A parametric composition based on cork morphogenesis

Inspired in nature’s production system, the generative design processes enable designers to rethink architecture design procedures. The objective of this paper is to describe a geometrical composition based on cork biological constitution and growth. This research was developed within the framework of the CEAAD course, at ISCTE-IUL, during the 2012/2013 academic year. The goal was to develop a parametric, customable and adaptive geometric definition, using as starting point standard industrial products of expanded cork agglomerate and the biological morphogenesis of cork. The reported work combines a rational and practical understanding of the micro-structural and compositional properties of the raw material - cork - and its derivate - expanded cork. The result is a generative geometrical definition tool that is able to generate new products, totally adaptable to specific environmental conditions, personalized for its use and therefore, easily commercialized! From micro-structural composition to macro-scale construction, this research explores new geometrical application possibilities through the implementation of design principles from biology - biomimicry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Multi-criteria material selection for buildings in challenging environments

Climate change and future weather conditions are likely to challenge the way buildings are designed because there will be an increase in extreme climatic conditions. What should architects change in their design process to produce human habitats able to withstand those extreme conditions to ensure adequate comfort conditions? This paper presents preliminary results within the scope of an on-going research that addresses one single key issue: what materials will be most suitable in extreme temperature conditions. A set of 52 materials is analysed through a multi-criteria decision process that includes thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, thermal effusivity, linear thermal expansion, service temperature, fracture toughness, recycle potential and embodied carbon as criteria. The goals are to find the best-fit materials for each climate scenario within the scope of contradictory objectives and to develop a methodology for the selection of construction materials for buildings in challenging environments. Results show that the best possible material for extreme temperatures, whether it would be a very cold or a very hot environment, is one that could combine the properties of polymers with a very low environmental impact (at the level of the impact from materials such as natural fibres, wood or wood derivatives). The results thus suggest that further research may be directed at biomaterials development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Performance-based selection of sustainable construction solutions for external walls

This research is focused on the integration of sustainability and functional performance in architecture. While having an important contribution in terms of environmental impact, construction solutions also play a significant role in the reduction of energy use during the use phase of buildings. Therefore a careful, although simple, analysis of construction solutions integrating environmental and functional performance is needed to support the decision process in architectural design. A simplified methodology, using an environmental indicator and an energy-related functional indicator is implemented to assess how a set of construction solutions for external walls would perform in face of different objectives. The environmental indicator is obtained through the aggregation of the individual normalized values for the embodied energy and the carbon footprint. The functional indicator characterizes the energy performance of the wall, by aggregating the individual normalized values of the heat transfer coefficient and the net superficial thermal mass. These indicators are then integrated in a final weighted index to allow for a straightforward, yet effective understanding of the environmental impact of functional construction solutions. The set of construction solutions comprises different materials for cavity as well as single walls that are common in the building construction sector: ceramic brick masonries, reinforced concrete, mortar render and plasterboard as internal coating, synthetic or natural materials applied in two thicknesses for thermal insulation. Different combinations of these materials form the set of 90 heavyweight external walls that were calculated. Results show that it is possible to select construction solutions with a good environmental and functional performance. There is however a conflict between the objectives of reducing embodied environmental impact and increasing thermal inertia. This later may be an important comfort factor in the cooling season in residential architecture. The proposed methodology can be a comprehensive support tool to architects at the moment of selecting construction solutions, so that the principles of a sustainable construction are increasingly becoming a reality in architectural design.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Theoretical outlines for a complex approach to architecture

This paper focuses on the built environment studying disciplines and their established or yet to establish connections with complex thought. It asks if there’s a path for the integration of Architecture and Urbanism on Complexity Theory. Complexity Theory is a disciplinary paradigm that often takes interdisciplinary stances upon looking at phenomenon that transcend the classically defined frontiers of science. Most phenomenon that ask for such an approach are emergent, as they represent a change in a system that cannot be irreducibly explained by decomposing it into its constituting parts. This idea allowed for complex ways to understand cities. Here, we use it to go forward on the built environment analysis and reach the building scale. If emergent phenomena result from interacting simple parts, firstly, one can imagine such simple parts to be people and their surroundings’ physical elements; but on a second look, technical advances allow us to design buildings’ physical elements as interacting parts themselves. If there’s optimization to be done in the building system, it will most certainly occur through linking these two points – as it allows for us to conceive open work adaptive structures that react to the stimulus of human occupation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

