Workshop with Architectural Association Visiting School, Mumbai

Catenary Euplectella, Biological Morphologies, Mumbai

AAVS 2015

The workshop explored how a bio-inspired logic can be translated into design with the examination of systems, processes, and elements of nature and how specific case studies can serves as inspiration for innovative design solutions. The workshop was intended in digital craft.

Directors: Tejas Sidnal, Marco Corazza, Nicolas Cabargas Tutor: Chiara Zaccagnini Design team: Nitisha R, Darshana P, Sonal J, Shovan S, Kumar Rahul N, Mohamed Jaishan N.

‘VENUS FLOWER BASKET’ Euplectella Aspergillum Euplectella Aspergillum, commonly known as ‘venus flower basket’ and ‘glass sponge’, is a type of underwater sponge found in depths of 450 to 900 metres. Its compostion and formation make it a exceptional biological precedent for studying natural formation of structures.

MORPHOLOGY The top end of the sponge has a sieve-like disc over the end and the sponge is anchored to the substrate by means of fine, hair-like fibres. The body is composed entirely of silica, (hence the name Glass Sponges), made of four-to -six pointed siliceous spicules. Spicules are microscopic, pin-like structures within the sponges’ tissues that provide structural support for the sponge. In the case of glass sponges the spicules ‘weave’ together to form a very fine mesh which gives the sponge’s body a rigidity not found in other sponge species and allows glass sponges to survive at great depths. This layering of varied silica components make this exceptionally strong.

HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE Structural hierarchy is the main structural concept of the Euplectella Aspergillum. Having multiple layers of the same material in different configurations gives it an exceptional strength that would’ve been otherwise unachievable with a single layer. This concept can potentially be applied in the real world, assisting in cases of material optimisation and increased structural performance.

The following experiments and project was to study this core concept inherent in Euplectella aspergillum.

Tracing out the hierarchical structure of glass sponge 25

Catenary Euplectella, Biological Morphologies, Mumbai

Experimentation was carried out both at a macro and micro scale.

Micro scale experiments involved creating a single module from multiple elements and testing for combined strength. As this proved to be unsuccessful, a macro scale approach was taken, where a single cylindrical form was created with a square grid, that was further reinforced with another layer of diagonal bracing to withstand different forces. This ‘hierarchical structuring’ was then applied to varying geometries to make them maintain their form, as well as increase overall strength of structure.

ARCHITECTURAL APPLICATION The hierarchical structure has been tested on catenary shells. The first challenge was to change the typology of catenary structure from solid to a lighter wireframe structure. The primary grid has been modeled to form a typical catenary shell. Then cross bracing was added as a secondary grid to restrain structural movement.

This followed typical logic of multiple layering existing in catenary structures. But, this was pushed further with the use of a wireframe shell, resulting in a more optimised form, through both materials and structure.

PRIMARY GRID

DEFORMING PRIMARY GRID

REINFORCING SECONDARY GRID

Primary grid Primary grid Primary grid Secondary grid Secondary grid Grid in a Gothic Arch

Possible Architectural Application with the inferred structural heirarchy Catenary Euplectella, Biological Morphologies, Mumbai

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