Iterative geometric design for architecture

This work investigates on computer aided integrated architectural design and production. The aim is to provide integral solutions for the design and the production of geometrically complex free-form architecture. Investigations on computer aided geometric design and integrated manufacturing are carried out with equal importance. This research is considering an integral and interdisciplinary approach, including computer science, mathematics and architecture. Inspired by fractal geometry, the IFS formalism is studied with regards to discrete architectural geometric design. The geometric design method studied provides new shape control possibilities unifying two separate design paradigms of rough and smooth objects. Capable to design fractal geometric figures, the method also covers the generation of classical objects such as conics and NURBS-curves. Close attention has been paid to the design of iterative free-form surfaces, which are composed entirely out of planar elements. A surface method based on projected vector sums is proposed. The resulting geometric figures are expressed in a discrete form and can be easily translated into a coherent set of constructional elements. The studies for translation of the geometrical elements into constructional elements consider integrated manufacturing. Addressing and numbering of the elements by iterative geometric design are investigated and compared to lexicographically ordered addressing systems, in order to provide an adequate data structure for the design, production and assembly of the constructional elements. For the generation of the data describing constructional elements, problems related to thickening and offset meshes are discussed. Once the global geometry of the constructional part has been computed, parameters are defined for generic automated detailing. Hereby the entire description of the constructional elements is completed. These elements are mapped and packed with regards to the coordinate system of a CNC-machine and the properties and the dimensions of the raw material, providing the complete set of workshop plans needed for integrated manufacturing. For automated generation of machine instructions (G-code), machining strategies – depending on the type of machine used, tool and material properties – are elaborated. Finally, the integrated digital design methods studied within the scope of this thesis are tested and verified by the realization of different reduced scale prototypes. The studied applications range from bearing vault structures to fractal and smooth timber panel shell structures. The developed methods have shown to be efficient for the design and the realization of geometrically complex architectural objects. The required planning effort to handle and manipulate the design and the production data has been greatly reduced. Some of the proposed methods have proved to be robust and general enough to be applied on real world applications. Iterative geometric design provides high degree of design possibilities offering an efficient tool for the creation of smooth and rough free form objects. The possibility to incorporate successive folds in free-form objects allows structural applications

Iterative Geometric Design for Architecture

This interdisciplinary research project presents a corporation of architects, mathematicians and computer scientists. The team researches new methods for the efficient realization of complex architectural shapes. The present work investigates methods of iterative geometric design inspired by the work of Barnsley. Several iteratively constructed geometric figures will be discussed in order to introduce to the notion of transformation driven geometric design. The design method studied allows interacting with the design forming affine transformations and generates discrete geometries. Further, the handling of specific constraints is discussed. Geometrical and topological constraints aim to facilitate production of architectural free form objects. A surface method based on vector sums is studied. It allows designing free form surfaces that are entirely composed of planar quadrilateral elements. The combination of the proposed surface method and transformation driven iterative design provides new form-finding possibilities while satisfying a certain number of material and construction constraints. Finally, the findings are tested on a series of applications. The studied test scenarios aim to evaluate the advantages of discrete geometric design in terms of efficient integrated production of free form architecture

IFS-Modeling for Feasible Freeform Timber Constructions

Within the last years, architectural design has shown great interest in the design of new and complex geometries, commonly known as 'free-form' architecture. The lack of constructive feasibility of the designed architectural objects led us to consider discrete IFS- Modeling for architectural use. The aim is to develop a powerful tool for the generation and the fabrication of freeform architecture. Based on the findings of BARNSLEY, it uses controlled iterated function systems (IFS). The generated geometric figures are further treated by a set of post processing procedures - a set of specific geometric transformations, which allow converting the geometric data directly into construction elements. The method is tested and verified by the construction of prototypes, which prove the efficiency of the proposed method. The developed tool shows high potential to produce accurate free-form timber constructions at reduced design and production costs

