The Role of Additive Manufacturing and Physiomimetic Computational Design for Digital Construction

The recent adoption of the term additive manufacturing (AM) to describe a broad range of digital ‘layer by layer’ fabrication techniques comes 20 years since its inception and more than 10 years since architectural practices engaged with the technology for making prototypes and models. Soon this technology will join existing CNC subtractive and formative processes within the volume and mass-market sectors, where design complexity and increased functionality result in competitive advantage. It is also about a decade since researchers proposed additive manufacturing for construction. Rupert Soar and David Andreen introduce here the different construction-scale additive manufacturing systems currently in development. If linked to physiomimetic computational design strategies, these technologies provide novel possibilities for addressing architecture's manufacturing challenges in the face of energy expenditure, material resources and environmental impact. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Parametric Matter

The assimilation of digital techniques in production and manufacturing has enabled innovative explorations into nonstandard material organisation. Yusuke Obuchi, Theodore Spyropoulos and Tom Verebes of the Design Research Lab (DRL) at the Architectural Association (AA) describe how an interest in a textiles approach has developed out of a preoccupation with the interrelationship between material and computational design methods. They describe three projects that aspire to embed forms of material intelligence into architectural space. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Data-driven placemaking: Public space canopy design through multi-objective optimisation considering shading,structural and social performance

In the context of ongoing densification of cities and aging urban populations, public spaces are a crucial infrastructure to support the physical and mental wellbeing of urban residents. The design of public space furniture elements is often standardised, and not considered in relation to environmental conditions and mechanisms of social interaction. This article presents a digital workflow to generate site-specific designs for shaded public seating, considering the relationships of local public places to their surroundings. A strategy for customised and site-specific design is developed through the use of multiple software tools, employing evolutionary algorithms and multi-objective optimisation. The method is applied to a small public space canopy prototype installed within a public housing estate in Hong Kong, incorporating additional criteria to achieve a low-cost and light-weight structure. Through multiple stages of refinement and optimisation, a material, structural and social performance-driven outcome was achieved that creates a shaded space for public seating, people watching and social interaction. As part of a larger research agenda exploring architectural form-finding and environmental psychology, the project represents potential new applications in the emerging field of socially driven computational design.     

先进制造业的典型生产模式对于建筑设计平台架构的启示

建筑设计行业对于自身转型升级的需求催生了在行业中建立建筑设计平台的诉求.建立建筑设计平台的核心任务是实现建筑设计平台架构,这种平台架构可以将制造业平台作为参照主体,将先进制造业的生产模式作为参照内容.本文围绕建筑设计平台架构这一主题,以先进制造业的生产模式为借鉴对象,通过解析先进制造业的四种典型生产模式,从数字化思维、设计资源信息化、设计流程再造、模型虚拟仿真等方面探讨了这四种模式对于建筑设计平台架构的启示,为建筑设计平台的架构以及建筑设计行业的转型升级提供关联于先进制造业的跨学科思路和视野.     

建筑工程全过程数字化协同设计管理平台研究与实践

协同设计是建筑设计咨询企业的核心生产能力之一,随着信息技术的发展,数字化流程管理的模式可以深入集成到协同设计过程中,实现设计企业生产能级的提升。本文笔者结合住建部“白图替代蓝图对策”课题研究和试点应用,在上海现代设计集团开展基于协同设计的数字化管理平台建设和试点应用,为“蓝转白”甚至“无纸化”提供了技术基础,证明勘察设计企业在建筑工程设计中通过全过程数字化管理可以大大提升协同设计水平和企业质量管理、项目管理和知识管理等方面管理能级。     

Von der Bauteilfügung zu leichten Tragwerken: Trocken gefügte Flächenelemente aus UHPFRC

Light‐Weight Structures made of thin walled, dry jointed surface elements made of UHPFRC With the development of novel jointed, thin walled and thus light components the resource‐efficient use of ultra‐high performance fiber‐reinforced fine grained concrete in structures can be realized. The manufacturing of modular and efficient UHPFRC components is achieved by the digital workflow as a result of digital design, calculation and CNC‐controlled manufacturing technology. By linking lightweight concrete components with new, high‐precision non standardized joints, such components can be connected material and force flow compatible with each other. The results with dry jointed T‐beams show the manufacturability and the potential of the dry jointing system on a large scale. When checking the load capacity of thin‐walled construction elements, the influence of fiber reinforcement must be especially considered.     

