Translated Geometries - Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia

TRANSLATED GEOMETRIES

We propose an architecture of transition. A series of transitions between forces, (material) phases, people, spaces and functions. The form doesn’t always follow the functions that we can not predict but rather the phases that our new built environments can go through in their relationship with humans, nature and existing buildings. It is in our architecture that we as individuals must manifest our desire for control over spacial parameters. These parameters will define processes and reasons for a change in architecture rather than finite and ultimately outdated states.

What our architecture may lack in a set style and goals is compensated in its ability to harness flows of energy and information in its various transitions. By treating our architecture as a homogenous system we give it the potential for infinite personalisation based on control over specific spacial parameters. These parameters will define processes and reasons for a change in architecture rather than finite and ultimately outdated states.

A thorough understanding of smart materials and properties suitable for an adaptable architecture is therefore essential in gaining an understanding of their countless possibilities and limitations. In our studio project, we have been working with Shape Memory Polymer (SMP) in order to apply it to a responsive architectural prototype. As our concept was based on the motif of architecture in transition, we are using a material that can change phase from an external and controlled stimulus. Our SMP (Veritex) is able to reach a ‘soft’ and rubbery state upon exposure to heat above its glass transition temperature of around 70°C, at which point it can undergo vast geometrical deformations.

We decided that to best suit our want for structural adaptability we needed to find a geometry that could arrive on site in an original state and then have the capacity to deform or expand into the desired shape from actuation forces. In addition, it was determined that the concept would make the most sense as a component of pieces that can be assembled to create a desired given whole. Therefore, a somewhat foldable structure was deemed to be able to give us this required expansion upon arrival on the site, which is why we looked into rigid foldable origami patterns, namely that of origami pioneer, mathematician, and artist Ron Resch. Like Resch, we started with paper, experimenting with various patterns such as the waterbomb, a magic ball, yet finally settled with the triangulated tessellation design, which gave us both great flexibility and original foldability. Our aim, therefore, is to interpret Resch’s work and develop his concept into that of a functional shape-shifting building, a self-supporting structure that, given its homogenous nature has the ability to expand, deform, and reshape over time.

After numerous paper tests, it was decided that it is the hexagonal nodes of the pattern that holds most control over the overall deformation of the geometry, dependent on their expansion or contraction.

Once again, performing as a structural joint, the SMP is cut into a hexagonal shape and placed at these intersections of the pattern’s mountains and valleys. Apart from these SMP nodes, the rest of the folds are replaced by regular hinges, which act in tandem with the position of the panels around them.

In the first prototype at 1:3 scale, we attach the hexagonal joint directly to the frames. Folding the entire pattern from a flat state proved to be difficult, however once in place, the geometry was quite responsive to our needs. By heating the majority of the prototype and bringing the joints to a soft state we were able to successfully actuate growth in areas we wanted from inflating balloons underneath. The balloons fill out and push the geometry into place and after the cooling and removal of the balloon, the shape holds its new form. The concept of inflating through from underneath a real scale structure may seem difficult but it could be feasible with a system similar to that used in building binishell domes, albeit easily transportable.

The second final prototype is an attempt to push the concept to a functioning 1:1 scale, shown with a cluster of 7 units. The key design feature in this prototype is the introduction of a buffering wedge in between the SMP joint and the triangulated panel. The wedge’s function is two-fold:

Firstly, it acts to take most of the shape memory property of the material, as a result, the SMP is in its original flat memory state when the component is at its most closed, acute angle. This means that reversion to the original closed triangulation state is embedded within the material system. While our SMP is not the optimum one, and we would have like to cast it, it allows for this property to be taken advantage of with an SMP that is even more responsive.
Secondly, the wedge introduces physical constraints in the opening/closing of the modules as when it reaches the furthermost open state the wedges push against each other and limit any further movement.

In our prototype, the heating is applied uniformly across through a parallel circuit connected to the embedded heat wires, which worked well, however, we propose a much more advanced system for the vision of the component in the grander scheme. We envision each triangulated component to be a self-containing unit, housing a small battery and wirelessly controlled microcontroller housed in an electronic component attached to the underside of the panel, which are powered by the solar fabric embedded in the equilateral triangles surrounding the middle component. In this way, we create a self-sustaining unit that can be controlled individually and remotely, without any need for wiring between units. Given that it is the chosen assemblage of units that determined the original form and scale, one is free to design any desired grouping of components. Micro energy production occurs at every node of the structure and each local release of energy through heating of the SMP with heat wires informs the global deformation of the structure.

The actuation for the deformations is achieved through the force of pulling by many octocopter drones. Why drones? They are the perfect mobile scaffolding system and represent a new breed of artificial intelligence that can both be pre-programmed or have the ability to learn based on specific parameters or act in a swarm fashion. From a flat position where the entire structure is heated, the drones pull at specific points and raise the structure into the desired place, upon which holding until the SMP cools, at which point the new form is held. The drone, either controlled by human or responding to specific environmental parameters, is also able to communicate with the microcontroller of each unit that is to be heated, establishing a communication between local nodes and global intentions. This proces can be repeated indefinitely, as the structure is able to respond to a given environment or users preferences for various spacial configurations, a never-ending transformable multi-purpose space. These transitions, whether they are ongoing, or frozen in a specific time or setting, define the evolving personality of our new built environment.

Master in Advanced Architecture 2013/14 project, developed by students: