Publications
Graz Architecture Magazine (2009)
A Research Project at the Institute of Architecture and Media
Unconventional geometric shapes and freeform surfaces have always been a great challenge to architects, both with regard to design and construction work. Nonstandard architecture typically consists of exceptions, so that traditional tectonic processes of constructional technology can hardly ever be implemented and used.
Unsolved problems open a wide field of research between fundamental and applied research.
After successfully applying to the FWF (Austrian Science Fund), a 2 1/2 –year project was launched at the Institute for Architecture and Media in which those questions were examined by using application-oriented procedures. The project`s focus is on discreet shapes and surfaces whose smooth shapes are approximated by flat elements (plates). The advantage of this is that flat elements can be used for various different shapes and therefore keep the costs low, independent of whatever material is used. For aesthetical reasons, surface discretizations with square, pentagonal and hexagonal elements are preferred to triangular elements, whereas the project`s approach aims at implementing the discretization on the basis of a parametric shaping of ornaments and their aesthetics. In other words, flat ornaments and patterns are transferred to complex spatial structures and surfaces and thus into buildable architecture, for which flat standardized construction materials (plates) can be used. A blueprint framework and generic parametric details will accompany the entire process from the blueprint to the final product. In that way, self-supporting structures like pavilions, facades, partitions, ornament walls, acoustic and shade panels can be developed. At the end of the project, a prototype of a typical example of nonstandard architecture will be manufactured and displayed at trade fairs.
Under the direction of Albert Wiltsche and Prof.Urs Hirschberg, Milena Stavric and Heimo Schimek are going to be responsible for the successful realization of the research project.
We were able to win the following cooperation partners: the Institute of Timber Engineering and Wood Technology at TU Graz (Professor Gerhard Schickhofer and Thomas Bogensberger) as well as the Institute for Building Technology at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) (Professor Ludger Hovestadt).
28th eCAADe 2010, ETH Zurich, Switzerland Spatializing Planar Ornaments
This paper gives insight into an ongoing funded research project dealing with architectural geometry and nonstandard fabrication methods. The innovative aspect of the project lies in the way it uses geometric ornamentation as a method to control the construction of double curved free-form surfaces out of planar building elements. After a short outline of the state of the art the paper gives an overview of the project’s novel constructive and esthetic approach to the planarization of curved forms, discusses the implications of the approach and presents some preliminary results.
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Stavric, M., Hirschberg, U. L., Wiltsche, A., 2010: Spatializing Planar Ornaments-Towards esthetic control in segmenting and building curved surfaces. – in: Future Cities – Conference proceedings, 28th eCAADe. pp. 437 – 443_______________________________________
monGeometrija 2010, Beograd, Serbia Geometric and Aesthetic Discretization of Free Form Surfaces The development of digital technologies in the last twenty years has led to an unprecedented formal freedom in design and in the representation in virtual space. Combining non-standard geometry with CAD tools enables a new way of expression and realization of architectural ideas and conceptions. The transformation of a virtual double-curved surface into a buildable physical structure and object is always accompanied by huge costs and big problems like geometric and statical ones. This paper shows geometric methods how to control the construction of curved surfaces out of planar building elements. The approach is based on the discretization of the surfaces by plane elements derived from tangent planes. In order to satisfy also aesthetical requirements we engage plane geometrical patterns and ornaments and transfer them into spatial shape. Stavric, M., Wiltsche, A., Freißling, C., 2010: Geometric and aesthetic discretization of freeform surfaces. – in: 25th national and 2nd International Scientific Conference, Conference Proceedings, monGeometrija2010
_______________________________________ 5th ASCAAD Conference 2010, Fes, Morocco On Connecting Panels of Free Form Building Envelopes As smooth geometric shapes are very tricky to manufacture with an overall great expense this paper presents a parametrical approach how to control the joint geometry within a framework of flat panels which approximate a freeform surface using discretization. Since timber has an excellent reputation as a sustainable and regenerative material plus the fact that timber can be perfectly processed with a large variety of tools including CNC milling machines we are using cross laminated timber boards (CLT) with large and heavy members. Hence that means dealing with high forces which require geometrically exact and often complex joints, which we want to push to a high degree of automation in the design process. We establish rules and constraints between all neighboring CLT-panels. That way we control a new connector system specially designed for non-standard CLT-joints. This paper documents the status of one aspect of an ongoing research project and will also give a preview to upcoming tasks including the production of a prototype structure.