On the modern history of passive solar architecture: exploring the paradox of Nordic environmental design

This article examines the paradox of passive solar architecture within the Nordic context of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Regulative developments to reduce space heating demand since the 1970s’ oil crisis are explored, highlighting architectural responses and the rise in prominence of passive solar design. An empirical study of passive solar housing schemes documents architectural strategy, energy savings and extensive problems with overheating. A theoretical study examines how passive solar was seen as advantageous when viewed with the 1985–2005 space-heating paradigm, but actually resulted in the diametrically opposite, with extensive overheating and greater primary energy consumption, when viewed with the 2005–2020 environmental paradigm. The paradox of passive solar is then explored with a discussion of how the regulative straitjacket of the space-heating paradigm and the functionalist ideals of Nordic modernism meant that passive solar architecture became the de facto visual, aesthetic and functional expression of environmental design at that time. The article concludes by exploring the implications of the environmental paradigm for the architectural profession. By positing the architectural advantages of daylight and the studio typology, it is shown that overheating can be eliminated and primary energy consumption reduced with diametrically opposite design strategies.     

Computational and conceptual blends: Material considerations and agency in a multi-material design workflow

The assimilation of functionally graded (or multi-) materials into architecture is deemed to enable the rethinking of current architectural design practice and bring back material considerations at the heart of the early design process. In response, the paper outlines a functionally graded material (FGM) design workflow that departs from standard early-stage CAD, which is typically performed via computer elements devoid of materiality. It then analyses this workflow from a theoretical perspective, namely through Edwin Hutchins' materially anchored conceptual blending, Lambros Malafouris' Material Engagement Theory (MET) and John Searle's concepts of intentionality. The aim is to demonstrate that due to the superimposition of material considerations that precede and succeed the CAD operation, working with material-less entities during early-stage FGM design is not logically sustainable. Additionally, multi-materiality allows for the questioning of authorship in the design process and leads to a repositioning of agency from the subject to the locus of engagement with digital materials and their affordances.     

参数化生成与评价技术在面向太阳能的城市设计中的应用初探

面对以太阳能为代表的城市新能源供给系统正在从单向集中模式走向双向分散模式的历史性变革,城市规划与建筑设计领域也随之催生了一批关于新能源的研究。而其中工作尺度介于这两者之间的城市设计,因其操作对象的三维形态特征,能够有效地将城市规划中对土地太阳能潜力的预测,与建筑设计中对太阳能建筑一体化构件的设计贯穿起来。由此,文中展示了如何运用参数化的生成与评价技术,按照城市设计中的三维形态、日常设计中各种建筑类型的经验数值、太阳能采集单元的安装规范等限制条件,对城市设计方案进行自动地太阳能采集设备单元模拟安装,即生成了各种尺度、位置的太阳能采集单元基面,并自动地完成对于方案的太阳能采集能力的定量化评估,以此实现对城市设计方案间的比较,以及对后续建筑设计中造型取舍的引导。     

定义互动建筑

为了创造符合人们需求的空间,同时适应数字技术的迅速发展,必须采取多元化跨学科的整合设计研究。互动建筑环境试图整合建筑、电子元件和机械装置,以便创造一种遍布感应装置及其它电子装置的互动建筑环境。这种建筑能根据周围环境条件、人体活动以及其他建筑问题,利用数字装置收集相关数据并做出判断,同时以此为依据即时或延时调整自身形态或物理状态,以便创造更加有意义的活动环境。     

Breathing architecture: Conceptual architectural design based on the investigation into the natural ventilation of buildings

This study explores architectural design by examining air, fluid mechanics, and the natural ventilation of buildings. In this context, this research introduces a new way of dealing with the process of architectural synthesis. The proposed way can be used either to create new architectural projects or to rethink existing ones. This study is supported by previous investigation into the natural ventilation of buildings via computational and laboratory simulation (Stavridou, 2011; Stavridou and Prinos, 2013). The investigation into the natural ventilation of buildings provides information and data that affect architectural design through various parameters. The parameters of architectural synthesis that are influenced and discussed in this paper are the following: (i) inspiration and analogical transfer, (ii) initial conception of the main idea using computational fluid dynamics (digital design), (iii) development of the main idea through an investigatory process toward building form optimization, and (iv) form configuration, shape investigation, and other morphogenetic prospects. This study illustrates the effect of natural ventilation research on architectural design and thus produces a new approach to the architectural design process. This approach leads to an innovative kind of architecture called “breathing architecture.”     

非线性建筑环境创意的技术应对策略——北京望京SOH0售楼处室外环境设计实践

随着设计表达、施工技艺及新型材料的不断更新与发展,三维复杂形体的创意在建筑与环境设计中得以应用.基于数字虚拟技术的构建迅速成为当今建筑先锋派探索的重点,要实现设计师们独特的建筑环境构想,就必须突破传统的施工图绘制模式.结合北京望京SOHO售楼处室外环境景观设计项目实例,深入阐述通过三维数字技术实现非线性建筑景观创意的过程,并从图纸表达、施工工艺及材料应用三方面提出了新的研究课题.     

