an assembly system of behavioural fabrication
noMad
8
noMad a
behavioural
fabrication
system
a design proposal by: dmytro oleksandrovych aranchii | paul clemens bart | iris yuqiu jiang | flavia ghirotto santos developed at the architectural association school of architecture aadrl design research lab 2014/2015 in theodore spyropoulos’ studio. tutored by mostafa el sayed collected research and work of phase 1.
noMad | content
1.0
introduction
08
2.0
noMad | design thesis thesis statement urban scenario
10 12 18
3.0
prototyping agenda | unit design fabrication & actuation joints interlocking topography
26 28 40 58
4.0
behaviour prototyping | communication unit self-awareness unit to unit communication
66 68 78
5.0
collective behaviour | deployment lattice behaviour & growth build up sequence structural evaluation
92 94 114 130
noMad | introduction
‘noMad’, a design proposal on behavioural based assembly, was developed at the Architectural Association School of Architecture’s Design Research Laboratory,a 16-month post-professional design programme. AADRL Design Research Lab | Organised as an open-source design studio dedicated to a systematic exploration of new design tools, systems and discourses, targeting design innovations in architecture and urbanism, the AADRL actively investigates and develops design skills with which to capture, control and shape a continuous flow of information across the distributed electronic networks of today’s rapidly-evolving digital design disciplines. Pursued by self-organised design teams, the studio is collectively addressing an overall design research agenda - ‘Behavioural Complexity’ through shared information- based diagrams, data, models and scripts.
Behavioural Complexity V.1 | Behavioural Complexity will investigate architecture as an instrument engaging both material and social forms of interaction. Social scenarios will be coupled with material life-cycles as a way of speculating on how we live and the role architecture can play. Behavioural, parametric and generative methodologies of computational design are coupled with physical computing and analogue experiments to create dynamic and reflexive feedback processes. New forms of spatial organisation are explored that are neither type- nor site-dependent, but instead evolve as ecologies and environments seeking adaptive and hyper-specific features. This performance-driven approach seeks to develop novel design proposals concerned with the everyday. The iterative methodologies focus on investigations of spatial, structural and material organisation, engaging in contemporary discourses of architecture and urbanism.
noMad | design thesis
design thesis | thesis statement
design thesis | fields of research Ma ch B ic in v eha
ior
how?
Fields of
Machinic Behaviour | noMad’s research is concerned with the system’s machinic behaviour, including aspects of fabrication and simulation of material and physical behaviour of our system. Due to its space-packing, self-structuring and kinetic requirements, the system is grounded in the world of polyhedra and synergetics, the study of systems in transformation. The research deals with geometrical explorations, especially transformational geometry, their spatial configuration, reconfiguration and locomotion and the common aim of making. The central focus of making aims to develop demonstratable prototypes within a streamlined process of fabrication. The physical design-proposal of a unit is tested with various approaches of embedded mechanics and constructions in order to activate and realiably control the systems movement. Digital simulations of global system behaviour resp. impact of local transformation on physical and mechanical behaviour are developed to catalogue emergent phenoma, both under space-making and structural - ‘static’ criteria as well as ‘dynamic’ properties, i.e. reconfigurability, flexibility and mobility.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 14
Comm u
nic at io
overview
n
B
ur avio h e
why?
Research
Communication based Behaviour | In order to define the system’s internal motivation or performative criteria, particular problem-solving, goal oriented simulations are developed, emulating behavioural and communicational aspects of the system. A computational abstraction model of physical geometry is utilized to emulate the behavioural and communicational aspects of the system. In these automated, goal oriented movement sequences, the communication between multiple bodies is driver for decision making. These simulations are driven by individual scenarios and situational responses. Bevavioural based simulations are conducted within a minimal framework of constraints like its reference to the groundplane. In course of the experiments, the system creates a self-imposed context to react to (such as maximum number of possibly arrayed passives without active unit or self-interlocking) to achieve a specific goal (finding another, reaching or avoiding an area of poential settlement, building up etc), As we are proposing to create a system that can self-regulate and adapt, but is not closed in itself but can also react to outside influences and demands, the research seeks to define both internal and external stimuli, encouraging both interaction and communication.
