Computational Design and Digital Fabrication of Curved Window Frames: Recreating Gaudí’S Windows In The Digital Age

This speculative research focuses on recreating Antoni Gaudí’s organic window frames using contemporary digital tools. Since the Industrial Revolution, windows have been highly standardized products dictated by industrial rationality and performance. Although digital tools have the potential to enable the design and fabrication of free-form windows inspired by bio-digital rationality, rather than constrained to mass-production logic, this area remains relatively unexplored compared to the extensive research on other building components. In this study, 273 windows from Gaudí’s architecture are analyzed, and a 3D model of one window from Casa Batlló is recreated using photogrammetry. With this data, a parametric model integrating lighting simulation is developed to generate a series of similar-shaped windows from Casa Batlló. Lastly, one window frame is fabricated using a multi-axis milling machine. By reverse engineering Gaudí's windows using contemporary digital tools, this study demonstrates the feasibility and possibilities of designing, simulating, and fabricating free-form window frames.