[Full paper] Schimek, H.; A. Meisel and T. Bogenperger (2010) ‘On Connecting Panels of Freeform Building Envelopes’ CAAD – Cities – Sustainability [5th International Conference Proceedings of the Arab Society for Computer Aided Architectural Design (ASCAAD 2010 / ISBN 978-1-907349-02-7], Fez (Morocco), 19-21 October 2010, pp. 171-178 . ______________________________________.
Advances in Architectural Geometry 2010, Vienna, Austria Geometric Methods of Spatializing Ornaments
.. Stavric, M., Wiltsche, A., 2010: Geometric Methods of Spatializing Ornaments, Poster presentation – at: Advances in Architectural Geometry, Vienna. _______________________________________
ALGODE International Symposium on Algorithmic Design for Architecture and Urban Design, Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ), Tokyo, Japan Algorithmic Processes and Evolutionary Architectural Design for Nonstandard Geometries
The present paper reports an ongoing investigation about morphogenetic patterns. It discusses latent potentials for controlling esthetical planar ornaments where algorithmic design processes play an important role in enhancing architectural design. Through the use of dynamic user-control and evolutionary processes, the algorithms introduced in this paper, embed freeform design out of planar components. This investigation is intended to extend the synthesis that computational geometry algorithms imply for the key stages of design knowledge. In order to optimize an intended design towards the fabrication strategy and the construction techniques, an early digital architectural design should integrate the following concepts: building shape, intended design, rational material and structural systems, digital fabrication methods and construction criteria.
The present paper focuses on explaining, through a series of ornamental experiments and related theory, the algorithmic potentialities and the user-criteria for empowering esthetical results. Overall, the aim of the project is to integrate the fore mentioned concepts in order to enhance design thinking. As a consequence, the foundation of this approach is to generate fundamental advances for computational geometry design as a field for exploration, experimentation and moreover for problem-solving digital and building issues, which lie at the core of design thinking.
Glass Performance Days 2011, Tampere, Finland Discretization of free-form surfaces by plane elements derived from tangent planes In the last few years, the discretization of free-form surfaces has been a topic of great interest in the field of geometrizing architectural design, representing the first step in the creation of buildable free forms in architecture. This paper presents a new approach to discretize free-form surfaces, with the goal of generating plane panels according to specific aesthetic criteria. Our method is based on the application of tangent planes and their intersection on an arbitrary double-curved surface. The novel process in this work is that we take plane ornaments and the surface curvature at local points into account. The latter solves former problems which occurred when intersecting the planes. The fact that there is an infinite number of possibilities when selecting tangent planes on a surface raises the issue of the way and conditions which make it possible to select specific tangent planes whose intersection would produce a desired 3D ornamental shape deduced from a 2D ornament. [Full paper] Stavric M., Wiltsche A., Freissling C., (2011) ‘Discretization of free-form surfaces by plane elements derived from tangent planes’ in Glass Performance Days (GPD), in Tampere Finland 17-20 June 2011 _______________________________________
14th CAAD Futures 2011, University of Liege, Belgium Towards Morphogenetic Control of Nonstandard Surfaces for Designers (Best Presentation Prize) The present paper discusses a novel computational design strategy for approximating architectural freeform geometry with discrete planar elements by using morphogenetic patterns. The investigation we report on is part of an ongoing research project, which is focused on the design of flat ornamental tessellations by using computational geometry for the discretization of nonstandard double curved forms. The significance of our approach lies in the fact that it allows the designer to progressively embrace the constructive constraints and their aesthetic potential already in the design stage and to follow them through to actual fabrication. Calderon, Dominguez, Emmanuel Ruffo, Hirschberg Urs (2011) ‘Towards a Morphogenetic Control of Free-Form Surfaces for Designers’, Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures 2011 [Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures / ISBN 978-2-8745-6142-9] Liege (Belgium) 4-8 July 2011, pp. 165-180 _______________________________________
14th CAAD Futures 2011, University of Liege, Belgium Ornamental Plate Shell Structures The development of digital technologies in the last twenty years has led to an unprecedented formal freedom in design and in the representation in virtual space. Combining non-standard geometry with CAD tools enables a new way of expression and realization of architectural ideas and conceptions. But the transformation of a virtual double-curved surface into a buildable physical structure and object is always accompanied by huge costs and big problems like geometric and statical ones. With this work we propose a method how to transfer a double curved surface into a cost-efficient buildable shell structure consisting of planar building elements derived from tangent planes and based on ornamental discretization. This approach should also serve as a geometric basis for an interface whereby a user can transfer his designed ornamental 2D-pattern onto a desired freeform. The novel process in our work is that we take the surface curvature at local points into account. This solves former problems which occurred when intersecting the tangent planes. Additionally local control of the spatial ornamental structure is provided. The load bearing system is organized in a way so that the forces are distributed along the edges of the plane elements. A structure with plane elements supports a high stiffness in combination with a relatively small overall weight. This is due to the smooth curved shape of the geometry. Stavric, Milena; Wiltsche, Albert (2011) ‘Ornamental Plate Shell Structures’, Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures 2011 [Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Futures / ISBN 978-2-8745-6142-9] Liege (Belgium) 4-8 July 2011, pp. 817-180 _______________________________________