page 15
design thesis | fields of research
how? G e o me t r i c
al E
lo xp on rati Spatial Con fig
on ati ur on
Reconfigu rat i
& LocoMotion
Fabricatio
Geometrical Exploration & Transformation | Grounded in the world of polyhedra and transformational geometry, the research engages with their specific space-packing, self-structuring and kinetic properties. Based on the theory of synergetics, the study of systems in transformation, the system seeks to explore the relation between platonic solids and fosters their highly specific geometrical attributes.
Spatial Configuration | Through the development of different computational models, the system’s space making abilities were tested and evaluated by means of different growth and branching logic of spatial collectives. The tests follow specific, simple goals - i.e. a bridge, a vault, a pillar, - or properties i.e. porosity, stability, efficiency - to perform compression based aggregations due to the component based nature of the system.
Reconfiguration & Locomotion | When studied in a collective scenario, the system’stransformational and geometrical specifics show emergent behaviour, enabling the system to create flexible, adaptive spaces and re-position itself by means of locomotion. Both a taxonomoy of creature-like bodyplans with specific mechanical behaviour as well as the assembly process of larger settlements is developed.
n&
t tua Ac ion noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 16
Fabrication & Actuation | Different mechanisms of activation are developed to automatize the unit to enable its control over its faces and transformational mechanism. Main aims are the ability to autonomously (dis-)connect and communicate to the system and a simple movement activation embedded within a streamlined fabrication process.
overview
why? Be hav iour
Autonomous Behaviour | Automated, goal oriented movement sequences and communication between multiple bodies is simulated within a computational abstraction model of physical geometry. Emulating the behavioural and communicational aspects of the system, bodies autonomously continue or re-calculate their individual movement pattern.
Autom ate d
Adap tiv e
viour ha Be
Adaptation & Localized Decision Making | Adaptive aspects of the system are enabled through localized decision making, through simple embedded intelligence and simple goals. A body autonomously adjusts and optimizes its own movement sequence according to new goals or environmental change. Colle
cti ve hav Be
ior
Collective Simulation | Simulation of larger populations is focused on the communication between units and therefore the development of rules of communication and interaction. These rulesets aim to control the crowd behaviour in goal-oriented self-organization - resulting in ‘negotiated space’, a hybrid of both bottom up and top down systems.. Sens
m ste Sy
Sensory System | In order to fabricate demonstratable prototypes, the mechanicly actuated models are provided with a sensory system,. The use of micro-controlling and sensoric like proximity- and light sensoric enables the set of rules to execute physical commands and decisions.
ory
page 17
design thesis | urban scenario
urban scenario | system lifecycle
system lifecycle | The system goes through 3 phases of operational modi, an everyday hub, a mobility Mode and an urban intervention mode of architectural deployment. Everyday Mode - a passive mode of different energy harvesting models works as a distribution hub for other functions of urban scanning and intervention. Within their vicinity a hub sends out mobile nomadic bodies to explore - scouts - with main agenda of data mining, scanning and evaluating the city using open source data infrastructure and an internal sensory system
1
harvesting mode everyday energy collecting
0100110 1010100 1101101 1011010 1010100 2.2. data mining
2.1. send out scout 2.3. report back
2 distribution hub
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 20
awareness mode
01000 00100 11101 01010 00100
When a site for deployment is identified according to potential for building or urgency for intervention they report back to their hub to send of units on demand to migrate on site where the assembly and construction part as urban intervention - for required period of time - takes place. After usage, the system disintegrates and migrates back to its distribution hub or other interventions.
