An integrated architectural and structural design concept by using local, salvaged timber

Our research-based design approach suggests an integrated architectural and structural design concept by using local, salvaged timber in a “material and connection – structure – architecture” sequence, which is in line with Neri Oxman´s discussion of the “Form First, Structure First, Material First: the Designer’s Causality Dilemma”. Following the philosophy of design-build, locally available, salvaged wooden material connected by wooden nails only is the main design driver. The material, its properties, size, and availability as well as the wooden nail connection are explored separately. The merger of material and the specific connection results in structurally tested prototype-assemblies and in previously unnoticed insights respectively. Together with long-term observation from exposure to the natural environment as well as architectural requirements according to its prototypical use, the findings from the prototype-assemblies are feeding back the design process, as finally showcased by a natural trail project for the city of Kouvola, Finland. The proposed trail meets the requirements of a cheap, fast, replaceable, and sustainable solution, by simultaneously including multiple modular elements for the path and a central, partly curved plaza-like area. Future work will focus on smoothening the workflow and on structural and architectural optimization with special focus on the wooden nail connections, and associated assembly geometries.Peer reviewe

Zero Gravity: a novel cantilever beam utilizing elastic torsion for structures and architecture

This paper describes the structural geometry of a beam element, which is assembled from 4 coupled, thin elastic strips through intentionally applied torsion. Consequently, the beam element generates a self-restraining system. Our investigations are based on architectural design studies of preliminary paper models, laboratory experiments of the full-scale cantilever beam, and computational structural simulations. We are also providing a comparison between digital, physical, and photogrammetric results. We describe the production, assembly, disassembly, the shape generation principles, and the final shape of the beam element in various scales from paper model to physical prototype. We are exploring the design and application space as well as the digital generation and the digitalization of the beam geometry. The paper pays special attention to the geometrical stiffening effect, which has been described by the Föppl-von Kármán (FvK) equations. The phenomenon of notably undulating surfaces of the individual strips of the beam is associated with their length-to-width-ratio but mainly with the extremely thin material thickness. The utilization of elastic torsion as a design driver links structural efficiency, architectural potentials, and aesthetics as first demonstrated in the realized research pavilion "Zero Gravity" by the team of A"SA (Aalto University Structures and Architecture) in 2019.Peer reviewe

Zero Gravity : radical creativity by multidisciplinary collaboration

In June 2013, the report “ARTS+ENG, Future Collaborative Academic Models at Aalto: Cooperation between the Schools of Arts, Design and Architecture, and the School of Engineering in Aalto University,” was published. The most significant collaboration endeavor between the schools was the project work course, here referred to as The Synthesis Studio, a platform for multidisciplinary collaboration, which first has been established as ARTS-ENG Project Course in 2016. Since then the course underwent a transformation from disciplinary oriented, thematic baskets to the “discipline-free” topics of “Zero Gravity”, always in mind that its pedagogic intent is to lay an early foundation for the formation of trans- and multidisciplinary skills in future levels of study and to trigger radical creativity. This paper looks into the ideas of radical creativity and presents the backgrounds and the constant development of the project course as a major experiment at Aalto University, including its challenging pedagogical and logistic tasks, but offering unparalleled opportunities to create multiple cross connections in the beginning of the undergraduate studies. In 2019, the course was accompanied by creativity tests, an Alternate Uses Test (AUT) and a ShapeStorm (SS) Exercise, investigating the course´s impact and its significantly positive effect on students' creativity.Peer reviewe