Rethinking Complexity: Vladimir Shukhov’s Steel Lattice Structures

This paper is a critical review on advantages and disadvantages of contemporary digital architecture, in retrospect to Vladimir Shukhov's design techniques, applied in the early 20th century. After investigating Shukhov's structural systems, this paper explores the relationship between performance and form, questioning the necessity of high-complexity structures. It will present unpublished archive material of his early work and stimulate a valuable discussion by comparing it with contemporary projects designed by renowned architects. The study on Shukhov focuses on his tessellation method of double-curved surfaces using simple standardized elements. The study of present digital approaches revolves around leading architects using computational tools (e.g. Foster and Partners, Buro Happold and Arup), who have materialized high complexity structures composed by irregular units. Our findings highlight advantages and disadvantages of contemporary computational approaches

Incorporating Digital Tools with Ceramic Crafting: Design and Fabrication of Light Diffusing Screen Shells

This paper investigates the possibilities which arise by incorporating digital tools into the design and fabrication of ceramic building components. In particular, we present how traditional ceramic crafting fabrication methods could be enriched by using parametric, performative and generative design techniques alongside digital fabrication technologies. Considering the growing importance of ceramic components in architectural construction due to their economic and environmentally friendly properties, this paper highlights the findings of design-led research explorations, demonstrating potential innovative solutions and failures arising through a digitalised ‘file to factory’ design approach

Dark Matter Garden: A case study in algorithmic modelling and digital fabrication of complex steel structures.

This paper is focusing on the application of algorithmic modelling techniques to represent, design and fabricate gravitational lens effects (as described by the astrophysical theory of the ‘Dark Matter’) in form of a garden pavilion for the Royal Horticultural Society’s, Chelsea Flower Show. In addition, this research-led project is exploring the challenges occurring in the use of three-dimensional CNC bending technologies. This is a research by design project and its method is based on a design framework, which incorporates a generative algorithm linked to feedback loops related to parameters such as laws of gravity, plot dimensions, materiality, positioning of the plants, construction and fabrication, requirements and cost as well as the overall aesthetics. Its findings are highlighting accomplishments and failures of a file to factory design and fabrication process, which incorporates algorithmic modelling and digital manufacturing techniques in a collaborative environment. The ‘Dark Matter Garden’ installation was awarded the gold medal for ‘Best Fresh Garden’ by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2015

Computational Generation of Hutong Neighbourhood Maps: A shape grammar for procedural modelling to represent the historical Beijing 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

Towards a Free-form Transformable Structure: A critical review for the attempts of developing reconfigurable structures that can deliver variable free-form geometries

In continuation of our previous research (Hussein, et al., 2017), this paper examines the kinetic transformable spatial-bar structures that can alter their forms from any free-form geometry to another, which can be named as Free-form transformable structures (FFTS). Since 1994, some precedents have been proposed FFTS for many applications such as controlling solar gain, providing interactive kinetic forms, and control the users' movement within architectural/urban spaces. This research includes a comparative analysis and a critical review of eight FFTS precedents, which revealed some design and technical considerations, issues, and design and evaluation challenges due to the FFTS ability to deliver infinite unpredictable form variations. Additionally, this research presents our novel algorithmic framework to design and evaluate the infinite form variations of FFTS and an actuated prototype that achieved the required movement. The findings of this study revealed some significant design and technical challenges and limitations that require further research work

Reinterpretation of the Dougong Joint by the use of Parametric Tools and Robotic Fabrication Techniques

Traditionally, Chinese architecture was based on the use of timber frameworks as structural system. The Dougong joint is amongst the typical connection typologies, widely applied in the timber heritage buildings in China. Each component of the Dougong (bucket-arch joint) conforms to a strict structural proportion in addition to simple but efficient connection methods between its different components. However, the spread of the structure in modern architecture is limited due to high labour cost. Parametric design and digital fabrication techniques have greatly promoted the development of complex timber structures in recent years, which could be introduced in order to reinterpret the Dougong joint. In continuation of our research on exploring the application of robotic technologies for the fabrication of traditional Chinese timber joints, our paper will investigate the feasibility of the structural logic of the Dougong and how it could be applied in a modern timber framework structure

Active membranes:3D printing of elastic fibre patterns on pre-stretched textiles

There has been a steady growth, over several decades, in the deployment of fabrics in architectural applications; both in terms of quantity and variety of application. More recently 3D printing and additive manufacturing have added to the palette of technologies that designers in architecture and related disciplines can call upon. Here we report on research that brings those two technologies together - the development of active membrane elements and structures. We show how these active membranes have been achieved by laminating 3D printed elasto-plastic fibres onto pre-stretched textile membranes. We report on a set of experiments involving one-, two- and multi-directional geometric arrangements that take TPU 95 and Polypropylene filaments and apply them to lycra textile sheets, to form active composite panels. The process involves a parametrised design, actualized through a particular fabrication process. Our findings document the investigation into mapping between the initial two-dimensional geometries and their resulting three-dimensional doubly-curved forms, as well as accomplishments and products of the resulting, partly serendipitous, design process

Architecture, Space and Information in Constructions Built by Humans and Social Insects: a Conceptual Review

The similarities between the structures built by social insects and by humans have led to a convergence of interests between biologists and architects. This new, de facto interdisciplinary community of scholars needs a common terminology and theoretical framework in which to ground its work. In this conceptually oriented review paper, we review the terms “information”, “space” and “architecture” to provide definitions that span biology and architecture. A framework is proposed on which interdisciplinary exchange may be better served, with the view that this will aid better cross fertilisation between disciplines, working in the areas of collective behaviour and analysis of the structures and edifices constructed by non-humans; and to facilitate how this area of study may better contribute to the field of architecture. We then use these definitions to discuss the informational content of constructions built by organisms and the influence these have on behaviour, and vice versa. We review how spatial constraints inform and influence interaction between an organism and its environment, and examine the reciprocity of space and information on construction and the behaviour of humans and social insects

Dark Matter Garden, RHS Chelsea Flower Show: a case study in algorithmic modelling and digital fabrication of complex steel structures.

This paper is focusing on the application of algorithmic modelling techniques in order to represent, design and fabricate gravitational lens effects (as described by the astrophysical theory of the ‘Dark Matter’) in form of a garden pavilion for the Royal Horticultural Society’s, Chelsea Flower Show. In addition, this research led design project is exploring the challenges occurring in the use of three-dimensional CNC bending technologies. Its findings are highlighting achievements and failures of a file to factory design and fabrication process, which incorporates algorithmic modelling and digital manufacturing techniques. The ‘Dark Matter Garden’ installation was awarded the gold medal for ‘Best Fresh Garden’ by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2015