Kent School of Architecture and Planning (KSAP) was approached by Vartan Moskofian to provide digital fabrication services to help in the production of a Cross Stone (also known as a Khachkar) put on display within Canterbury Cathedral Precincts as a memorial to the Armenian genocide and in recognition of the links between the C of E and the Armenian Church.
The Cross Stone is approximately 2m x 80cm x 60cm, and standing.
Digital modelling and test prints of the proposed design were made to help in the design process. Stone carving and the masons’ skill is a relationship between the eye and the hand and requires a good understanding of the complexities of working in a 3D environment. Traditionally, a design is prepared as a 2D drawing and then converted into templates which reflect the conversion into a 3D projection, allowing the sculptor to appreciate and understand depth considerations. Models or maquettes are also used to give the same result. The use of CAD and 3D printing was used as a modern equivalent of this process, which made the process much quicker and thereby efficient in determining a final design for carving.
The use of CAD allowed a deeper understanding and appreciation of the traditional skills used since Classical times to produce complex designs in stone. It covers that interesting activity which is the interface between the conceptual and actual as realised in the mind of the mason carver.
The project was carried out in collaboration with the Canterbury Cathedral, as part of our Memorandum of Understanding.