Critical analysis of key determinants and barriers to digital innovation adoption among architectural organizations

The development and use of design technology for architecture in the modern world have led to the emergence of various design methodologies. Current design research has focused on a computationally mediated design process. This method is essentially concerned with finding forms and building performance simulation, i.e., structural, environmental, constructional, and cost performance, by integrating physics and algorithms. From the emergence of this process, design practices have been increasingly aided by and dependent on the technology, which has resulted in a major paradigm shift. Advancement of the new technology has the potential to improve design and productivity dramatically. However, related literature shows that substantial technical and organizational barriers exist. These barriers inhibit the effective adoption of these technologies. The effect of these obstacles on architectural practice varies depending on the size of an architectural organization. To further understand the problem, we conducted an in-depth study on several small, medium, and large architectural organizations. This study involves in-depth evaluation of technological, financial, organizational, governmental, psychological, and process barriers encountered in the adoption of digital innovation. Results reveal relevant attributes and patterns of variables, which can be used to establish a framework for digital innovation adoption. Valuable findings of this study reveal that smaller architectural organizations present more barriers to digital innovation compared with their larger counterparts. This study is important because it contributes to the research on digital innovation in architecture and addresses the barriers faced by different sizes of architectural organizations.     

Exploring the synergy of building massing and façade design through evolutionary optimization

In performance-based architectural design optimization, the design of building massings and façades is commonly separated, which weakens the effectiveness in performance improvement. In response, this study proposes a hybrid massing-façade integrated design generation and optimization workflow to integrate the two elements in an evolutionary design process. Compared with the existing approaches, the proposed workflow emphasizes the diversity of building design generation, with which various combinations of building massing forms and façade patterns can be systematically explored. Two case studies and a corresponding comparison study are presented to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed workflow. Results show that the optimization can produce designs coupling the potential of building massings and façades in performance improvement. In addition, the optimization can provide information that supports early-stage architectural design exploration. Such information also enables the architect to understand the performance implications associated with the synergy of building massing and façade design.     

我国太阳能热水技术发展方向初探

从节能和环保的视角,对我国太阳能热水系统现状进行了分析,研究了太阳能热水系统和建筑设计结合的途径,整理出太阳能热水系统与建筑一体化的方法,以达到环保节能的目的。     

建材一体型太阳电池在日本楼房中的应用

对太阳能电池发电系统在日本楼房中的应用及特点进行了综述,具体分析了进一步提高采光型模板价值的方法,总结了太阳电池在设计、施工方面应注意的问题,以实现太阳能建筑一体化建设目标。     

数字化建筑设计教学的探讨

本文主要探讨在建筑数字技术日新月异的情况下如何对建筑设计教学进行改革,实现数字化建筑设计教学。本文就设计的构思、设计的运算、设计的交流、设计的表达等方面的教学如何适应建筑数字技术的发展来改革我们的现行教学进行了讨论。     

数字时代下建筑设计方法的变革

技术化造就了现代建筑发展的历史语境,特别是20世纪90年代进入数字时代以来,计算机的使用对建筑设计方法产生了巨大的冲击。首先通过对计算机引领建筑设计这一重要趋向的阐述,进一步说明由此引发的数字化设计、数字化呈现、数字化制造、数字化建造等一系列重大变革。这种新的建筑设计方法已然形成,使建筑师可以获得前所未有的形式表现力,但它绝不是操作建筑形式的工具主义,而是带来了另一种不同的建筑设计思维及对空间概念的认识,给予建筑设计更多元化的未来、更多积极的可能性。计算机的使用将为建筑设计带来一场新革命,因此对数字化建筑设计方法的认识具有重要的意义。     

柔度渐变 在设计过程与教学中重新引入结构思考

虽然建筑学与结构工程在学术与实践领域已经呈现出日渐分离的趋势,由于共同的工具和基本信息表达方式,数字技术又提供了拉近两个学科的机会。在学术领域,需要重新考虑如何将结构知识传授给建筑学生,帮助他们了解材料科学和结构模拟方面的快速发展现状。因此,需要将结构重新定义为设计问题,同时亦需开发新的数字化工具帮助设计师接触最新的工程方法。这些工具必须足够直观,既能够整合设计思考过程,又能够改善设计师对于结构的理解。在哈佛大学设计研究生院,作者一直在尝试发展此类工具及相关教案,将结构和材料信息整合到数字化工作流程里,促使学生重新思考如何把数字模型所表达的结构思考转译为实体建筑。     

Robotic tile placement: Tools,techniques and feasibility

The project develops an integrated digital workflow [1] for robotic tile placement that allows off-site use of industrial robotics for on-site tiled surfaces, and tests feasibility in the context of the tile industry. The proposed approach overcomes limitations of existing methods that focus on efficiency [2,3] by enabling unique and complex tile patterns. A design experiment is used during the development of computational and robotic technologies. Integration and industry implementation were studied through interviews with experts, field studies, and literature research that included a review of U.S. tile installation standards [4]. A Rhinoceros™ based digital workflow was developed that includes complex pattern generation, integrated robotic programming and simulation, and cost/time estimation. The paper describes strategies for pre-tiled panels, recommends specific material combinations, and includes basic cost estimation in the context of construction. Robotic tile placement ultimately adds value by moving installation of tile patterns to the place of tile production.