48-222 Soft Form - Burnt Clay

9 units, Carnegie Mellon University

Soft Form-Burnt Earth is an advanced seminar exploring the intersection of computational design, digital fabrication, and ceramic material intelligence. Students work with clay through 3D printing, hand finishing, and firing processes to create soft forms that culminate in a collective architectural scaled assembly. The nature of 3d printing will allow for individual expression within the collective structure, while the production of a collaborative architecture scaled assembly will involve an understanding of tolerances and assembly strategies. Emphasizing hands-on experimentation, trial and error, and the messiness and liveliness of earthen materials, the course investigates how material behaviors inform geometry, toolpaths, and fabrication strategies. The curriculum links aesthetic exploration with performance, using terra cotta's thermal and hydraulic properties to support passive climate strategies. Students will merge cnc workflows with direct material manipulation, fostering a feedback loop between design intent and physical outcome. The course will cover technical instruction on the use of a ceramic printer and kiln management.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Fall 2026

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