Shaping hybrids – Form finding of new material systems

Abstract

Form-finding processes are an integral part of structural design. Because of their limitations, the classic approaches to finding a form-such as hanging models and the soap-film analogy-play only a minor role. The various possibilities of digital experimentation in the context of structural optimisation create new options for the designer generating forms, while enabling control over a wide variety of parameters. A complete mapping of the mechanical properties of a structure in a continuum mechanics model is possible but so are simplified modelling strategies which take into account only the most important properties of the structure, such as iteratively approximating to a solution via representations of kinematic states. Form finding is thus an extremely complex process, determined both by the freely selected parameters and by design decisions.

Weaving and Threading Cellular Automata Geometries for Adaptive Architectural Spaces

“…A core objective is to introduce more intricate and refined representations of space that regard the continuous essence of the physical realm, rather than merely a discrete perspective. This necessitates integrating aspects from soft materials, along with other continuous substances like fluids, into the spatial depiction (Gengnagel, Et al. 2018), besides conventional discrete components such as points and lines.…”

Configured Knitting - Grafting as an assembly process for knitted architecture

“…The interest in knit as an architectural material has expanded over the last decade as international research groups focus on integrating computation, material performance and digital fabrication using industrial knitting technologies (Ahlquist 2016, Baranovskaya et al 2016, Gengnagel et al 2018, Lui et al 2019, Popescu et al 2019, Sabin and Jones 2017, Scott 2013. One challenge of working with knit at an architectural scale is the dimensional limitations of fabrics manufactured using industrial machines with a needle bed width of 1.85m.…”

Fiber Compositions - Development of wood and textile layered structures as a material strategy for sustainable design

“…The interest in knit as an architectural material has expanded over the last decade as international research groups focus on integrating computation, material performance and digital fabrication using industrial knitting technologies (Ahlquist 2016, Baranovskaya et al 2016, Gengnagel et al 2018, Lui et al 2019, Popescu et al 2019, Sabin and Jones 2017, Scott 2013. One challenge of working with knit at an architectural scale is the dimensional limitations of fabrics manufactured using industrial machines with a needle bed width of 1.85m.…”