BentArc
BentArc is a project crafted during the first term of the Digital Woodcraft Seminar. The site is at the Vallvidrera reservoir, situated on the outskirts of Barcelona. It was designed in 1865 for a hydraulic project that was carried out to bring drinking water to the old town of Sarrià. Today it is no longer used to supply water … Read more
Scissor: Adaptive to Different Roof Spans and Orientations
The performance of a structure is judged by its ability to support applied loads with a minimum of material and a balanced stress distribution that avoids excessive overloads and underloads.playing with different materials, tension, and rotation of elements. OUR GOALS DESIGN STRATEGY STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS 2D utilization comparison Utilization provides measurement of the performance of a … Read more
Platefold Prefab
Design Approach Folded Structure System Folded plate surfaces, architectural marvels with interconnected planar elements, gain further dynamism through linear additions. These straight elements seamlessly integrate with the folded structure, enhancing both aesthetics and structural efficiency. The result is a visually striking and functionally optimized design, showcasing the harmonious blend of form and function in contemporary … Read more
Shelf-Scape
At the request of STORE STORE in London, we developed a proposal for a timber structure roof for an existing garage located specifically in Clissold Crescent, Hackney. The objective is to transform the space into a workshop. The project presented a unique challenge as it is planned in phases, necessitating a demountable design that can … Read more
Timber Lattice System – A Tale of Cairo’s Rooftops
This research aims to explore the application of timber lattice systems on roofs in Cairo, Egypt. Before delving into the project itself, a thorough review of relevant references was essential for a better understanding of the system. The building analyzed was the Sunny Hills Cake Shop, designed by Kengo Kuma and Associates. Characterized by a … Read more
Timber Showroom in Trento, IT
Timber Showroom in Trento The Project investigates generative design approaches for optimizing timber construction Systems on both The Support’s level (Tree structure that distributes puncture forces and achieves wider spans) and the Slab’s level (generative Timber Slab reinforcement that follows the Principle Moment Lines generated from FE simulations on pre-given Supports). The objective of the … Read more
Lessons in Timber: A School for the city of Manchester
The aim of the project was to explore the timber grid-shell system. We have decided to look at this in the context of the U.K as the use of timber in construction has become contentious in recent years following the Grenfell tower catastrophe. However, if the UK is to reach its net zero goal, we … Read more
Hygroscopic Vaults
In the ever-evolving landscape of architectural innovation, the exploration of materials and construction techniques plays a pivotal role in shaping sustainable and efficient structures. This presentation delves into the fascinating realm of hygroscopic vaults, examining the transformative potential of wood in response to varying moisture content. Through an in-depth analysis of the hygroscopic behavior of … Read more
PRINT-SCAN-ADAPT
Context Is additive manufacturing going to change the way we fabricate? Certainly it is, additive manufacturing has an immense growth potential with a 22% annual growth as it has offers mass customization and reduced waste. One of the challenges in additive manufacturing is to improve the precision and reliability of the manufacturing process. This can … Read more
Timber Lattice – Evolutionary Structural Optimization
The purpose of the study is to investigate a potential solution for the increasing urban expansion in Cairo’s informal settlements.Could a timber lattice system growing vertically on the roofs of the urban context offer the programmatic growth needed for the community? With different architectural applications depending on the program such as residential, community facilities and … Read more
Frihamns Navet Port HUB. Multilevel Timber-skeletons… at work
This project, approached as a demonstrative project, was elaborated by Group 8, Anna Irene Del Monaco and Athanasios Vagias and worked on multilevel Timber structure. We started investigating precedents on timber skeleton structure. Our initial interest fell on the Maggie’s center by Foster and partners for the masterful creation of a refined structural node in … Read more
3D-Printed Lost Formwork
This thesis explores a transformative approach to construction by integrating topologically optimized 3D printed formwork with fiber embedding between print layers. The research aims to revolutionize traditional construction methods by enhancing structural integrity, material efficiency, and overall performance. Topological optimization algorithms are employed to design intricate yet robust formwork structures, minimizing material usage while maintaining … Read more