Iterative Flächengestaltung

Am Institut für Holzkonstruktionen an der ETH Lausanne (IBOIS-EPFL) sucht ein interdisziplinäres Team nach Möglichkeiten, komplexe architektonische Formen aus Holzplatten effizient zu bauen. Ziel ist es, computergestützte Lösungen zu entwickeln, die sowohl den Entwurf als auch die Produktion von Freiformflächen optimieren. Um beliebige Flächen aus Holzplatten herstellen zu können, entwickelte das Team eine neue geometrische Methode zur Flächengestaltung. Diese bietet ungeahnte gestalterische und strukturelle Möglichkeiten und entspricht gleichzeitig den Bedingungen von Material und Konstruktion

Curved Folded Plate Timber Structures

This work investigates the development of a Curved Origami Prototype made with timber panels. In the last fifteen years the timber industry has developed new, large size, timber panels. Composition and dimensions of these panels and the possibility of milling them with Computer Numerical Controlled machines shows great potential for folded plate structures. To generate the form of these structures we were inspired by Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding. Common paper tessellations are composed of straight creases. First curved paper models were studied by Joseph Albers and his students in the preliminary course of the Bauhaus. Later, David Huffman explored the form finding possibilities offered by curved creased origami. To form curved creases, we use a model developed to create doubly corrugated surfaces with straight creases and planar faces. This model has been developed to build folded plate structures by assembly of planar timber panels. Doubly corrugated surfaces are defined by the corrugation profile and the cross section profile, where the corrugation profile defines the geometry of a simply corrugated surface and the cross section profile it’s bending in space. However, using undulating corrugation profiles, curved creased origami structures can be generated. Within the scope of this work, curved origami figures are used to develop a structural and load bearing timber component. The proposed element is composed of multiple layers, in order to bend the timber panels and to procure the necessary structural stiffness of the element. Our investigations examine the joint geometry of the bent multi-layer surface and its. Experimental investigations are conducted on a simple geometry (see fig.1), which is composed of three simply curved timber panels. A series of prototypes analyse the feasibility of curved folded plate structures with timber panels in terms of design, manufacturing and montage. Further investigations have to show the structural behaviour of such elements and how multiple elements can be used for roof structures

Fractal geometry and its applications in timber construction

We have developed a geometric design method based on generalizations of IFS. We have shown that it is possible to extend the properties of fractal shapes to forms used in classical modeling (e.g Bézier or Splines). We have developed and studied a new formalism, which we named BCIFS (Boundary Controlled Iterated Function System), which could serve as basis for development of a computer aided design software called modeler. The resulting figures verify planarity constrains in order to facilitate their physical construction out of planar construction material. Finally, a series of tools has been worked out in order to convert the geometry data into a set of constructional elements, ready for integrated manufacturing

Modélisation itérative de courbes et surfaces: aspect multi-résolution

Nous présentons un modèle itératif de figures à motifs fractals. Ce modèle est exprimé dans un formalisme type IFS (Iterated Function System), qui est relié à l’approche par schéma de subdivision. Ce modèle itératif permet de définir des formes à pôles multirésolution (courbes et surfaces)

Iterative Geometric Design for Architecture

This research project presents a corporation of architects, mathematicians and computer scientists. The team researches new methods for the efficient realization of complex architectural shapes. The aim is to develop computer-aided solutions which optimize the design and production of free-form surfaces. Therefore, the team worked out a new geometric design method. The method studied provides new form-finding possibilities while satisfying a certain number of material and construction constraints

Un modèle itératif de surface pour la construction en bois

Dans le cadre de la construction en bois, nous nous intéressons à la modèlisation de maillages surfaciques 3D basés sur un modèle itératif inspiré du modèle IFS (Iterated Function System). Les formes modèlisées doivent satisfaire certaines propriétés afin d’assurer leur constructibilité physique. Nous nous intéressons ici aux contraintes géométriques de planéité des faces d’un maillage quadrangulaire, permettant la construction d’assemblages de panneaux de bois découpés. Nous décrivons dans un premier temps un modèle permettant de représenter certains types de maillages à faces planes. Nous présentons ensuite quelques propriétés élémentaires du modèle itératif que nous utilisons, inspiré du modèle IFS. Le modèle défini est un IFS généré par un opérateur de combinaison entre deux IFS décrivant chacun une certaine courbe. Ce modèle est défini comme une certaine somme de deux courbes à pôles générées par des IFS. Nous montrons qu’il peut également être considéré comme un carreau à pôles généré par un produit d’IFS