Digital fabrication with wood
How to realize double-curved structure by using simple method
Initial research
First and foremost, not everyone can have the access to the up-to-date 3d printing technology and robotic assembly.
How about breaking down the structure? Skylar Tibbit pointed out the "assembly problem", the unhealthy relationship between discrete process and manual assembly. While it is quick to cut the parts, glueing all the tiny pieces should be time-consuming.
The question is how to find the balance and utilize the pros while minimize the cons of each side.
How about breaking down the structure? Skylar Tibbit pointed out the "assembly problem", the unhealthy relationship between discrete process and manual assembly. While it is quick to cut the parts, glueing all the tiny pieces should be time-consuming.
The question is how to find the balance and utilize the pros while minimize the cons of each side.
source : Brütting, Jan & Körner, Axel & Sonntag, Daniel & Knippers, Jan. (2017). Bending-Active Segmented Shells.
Bending experiments to understand behavior by using simple cardboard strips
The problem of quad / triangular strips: can not recreate precisely the design or spring back to the original form if not anchored
Tools yielded from above experiment : flap connectors and double shell for better structure performance
Design proposal and mock-up
In a developing country like Vietnam, standard wooden board and the use of computer numerical control or CNC became ubiquitous. Embracing the hard part in the design process and not on the construction site, this complex form can be built by using available material and down-to-earth building technique.
Physical simulation was used for the form-finding process and structure optimized geometry. Next, the structure was broken down to fit 1.2 by 2.4 board, adding connectors and notes. Finally, all the parts would be flatten and cut by using laser/CNC router.
Physical simulation was used for the form-finding process and structure optimized geometry. Next, the structure was broken down to fit 1.2 by 2.4 board, adding connectors and notes. Finally, all the parts would be flatten and cut by using laser/CNC router.
The mock-up was done with paper and glue in order to showcase how "primitive" it is to build this form.
Using developable wooden strips means that we can break down the form at a certain extent. Like the dome of Santa Maria del Fiore by Brunelleschi, double shell structure can ensure the structural stability while providing geometrical guide to construct the strips.
I would like to thank professor Simone Giostra (Politecnico di Milano) and Pierpaolo Ruttico (INDEXLAB) for giving me the opportunity to do this little experiment.
