made".  

 

My stance is that Craftsmanship should not be defined by the tools used in an artifacts creation, but by Process the creator utilized in that artifacts creation.  This "Process" consisting of the holistic integration of the elements of the Design, the elements of the Material, and the elements of the Tool/Fabrication method within a given artifact.

 

This iteration explores the adaptation and appropriation of traditional Japanese construction joinery to a CNC production/fabrication method while falling under my redefinition of Craftsmanship.  I look at two joints within the two main types of joints, splicing joints and connection joints.  All my adaptations utilize the layering of material to achieve the joint complexities of the Japanese method, while keeping the interlocking aspects that require the use of no glue to keep the joint strong and together.

 

The infill panels are different material explorations in aluminum, walnut, plywood/acrylic lamination, and corian.