Models, Prototypes, and Archetypes by Mark Burry
"We have arrived at a point where increasing the complexity of design in order to be more responsive to environmental factors potentially affords new manufacturing options and new roles for the model—that is, prototyping, and within this process we might be observing the emergence of entirely new archetypes for new architectural responses fitting for our time." (57)
Mark Burry discusses the utility of the prototype at 1:1 scale as the archetype for production in his projects, specifically Antoni Gaudi's Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família. He posits that the line between digital and physical manufacturing is not as cut-and-dry as the aphorism, "file to factory," and that the digital model rendered physically may become the archetype of production where an archetype is not already known. I would say that this method of production is quite well suited for the extremely unique, difficult, and cost intensive work of Gaudi. However, it may fail to translate to projects that demand delivery on tighter budgets that cannot afford production of 1:1 prototypes, but must rely solely on small scale prototypes or digital models. In these instances, which I believe are much more common than not, it would seem the aphorism is still blurred, as digital fabrication rarely proceeds directly from file to factory without aspects of material research, trial prototyping, strength testing, etc. Despite the lack of the 1:1 model that Mr. Burry finds so appealing, the archetype may still be found in the realm of the physical, albeit in a more dispersed, collective manner.