Advanced Manufacturing Cluster – T01
Research Question Context Why Natural Fibers? Possible Impact Typologies State of Art Material Research Methodology Design Workflow
Truss & Timber
Overview of the three variations Diagrams Option selected Beam design options Beam design selected Karamba Assembly diagrams Assembly + Physical model Failure moment Collapse of the installation Karamba analysis Improvement option Embodied CO2 Personal conclusions
Structural Design Essentials: Wood beam
FABRICATION PROCESS BEAM TEST -Beam test with interlocking shear panels positions at splice in bottom and top flanges. -Failure is located in the shear panel where the bottom splice is located. -The physical beam test differs with the Karamba analysis due to the screws location and the wood quality. The karamba analysis does not have … Read more
Stability Split
Stability Split project explores sustainable construction using scavenged materials and recycled wood for a structural beam. In the first phase, a case study of the Google headquarters in London was analyzed using Karamba software to explore structural efficiency and redesign its system. Two design options—arched and stacked—were proposed as alternatives to improve structural performance and … Read more
Palette Beam
For the creation of our recycled beam we chose to repurpose parts of a wooden pallet that we found on the street, transforming discarded material into a functional structural element. This approach not only demonstrates the potential of upcycling in construction but also highlights sustainability by reducing waste and giving new life to materials that … Read more
BLOCK TRUSS
CASE STUDY – GOOGLE HQ Exploration from the Case Studies.` Diagram Analysis Set up – Load & Mass Distribution Beam Test Design Investigation Truss with blocks (Vierendeel) using reclaimed hardwood exploring amount of overlap, number of blocks and impact of gaps between blocks. Beam Test Design Reclaimed Timber Block Truss Beam Fabrication Testing Videos The … Read more
Beam of Fragments
Structural Design Essentials Workshop Introduction The primary objective of the workshop was to explore innovative ideas in structural engineering by experimenting with materials and their compositions to create components. Specifically, the aim was to engineer a structural beam designed for integration into the case study structure, the Aravena Building, and to evaluate its structural strength … Read more
TRAVELNA / Structural Optimization
00 / Architectural Concept TRAVELNA is an innovative architectural design concept merging the subscription model of services like Netflix with Airbnb’s global accommodation network, tailored for solo travelers frequently moving across major cities worldwide. The strategy was to create a building recipe that could optimize five (5) key performance indicators.1. Unit Efficiency Ratio.2. Flexibility & Modularity … Read more
AdaptiveFlow Carbon Emission
3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) is reshaping the construction industry by combining innovation and sustainability. This cutting-edge technology involves the automated layering of concrete through robotic systems to create durable, customized structures efficiently. The process integrates components like robotic arms, nozzle systems, and advanced computational control to deliver unparalleled precision and speed. How Does It Work? … Read more
CONVERGENCIA :FORMAL Y TEMPORAL
CRONOLOGÍA HIPÓTESIS El caso de estudio presenta un escenario complejo y dinámico, caracterizado por un crecimiento acelerado y no planificado impulsado por el auge de la industria hidrocarburífera. Esta industria ha generado un incremento de la cantidad de población residente como la pendular, y también ha generado una demanda sin precedentes de servicios e infraestructuras … Read more
Energy Consumption for Interchangeable Units in a Mixed Use Building Typology
For our MaCAD Studio project, we wanted to explore the idea of circularity during the assembling/disassembling stage of the various programmatic functions housed by the building structure. The main materials employed are CLT and Reinforced Steel, of which we picked the first to be the focus of our study since it is the primary material … Read more
The Energy Behind Your Data
Abstract By the year 2025, there will be 200+ zettabytes of data in cloud storage. The servers handling this cloud storage space live in data centers. Since we live in the era of data, demand is surging, in fact, a 50% growth is expected by 2030. Data centers are energy consuming monsters, hence their lifecycle … Read more
Collaborative Design Studio – Kindergarten
The Site We worked with the Kindergarten at Colegi Mare de Déu dels Angels in La Sagrera neighborhood Barcelona. This historic school has educated generations of students over nearly the past one hundred years, this year the school decided to bring in IAAC to develop playground structures to improve the exposed brick terraces where the … Read more
BIOGENESIS
TRANSFORMING WASTE INTO SUSTAINABLE MATERIAL RESOURCES The goal is to convert various types of waste into sustainable resources, establishing a circular economy that enhances environmental benefits by repurposing waste, promoting renewable energy, and encouraging innovation in bioproducts. This site, like many others around the world, holds the memories of a different time. What happens when … Read more
EntoNest
This project seeks to transform La Fira, an industrial zone in Barcelonès, into a sustainable insect farming hub. By embedding insect farming within the existing infrastructure, it will leverage local resources to efficiently produce high-protein insect products. Traditional agriculture faces growing pressures including water scarcity and limited space, especially in urban areas like Barcelona. Insect farming … Read more
Fire Sense
Automated Fire compliance assessment tool Fire safety in buildings isn’t just about alarms and sprinklers—it’s about designing spaces that prevent tragedies before they happen. Imagine if architects could assess the fire safety of their designs with just a click, ensuring compliance with global standards during the early stages of construction. Sounds futuristic? Not anymore. In … Read more
The Perch – A Generative Building Typology
Introduction In our studio project, we use a combined bottom up and top down approach to develop a mixed use building; designed to integrate multiple functions, including residential, recreational, and commercial, within a single structure. Our goal is to feature a flexible layout, using modular construction techniques and clear circulation patterns, with well-designed junctions. Programmatic … Read more
Adaptive Modular Housing
An Automated Design Solution for Earthquake-Prone Regions How can an machine learning-enhanced parametric design tool develop localized, seismic-resilient low-cost, low-rise modular housing by intelligently integrating material constraints, structural performance, and architectural aesthetics?
The Green Oasis : A Haven for Diverse Bird Species
Renaturalized Pathways SITE ANALYSIS ECOTONES AND BIOMES FLORA AND FAUNA Hypothesis & Concept THE DESIGN THE VISUALS HUMAN INTERACTION
Residential Tower – Karamba3D
SITE PLAN & ANALYSIS STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS The building has a total footprint of about 50 meters per 37 meters. The typical grid is of 8.4m, and becomes smaller towards the edge of the slabs. The core is centered with the grid and it is of about 16,8m x 12,6m. It occupies about the 12-15% of … Read more
System on a chip: Data Center modular aggregation structural optimization
Concept The architectural concept is based on creating a data center that expands over time, following a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA) approach. At the core of the design is a superstructure, populated by smaller modular data halls. These are supported by a service program that includes operational spaces, storage, and MEP systems, particularly … Read more
Apex Structural Optimization
Computational Structural Optimization: A Case Study of High-Rise Integration Through Parametric Design When approaching the structural design of complex high-rise buildings, computational optimization becomes an invaluable tool in achieving both efficiency and architectural vision. In this post, I’ll walk you through a fascinating case study of how we utilized Karamba and Grasshopper to optimize a … Read more
