Digital Fabrication Facility

(aka Architecture Ranch)

The College of Architecture's Digital Fabrication Facility, known by students as the "Architecture Ranch" is a 8,000 sq. ft. research and construction facility located on a 12-acre site at Texas A&M University's Riverside Campus. The facility houses a CNC (computer numerical control) mill and plasma cutter and other wood and metal shop fabrication technologies that allow students and faculty to develop 2-D concepts into fully realized 3-D architectural structures.

The facility allows students and faculty who develop advanced strategies for design, construction and planning in the college's design-research studios and laboratories to test their research theories by constructing full-size experimental prototypes. It also provides students with an opportunity to learn through action.

Please see the Ranch F.A.Q. for more information.

Safety Comes first

Before students and faculty can utilize the facility and its machinery, they must first complete a training seminar. Details and training schedules are available from Chuck Tedrick, the college's digital fabrication manager. Students must also be familliar with and follow shop protocol and file a Schedule Request ( 43.7 KB) before use.

Project Proposals

All proposals to use the college's Digital Fabrication Facility for research, long-term construction projects or class/studio initiatives must be submitted to Staci Hazlett in the Dean's Office. Proposal forms and information can be found Here. Proposals are reviewed by the College Executive Leadership Council.

Digital Fabrication Equipment:

• 59" x 120" x 6.5" CNC Mill: used with wood, plastic, foam, and aluminum
• 72" x 120" x 3/4" CNC Plasma Cutter: used with steel

Woodworking Equipment:

• 10" Table saw
• 14" Table saw
• Panel saw
• Planar
• Jointer
• Compound miter saw
• 10" Band saw
• 6" Band saw
• Lathe
• Scroll saw
• Oscillating sander
• Combination belt and disc sander
• Drill press

Metalworking Equipment:

• Mig welder
• Hand held plasma torch
• Pipe bender (coming soon)
• Metal break (coming soon)
• Punch press (coming soon)
• Horizontal band saw (coming soon)

Directions to the Architecture Ranch from Texas A&M main campus

The entrance to the 1,900-acre Riverside Campus is located west of State Highway 47, just south of the intersection with Highway 21, approximately 10 miles from the main Texas A&M campus.

• From Main Campus go west on University Drive, which will turn into Highway 60.
• Exit right (northwest) off of Highway 60 onto Highway 47.
• Before reaching Highway 21, a sign points to the Texas A&M University Riverside Campus entrance.
• Turn left off of Highway 47 at the sign into the Riverside Campus and pass through the gate.
• The Architecture Ranch building is located at Avenue D. Building 7007.

Please park at the chapel located across the street from our building. Do not park under the covered outdoor shop.