Abstract
One of the main aspects investigated in the European research context on Performative Architecture is related to the use of digital innovations in wood structures construction of units and technological systems as well as architectural organisms at 1:1 scale. To analyze the different approaches the contribution proposes a series of case study and the results of two applied research, the 1 to 1 scale pavilions Fusta Ròbotica and Digital Urban Orchard. The case studies are selected verifying the correspondence to the following parameters: the presence of a performance-based process through which explore informed architectures; the use of low-engineered and natural wood and the engineered one; the materialization of the digital model through innovative manufacturing processes, specifically robotic fabrication. The contribution allows gathering pros and cons in the three different investigative macro areas: performance-based design, material culture, and fabrication process. This analytical investigation helps to create a clear research scenario around the topic of digital wood design as well as the definition of an innovative pathway for future researches, looking forward the assimilation of these innovative concepts in the building construction sector.
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Notes
- 1.
The environmental problems like global warming, acid rain, air pollution, urban sprawl, waste disposal, ozone layer depletion, water pollution, climate change and many more affect every human, animal and nation on this planet.
- 2.
AA Wood Chip Barn. Students: Zachary Mollica; Swetha Vegesana; Sahil Shah; Vivian Yang; Mohaimeen Islam. Tutors: Martin Self, Emmanuel Vercruysse, Jack Draper, Charley Brentnall, Toby Burgess. With: Pradeep Devadass (Robotic Developer), Arup (Engineering).
- 3.
Hooke Park is a research campus in Dorset for experimental wood architectures of the Architectural Association of London, AA.
- 4.
Institute for Computational Design—Prof. Achim Menges, Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design—Prof. Jan Knippers. Concept and System Development: Oliver David Krieg, Boyan Mihaylov.
Detail Design and Fabrication and Construction: Peter Brachat, Benjamin Busch, Solmaz Fahimian, Christin Gegenheimer, Nicola Haberbosch, Elias Kästle, Oliver David Krieg, Yong Sung Kwon, Boyan Mihaylov, Hongmei Zhai. Scientific Development: Markus Gabler (project management), Riccardo La Magna (structural design), Steffen Reichert (detail design), Tobias Schwinn (project management), Frédéric Waimer (structural design).
- 5.
Collaborators: Aleksandra Anna Apolinarska (project lead construction), Michael Knauss (project lead building project), Jaime de Miguel (project lead preliminary project), Selen Ercan, Olga Linardou.
Selected experts: Dr. Lüchinger + Meyer Bauingenieure AG, SJB. Kempter Fitze AG, Prof. Dr. Josef Schwartz (Chair of Structural Design, ETH Zurich), Prof. Dr. Andrea Frangi (Institute of Structural Engineering, ETH Zurich), Estia SA (EPF Lausanne), ROB Technologies AG. Selected contractors: Arch-Tec-Lab AG, ERNE AG Holzbau.
- 6.
The protorypes, Fusta Ròbotica and Digital Urban Orchard, was developed during the Open Thesis Fabrication 2015/2016 program at Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalunya, IAAC. OTF team 2015–2016: Areti Markopoulou, Alexandre Dubor, Silvia Brandi, Djordje Stanojevic, Maria Kuptsova//Andrea Quartara, Angelo Figliola, Monish Siripurapu, Ji Won Jun, Josep Alcover Llubia, Yanna Haddad, Mohamad Mahdi Najafi, Fathimah Sujna Shakir, Nada Shalaby.
- 7.
Fusta Robòtica Pavilion is a project of IAAC, developed with the generous sponsor of Serradora Boix; in collaboration with Gremi de Fusters, Tallfusta, Incafust, Mecakim, Decustik.
- 8.
Setmana de la Fusta is an annual event aimed to promote the use of wood Catalan that takes place in Barcelona.
- 9.
Digital Urban Orchard is a project of IAAC, developed with the generous sponsor of of Merefsa, supplying the silicone and with Windmill, in particular thanks to Josep Ramon Sole and Álvaro Romera for the structural consultancy.
- 10.
Technology is the answer but what was the question? Cedric Price, 1966.
- 11.
The assembly of the components can be assimilated to other additive processes.
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Acknowledgements
Fusta Robòtica Pavilion is a project of IAAC, developed with the generous sponsor of Serradora Boix; in collaboration with Gremi de Fusters, Tallfusta, Incafust, Mecakim, Decustik.
Digital Urban Orchard is a project of IAAC, developed with the generous sponsor of Merefsa, supplying the silicone and with Windmill, in particular thanks to Josep Ramon Sole and Álvaro Romera for the structural consultancy.
OTF team 2015–2016: Areti Markopoulou, Alexandre Dubor, Silvia Brandi, Djordje Stanojevic, Maria Kuptsova//Andrea Quartara, Angelo Figliola, Monish Siripurapu, Ji Won Jun, Josep Alcover Llubia, Yanna Haddad, Mohamad Mahdi Najafi, Fathimah Sujna Shakir, Nada Shalaby.
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Figliola, A., Battisti, A. (2019). Performative Architecture and Wooden Structures: Overview on the Main Research Paths in Europe. In: Bianconi, F., Filippucci, M. (eds) Digital Wood Design. Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol 24. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03676-8_38
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