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Recently, digital fabrication techniques have captured the attention of many architects and makers due to their ability to challenge traditional construction techniques and complex forms that were hard to apply in the past. Digital fabrication has bridged the gap between the architectural design and construction processes by creating a direct digital link to the appropriate fabrication machines. Nevertheless, integrating digital fabrication techniques in the architectural design processes is still a major challenge to creating a culture of digital building all over the world. In this regard, this paper has arranged 10 key questions and their answers with a particular focus on how to integrate digital fabrication techniques into the architectural design process. It provides an overview of digital fabrication concepts and processes, computer software, material selection, the most popular digital fabrication techniques and their architectural applications such as free-form geometries, façades design, buildings, bridges, pavilions as well as structures like columns, walls, and slabs, along with the most significant challenges and opportunities facing the widespread use of these techniques in architecture. In an effort to identify new research trends, this paper concludes by discussing the state of the art in architecture-related digital fabrication research and research potential gaps, which will be beneficial to further research and scientific investigations in this field. Hence, a conceptual framework is suggested as a guideline for numerous architects, fabricators, and researchers to follow for integrating digital fabrication techniques into the architectural design process in order to take advantage of this strategy at scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Camel's Nose Technique was analyzed through physics and engineering sciences. • Camel's Nose Strategy has been employed in an architectural application. • The model succeeded in reducing the temperature 5 °C and in increasing humidity 20%. Abstract As desert areas represent the most of the Arab countries lands, hence, these areas suffer from scarcity in the sources of water in addition to high temperatures. Furthermore, these areas encounter an increased demand for non-renewable energy resources, in order to achieve thermal comfort for individuals. Accordingly, this paper focuses on how Biomimicry science could be employed in designing and innovating an architectural product compatible with the desert environment to be a part of the desert ecosystem. Hence, this paper is devoted to explore the camel as the best-adapted animal in the desert environment, through focusing on camel nose technique. Thus, this paper attempts to prove the hypothesis that: Buildings can be designed in compatible with the desert environment, by simulating the adaptation method of the camel nose technique. Moreover, this paper raises some questions and seeks to answer them through a practical model. • Is it possible to design a system for buildings to obtain water from the air? • Is it possible to design a system for buildings to help in reducing high temperature? • How can increasing the exposed surface of the vaporization assists in increasing the rate of cooling? A new architectural application has been suggested in this paper to simulate "Camel Nose System" where scientific experiments have been conducted to test the efficiency of this model, starting with the designing stage, manufacturing and the implementation of the applied model. Consequently, after the stage of analysis and results, the paper has reached through scientific experiment many results including, (1) calcium chloride as a moisture-absorbing material can absorb 1.3 L of water depending on the special conditions in the Egyptian desert atmosphere, (2) the reduction of temperature to 5° and the humidity has increased to 20%. This new architectural application has been utilized to improve desert buildings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]