Home Department of Architecture Andrew McDowall: Fabrication Teaching Manager

Andrew McDowall: Fabrication Teaching Manager

September 21, 2025

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Andrew McDowall is the Fabrication Teaching Manager at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture, specializing in bridging traditional and digital fabrication methods, including 3D printing, CNC milling, and 3D scanning

Andrew McDowall, Fabrication Teaching Manager at the Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge

Andrew McDowall holds the dynamic position of Fabrication Teaching Manager at the Department of Architecture, University of Cambridge, a role that perfectly encapsulates the evolving intersection of art, technology, and architectural practice.

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His career trajectory is a unique blend of fine art craftsmanship and cutting-edge digital technology, providing him with a profound understanding of both the conceptual and the technical dimensions of making. Graduating from the Slade School of Fine Art, Andrew honed his skills in fabrication and project management by working directly with celebrated artists like Phyllida Barlow and Conrad Shawcross. This hands-on experience in the art world provided him with an unparalleled foundation in designing and fabricating complex artworks, a skill set that would later become central to his academic and technical roles.

Later in his career, Andrew seamlessly transitioned his expertise into the high-stakes world of performance sports technology. Working as a freelance designer for the British Cycling Team, he applied his advanced knowledge of CAD modelling and CAM manufacturing (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) to develop prototype electronics enclosures and models for wind tunnel testing. This unique experience, which contributed directly to the team’s preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games, demonstrates his ability to apply intricate digital fabrication techniques to solve real-world, high-performance challenges. The lessons learned in precision, efficiency, and material science from this context became the cornerstone of his work in academia.

Andrew’s extensive experience was then instrumental in establishing and managing digital fabrication labs at both Middlesex University and Anglia Ruskin University. Here, he focused on integrating both analogue and digital technologies to support a wide range of multi-disciplinary subjects. This invaluable period allowed him to transfer his extensive specialist knowledge of workshop processes, including casting, metalwork, woodworking, 3D scanning, 3D Printing, and CAD, into a structured educational environment. He pioneered the use of technologies like structured light scanning and even designed a full-body photogrammetry rig, underscoring his commitment to exploring the full potential of digital capture in architectural and design processes.

At the University of Cambridge, Andrew McDowall’s primary aim is to further develop the facilities within the Faculty of Architecture and History of Art. He is dedicated to expanding the use of advanced digital technologies, ensuring they work in synergy with the traditional methods that remain a core part of the department’s curriculum. His role is not just to maintain equipment but to teach, to inspire, and to innovate, helping students and faculty bridge the gap between historical craftsmanship and the tools of the future. His unique background makes him an invaluable asset to the department, fostering an environment where a deep respect for traditional materials coexists with a forward-looking embrace of technological innovation.