GENERATIVE MINIMAL MAKING SYSTEM FOR 3-D STRUCTURES

The project is part of my thesis regarding a novel making method, Minimal Making Grammar (MMG). Minimal Making Grammar (MMG) (Jin.S and Cardoso Llach.D, 2025) is a making method that enables a single vocabulary of a friction-based element to expand across three planes, governed by just three rules. Despite its simplicity, MMG allows users to generate openended 3-D structures, much like space frames, LEGO, or brickwork, where modular components assemble into complex forms.

We reveal how the simplest making methods can open up a wide range of design possibilities within a new grammar-based design space, both digitally and physically. Our MMG system shares the foundational ideals of precedents, proposing a unique, single-element system that incorporates the physical properties of materials through a hook-tenon mechanism, spring from mortise-and-tenon wood joinery techniques.

The study demonstrates MMG system’s validity at a human scale. MMG proposed a physical generative design system that is both accessible and extensible, a low-floor, high-ceiling toolkit for computational making, and a concrete exploration of a pre-rationalized, bottom-up approach grounded in the principles of MMG.

This project was made possible with support from the Frank-Ratchye Further Fund Microgrant #2025-027. Additional images available here.