Metodo

International Studies in Phenomenology and Philosophy

Book | Chapter

223736

Biomimetic lightweight timber plate shells

computational integration of robotic fabrication, architectural geometry and structural design

Tobias SchwinnAchim MengesJan Knippers

pp. 109-125

Abstract

The research presented in this paper pursues the development and construction of a robotically fabricated, lightweight timber plate system through a biologically informed, integrative computational design method. In the first part of the paper, the authors give an overview of their approach starting with the description of the biological role model and its technical abstraction, moving on to discuss the computational modelling approach that integrates relevant aspects of biomimetics, robotic fabrication and structural design. As part of the validation of the research, a full-scale, fully enclosed, insulated and waterproof building prototype has been developed and realized: The first building featuring a robotically fabricated primary structure made of beech plywood. Subsequently, the methods and results of a geodetic evaluation of the fabrication process are presented. Finally, as the close collaboration between architects, structural and geodetic engineers, and timber fabricators is integral to the process, the architectural and structural potentials of such integrative design processes are discussed.

Publication details

Published in:

Block Philippe, Knippers Jan, Wang Wenping (2015) Advances in architectural geometry 2014. Dordrecht, Springer.

Pages: 109-125

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-11418-7_8

Full citation:

Schwinn Tobias, Menges Achim, Knippers Jan (2015) „Biomimetic lightweight timber plate shells: computational integration of robotic fabrication, architectural geometry and structural design“, In: P. Block, J. Knippers & W. Wang (eds.), Advances in architectural geometry 2014, Dordrecht, Springer, 109–125.