EXPOCITY 2020: ACCELERATING PROCESSES
ARCHITECTURE ASSOCIATION VISITING SCHOOL DUBAI 2.0
This project was a step to advance the research exploring avant-garde methods of materializing architecture. The outcomes consisted of a speculative body of work, representing a UAE pavilion for the upcoming Expo 2020.
It re-examined the potential of building ad-hoc robotic fabrication arms, which are built on site, to work hand in hand with the workers, enhancing their ability to construct complex tectonics. Subsequently, we looked at materializing spatial elements that would be simulated digitally to quantify processes for simplifying the construction of complex architecture with an embedded generative design logic.
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Director:
Riyad Joucka
Tutors:
Alessio Erioli
Suryansh Chandra
Muhammed Shameel
Software:
Rhino Modelling
Grasshopper Scripting
Fabrication:
Lycra - Plaster
Eva Robotic Arm
3D Printing
Lycra fabric was cut and stretched over a scaffolding system that was a result of generative digital design. A studied string-pulling configuration was used to create a structural spacial panel form. The panel is stabilized using PVC pipes along its edges.
The tensioned form is then brushed with
plaster and micro-fiberglass to be casted
and frozen in its stretched state. A further step of reinforcement is carried out as PLA is 3D printed using a robotic arm over the form's stress lines pattern that is generated and simulated using a stress analysis script.
The panels' collective organization is based on a polyhedra 3D growth algorithm to form the overall spacial pavilion.
SHELL CASTING PROCESS
POLYHEDRA BASED 3D GROWTH
© Middle East Architecture Lab (MEAL)
© Architecture Association School of Architecture