From morphogenetic data to performative behaviour

This paper presents part of CORK’EWS, a research work developed within the framework of the Digital Architecture Advanced Program 2012/13 at ISCTE-IUL. The main goal of this investigation was to develop a parametric, customizable and adaptive wall system designed for environmental performance. Moreover, the system is based on standard industrial products: expanded cork blocks produced by Amorim Insulation industries. CAD/CAM resources were the essential tools of the research process, where fundamental and practical knowledge is integrated to understand the microstructure morphological properties of the raw material – cork – and its derivate – natural expanded cork. These properties were upscale and adapted to create a wall with an optimized solar control environmental performance. The result is a digitally fabricated prototype of a new customizable industrial product, adaptable to specific environmental conditions and installation setups being therefore easily commercialized. From microstructural morphology to macroscale construction, the research explores new application possibilities through morphogenesis and opens new possible markets for these customizable products.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Análise multicritério das técnicas de reforço locais: aplicação ao frontal de edifícios Pombalinos

As dinâmicas da reabilitação do património Pombalino em Lisboa (1755-1880) envolvem três macro-fatores interdependentes: i) o artefacto histórico; ii) os proprietários e utilizadores; iii) os agentes especializados. A dicotomia entre a integração e a integralidade do Património cultural (PC) deriva das diferentes atribuições de valor (cultural, histórico, funcional, económico) ao edifício histórico e da coexistência de objetivos contraditórios. De facto, o domínio da reutilização e da reabilitação dos imóveis históricos (na qual se pode incluir o reforço estrutural) é marcado pela complexidade na seleção das soluções de intervenção, de projeto e técnicas. Este artigo aborda o estudo comparativo in itinere das técnicas de reforço da parede mista (frontal) através de métodos de análise de decisão multicritério (MCDA). O estudo visa propor um modelo de seleção das atuais técnicas de reforço utilizando como critérios a compatibilidade material, a autenticidade arquitectónica e estrutural e a perda de material original. Os critérios de avaliação das práticas de reforço estrutural e as combinações das variantes de reforço são brevemente discutidos. Salienta-se que a reflexão sobre o impacto das intervenções no património histórico e a necessidade de introduzir transparência no processo decisório representam prioridades no cenário contemporâneo lisboeta, bem como no contexto internacional.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CORK'EWS: From microstructural composition into macrostructural performance

The main goal of this research was to develop a new, adaptable and personalized cork industrial product for environmental performance applications. The project started with the standard insulation products from Amorim Insulation Industries. Inspired on natural growth and performance, it found its basis on the observation of the properties and composition of natural cork, and explored cork anisotropy in a digital form-finding process to design and fabricate. A full scale prototype was designed and produced by a personalized parametric definition, using the form-finding processes based on cork anisotropy to program the physical matter and the digital fabrication for an improved acoustical behavior. The results obtained contribute to an increasing and more diverse offer of expanded cork products, within the scope of the natural and sustainable products of Amorim Insulation Industries.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio

CORK'EWS From micro structural composition into macro structural performance

The main goal of this research was to develop a new, adaptable and personalized cork industrial product for environmental performance applications. The project started with the standard insulation products from Amorim Insulation Industries. Inspired on natural growth and performance, it found its basis on the observation of the properties and composition of natural cork, and explored cork anisotropy in a digital form-finding process to design and fabricate. A full scale prototype was designed and produced by a personalized parametric definition, using the form-finding processes based on cork anisotropy to program the physical matter and the digital fabrication for an improved acoustical behavior. The results obtained contribute to an increasing and more diverse offer of expanded cork products, within the scope of the natural and sustainable products of Amorim Insulation Industries

M2* - mobility to anywhere, an IoT aggregation service platform

This work addresses the problem of the creation of a central integrated platform to collect and manipulate mobility data and sensor data towards the creation of useful information for users in their mobility process. This is an academic work towards a framework for mobility process, where that manipulate can create useful information for users, public transportation operators and authorities, energy and water real time consumption.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Gaiola vs Borbone system: a comparison between 18th Century anti-seismic case studies

This article briefly discusses the seismic-resistant heritage of the 18th century, circumscribed in Lisbon's Baixa Pombalina (post 1755) and case baraccate of Southern Italy (post 1783).A comparison of these anti-seismic systems is discussed through the architectural principles and the mechanical behavior. It is shown that, despite the wide diversity of cases and the different geo-historical conditioning, both systems arise from an intuition of the compound seismic efficiency, the typical pragmatism of the enlightenment period and an interpretation of the classic composition code.Two specific case studies, a private building in Baixa Pombalina (Lisbon) and the Bishop's Palace of Mileto (Calabria region) are compared. We briefly analyze: (i) configuration and structural principles; (ii) characteristics of the materials; and (iii) seismic behavior.A standardized spatial morphology closely linked to traditional construction techniques positively determines the seismic response and it is one of the key common factors in this heritage to be preserved.In both cases, the architectural and structural choices are crucial to the seismic response of the building and must be respected as an identity of a specific technical knowledge. Moreover, this materiality represents a historical continuity of the community's memory that requires transdisciplinary, critical understanding, and preservation.info:eu-repo/semantics/submittedVersio