3
intervention mode 3.2.architectural implementation
3.1.on site deployment 3.3. re-distribution after intervention
page 21
urban scenario | digital layer
real life data personal demands // environmental demands
input
real life geometry context // environmental awareness
real time communication
environmental cloud environmental awareness communication awareness
data mining global environmental data mining organization awareness
real time data real mining time environmental communication communication awareness
cloud real time cloud data mining communication communication communication
global cloud globalreal time organization communication organization communication
global cloud organization communication
the digital layer of the city | Main research focus has been development of different mobile body-plans and their unique movement patterns. Linking this behavior to the usage of real-life input, i.e. real time environment and real time data by giving the nomadic body a sensory system, both through environmental awareness and mining of urban data as well as the ability to communicate this data with another By using open source platforms to harvest the digital layer of the city - the internet of things - the parts of the city and urban infrastructure that already openly talk to us,such as the tower bridge twittering its status of open and closeness, inform the and get into the conversation with our system to communicate the state of the city. A parametric map of London is used to live trace areas of interest for the system to deploy according to specific urban constraints - for example open spaces - and dynamic constraints - high convergence of people - to capture urban temporality. Collected data from the city (weather stations, participatory sensing of people and internet feeds) are made available in open source platforms like open street maps and xively and can be directly linked to urban analysis and direct input to both behavioural simulations and prototypes To improve the nomadics bodies ability to explore the city and learn from their environment, different models of global organization were tested that are environmental awarene and capable of real-time communication.
1
2
data mining
open source infrastructure
we
int e
treet ns
maps
RSS
t feeds
sensing
stations
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 22
op e
e rn
ry to
her at
partic i pa
02 | tower bridge twitter
01 | urban incident
03 | urban navigation simulation
3
real time implementation
pa c
urba
beha vio
n
p ed
rototyping
is
mulatio al si ns ur
be
alys
hu
an
ac t u at
page 23
urban scenario | infrastructural intervention
nomadic urbanism | Having experienced London as a ‘pop up’ city that already responds to this urban temporality with the phenomen of pop-up everythings (shops / galleries) and markets; showing that parts of the city have adapted to nomadic lifestyles, moving in the city, only popping up when needed to create a temporary communal event. noMad’s scale of operation is therefore the urban neighborhood, for a nomadic body to autonomously move in the city and report to its distribution hub. Neighborhoods work as starting point to set up individual hubs with their own parameters. London having a strong communal sense and identification within buroughs which can be seen in emerging neighborhood cooperatives (food coops etc) and strong support of local products (micro-breweries etc). Different neighborhoods and context generate different parameters and rules of population that are translated into simulations of architectural and spatial deployment. These rules deployed depend on the input our nomadic bodies collect and data collected and and their inherent internal rules of behaviour and communication. Possible architectural intervention scenario for include emergencies such as a black-out scenario in a denser urban area, clusters utlize their harvested energy in two adaptive case-study configurations: specific clusters as street lighting system and emergency power supplies and storage harvesting additional waste and water from their surrounding buildings as a power source. Architectural deployments use the systems kinetic properties to reach spatial and climatic demands and facilitate adaptive qualities such as: shelter from weather, use outer surface layer to havest energy while core remains closed, open up to allow air filtration and circulation and sunlight. scale of operation | neighborhood vicinity of
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 24
scout
1
1
scenario | kinetic properties to facilitate adaptive qualities o2
co2
mode 01 | shelter
shelter
mode 02 | energy harvesting charging
mode 03 | air filtration & circulation air purification / filtration / circulation
microclimate //
mode 04 | microclimate - projection & cooling mist energy storage x projection / media facade water core x cooling mist system
harvest in bui rom ldings gf
cluster A | harvesting energy generation & storage store energy / matter
rain water collection x water filtration thin film solar cells x energy storage
media facade / projection release energy / light
