This project explores the intersection of digital technology and physical making through the use of LiDAR scanning and CNC fabrication. The goal was to translate a naturally occurring landscape into a tangible architectural artifact, transforming a digital topographic record into a crafted physical object.
The process began by scanning a natural site, a grassy hillside, using LiDAR technology to capture its precise contours and textures. The resulting 3D data was then processed and abstracted into a digital massing, which served as the foundation for material experimentation. Using high-density foam (HDF) as the medium, the topographic geometry was subtracted and carved through CNC milling, revealing the terrain’s unique form in physical space.
The project highlights the dialogue between digital precision and material imperfection, blurring the line between natural and artificial landscapes. By converting ephemeral environmental data into a sculptural form, Nature Translation investigates how emerging technologies can redefine the way architects perceive, interpret, and materialize nature.
Location : Echo Park, Los Angeles, California
Instructor : Mark Owen
Software : Rhinoceros, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
