The Prismatic Pavilion
Site Context
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-1-2-1024x993.png)
?The Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) is located in the city of Barcelona, Spain.
?The institute is situated in the Poblenou neighborhood, which is known for its innovation and technology industries.
?The institute is easily accessible by public transportation, with several bus and metro lines running nearby.
?The campus is also located close to the beach and a number of cultural and recreational attractions, making it an attractive location for students and visitors alike.
Form Development
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-2-1-1024x676.png)
?The form emerged out of a digital form-finding process based on the classic techniques developed by Antonio Guadi and Frei Otto, among others.
?Using Grasshopper and the physics engine Kangaroo, the form self-organizes into the catenary-like thrust surfaces that are aligned with the structural vectors and allow for minimal structural depths.
Structure Development
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-3-2-1024x796.png)
?The design process of the pavilion began with a series of simulations that were used to determine the optimal configuration for the carbon fiber rods.
?These simulations took into account factors such as the strength of the rods, the distance between them.
?The final structure of the pavilion is a series of interconnected carbon fiber rods that form a network of hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces.
Fabrication Development
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-4-1-822x1024.png)
?The pavilion was printed using Laticrete MD-31 3D Printable Mortar, a specially formulated material that allows for precise and efficient printing of complex structures.
?Laser-cut steel were used to reinforce the structure and provide additional stability.
Form Explorations
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-5-1-1024x618.png)
Catalogue (Form Exploration)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-7-1-1024x621.png)
Animation (Form Exploration)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/My-Sequence2.gif)
Catalogue (Form Finding)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-14-1024x483.png)
Design Strategy
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-9-1-1024x655.png)
Pseudo Code
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-10-1-1024x362.png)
Catalogue (Form Finding)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-11-1024x608.png)
Catalogue-02 (Final Form)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-12-1024x618.png)
Animation (Final Form)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Animation04.gif)
Animation (Structural Detail)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/L2_06_Animation05.gif)
Animation (Fabrication Detail)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/L2_06_Animation06.gif)
Structural Design
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-15-1024x511.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-16-1024x233.png)
Fabrication Process- Tiles
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-17-1024x502.png)
Fabrication Process- Tiles with Tags
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-18-1024x949.png)
Fabrication Process- Tiles (Male to Female)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-19-1024x349.png)
Fabrication Process- Tiles (3D Printing)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-20-1024x904.png)
Fabrication Process- Framework (LaserCut)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-21-1024x503.png)
Fabrication Process- Framework (Tags)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-22-1024x532.png)
Fabrication Process- Framework (Waffle Beams)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-23-1024x551.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-24-1024x557.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-25-1024x626.png)
Fabrication Process- Base and Post Tension Cables
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-26-1024x634.png)
Renders
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-27-1024x691.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture-28-1024x576.png)
![](https://blog.iaac.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2-5-1024x576.jpg)