1.3_WOOD AND EMBEDDED RESPONSIVENESS

Traditional wood building techniques are defined by old methods of production and are typically constructed to create rigid frames to resist movement. This can be seen in the way we construct homes as rigid frames attached together to enclose space. This can also be seen in the hulls of wooden boats, and although wood could be bent into complex shapes, its primary purpose is to maintain a rigid structure. The responsive environment makes use of new forms of production that allow us to control materials and design for very specific moments. We are no longer bound by repeated rigid frames. New structures are not reliant on a central structure but can now be supported through the distribution of forces across multiple structures that allow for change and deformation.

Hygroscopic Behavior:

Hygroscopy in wood is the ability to alter its volume when absorbing or dismissing water to the environment. This alteration results in a non-uniform, three axis deformation of its body which is described as anisotropy and affects its structure and strength. (A. Menges 2009) An example of this can be found in conifer pine cones. The pine cone’s seeds rest behind the scales. After falling from the tree, the scales open and close multiple times. It will open when dry and close when wet. In traditional wood construction this process resulted in the warping of wood members, rendering them unusable under certain circumstances. However, by understanding this material behavior, we can begin to ‘physically program’ the direction of the grain to react in predetermined ways. The dimensional change of wood is directly proportional to changes in moisture content. (A. Menges, 2012) This allows for repeatable and precise physical responses that can be used as design parameters.

Warped:

Warped: Experiments in Ply Construction was a thesis project conducted by Matthew Hume in 2007 at the University at Buffalo. Here the response of wood veneer was explored as a design parameter by exploiting the material’s natural hygroscopic tendencies. By specifically arranging the direction of wood grain, he was able to control the way the wooden system reacted to moisture in the environment.