STUD-IO and Howick Innovation Center

STUD-IO develops intelligent prefabrication systems that enable architects’ boldest ideas to be built quickly, precisely, and under budget. To achieve that efficiency, our systems (and our software) rely on, and understand, the capabilities of CNC machines that produce high-quality, cost-effective building components.

Some of the best examples we have found of this kind of machine are the light-gauge roll-forming machines made by Howick, LTD. These machines offer the ability to rapidly fabricate custom components that can be assembled into extremely precise structures. That is why we have partnered with Howick to open a Research and Development Center where we will be advancing the possibilities of light-gauge construction and of prefabricated building systems in general.

With the ability to build full-scale, physical prototypes in-house, we are accelerating the development of new capabilities for our intelligent design-to-fabrication software. These prototypes (which we will be sharing here, and via our LinkedIn and Instagram) will explore rapid fabrication of complex and curved geometry with steel studs, using the Howick XTENDA machine to fabricate telescopic studs, and generatively engineering load-bearing light-gauge systems.

One of our first prototypes (seen above) demonstrates one of our architectural systems for building precise, complex geometry with Howick machines. Follow us and look for our next post to learn more about Why We Built A Bird.