Versatile Spaces – Part 1 - construct.deconstruct.reconstruct - Design Studio SS 2021

HB2 & ITI VERSATILE SPACES

Reviews by Miriam Dall’lgna & Marina Konstantatou, Foster & Partners

Department of Building Construction and Design

Institute of Architecture and Design &

Department of Structural Design and Timber Engineering

VERSATILE SPACES

construct.deconstruct.reconstruct Design Studio SS 2021

Department of Building

Construction and Design

Institute of Architecture and Design

&

Department of Structural Design and Timber Engineering

TU Wien 2021

VERSATILE SPACES Design Studio 2021

Published by TU Wien

Institute of Architecture and Design

Department of Building Construction and Design, Hochbau 2 www.hb2.tuwien.ac.at

& Department of Structural Design and Timber Engineering, ITI www.iti.tuwien.ac.at

Project pages are designed by the students. All texts and illustrations are minimally edited by the editors.

Editors

Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger, Dipl.-Ing. Dr.-Ing.

Laura Farmwald

Coverdesign

Laura Farmwald

Copyright

Department of Building Construction and Design, Hochbau 2 (HB2), TU Wien; authors; students; photographers © 2021

All texts and illustrations by students and minimally edited by the editors.

Images may be used for educational or informational purposes if HB2, TUWien and the author are credited as the source of the image.

ISBN: 978-3-9519864-0-1

Print Vica Druck

DESIGN TASK

The overall goal of the design studio Versatile Spaces | construct.deconstruct.reconstruct was to experimentally develop a pavilion-like spatial structure [pavilion: free-standing, lightweight building] with self- supporting / interlocking structural elements, which enable multiple (at least two) different spatial and functional configurations.

Poster for announcement of Design Studio, Image: RobsPuzzlePage.com

DESIGN STUDIO APPROACH

The design studio Versatile Spaces | construct.deconstruct. reconstruct was held at the TU Wien during the summer semester 2021. It started with the idea of an experimental approach where students would think and develop a project from a combined architectural and structural point of view.

Originally it was planned to realize one of the student’s projects, but due to Covid-restrictions most of the time was spent in the virtual realm and the original idea was adjusted.

The studio was directed cooperatively by the department of building construction and design (Hochbau 2) and the department of structural design and timber construction (ITI) from the TU Wien: Prof. Peter Bauer and Senior Lecturer Sandra Häuplik-Meusburger. In addition two researchers form the esteemed architectural office Foster + Partners, London supported the studio; Miriam Dall’Igna, Associate Partner at Foster + Partners from the Specialist modelling group and Marina Konstantatou, researcher of structural design, form-finding, and architectural geometry at Fosters.

All critics took place together, simultaneously discussing architecture and structural engineering. From the very beginning, students were encouraged to design and evaluate structural variants for their envisioned spatial design using physical models as well as relevant software.

As a warm-up, the first task was an individual work in order to read, explore and discuss ‘Interlocking Structures

/ Self Supporting Structures and Reciprocal Structures.`

Throughout the studio, students developed an independent experimental design approach. After the concept presentation and the discussion of the design approaches, teams of 2 -4 students joined to work together, with the aim to expand the possibilities for discussion. Following the intermediate presentation, selected projects should be detailed in such an extent that a realisation is possible.

Lukas Zeilbauer and Georg Lobe supported the students with additional workshops on tools such as Rhino, Grashopper. Prof. Sabine Knierbein was invited to talk about the use of public space and Prof. Klaus Zwerger provided an input on wood joints and traditional details in Japan and China.

WARM UP EXERCISE

1. Read, explore and discuss with your colleagues about Interlocking Structures / Self Supporting Structures / Reciprocal Structures

2. Get some material to start your experiment.

Task A: STICKS or RODS for example a package of wooden skewers, any other sticks will do as well.

Task B: PLATES or SHEETS for example of wooden panels, any other plates will do as well.

3. Experiment, explore, build, design spatial structures … With the same sticks / plates build another structure, and another, … experiment with the spatial and constructive possibilities. Can you discover and reveal the structural rules behind it?

4. Try to build a roof-like structure. With the same sticks / plates try to build a vertical structure. With the same sticks / plates try to build a spatial structure that you feel is exciting. What human activities could take place here?

5. Optional – If you already have ideas for the spatial structure and its spatial and functional configurations, sketch them.

6. Document the process and prepare a presentation. Then upload it in TUWEL. Max. 10 pages with your experiments, structures and design concept. The last page shall summarize your findings through the experimentation process.

Rules:

- Only one kind of material is allowed. (only sticks or plates, no combination, no glue, no additional materials.). You can however edit and process the skewers.

- Make sure you use a human figure to indicate the scale

Irena Nedic

WanYu Chen

Karmen Janzekovic

Aron Iankov

Florin Chelariu

ONLINE SEMESTER

The tutoring took place from March til June 2021, mostly in the virtual realm.

adrian mellert, philipp zimmermann & milomir milenkovic #publicspace #foldingstructure

ABSTRACT

We began our design process with a simple question: What makes spaces versatile? Our answer and therefore approach was simple: through movement. So instead of trying to design a certain structure or form, we focused on understanding and designing movement. Oh...and obviously it should be fun and easy to use.

The next question was: why should it be versatile? This question was inherited in our idea of a temporary pavilion. A temporary structure doesn‘t change the characteristics of its surrounding. Moreover, it shows another side of it and different possible uses. So we were looking for places that are undervalued or simply invisible in the urban fabric of Vienna. With our structure we are creating a variety of different spaces and scenarios to show as many hidden strengths of the place as possible and hopefully help strengthen the place to its surroundings.

project, text & images by

ORIGAMI APPROACH

How do we design movement? This is not an easy answer, since movement is way more complicated to understand and imagine than a rigid structure. A big help in that regard has been studying various origami patterns.

We have built many different patterns to understand the basic principles and inherited movements of the folding process. Further, we experimented with possible cuts instead of folds which is a part of origami, called kirigami. Piece by piece we reached a better understanding and a clearer path in which to follow.

origami movement with triangle pattern

ron resch pattern

triangle kirigami pattern

origami pair pattern curve pattern

triangle kirigami pattern kirigami pair pattern

kirigami pair pattern origami pair pattern

kirigami miura pattern kirigami pair pattern

kirigami pair pattern

origami pair pattern

miura pattern

ron resch pattern

triangle pattern

miura pattern

PARAMETRIC SYSTEM

Our interest has been drawn to how a certain angle between two faces creates not only a movement but transfers it along its surrounding faces and creates a transformation in the structure. We experimented with linking pairs of folding faces to a chain and studying its movement.

Slowly we singled out the possible parameters and incorporated it in our newly created grasshopper design tool. First, it generates the folding pattern by applying the parameters, then it generates the chosen material with a certain thickness and lastly it simulates the movement by folding the faces in a given degree. With this tool, we‘re able to influence every parameter of the fold and design all kinds of movements and forms.

outer spine

number of cuts

outer line

inner spine

width of cuts

inner line

grasshopper design tool

possible forms generated

LOCATION

With our design tool ready our focus shifted towards a suitable location. As we‘ve tackled in a previous slide, we looked for a site, which lacks purpose and meaning. In short: a lost space in the urban fabric.

We found a suitable place close to our university at Resselpark. Our attention was drawn towards a slim green strip above the metro entrance. It is hidden from the upper square with the two Wagner pavilions by a thick and tall hedge. This upper square is noticeably cut off from the rest of the park. Which is a travesty, since it might be the best place in it, with a great panoramic view over the park and its landmarks. So our pursuit of this green strip between them in combination with our structure will activate this lost space and connect it with its surroundings.

site plan resselpark

TRANSFORMATION

„Transforming a place by a transforming structure.“ This sentence could be the essence of our project, albeit a cheesy one. With our parametric tool we designed a movement to compliment two distinct states. The first one we call „view state“, and as the name promises it‘s all about exposure. Framing the surrounding landmarks it gives a slight nudge of how great the panoramic view is from atop the upper square. The structure opens up to the square, while facing to the park accommodating pedestrians with a lying and sitting area.

The prominent location puts our folding nest into focus and reversibly the place and its benefits itself. By motioning into the other state we expect people to wonder and be intrigued what‘s happening in order to lure them to our location and show them the possibilities.

The „cinema state“ is a bit enclosed to help reduce noise pollution and act as a sun roof. With a short-distance projector hidden in the turf it can be used for lectures, movies and public viewings for example. By focusing on the inside it gives a very different feel compared to the extroversion of the „view state“ and therefore enables other ways of using it.

The process of motion should be as simple as fun. A little electric engine powers the folding movement and therefore the transformation. We‘ll go into detail, of how this works later on.

