A Canadian born architect who is currently based in LA, Frank Gehry can be seen as a significant figgure in moderen architecture.
Frank Gehry was the first to use Catia in the field of Architecture borrowing the software from aerospace industry.
Gehry Technologies
Frank Gehry now sells his own 3d modelling software for acrhitectural practices around the world to use. The Digital Project (TM) is built around Catia and consists of two primary programs; Designer and Viewer. The software packages had Cad/Cam/Cae and Bim for total digital design, fabrication and management.
Architect Frank Gehry Finds CAD a Boon to Art and Business
Frank Gehry admits he had no knowledge of computers when he went to Dassault for help. Gehry was having trouble conveying a complicated design proposal to the contractors when a new colleague suggested the digital world may be able to help. The relationship that resulted with Dassault made the complicated structural form of the Guggenhiem museum in Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA possible. The use of Catia made it possible to analyse complex shapes before building them helping to keep projects within a budget.
Gehry believe that the technology offered through catia would ultimately give the architect greater control of the finished product. The more precise the construction documents the more accurate bids can be during the tender process which means less changes need to be made to keep the project with in budget.
Gehry company mixed his original design process of design sketches and physical models with the opportunities made possible by new technology to create their own unique design style. The fish sculpture in Barcelona became their first paperless project. Alias software defined the fish surface as a grid of polygons. Catia model lead to 3d model from laser cutter perfect.
Gehry's office believes that Catia allows for faster and more accurate information exchange between architect, engineer and contractor.
Frank O. Gehry & Associates, Inc.
Design Process:
Model are used to explore form and function
Full scale models explore materials
brief and budget further evolve design
models scaned into digital form
digital model goes to contractor for costing
Gehry's construction knowledge teamed with 3D modeling technique puts Gehrys firm at the forefront of technology.
"CATIA with complete numerical control could define surfaces utilizing descriptive geometrical mathematical formulas that could be applied by steel fabricators to build the sculpture"
Walt Disney Concert Hall:
limestone cladding
catia controled budget and design
built paper model
a Firefly optical digitizing system scaned model into digital form
Catia rationalised curves
physical model milled
digital model given to contractor
Prague Concert Hall:
FOG/A First entirely 3D modeled building
complex form glass concrete and steel
Catia and Cad tools
Shop drawings
1/3 drop in budget
Guggenheim Museum:
Catia model
transfered to Cad to make working drawings
Catia model NC milled to test
Catia:
relationship contractors subcontractors and suppliers
increase responsibilities
accuracy reduces budget and risk
material specifications have not changed
complex design possible
IGES
(Initial Graphics Exchange Specification)
Allows the exchange of digital information between software.
Firefly optical digitizing system
A 3d scanning tool