31st ACADIA Conference 2011, Banff Centre, (Alberta) Canada Seeking Performative Beauty With digital design and fabrication becoming ever more common in architectural design, the computational geometry topic of discretizing freeform surfaces into flat panels has become a common challenge. At the present, most approaches to the issue of preserving a 2D-tessellation on a freeform surface are focused on optimizing the shape of the structure by approximating geometric “equally-sized” flat patterns. In doing so, these strategies treat the approximation of the desired shape as the primary goal, leaving aside the aesthetical aspect of the paneling, which can be seen as having an ornamental quality. In contrast to these common strategies, the project presented in this paper pursues a more holistic approach that tries to integrate aesthetical as well as structural issues by using more complex as well as more performative patterns for the discretization. In the present paper, we present algorithmic strategies that were designed to integrate from the aesthetics of an exposed timber structure, through analysis of structural loading feedbacks to a detailed level of the physical joint system, as part of the fundamental early design decisions. The consequence of the overall negotiations relies fully on their physical integration through computational design. The present paper discusses both the algorithmic techniques and the joint systems through a series of case studies. At the end of the paper we provide an overview to upcoming tasks including the production of a major structure. [Full paper] Ruffo Calderon, Emmanuel; Schimek, H; Wiltsche, Albert (2011) ‘Seeking Performative Beauty’, ACADIA 11: Integration through Computation [Proceedings of the 31st Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA)] [ISBN 978-1-6136-4595-6) Banff (Alberta) 13-16 October 2011, pp 300-307 _______________________________________
5th Design Principles and Practices, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy Towards Controlling Differentiation for Enhancing Architectural Design: Morphogenetic Computational Design for Nonstandard Geometries The present paper discusses through the pattern formation and organization of flat ornaments applied into nonstandard geometries, a series of strategies that negotiate between morphogenetic processes and topological structures, the integration of aesthetical control where differentiation is a means for pattern formation in architectural design. The case studies presented here explore the relationship between the logics of natural forms with strategies based in computational algorithmic design. This ongoing founded research project discusses the pattern formation of 4D flat structures, which based on the control of morphogenetic processes may consequently produce differentiation. Aside from the latter, the emerging components should approximate the desired complex curvature of a surface; moreover the approach becomes significant when the formed pattern evolves into flat ornaments by controlling the aesthetic output of the ornament and the component’s differentiation throughout a nonstandard geometry. [Full paper] Calderon D., E. R. (2012) ‘Towards Controlling Differentiation for Enhancing Architectural Design: Morphogenetic Computational Design for Nonstandard Geometries’ in Design Principles and Practices: An International Journal, Volume 5, Issue 6, pp.617-628. Article Print (Spiral Bound). Article Electronic (PDF File; 2.126MB) _______________________________________
17th CAADRIA, Hindustan University, Chennai, India Sewing Timber Panels ‘An Innovative digitally supported joint system for self-supported timber plate structures’ This paper focuses on the joint system of flat panels as parts of a freeform building. This topic is a key area of the ongoing founded research project, in which we investigate nonstandard shapes, realized with standard building materials, namely cross-laminated timber (CLT). We use different discretization algorithms to overlay arbitrary freeform surfaces with ornaments consisting of polygonal flat panels. We investigate a series of ornaments and their discretization results on different surfaces.In this paper, we will present and discuss a new timber-to-timber joint system that we developed exclusively for this project. We discuss the results of the load tests that we performed recently and we take a look at the construction dependent requirements of the joint system concerning the tolerances and the geometry and also, how these constraints inform the digital process.
As we will discuss throughout the paper, in earlier publications we described the form finding process and the geometrical guidelines for the discretization of a desired freeform building using ornamental flat patterns. This paper moves one step further as the digital becomes physical and it is closely related to building construction and the computational design outset. [Full paper]
Schimek H., Calderon E.R., Wiltsche A. and Manahl M. (2012) ‘Sewing Timber Panels: An innovative digitally supported joint system for self-supported timber plate structures’ in CAADRIA 2012 [Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia] Chennai (India) 25-28 April 2012, pp. 213 – 222.