A group of people from the TU could be in charge of a schedule and assign people to slots. Classes, groups as well as unaffiliated people could book a slot and the desired state and express themselves in the urban context.

view state

cinema state

motion into the view state

motion into the cinema state

ELEMENTS & MATERIAL

In the upper picture you can see all the plates we used for our folding nest structure. In order to generate the force necessary to initiate the fold as small as possible we went for a super light structure composed out of a aluminium honeycomb layer sandwiched between two aluminium sheets. On the inner side a plywood surface is applied for making the nest cozier and better to use.

The plates itself always interlock with two to three other plates. In order to keep the forces low and the structure sturdy we went with a simple hinge design. The interlocking plates are connected by a metal rod which gives them the sturdiness but also allows the movement of the fold.

To reduce the friction, which is the main possible hindrance of motion, we implemented ball bearings between the rod and the plates as well as axial bearings between the plates themselves.

plates vary from 60x60cm up to 60x220cm

interlocking plates

joint between interlocking plates

DETAILING OF MOTION

The motion is applied by „folding“ the structure. This happens by rotating the plates around their common axis. The plate oriented to the park moves from 0 degrees up to 70 degrees. The plate oriented to the park moves from 0 degrees up to 70 degrees. Whereas the one looking to the upper square only moves from 35 degrees down to 10 degrees.

The plates interlock with each other but also with the metal footings beneath them. The interlocking mechanism stays the same as the metal rod goes through the opening at the top before inserting into the plate comparable to a crochet movement. By adding axial bearing as well the friction is kept low.

The metal footings are part of a structure beneath the folding nest, which also contains the motion mechanism and the necessary infrastructure such as cables and electric parts. One side the plates rest on the concrete joist of the metro entrance and the other side rests on metal bearings which also holds up a LED-containing display installation. Lastly we distributed some gravel and put weight on top the wooden beams.

view state fold

cinema state fold

intersection of plates with footings

DETAILING OF MOTION

We used a ball screw drive system to move two rods per side. They‘re both connected to the plate on one side and the ball screw drive on the other. By moving them apart the angle between them widens and pulls the plate down. By moving them together the opposite takes place and the plate is being pushed up.

Since the plates are connected to each other we will only need to use this system with one pair of plates. We placed it at the most fragile part of our construction. The two rods in combination with the plate itself form a kind of tripod and further strengthen the folding nest against forces such as wind. Using a motor and the necessary amount of gears we can rotate and move the ball screw drives simultaneously and create a homogeneous motion for the fold. By adding and changing the size of the gears we can further lessen the amount of force needed for the movement.

ball screw drive motion system

VERSATILITY & PROGRAMMING

Our imaginary day starts around 9:00 o‘clock. We are strolling around the park, when we see a group of young people listening to a lecture about bridges. Sadly we have no time for that, we need to get to a work related appointment. However, the weather is so nice we already think of coming back for a lunch break later in the day.

It‘s already 18:00 o‘clock, and we‘re on our way home. Interestingly an exhibition is being presented. The people tell me it‘s from a local group of artists. We start a conversation and so the time flies by.

We look around, discuss possible meanings and drink some wine, when some students start taking the installations down. They say, the match is about to start, so they have to prepare the scene.

I think of maybe staying a bit longer and watching some football. Certainly better than on my tiny notebook at home. The game starts, the people are on the edge of their seats. Austria the home team scores the lead, and it‘s actually not offside. The place erupts. More and more people come by, filled with joy and alcohol. The celebration is already starting. I‘m wondering what this will lead to.

friday 9:00 lecture

friday 12:30 lunch break

friday 14:00 exhibition

friday 20:00 public viewing

saturday 0:00 rave party

WORK PROCESS

Working in the midst of a pandemic isn‘t easy or straightforward. Since we had the benefit of all of us three living in Vienna we could mitigate this circumstance. We started to work separately from home and used Zoom to stay in contact.

However, working together in the same room turned out to be way more effective and easier. Therefore we tried to work together as often as possible. Having a comparably solid COVID structure of free and rapid testing and vaccinating program helped in that regard.

Since our approach had to do with movement and folding patterns we built a vast array of models. Since the design tool wasn‘t nearly as finished as we would have wanted it to be at that stage, there was no alternative to test and prove our ideas. We experimented with ropes, folds and all kinds of different movements. We built big models, folded small origami ones and even some 1:10 details.

It was a constant back and forth. Like a dance it moved one step back, two steps forwards. There were times where we didn‘t know if we could finish it on time.

Like with the 3D tool for example, which was also essential for designing the final movement and form. So we designed the tool in parts. By building the model we began to better understand the movement and changed the parameters to create new shapes and a new movement. This went back and forth and was mighty tiring compared to how it is now.