cluster B | intervention urban lighting system & media projection media facade / projection release energy / light
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prototyping agenda | unit design
unit design | fabrication & actuation
ert inv
p ac k i n g
A
ste
d faces
que unit
llate
noco mo
A
ed ional ges tat ro
v1 .2
B
B
al connection s
etra faces ta-t
ed joints bedd em
oc
ern int
v1 .1 v0 .1
v1 .2 v1 .1 v0 .2
rapid prototyping p ac k i n g
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 30
volumetric faces ert inv
initial formfinding
unit design | fabrication & actuation evolution of prototypes | v0 .3
v1 .0
activation
-patterne d
na l a
ned faces
ctivation
tter pa
o ag di
A
m
u lt
a iple
ctivation
unit autonomy
a rl
uble do
table faces nfla Bi .0
e in
B
face actuation
ct rnal a ivation v2 .2 _l v2 v1 .3
v2 .1 v2 .0 v1 .3
xte _e
attern
uated faces act
xa p he
-A
C
soft faces
evolutionary prototyping taxonomy
v2 .3 _ v1 .3
v3 .0 _
page 31
unit design | fabrication & actuation
prototyping agenda | Key limitations in fabrication was the finding of an appropriate mechanism to let the unit transform. Different mechanisms tested for actuation of faces and unit transformation were relying on the use of linear actuators, stepper motors, suspended servos, inflatables and light and color sensors. Corresponding to the two fields of research, the prototyping goal is following the agenda of communication and mechanical behaviour by developing a demonstrative unit with improved build quality, reliable mechanism to perform in a plug’n’play manner and to enable unit to unit communication by an embedded sensory system. The results of the physical prototyping feed back into development of deployment logics for space-packing, self-structuring and kinetic requirements.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 32
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unit design | fabrication & actuation
double rotation mechanism | The smooth and full transofrmation of the units mechanism is based on two staggered rotational axis triggered by two opposing servos and two rotational hinges on each of the axis connected to four of the unit’s corner-joints. Since virtually every face or reference plan changes both orientation, relative distance and location, there is no fixed plane for the internal servos, but they are suspended from the unit’s joints, putting the center of gravity in the unit’s center. internal mechanism |
axis 1
2
s2
axi
top view | rotational joints
rotation al
a xi s suspended servo
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unit design | fabrication & actuation
mechanism geometrical principle | The units activation relies on one planar expanding surface connecting four opposing corners, each describing four identical arcs in two opposing directions.
top view | 0º/ 120º 60º
60º
0º/ 120º
0º/ 120º
60º
60º
0º/ 120º top view |
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 36
activation principles
front view |
page 37
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 38
page 39
unit design | joints
unit design | joints
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 42
rotational joints
page 43
unit design | joints
structural joints | The fixing of a unit’s mechanism is directly build in one piece with the joints. Hereby, these take a self-structuring function, to support the bearing of a unit’s faces through expanded surface area and to prevent deformation of the unit when external force (additional units) are applied. The tapered design of the joints allows the unit to close the gap-less as extra support in the unit’s corners in its closed state.
front view |
top view |
joint evolution |
tural
struc ints
n jo otatio uble r
do s
l joint
initia
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 44
joints
structural joints
page 45
unit design | joints
unit performance | In performance tests for energy efficiency and strengths of the unit, the goal was the reducement of friction and deformation of the unit at the same time by optimizing the unit with structural joints and the use of teflon layers and roller bearings.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 46
o
ahedron ct
ahedron os
bo
u
03_c
ctahedr
on
01_
02_ ic
page 47
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page 53
unit design | joints
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 54
rotational joints
page 55
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page 57
unit design | interlocking topography
unit design | interlocking topography
unit to unit interface | Looking for a plug’n’play mechanism to connect multiple units, the units faces serve as interface with structural function. All flat-faced experiments with magnets proved strong in direct horizontal contact but break under shearing force, esp. while lifting and cantilevering. Positive-negative shapes applied to all faces work interlocking geometry, hindering shearing movement by strongly interweave two units and their connecting forces. The principle of interlocking is not only used from unit to unit but also from face to face within a uni for a more stable structure in closed state.
