Mastering the Craft: Texas A&M Students Explore the Timeless Art of Japanese Joinery
Undergraduate architecture students are bridging the gap between digital design and physical construction through a hands-on project focused on traditional Japanese joinery. As part of their final design studio, the technique, known for its precision and ability to create robust, durable joints without the use of nails or glue, has allowed students to explore the intersection of craftsmanship and architectural design.
Overseeing the project is Dr. Ahmed K. Ali, an endowed professor of architecture and the director of Resource-based Design Research Lab (RBDR/Lab) at Texas A&M University. Through material investigations, Professor Ali guides students to uncover new knowledge and innovative design approaches. He emphasizes the importance of mastering fundamental principles before pushing creative boundaries, with Audemars Piguet’s motto, “In order to break the rules, you must first master them,” central to his teaching philosophy.
“The students need to understand how their designs translate from the abstract—digital drawings and models—into real-world objects,” Dr. Ali said. “With the increased interest in mass timber construction, it is important to learn this lost tradition and incorporate it in today’s wood buildings.”
The design process
Key components of the assignment included the iterative process of designing and testing, as well as an exploration of materiality and the various properties of wood. Students were tasked with creating two types of joints, a splice joint and a connecting joint, moving from their typical digital design approach to also crafting physical pieces that fit together seamlessly through trial and error.
“The most challenging aspect of this project has been creating and testing without getting the results I was looking for,” said Jonathan Horstman ’25, an undergraduate architecture student. “I’ve had to identify where I went wrong, adjust my design, and ultimately make it work. I was able to successfully complete my first piece and then began working on my second. It’s been like a puzzle.”
Many students in the studio hadn’t previously worked this closely with wood.
Isabelle Wolfe ’25, said they had to revisit principles from their first year and take something they were accustomed to doing digitally and apply it in a completely different, hands-on way.
“The results aren’t going to look the same as they would on a screen, which has been a significant shift in how we approach our designs,” Wolfe added. “It has been my biggest struggle, but it is important to not only understand why something is made but also how it works.”
Collaboration
To aid in their processes, the students were able to work closely with the woodshop crew at one of the on-campus innovation hubs, located at the ILSQ building.
Dr. Ali believes in collaborating with the Innovation Hub and the RELLIS Fabrication Lab in his design studios and classes, which serve all colleges and schools within the university system, as well as external clients. He said he built strong relationships with Jim Titus, woodshop supervisor, and Dave Goltz, director of the Automated Fabrication and Design Lab and Alex Nipper, program coordinator for the Innovation Hub-Makerspace, all of whom have supported his projects and research.
“Our shop technicians’ knowledge and contributions to architectural education are invaluable to the college and our students,” said Dr. Ali.
“For these students, whose coursework has been entirely digital, this hands-on woodworking project marked their first such experience. This exercise bridged the gap between design and production, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of construction processes,” said Jim Titus, woodshop supervisor.
Shaping the future of architectural education
Dr. Ali re-emphasized the importance of combining both hands-on and digital approaches in education, noting how this leads to new design possibilities and better prepares students to shape the future of architecture.
“Providing the space and flexibility for physical making is crucial to our educational learning because, in the field, they expect you to know how to execute these skills,” said Wolfe.
Through trial and error, students discovered that true progress comes from testing and refining their designs. During their final presentations, they tested the structural integrity of their timber joinery by standing on their connections. The experiment also gave them the opportunity to explore the use of Computer Numerical Control (CNC), a system that uses computers to control machines for precise cutting and shaping of materials, in creating accurate joinery. The experience revealed both its strengths and limitations, encouraging students to rethink the relationship between traditional craftsmanship, technology and industrial manufacturing.
Learn more about Dr. Ali’s research and scholarship here.
