Intelligent Prototyping Combining Microcontrollers & Robotic Fabrication: Obstacle Detection – Notification System & Clay Pots

Microcontrollers This project focuses on creating an automated door system designed to enhance accessibility, particularly in healthcare environments such as hospitals and clinics. Using an ultrasound sensor to detect distance, the system provides auditory guidance and ensures safe and efficient door operation for users, including those with visual impairments. The system is programmed to announce … Read more

Intelligent Prototyping using Robot & Arduino

FABRICATED PROTOTYPES & DESIGN ANALYSISIn this project, our group explored the integration of parametric modeling, robotic fabrication, and data-driven analysis to optimize clay-based 3D printing. We began by generating two vase geometries using Grasshopper and subsequently fabricated these designs with an ABB 120 robotic arm extruding clay. Throughout the process, we recorded both visual documentation ... Read more

Intelligent Prototyping: robotics and micro-controllers

The work presented in this blog post is an approach combining Robotics and Microcontrollers as preparation for a main Research Studio project focused on sustainable facades and environmental guidelines. This represents our first steps in exploring these fields and their connections with Artificial Intelligence in Architecture and the Built Environment. In the Robotics domain, the … Read more

Robotic Craft Interaction

An Intersectional Investigation Robotics is the field of study focused on the research and application of robotic systems. This definition, however, doesn’t provide much insight. So, what is a robot? Robots are machines that can operate autonomously or through programmed input to perform specific tasks, often replacing human effort. These tasks are typically complex and … Read more

Quantitative and Rapid Buildability Assessment Techniques for 3D-Printing Earth

3DPA 2024-25 Faculty : Secil Afsar Guest Faculty : Amanda Rivera INTRODUCTION Matrix of material design strategy for 3DPA 2024-2025 ANALYSIS OF PREVIOUS YEARS Mixing strategies from the previous protoypes of 3DPA EXPECTED IMPROVEMENTS Matrix for default design strategies from previous years, and areas for future improvement MATTER RESEARCH Testing different matter mixes, and additives … Read more

Research : Optimizing Self-Shading in Clay 3D-Printed Geometries

Hypothesis Optimizing Self-Shading in Clay 3D-Printed Geometries Methodology Incidence vector analysis:Using the position of the sun in Barcelona to simulate realistic shading.Evaluation of different vectors and orientations to identify optimal shading configurations.Geometric modification:Create geometric modifications according to vectors at a precise hour, 14:00 on 21 June and then at different hours 13:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00.Adjusting … Read more

Designing Dynamic Forms – Robotic Fabrication Techniques

Team member(s):zeyu chao, Elizabeth.frias.martinez,Chi.Lee 3Dprint pavilion Introduction This project explores the large-scale robotic clay printing of a pavilion, with the geometry divided into four equal segments. The chosen geometry, Segment 1, was further developed into modular units to optimize the construction process. The modular approach allows for efficient fabrication and assembly, enhancing the structural and … Read more

CARABASSES

The aim of this workshop was to propose an interview in one of the many farms in Parc Agrari complex. It is understood by local municipality and consortium of the park that the whole Parc Agrari has been suffering pressure from the real state market, in order to give the land up for the construction … Read more

Techne W1: Matter

The week of Teche 01 workshop focused on introducing students and part of the research team in the landscape of Valldaura. The team was in charge of gathering soil samples from different areas of the forest campus in order to compare different behaviors of the soil. Through a series of tests , each group showed … Read more

Techne W3: Structure

TECHNE: W3 – STRUCTURE workshop asks students to examine the structural behaviors inherent in 3D printing with clay and earth. Our goal for this week’s workshop was to print the tallest single and double surface structure that will be assessed against performance metrics such as toolpath length, print volume, print time, weight, collapse height, and … Read more

Techne W5: Fragments

After exploring periods in 2D and their capacity to deform, promising periods were tested in 3D to mitigate certain climatic phenomena and achieve various climatic performances, such as heat storage capacity of matter, ventilation, self-shading, and daylight allowance. Heat Storage Capacity of Matter To test this, a catalogue of deformation along 3 different axes was … Read more

Techne W2: Machine

The Techne 02 machine workshop, is meant to introduced students and part of the research team into the different print methodologies of 3D clay printers. Part of the workshop explores different nozzle sizes, seam strategies, and even geometries, that can be created with a simple cylinder. The purpose is to explore height, and geometrical difference … Read more

MURO DE AGUA

INTRO This study investigates innovative joinery solutions for modular evaporative cooling systems using 3D printed clay. With the rising global temperatures and subsequent increased demand for energy-consuming air conditioning systems, there is a crucial need for sustainable cooling alternatives. The research focuses on addressing the challenges of material shrinkage and joinery reliability in 3D printed … Read more

Subterranean Eden: Martian Harvest Halls

“An innovative way for agriculture on Mars, pushing boundaries of space exploration ensuring future interplanetary habitation.” Mars—the Red Planet—is getting closer. According to the experts, human settlements on Mars might be visible in ten years, allowing for more space exploration. Keeping that in mind, this semester’s goal is to create a 300-person Mars colony. The … Read more

Bionook

This blog describes and showcases the second-term research and prototyping for Bionook. Research Topic: Investigating the Synergistic Potential Between Additive Manufacturing Methods and Engineered Timber in Reshaping Urban Design Paradigms. This research delves into precisely integrating sawdust and orange peels as industrial by-product additives for Soil Additive Manufacturing and locally sourced Engineered Timber, synergizing them … Read more

Saline Manifolds

Thesis Statement Poor quality health services is an emerging  phenomenon in low, middle and even high income countries. The situation is worse in low and middle-income countries where 10 percent of hospitalized patients can acquire an infection during their stay, as compared to seven percent in high income countries. Moreover, the situation is even more dire … Read more