New Digital Ceramics Lab Celebrates Interdisciplinary Experimentation
December 12, 2025
BY Emily Capdeville
Through a interdisciplinary collaboration between the the Tulane School of Architecture and Built Environment and the Tulane School of Liberal Arts Newcomb Art Department, students now have access to the newly opened Digital Ceramics Lab in the Woldenberg Art Center. The lab will allow material experimentation and creative innovation through the merging of digital design, material research, and hands-on fabrication.
The Digital Ceramics Lab is equipped with clay-based 3D printing technology — including two Potterbot Super 10 XL printers — enabling students from architecture, art, and other disciplines to explore advanced processes in digitally fabricated ceramics. Architecture students are using the space to investigate parametric design, material behavior, and ecological applications, while studio art students develop sculptural and functional ceramic works.
The creation of the lab will impact work being done across many disciplines at Tulane, from architecture and art and even science and engineering, as Ecology students have tested bio-receptive ceramic modules. Students are also leveraging 3D photogrammetry and unconventional printing techniques to create experimental forms.
According to the School of Liberal Arts feature, "current courses utilizing the lab include 3D Printing Ceramics and two architecture courses — Translations: Advanced Digital Fabrication and Ecological Tectonics: Architectural Ceramic Assemblies for Climate Adaptation." These courses themselves utilize an interdisciplinary approach and so it is fitting that the lab is also a collaboration among schools.
All students who want to check out the lab can explore open lab hours and book a training session on the Newcomb Art Department website.
Read more about the lab on the School of Liberal Arts website.
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