New directions in agent-based generative architectural design

The paper discusses the potential of computer agents in form generation in the early stages of the architectural design process. First it discusses the possibility to simulate human behavior by computer agents and reviews the various directions in which computer agents were employed in architectural design. Then, it discusses the difference between form simulation and generation in architectural  design and suggests ways in which computer agents could be employed in architectural design in a generative manner. The suggested ways are examined by several design case studies. The paper concludes with the advantages and limitations of employing agents for form generation in architectural design

Introducing Fabric Materiality in architectural fibre composites

Textiles and architecture have long been associated; second and third skins have provided shelter and protection, since early days of men. The presence of textiles in the world of architecture spans across multiple layers, far beyond the mere usage of the fabric itself as architectural structure. The term of ‘Fabric Materiality’ is suggested to represent the unique qualities of textiles, their associated techniques and tools, assets and design paradigms; it is suggested as a design approach, to be integrated in field of architecture. The research presented in this paper explores the integration of Fabric Materiality in the field of architectural fibre-composites; it suggests an alternative design and fabrication approach in architectural FRP (fibre reinforced polymers), based on textile qualities. The main constituent of the composite material is fibres, mostly applied under the form of fabrics. All standard composite forming processes apply the fabric material over a rigid mould, to obtain its final shape; no traces are left to the textile material qualities. This research suggest the integration of Fabric Materiality in the design and fabrication of architectural FRP. Enhancing its inherent capacity for self-organisation and resilient quality, Fabric Materiality suggest the release from the necessity for moulds. In architecture, this opens wider possibilities for free architectural expression: from complex free-form morphology to surface articulation and a high degree of variation. The paper will start by introducing the concept of Fabric Materiality. It will then demonstrate its integration in architectural FRP through a material system of surface elements (panels), based on pleating manipulation. It will review its qualities of as a new porous matter-structure, of structural capacities

Creating ecologically sound buildings by integrating ecology, architecture and computational design

1. Research is revealing an increasing number of positive effects of nature for humans. At the same time, biodiversity in cities, where most humans live, is often low or in decline. Tangible solutions are needed to increase urban biodiversity. 2. Architecture is a key discipline that has considerable influence on the built-up area of cities, thereby influencing urban biodiversity. In general, architects do not design for biodiversity. Conversely, urban conservation planning generally focuses on the limited space free of buildings and does not embrace architecture as an important discipline for the creation of urban green infrastructure. 3. In this paper, we argue that the promotion of biodiversity needs to become a key driving force of architectural design. This requires a new multi-species design paradigm that considers both human and non-human needs. Such a design approach needs to maintain the standards of the architectural profession, including the aim to increase the well-being of humans in buildings. Yet, it also needs to add other stakeholders, organisms such as animals, plants and even microbiota. New buildings designed for humans and other inhabitants can then increase biodiversity in cities and also increase the benefits that humans can derive from close proximity to nature. 4. We review the challenges that this new design approach poses for both architecture and ecology and show that multi-species-design goes beyond existing approaches in architecture and ecology. The new design approach needs to make ecological knowledge available to the architectural design process, enabling practitioners to find architectural solutions that can facilitate synergies from a multi-species perspective. 5. We propose that a first step in creating such a multi-species habitat is the design of buildings with an ecolope, a multi criteria-designed building envelope that takes into account the needs of diverse organisms. Because there is no framework to design such an ecolope, we illustrate how multi-species design needs to draw on knowledge from ecology, as well as architecture, and design computation. 6. We discuss how architectures designed via a multi-species approach can be an important step in establishing beneficial human-nature relationships in cities, and contribute to human well-being and biodiversity conservation.Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog

Evaluating Clay Characteristics for Printable Geo-Materials: A Case Study of Clay–Sand Mixes

Extrusion-based 3D Construction Printing (3DCP) involves developing novel material mixtures that incorporate local geo-materials. Given that clay minerals and silt are major causes of soil variability, this study focuses on the fine fraction of soil to facilitate purpose-oriented design, classification, and standardization. We begin with an overview of current research in the field and general information about clays. Subsequently, we establish an evaluation methodology, examining various clay–sand mix ratios, along with locally sourced material to gain general insights into the material’s clay-dependent macro-printability characteristics. The findings are then correlated and discussed in relation to the microcharacteristics of the clays, emphasizing the significance of both intraparticle and interparticle swelling for strength and cohesiveness. Factors such as swelling ability, and charge, which may be reflected by pH, are pivotal for strength; while the quantity of clay and its interparticle swelling ability, denoted by the plasticity index (PI), delineate cohesiveness, which is essential for pumpability and extrudability. Furthermore, the presence of organic material and other minerals is observed to have a significant impact on these properties

Life-Cycle Assessment of Sculptured Tiles for Building Envelopes in Mediterranean Climate

Life-cycle assessments (LCAs) were conducted to evaluate sculptured cement mortar tiles, proposed by Hershcovich et al. (2021), and conventional cement mortar flat tiles for thermal insulation of a typical residential building in Mediterranean climate. The production (P) and operational energy (OE) stages were compared between the sculptured tiles and the conventional flat tiles. The P stage used Portland cement with 95% clinker (CEM I) and Portland limestone cement with 65% clinker (CEM II). The OE stage used 31% coal, 56% natural gas, and 13% photovoltaic (PV) (adopted in 2020) and 8% coal, 57% natural gas, and 35% PV (planned for 2025). The ReCiPe2016 single-score method was used to assess environmental damage over short (20 years), long (100 years), and infinite (1000 years) time horizons of living pollutants. The results show that the use of sculptured tiles caused environmental damage in the short time horizon and environmental benefits in the long and infinite time horizons in the 2020 scenario, while it led to environmental benefits only in the infinite time horizon in the 2025 scenario

Pleated Facades: Layered Fabric Materiality in FRP Surface Elements

FMFRP is a material system of fibre composites (FRP) that relies on the textile qualities of the composite material. The essential material qualities, attributes and design paradigms of textiles, with their associated techniques and technologies of fabrication and transformation, coined as Fabric Materiality (FM), serve as a starting point for this continuous research. Embedding FM in FRP generated the FMFRP material system and it suggests alternative design and fabrication processes of FRP architectural element, which facilitate contemporary architectural practices such as variation, surface articulation and complex morphologies. The development of layered FMFRP surface elements results in porous, articulated light-weight panels, potentially suitable for façade cladding applications. This paper describes the initial mechanical testing operated on this matter-structure, being a first step towards a confirmation of the suitability of FMFRP to architectural applications