Deceptive Landscape Algorithmic patterning strategies for a pavilion installation

This paper reflects a collaborative, research led design project, aiming to explore the potentials offered by incorporating parametric / generative tools and performative lighting simulation software in order to design and fabricate a small pavilion for the School of Architecture. The Deceptive Landscape pavilion was designed in the framework of a masters level, research led, and collaborative design studio. During its intense 12 weeks schedule, student teams were asked to explore and apply generative / parametric tools such as Rhino and Grasshopper, in order to design and later construct a small pavilion, with a theme of their choice. In addition, each team was asked to optimise their design proposal by embedding environmental software plug-ins (e.g. DIVA for Rhino) in their design process, thereby aiming to re-inform their parametric models and set performance targets. Finally each team was expected to propose a file to factory fabrication technique, following all constrains of a limited, predetermined budget. The most convincing and consistent proposal, was then chosen for fabrication. The finalised project serves as verification of the effectiveness of the design system and teaching methods used

Computational Generation of Hutong Neighbourhoods: A procedural modelling framework to represent their urban structure

The Hutong neighbourhoods, composed of Chinese courtyard dwellings (Siheyuan), are historically and socially significant urban spaces that embody traditional Chinese philosophy. There is a global interest in these spaces many of which face oblivion, this study presents a formal grammar for parametrically generating Hutong neighbourhoods, which replicates the morphological characteristics of historic cases. This research investigates traditional principles of urban planning of ancient Beijing, based on examples on the historical map Qianlong Jingcheng Quantu, to derive the lost design rules. These rules are then used to build up a procedural modelling process, which reveals the development of Beijing urban structure from Yuan (1271-1368) to Qing (1368-1911) dynasty. The grammar presented in the procedural modelling process contributes to the understanding of the generation of Hutong neighbourhoods. In support of traditional Chinese urban design, the grammar will be translated into an algorithm to be implemented in a computational environment by visual scripting that will generate new instances of Hutong neighbourhoods

Parametrising Historical Chinese Courtyard-Dwellings: An algorithmic design framework for the digital representation of Beijing Siheyuan iterations based on Fengshui and Gongcheng Zuofa Zeli

Many Beijing Siheyuan, a type of Chinese vernacular housing with significant cultural value, have been lost in recent years. Preserving the few remaining has become a necessity, but many contemporary architects lack an understanding of their design principles. Based on a historical analysis deriving from Fengshui theory, the Gongcheng Zuofa Zeli ancient construction manual, and craftsmen’s experience, this paper describes a parametric algorithm capable of producing Siheyuan variants within a 4D CAD environment which by transforming the original design principles into an algorithm contributes to an understanding of Siheyuan typology and their preservation. This algorithm was implemented in a virtual scripting environment to generate accurate virtual counterparts of historical or extant Siheyuan houses revealing the tacit computational rules underlying traditional Chinese architecture

Assessing the effectivity of additive manufacturing techniques for the production of building components: Innovation for housing construction in Saudi Arabia

This paper examines the suitability of existing robotic technologies and large-scale 3D printing techniques for the fabrication of three-dimensional printed building components to be applied in the Saudi housing construction industry. The paper assesses a series of cases based on the applications for 3D-printing cement-based materials in construction. In particular, we investigate five different additive manufacturing techniques and evaluate their performance in terms of their flexibility/mechanism, control/navigation, calibration/operation system, fabrication suitability (in-situ or off-site), size of printed components, printing speed. The findings include in a matrix chart, where the advantages and disadvantages of each technique become evident. The paper further evaluates the suitability of each technique in relation to the particular climatical and sociopolitical context of Saudi Arabia, applicable to other construction industries with similar condition

Developing a design framework for the 3D printing production of concrete building components: A case study on column optimisation for efficient housing solutions for Saudi Arabia

This paper is examining the development of a design and fabrication framework aiming to increase the efficiency of the construction of concrete building components by introducing 3D concrete printing in the context of Saudi Arabia. In particular, we will present an algorithmic process focusing on the design and fabrication of a typical, mass customised, single-family house, which incorporates parametric modelling, topology optimisation, finite element (FE) analysis and robotic 3D printing techniques. We will test and verify our framework by designing and fabricating a loadbearing concrete column with structural and material properties defined by the Saudi Building Code of Construction. Our findings are highlighting the advantages and challenges of the proposed file-to-factory framework in comparison to the conventional construction methods currently applied in Saudi Arabia, or other similar sociopolitical contexts. By comparing the material usage in both conventional and optimised columns, the results have shown that material consumption has been reduced by 25%, the required labour in the construction site has been mitigated by 28 and the duration time has been reduced by 80% without the need for formwork