The aim of this research project is to study a wood bending technique, which is called kerf bending or kerfing. Τhis technique refers to the removal of material at certain points on a wood surface, in order to bend it. The technique can be applied to produce objects of varying scale and function, from an object to a small-scale architecture.

The research methodology is developed in two levels. Initially, analyzing the characteristics of the wood, the types of natural and artificial wood, the defects of wood, other wood bending techniques, as well as the cutting machines through which the kerf bending technique is applied. Subsequently, architectural examples, this technique has been applied to, are studied. At the second level of the research, experiments with kerf patterns are performed on pieces of wood, which are cut through the laser cutter machine. The first experiments are based on patterns designed by Aaron Porterfield, an industrial designer, and then an attempt was made to optimize these patterns by redesigning, designing new patterns, combining patterns, diluting-thickening patterns, as well as changing the direction of pattern elements. Finally, the conclusions of the experiments are presented.

The choice of subject reflects the ambition of further comprehension and application of the technique, as well as a general need to compensate a gap in Greek bibliography regarding digital design methods and their incorporation into architecture. The present work can be used as a manual for the application of the kerf bending technique, hoping to contribute in further development of digital fabrication in architecture.