interlocking topography
- + +
-
+
map of polarity / curvature:
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 60
full unit simulation | top view
page 61
unit design | interlocking topography
catalogue of face iterations | Design of the face topography was driven by three main performance criteria: the reduction of the total volume of the faces to reduce size and weight of the unit and time for fabrication; while remaining high depth of interlocking and steep angles for efficiency of the mechanism. The edges of the unit were treated in different manners: while a truncation of the units corners proofed necessary to allow a full rotation without interlocking with the structural joints on the way, the face-to-face edges were truncated or faceted not only to reduce volume but to allow a stable stand of units on their edge.
1
• total volume [edge = a] • depth of interlocking • treatment of edges
2
90a3 a/5 truncated edge
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 62
95a3 a/8 faceted edge
unit aggregation | orientation on truncated edge
3
80a3 a/5 truncated corner
4
75a3 a/6 filleted edge
5
80a3 a/4 truncated corner
page 63
unit design | interlocking topography
face to face | unit to unit interlocking
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 64
edge to edge | face interlocking
page 65
behaviour prototyping | communication
communication | unit self-awareness
communication | unit self-awareness
behaviour prototyping | In order to start to understand and emulate the behavior and communication of our units, we developed simulations of autonomous behavior in a digital environment, creating a framework for our simulations and prototype to work together, from physical to digital syncing their behaviour both for us to control and visualize its self-awareness, where units would search for and specific goal, with the ability of adapting and making local decisions to achieve that. The main goal is to develop strategies for collective behaviour.
physical to digital self-awareness
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 70
?
state indication and recognition
Units are capable of indicating their state by color coding, and also recognize it’s neighbour state and localization in the bodyplan via RGB color sensors, that are located in each face of the unit
0o
2e0
90 o
sta t
sta t
sta t
1e0
3e0
18 0o
page 71
communication | unit self-awareness
sensor - sensor
sensor - human
By face to face communication units are capable to re-construct their bodyplan like “chinese whispers�, each identifying the states and position of their neighbours
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 72
mining
bodyplan awareness
environmental awareness real time communication
data mining cloud communication
rea com
page 73
communication | unit self-awareness
build up sequence | Testing the ability of the system to transport itself and build up by attaching and dis-attaching units from a cluster. The development of this research will be the implementation of a plug - and - play system, with the addtition of “smart� faces that could connect and disconnect when necessary, with the use of electro magnets and a totpography to prevent it from sliding. While high population superstructures lose the complete mobile qualities of its nomadic components, they utilize its transformational abilites for recombinatorial structuring, optimization or for temporary scaffolds during its own build-up process. Extensions and outer parts of the structure can lift another up, or temporarilty reposition to allow another body to get in place.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 74
bodyplan reconfiguration
temporary scaffolding self-assembling non finite
state01_ recombinatorial configuration
state02_ temporary scaffolding page 75
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 76
page 77
communication | unit to unit communication
generative communication To introduce the idea of generative communication and decision making we developed an algorithm based in the C.A. logics, that allows units to respond to neighbours behaviors. The signal is passed from unit to unit, triggering a chain reaction of relational unit movement, by changing the state and consequent behaviour of the next one (i.e. “state +1�). The idea of a generative communication system explicitated the need of a greater understanding and subsequent control of the units behaviour. Specific sequences of movements could generate different patterns of movement, which led to a more specific study of these patterns, that could later be translated into constrains for the system. The units respond to specific sequence of states that translates in to a coreography in orer to achieve movement in different directions, like directional movement, rotation, spiraling.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 80
page 81
communication | unit to unit communication unit communication | generative responding
• sequence of communication:
step1
+1 step2
+1
+1
+1
+1
step3
step4
• signal gets passed on to neighboring unit and determines their behavior, e.g. “state +1” • triggers chain reaction of relational unit movement
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 82
generative communication
page 83
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 84
page 85
communication | unit to unit communication
unit communication | controlled movement
characteristics
different sequences of communication led to varied movement in the x-y plane
sequence 01 configuration 02 x
movement diagonal movement sequence
unit 01>0 / unit 02>180 unit 01>180 unit 02>0 unit 01>0 unit 02>180 unit 01>180 unit 02>0 ...
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 86
characteristics
sequences of communication
sequence 02 configuration 02 x
movement straight line sequence
unit 01>0 / unit 02>0 unit 01>180 unit 02>180 unit 01>0 unit 02>0 unit 01>180 unit 02>180 ...
page 87
characteristics
communication | unit to unit communication
sequence 03 configuration 03 x
movement diagonal (right) sequence
unit 01>0 / unit 02>0 / unit 03>0 unit 01>180 unit 03>180 unit 02>90 unit 01>0 / unit 03>0 unit 02>180 unit 01>180 unit 02>180 unit 02>90 unit 01>0 / unit 03>0 unit 02>0 ...
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 88
characteristics
sequences of communication
sequence 04 configuration 03 x
movement diagonal (left) sequence
unit 01>0 / unit 02>0 / unit 03>0 unit 01>180 unit 02>180 unit 02>180 unit 01>0 unit 02>0 unit 02>0 ...
page 89
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collective behaviour| deployment
deployment | lattice behaviour & growth
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
lattice behaviour and growth | When looking at systems of growth - following the idea of lattice and scaffolding the system is looking at ways of deployment that are not fully packed to avoid interlocking. In order to keep the systems kinetic qualities and flexibility by leaving gaps, different growth and branching logics were adapted to fit the criteria of the unit’s base geometry, using the transformational abilites to reconfigure its overall organization. Due to the physically limited lifting capabilities of a single unit only the outer layer of an acclomeration is used to re-direct growth or generating temporary scaffolds during its own build-up process.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 96
page 97
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
description | asymmetrical binary tree asymetrical tree can work solely to achieve directed spacial goal or follow the conductor branching in emerging direction
parameters |
iteration 0
iteration 4
iteration 1
iteration 5
iteration 2
iteration 6
iteration 3
iteration 7
branch | 2-2-2 symmetry: asymetrical faces connection: 4-6 [vertical-diagonal] incrementation: double overlapping: none
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 98
binary trees description | symmetrical binary tree symetrical tree constructs looping scaffolding which represents repeatable rigid diagrid that in turn grows steadily in all directions
parameters |
iteration 0
iteration 4
iteration 1
iteration 5
iteration 2
iteration 6
iteration 3
iteration 7
branch | 2-2-2 symmetry: symetrical faces connection: 5-6 [diagonal-diagonal] incrementation: double overlapping: none diagrid: hexagonal circles
page 99
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 9 faces connections | 3-5 branches rotation | 0-0 structure is flat wall-like grid has rigid nodes cell consists of 4 edges medium density
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 100
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 7 faces connections | 4-6 branches rotation | 1-0 widespread and not explicitly rigid grid’s cells low density
page 101
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 7 faces connections | 4-6 branches rotation | 1-0 widespread and not explicitly rigid grid’s cells low density
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 102
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 9 faces connections | 4-7 branches rotation | 0-0 grid’s cell has 4 edges rotated structure is stable structure is dense
page 103
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 7 faces connections | 4-6 branches rotation | 1-0 widespread and not explicitly rigid grid’s cells low density
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 104
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 9 faces connections | 5-6 branches rotation | 1-1 pyramid-like structures that can stand stable on one of its faces spacial grid’s shell has 6 edges [branches] medium density
page 105
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 7 faces connections | 4-6 branches rotation | 1-0 widespread and not explicitly rigid grid’s cells low density
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 106
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 4 iterations | 9 faces connections | 5-6 branches rotation | 1-1 pyramid-like structures that can stand stable on one of its faces spacial grid’s shell has 6 edges [branches] medium density
page 107
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 5 iterations | 9 faces connections | 3-5 branches rotation | 0-0 absence of common nodes unstable wide grid with engagements of branches’ loops
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 108
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 5 iterations | 9 faces connections | 4-5 branches rotation | 1-0 absence of dense grid unconnected unstable
page 109
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 5 iterations | 9 faces connections | 4-6 branches rotation | 1-0 common nodes needs adjustments to avoid overlapping
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 110
growth catalogue
growth sequence |
iteration 2
iteration 4
iteration 6
iteration 7
number of units in branch | 5 iterations | 9 faces connections | 5-6 branches rotation | 0-0 low density rigid pentagon structure
page 111
deployment | lattice behaviour and growth
length of cantilever | 1
length of cantilever | 3
resolution of deployment | The results of physical prototypes and their lifting capability feeds into the length of cantilever and deployed branches, drastically changing scale and porosity of aggregation swhen comparing the same sequence of growth with different lengths of cantilevering.
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 112
resolution of deployment
length of cantilever | 5
length of cantilever | 9
page 113
deployment | build up sequence
deployment | build up sequence
unrolling of spatial structure | Observation in branching results and their generation of planar planes of reference led to a re-orientation of the grid - units being oriented on their edge. Able to form a grid starting from the ground, both as initial position for its build up process and as a remaining fundament for cantilevering and vertical aggregations. Single bodies are coming together in a 2d unfolded version of their final structural grid on the ground, then using their transformational abilites to lift and build up to its spatial organization, resp reconfigure during its already half-build up sequence.
• re-orientation of the grid
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page 117
deployment | build up sequence
01 planar deployment | unrolled structure second branch
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 118
• existing structure
• active unit
page 119
deployment | build up sequence
02 lift up sequence | build up structure first branch
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 120
• existing structure
• active unit
page 121
deployment | build up sequence
03 planar deployment | unrolled structure second branch
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 122
• existing structure
• active unit
page 123
deployment | build up sequence
04 lift up sequence | build up structure second branch
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 124
• existing structure
• active unit
page 125
deployment | build up sequence
05 restructuring | reconfiguration and -orientation of structure
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 126
• existing structure
• active unit
page 127
deployment | build up sequence
06 deployment and build up | extending of structure
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 128
• existing structure
• active unit
page 129
deployment | structural evaluation
deployment | structural evaluation
structural evaluation | Following the first, global build up cycle a cycle of evaluation and optimization is introduced. When analyzing an initial deployment for its structural weak-points, structural simulations are looking for units with maximum deformation, longest route or connection to the ground and maximum cantilever and areas of highest force, i.e. nodes of branching or center of rotation.
normal force |
areas of stability |
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 132
fix point of reference
max force !
0
no force
max cantilever !
0
connection to ground
page 133
deployment | structural evaluation
incremental rotation | To compensate ares of high stress, the idea of incremental rotation was intoduced to utilize the combined strength of multiple units, compensating for one single rotation. By incrimentally increasing, smaller movements the the center of gravity is shifted closer to the center of rotation.
traditional movement | one active unit
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 134
distribution of force | multiple units
incremental rotation front view |
top view |
page 135
deployment | structural evaluation
local reinforcement | Following the cycle of evaluation and identifying of weak spots, transportation along existing structure is used for local interventions and reconfigurations. Using the existing structure as climbing frame to move freely and reach area of weakness units of reinforcement are being lifted among the levels or shifted linear along the grid, with two expanding units compensating one to shift on axis.
unit indication |
• mobile body
• existing structure
• active unit shifting the grid |
•to expanding units compensate one to shift along axis
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 136
local reinforcemnt • free movement within existing structure
page 137
deployment | structural evaluation
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 138
local reinforcemnt
page 139
noMad - behavioural fabrication | page 140
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noMad smart brick system of behavioural fabrication
page 141
architectural association school of architecture aadrl design research lab 2014/2015