In the last 7-10 days we said „stop, thats how far we‘ll go“. Even, if we knew how to further improve and strengthen the project, the date was important too. We wanted to show the present state and the concept behind all our ideas. Even if not all of them could make it thus far. That is why we looked at this work as a first, very important, step that needed further time and effort to complete it to reach all of its promised potential.

origami and kirigami paper models

pretension structure

form finding modelling

REFLECTION

Looking at the working process and where we started compared to the „final“ piece of work it is hard not to giggle in our collective mind. We started with a bold preposition of constructing a bridge which can also transform into a pavilion. Oh, and it best be modular and light and, and, and...

It was a very difficult, nearly impossible task, but we held onto our idea and built models testing different movement structures and looking for something slightly similar in the real world. Had we not been that persistent we doubt we would have ended up where we are.

We‘ve also had to cut some corners and make some compromises in order to make it in time. That‘s why not all our ideas made the cut for the final presentation. Like the idea of reusing the plates to create new motions and structure to tailor to the needed intervention at other „lost spaces“ in the urban fabric.

We know that the next step is to create a limited number of pairs and sizes which can perform the similar if not same movements as shown before. If we create such a lego-like system of movable structures we would certainly have an everlasting pool of possibilities. However, we also knew that our time was very limited. So we made a choice at a certain time in the design process. Either we start designing movements with a predetermined set of pieces, or we design movements with no restrictions to completely understand the possibilities of the fold. We went with the latter, thinking it would be a sensible first step. However, also knowing we wouldn‘t make it to step two in time for the final presentation.

All in all it was a joy working on an interesting topic such as a moving and folding architecture. Reading trough quite a few papers concerning origami and its possible application in architectural structures and installations showed us how rich the topic is and we hope that this exemplary work can inspire some people to further pursue some ideas and applications in this direction.

REVIEWS

Marina Konstantatou

This project translated the concept of versatility through the notion of movement, and specifically by using origami and kirigami inspired structures which can be mechanically actuated. The structure aims to move between two states, namely, between the ‘view’ and the ‘cinema’. The site choice was interesting since the team opted for an ‘undervalued’ public space thus introducing the concept of repurposing and valuing areas of the urban fabric which would not be normally visited and enjoyed by users while introducing a structure as a focal point.

The team conducted extensive studies in origami and kirigami patterns along with a computational implementation. The script was developed in Grasshopper and included the generation of the folding pattern, the definition of material, thickness, and dihedral folding angles. The output was the movement simulation and resulting folded form. This in conjunction to the numerous physical models informed the design development of the folding structure.

This type of folding structures does not only result in two abovementioned states, but the range of motion also covers a whole array of transformations from one state to the other. The mechanically actuated folding is also visually appealing and can constitute a type of performance in itself around which the users can gather to witness, and even control themselves. Thus, the function of the space can be interactively defined depending on the requirements.

In terms of materials, the panels were envisioned to be lightweight pieces consisting of aluminium layers enclosing an aluminium honeycomb. Also, an extra, external, layer of plywood was added to enhance the experience of the users. Care has been given to design and detail the connections between the panels and their motion actu-

ators as well as minimise friction; however, the ‘folding’ process will be the most challenging part of the envisioned structure.

Given the fact that each panel is unique the reconfigurability and reusability can be limited as stated from the team. Thus, further steps could include the optimisation of the component geometry in terms of repeatable modules, calculation of the required forces for converting the structure from one state to the other, as well as analysis of how it would perform in terms of lateral, wind loads. Overall a very interesting project which was thoroughly studied and developed.

Miriam Dall’Igna

1. In this project the parametric dependencies are crucial to stablish the motion mechanism. The reader would benefit if on page 109, the script could be better explored i.e. enlarged and this key parametric relationships explained, drawing also a connection to the states of the structure illustrated on the right side of the page on ‘possible forms generated’.

2. Appropriate application of intervention in terms of connecting spaces within a city.

3. Spelling check and English check.

4. If would be valid to see a discussion in terms of reusability – benefits and disadvantages of same sized modules. Would the mechanism also benefit from same sized parts? What shapes of regular size could form similar motion? Having same sized elements can facilitate the disassembly and reassembly of completely different function infrastructure re-using the same parts. (a) Geometric Considerations for the Design of Rigid Origami Structures

5. Demonstrated great use of physical origami models for the experimentation period.

6. The project would benefit from structural analysis of the different configurations

7. The presentation is well structured, however, it would be enriched by precedents documented and also references page.