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17th CAADRIA, Hindustan University, Chennai, India Ornamental Discretization of Free-form Surfaces
‘Developing digital tools to integrate design rationalization with the form finding process’ The adoption of digital planning methods has given rise to an unprecedented formal freedom in architectural design. Free-form shapes enjoy considerable popularity in architectural production today. However, these shapes prove to be notoriously hard to fabricate. This paper reports on an ongoing research project investigating the approximation of continuous double-curved surfaces by discrete meshes consisting solely of planar facets, which can be constructed efficiently by using standardized, mass-produced building materials. We introduce our geometrical approach, which is based on the intersection of tangent planes to the surface, and present the digital tools we conceived to integrate the processes of design rationalization and form-finding. [Full paper]
Manahl M., Schimek H., Calderon E.R., Wiltsche A., (2012) ‘Ornamental Discretization of Free-form Surfaces: Developing digital tools to integrate design rationalization with the form finding process’ in CAADRIA 2012 [Proceedings of the 17th International Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia] Chennai (India) 25-28 April 2012, pp. 347 – 356. _______________________________________ “Kobra” aus Brettsperrholz ‘Neue Methoden zur Realisierung von Freiformflächen aus ebenen Elementen an Prototyp erprobt’ [Full paper]
Manahl M., Wiltsche A. (2012) ‘Kobra aus Brettsperrholz: Neue Methoden zur Realisierung von Freiformflächen aus ebenen Elementen an Prototyp erprobt, in KONstruktiv 286, Zeitschrift der Bundeskammer der Architekten und Ingenieurkonsulenten, Juni 2012, pp 26,27 _______________________________________ “Die Kobra – Wissenschaft trifft Industrie” [Full paper]
In KLH News 02, 2012, p 13 _______________________________________ Non-Standard Formen in der Architektur Im Rahmen des FWF-Forschungsprojektes „Non-Standard Architektur mit Ornamenten und planaren Elementen“ (L695) wurde am Institut für Architektur und Medien an der TU Graz versucht, neue Maßstäbe hinsichtlich der Realisierbarkeit von Freiformflächen zu setzen. Im Rahmen des Projektes wurde ein geometrischer Algorithmus entwickelt, der es erlaubt, doppelt gekrümmte Freiformflächen in ebene Teile zu zerlegen, die einem ornamentalen Muster folgen. Die ebenen polygonalen Teile (Paneele) können mit konventionellen CNC Maschinen kostengünstig gefertigt werden. Für die Realisierung wurde das Material Holz gewählt und für die Verbindungstechnik eine neuartige Klebe-Technik verwendet, die in Zusammenarbeit mit dem Institut für Holzbau und Holztechnik und der holz.bau.forschungs.gmbh an der TU Graz unter der Leitung von Thomas Bogensperger entwickelt wurde. Viele Details und Fotos sind unter http://localhost/webdocs/fwf/freeform zu finden.
[Full Paper] Wiltsche A. (2012) ‘Non-Standard Formen in der Architektur’, in: IBDG 2012/1, pp. 13-18. _______________________________________
[Journal Website] Bogensperger T., Wiltsche A. (2012) ‘Freie Formen aus Brettsperrholz’, in Bauen mit Holz 11/2012, pp 34-39 _______________________________________ Ornamental Discretisation of Freeform Surfaces Developing digital tools to integrate design rationalisation with the form finding process The adoption of digital planning methods has given rise to an unprecedented formal freedom in architectural design. Free-form shapes enjoy considerable popularity in architectural production today. However, these shapes prove to be notoriously hard to fabricate. In the course of a funded research project we investigated the approximation of continuous double-curved surfaces by discrete meshes consisting solely of planar facets, which can be fabricated efficiently using standardised, mass-produced building materials. We introduce our geometrical approach, which is based on the intersection of tangent planes to the surface, and present the digital tools we conceived to integrate the processes of design rationalisation and form-finding. [Full Paper] Manahl M., Stavric M., Wiltsche A., (2012) Ornamental Discretisation of Freeform Surfaces, International Journal of Architectural Computing 10(4), pp. 595 – 612 _______________________________________
Publications in Newspapers
Article in ‘adhaesion – KLEBEN & DICHTEN’:adhaesion 10|2012
Article in ‘Salzburger Nachrichten’:
SN online 09|09|2012
Article in ‘KLH News’:
KLH News Ausgabe 02|2012
Article in ‘Der Standard’: