Fibro.City UCL - The Bartlett

University College of London The Bartlett

FIBRO.CITY MArch Graduate Architectural Design

[Aikaterini Papadimitriou

Esteban Castro Marcin Komar Yilin Yao]

RC1 [ Alisa Andrasek Dagham Cam ]

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FIBRO.CITY MArch Graduate Architectural Design

[ Aikaterini Papadimitriou

Esteban Castro Marcin Komar Yilin Yao ] [ Alisa Andrasek Dagham Cam ]

3

FIBRO.CITY Portfolio edition

RC1 MArch Graduate Architectural Design The Bartlett UCL 2013-2014

Cover Image Fibrous Formations - details, July 2014, Fibro.city Team, Softimage XSI 2014, The Bartlett , UCL Source : Fibro.City Personal File

All the images of the Fibro.City project are available uppon request.

BY

[ Aikaterini Papadimitriou

Esteban Castro Marcin Komar Yilin Yao ]

TUTORS

[ Alisa Andrasek Dagham Cam ] PLACE

[ The Bartlett - University College of London ] TIME

[ Shool Year 2013 - 2014 ] 4

Thanking Our families for the support and understanding throughout this year process.

Our professors and tutors for passing their knowledge to us.

Our classmates for sharing moments, anger, joy, anxiety, and scripting codes with us.

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CONTENTS

[0] Introduction [1] Fibre Systems

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11

Fibres In Nature Fibre Behaviour Carbon Fibres References Emergent Structures [crystals-archipela go-hunting game] Resolution Frames vs. Moulds

[2] Locking points

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Cellular Automata Multi Agent Systems Particle Connections | Physics Environment’s Information Column Project Optimization

[3] Sequence and fabrication logic Weaving Sequence Agent Simulations Patterns Colum Prototype

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Image 01 Silk Fibres Under Microscope Source: http://galleryhip.com

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[4] Robotics and technical studies

136

Digital Fabrication References Segments Tool | Nozzle Design Toolpath Generation Robotic Tests Arduino

[5] Micro-Pavilion Project

173

Design Approach Architectural proposal [From Design to Fabrication]

[6] Final design Project

247

Site Concept Renders

[7] Appendix

259

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ABSTRACT

Fibro.City

is

a

project

based

on

fibrous

formations

in

architectural scale, and relying on the use of carbon fibres.

This material guarantees high performance through discreteness, and we strongly believe that it could apply to the construction industry

need

using

the

most

extravagant

and

up-to-date

technologies. We are curating the design, and the fabrication methods, creating a new language of expressing architecture, by having in mind structural elements. Reconfiguring these parameters, we achieve high resolution results, unique and aesthetically advanced. We have the opportunity to explore and define the architectural future, and we enhance this chance

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by reconfiguring the potentials of the materiality of the structure. We program the behaviour of our structure, and up to a point we are touching the chance to create optimizing algorithms on the design itself and the structural ability of the project. Algorithms that read the environment and read themselves, anchoring point configurations and weaving agents cooperate for the connection of the simulation to the fabrication process in situ, consisting the components of our synthesis. The fabrication is a robotic matter, since no human intervention is needed after the design process, through the algorithms that we develop and ABB robotic arms.

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Image 02 Fibrous formations with Simulations Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Fibre Systems

Fibres In Nature Fibre Exploration Carbon Fibres References

Emergent Structures [crystals-archipela go-hunting game] Resolution Frame or Moulds

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FIBRES IN NATURE

Fibrous systems are known in nature for their capabilities on collective performance, strenght and eficiency. These characteristics captured our senses, opening a whole new world of design purposes.

“Everything in the organic world is made of fibers” George Lerominidis in “Bio-Inspiration for Adaptive Design Solutions” Feb 2014 A fiber is a rope or string used as a component of composite materials, or matted into sheets to make products such as paper or felt. Fibers are often used in the manufacture of other materials. In the case of wood fibers, these are long, slender, thick-walled elements in broad-leaved trees. The longitudinal wood elements. Their function is to give strength.

The weight and hardness of wood is usually proportional to the amount of wood fiber. Natural fibers are being produced plants, animals, and geological processes. They are biodegradable over time. They can be classified according to their origin in Vegetable, Wood, Animal and Mineral fibers.

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Image 03-07. Fibres in nature, Patterns, Natural fibrous formations

Sources: http://vk.com, http://www.globaltrendsbuildingsupply.com, http://enviro.gr, http://www.pinterest.com

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Image 09 Natural Carbon Fibres under the microscope.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Image 08 Paper Fibres in Fluo Light Source: http://www.wifac.nl

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FIBRE BEHAVIOURS

The strongest engineering materials are generally made from fibres or in fibrous formations.

An example of this is the Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene. Synthetic fibres generally come from synthetic materials such as petrochemicals but some types of synthetic fibres are manufactured from natural cellulose, including rayon, modal, and Lyocell.

Cellulose-based fibres are of two types, regenerated or pure cellulose such as from the cupro- ammonium process and modified cellulose such as the cellulose acetates. Simultaneously the exploration of fibres gets its tangible self.

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Image 10. Minimal Structure System, Caroline Butler Source https://wewanttolearn.wordpress.com

a. Original state

e. Twisted

b. Separation

f. Twisted / separation

g. Twisted / separation

Image 11. Frei Otto, 2d Minimal Surface Experiment Source: http://www.pua.edu.eg

c. Separaion

h. Broken

d. Distribution

i. Broken / distribution

17 Image 12. Understanding fibres: primary experiments with natural fibres,Decomposition Source: Fibro.City Private File

3D Printing Fibres Hacking G Code

Image 13 Understanding Fibres: First 3D MakerBot Printing Results Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Image 14 Understanding Fibres: First 3D MakerBot Printing Results with carbon fibre mic Source: Fibro.City Private File

In our case will to explore fibres, we started to experiment with natural elements and fibrous materials – in real or in a representational way- that we found close to us. The types of fibres that took place during this exploration process where natural, from grass or cotton, plastic and of synthetic materials. During the process, no animal has been heart, but the fibres. Diving in different water densities, stretching, ripping apart and setting on fire. These process gave us the chance to understand how they work, how they

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Image 15 Understanding Fibres: 3D Printing with MakerBot - Hacking the Resut on the process manually Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Plastic Fibres Bending shapes

Image 16 Understanding Fibres: Plastic fibrous formations - Bending & twisting Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Plastic Fibres Burnng shaping behaviour

Image 17 Understanding fibres: Plastic fibres -Slendering and bending with the use of fire Source: Fibro.City Private File

react, it provided us with varieties of formations, expected and unexpected, and which are the properties that we should follow on our simulations. Our goal is not to copy the exact fibre formations, but to create resilient behaviours, which programmed could reveal a new era of designing principles.

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Growing Fibres Tension - compresion

Image 18 - 21 Understanding fibres: Growing structures, supporting systems and fibres Source: Fibro.City Private File

The tests on which we are experimenting are investigating the formation of shapes as well, embedding how a system could grow. This is the key factor for the future fabrication of the project and the connection to reality. How a fibrous system could grow in as a structure and what could define the compression part of this system.

Case study A: We are growing an semi - emergent structure with fibres connecting the system, and the growing scaffold consisting the compression part / scaffolding.

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Fibres in tension Adaptative Shapes

Case study B: The system lives in a condition that cooperates with a top – down frame, shaping itself by being in tension, adapting to a shape by interlocking with itself and attaching

to

the

barriers.

The

question

that arise are if such a system could be functionaland what means of “fabricational” constructability it underlines.

Image 22-24 Understanding fibres: Fibres in tension, working collaboratively Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Tensegrity Fibres Connecting Sticks

Image 25 Understanding fibres: Tensegrity Fibrous structures Source: Fibro.City Private File

Case study C: Accepting the necessity of a compression part on the structure this case study intents to use it for its benefit. Following Frei Otto’s principles for tensegrity structures, but introducing them in an innovative way, this system is self-supporting using to the maximum physics with the intention to grow vertically.

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Image 26-28 Understanding fibres: Tools,tensegrity fibres, detail Source: Fibro.City Private File

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CARBON FIBRES b. 20 micras

c. 100 micras

d. 200 micras

Image 29 Carbon fibres under the mocroscope Source: http://karbona-polska.pl/

Image 30 Relation of a single carbon fibre and a human hair Source: http://www.motornews.gr

Combining the idea of high performance and fibres we meet carbon. It is lightweight, high in resolution and strong.

Carbon fibres are selected as main material of analysis. They are usually used as a flexible and malleable cloth that can easily formed and fit over three-dimensional moulds by adding layers to enhance strength. When coated and cured with an epoxy resin or heat, it can 28

Image 31 Carbon fibre first raw products Source: http://www.motornews.gr

1 1/2

Carbon Fibre Tow

BioResin Two Parts

Hard Component After Chemical Reaction

become hard as steel, actually it is five times lighter than steel, five times stronger than steel and they don’t corrode. (Knoxville data information) Carbon fibre’s amazing adaptive qualities have already been extensively utilized within the industrial design as is the case of the automotive and aerospace industries but for architectural purposes it has not been used to challenge spatial configurations.Only timid steps to building industry and architectural design has been made, and this is the aspect that this projects introduces and wants to move the technology a step forward.

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REFERENCES

The work of Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno has been a reference about structural web formations. The Frankfurt-based artist worked in collaboration with astrophysicists, architects, engineers and spider researchers to create a stimulating series of installations. One of those is “14 Billions project”, a massive undertaking, the project took two years to complete with the black rope spanning 400 cubic meters. Saraceno’s work looks to scientific study which uses the imagery and structure of spider webs to map the origin and structure of the universe. Referencing these studies, the sculptural pieces explore the delicate balance between ourselves and the earth. While deeply philosophical and laden with scientific study, 30

Image 32 - 35 Tomas Saraceno “14 billion project” Source: http://google.com, http://www.tomassaraceno.com

Art Design Fibrous and tensile environments

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Product Design using Carbon fibres

Image 36 Carbon fibre artisan tray Source: http://store.carbonfibergear.com/

Image 37 Peter Donders Carbon fibre bench Source: http://www.peterdonders.com

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Image 38.

Carbon Chair Source: http://www.bertjanpot.nl/

Image 39-41 Hongsung Yoon, Source: http://ilhoon.com

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Architectural Design using Carbon fibres and frames

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Image 42-43 Stigmergic fibres IAAC Source: http://www.iaacblog.com/

Image 44-49 ICD Research pavillion 2014,ITKE Source: http://www.itke.uni-stuttgart.de

Fibrous projects have been developed from research

clusters. A robotically woven carbon-

fibre pavilion based on the lightweight shell encasing the wings and abdomen of a beetle is the second structure revealed this week from the team of architects and engineers at the University of Stuttgart. The ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2013-14 is a structure fabricated using a custom-built system of robotics, which were here used to create a series of modular fibre-composite components.

Also, SCi-arc researched during the

Masters of Architecture

on 2011,approaching the fibrous formations.They focued on extrusion of plastic fibres using anchoring frames and obtaining adaptive results base on material behaviour. Stigmergic Fibres tackles the prospect of fibre aggregation under the influence of varying environmental and material properties, to produce controlled boundary and spatial conditions. The project was initiated by research on plant fibre and biology.

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FRAMES VS. MOULDS

Through the formations, variations, and targets that we set during this creative process, we started thinking more strategically, in a more effective and ‘on earth’ way. Our goal is to create a new era of architecture, with its own language. So, we aim to performance.

Performance is the effectiveness of the product with the minimum loss in depth of time.

Combining the idea of high performance and fibres we meet carbon fibres. It is lightweight, high in resolution and strong. Each fibre consists of tiny fibres, which together, collectively, work, and provide with the proper characteristics for each case. It has malleable features, especially before it is reinforced with resin and works harmonically with many material combinations. We can meet is in different types, sheets, spools, tows, chopped, foam, even there has been the first steps for 3D printed, fact that increases its application territory even more for the future. Nowadays it is used mainly in fields of electronics and auto-motives. Its high performance is applicable on a smaller scale and for certain purposes, due to its price. Only timid steps to building industry and architectural design has been made, and this is the aspect that this projects introduces and wants to push the technology a step forward. The simulations led us to use a frame, since our fibres needed 36

Image 50 Carbon fibre- unhealed & 3D print with MakerBot Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 51 Carbon fibre with resin (healed) on mould (mould has been removed by burning) Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 52-53 Carbon fibre with resin (healed) on mould (mould has been removed by burning) Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Image 54 Carbon fibre sheet with resin (healed) on wooden mould Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 55 Carbon fibre tow with resin (healed) on wooden mould Source: Fibro.City Private File

anchoring points in order to be stable. The weaving patters that we could get where plenty, though by hand, since we began actually to knit in two dimensions with the goal to create a three dimensional structure. This we realized soon enough that was not the right way of fabrication. The goal is to achieve a high performance on the fabrication technique as well, and since we would use the robot, we needed to find another solution.

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Image 56 Carbon fibre without resin on wooden frame with metal sticks Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Image 57 Fibrous formations with frames, cotton fibres and silicon glue Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 58 Diagrams with variations of possible connections Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Image 59 Robotic test on weaving, testing axis, tolerance, frame shape Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 60 Robotic test on HAL simulations.

Source: Fibro.City Private File

Here we introduce the triangular shape of top and down with a middle connection. Many anchoring points, predetermined thought, different connecting rules, and different materiality, produced discrete results which were in some points failing, and in others succeeding.

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EMERGENT STRUCTURES

In sciences, the word emergence refers to the production of forms and their behaviour, by systems that have an irreducible complexity. Their properties cannot be deduced from its components. Properties ‘emerge’ that are more than the sum of the parts. (Weinstock, 2009) The emergent properties present in nature define our comprehension of why things behave as they do.

Emergent structures are patterns that emerge via collective actions of many individual entities. To explain such patterns, one might conclude, that emergent structures are more than the sum of their parts on the assumption that the emergent order will not arise if the various parts simply interact independently of one another. the interaction of each part with its immediate surroundings causes a complex chain of processes that can lead to order in some form. In fact, some systems in nature are observed to exhibit emergence based upon the interactions of autonomous parts, and some others exhibit emergence that at least at present cannot be reduced in this way.

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Archipelago Emergent formations

Image 60 Sediment_off_the_Yucatan_Peninsula Source: http://en.wikipedia.org

Emergent

structures

can

be

found

in

many

natural phenomena, from the physical to the biological domain. For example, the shape of are

weather emergent

phenomena

such

structures.

as The

hurricanes development

and growth of complex, orderly crystals, as driven by the random motion of water molecules within a conducive natural environment, is another example of an emergent process, where randomness can give rise to complex and deeply attractive, orderly structures.

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Image 61-64 Two dimentional archipelago structures Processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 65-69 Three dimentional archipelago structures,Processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Chrystals Emergent aggregations

Image 70 Green Fluorite Crystal - Science Museum London Source: Fibro.City Private File

We see that in inorganic structures such as crystals, how through mineral compositions inert materials start to form geometrical instances of intricate quality. Inorganic systems also put in evidence that the reason why shapes emerge depend on different scales of interactions, for instance a study of single shapes of sand grains is helpful but is not sufficient to predict the varied morphology of sand dunes, or how they migrate across the desert and maintain a consistent form while doing so. (Weinstock, 2009) But it is in the organic world where we admire spontaneous and self-organizing behaviours of emergence. Slime Mole behaviour for instance is odd and required from scientists to think outside of the boundaries of traditional disciplines (Johnson, 2002) (De Landa, 2006) Emergent systems therefore need to be feed by a complex interaction of elements with properties capable of variation according to their relation of exteriority. Crystal formations are natural geometric structures that emerge from spontaneously from a growing process called crystallization. This formation occurs from a solution, melt or more rarely deposited directly from a gas. In nature, this process is given in geological time scales (gemstone formations, Stalactite/stalagmite, rings formation; and also in usual time scales (snowflakes formation, honey crystallization.

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We are interested particularly in the interaction between

different

elements

that

creates

a

physical result, just the way crystals appear in nature from specific chemical interactions.

The idea is to use agents as the necessary components to create a reaction base on local conditions Image 71 Martha’s Vineyard Sea Salt Source: http://www.mvseasalt.com

of

interaction.

These

conditions

would follow regular rules of order to obtain emergent structures of organization.

Image 72-84 Simulating crystalized formations (interaction between two sets of agents) and fibrous-look-like behaviours, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Hunting Game Evolution as emergence

We focused the next simulation on the competition factor in order to explore the possibilities of obtaining unexpected results from that idea. Imagining a place where two types of agents live, we established one type as a prey and the other as a predator. Both of them have characteristics that make them good to hunt or to scape, but none of them would be as specialized to not create any type of interaction. The obtained results were some sort of specific hunting behaviors and linear patterns of “dead bodies�, but the absence of duplication and heredity is necessary to increase the possibilities of this approach.

Archipelago: From the hunting game, we explored the potential of emergent structures created from the random aggregation of agents. We use the process of sedimentation as an

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Image 85 Simulating hunting games and understanding nature through simulations, diagram of rules, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

Image 86-97 Simulating crystalized formations (interaction between two sets of agents) and fibrous-look-like behaviours, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

input of generation to simulate a system where agents work as sediment material that is moving in space until they find resistance and lock in a position. One group of agents are located in space to function as anchor points. Their position is random and they don’t move.

A larger group of agents is moving from left to right as sediment in a water current, they will stop only if they era close enough to the anchor points. After that, it is a chain reaction because each agent that has stopped becomes a new anchor point. We explored this process also in 3D to create a more spatial result, taking in consideration the rules that organize the system and not the metaphoric relation. In this way we see that the important part of any growing complex system is the logic that its behind their complexity.

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RESOLUTION

The project itself engages with the performance of fibres as a design principle and not as a representational way of architecture. They provide the chance to investigate multiple resolutions by introducing a new language of design in the architecture world. A fibre is a string used as a component for composite materials as we know it. This complex materiality, in our case is being translated into resolution in two directions. Primarily, by creating variations of densities of the same fibre quality, multiplication of the material amount, more or less strings as the algorithm calculates, and as the designer decides. Secondarily, by obtaining different types of fibres, width- wise and strength wise. This allows the designer to differentiate the project intentions and represent a more expressive language on the overall result. The understanding of the resolution of materials, its complexity and its narrative we touched by simulating deformations, aggregation, and transformations of existing shapes, using physical properties of the material itself through programming.

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Image 98 ICD Research pavillion 2014,ITKE,detail Source: http://www.itke.uni-stuttgart.de

Image 100 MIT’s carbon Fibre Lego bricks Source: http://techflesh.com

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Image 101 Understanding resolution in materiality . multipliing grid segments, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

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Image 102 Understanding resolution fibre principles, testing tension and strength, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Private File

_Frame 10.

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Image 103 Fibrous linear formations, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Locking points

Cellular Automata Multi Agent Systems Particle Connections Physics Environment’s Information Columns Optimization 55

CELLULAR AUTOMATA

This chapter is about how to obtain emergent formations of points in space to create the anchor elements for the fibres to attach to.

The application of the characteristics of the fibrous behaviours starts to get involved to the simulation process, since this is a process that provides and is being provided with feedback, back and forth. Algorithmic codes that describe the connections of the fibres, actually are being translated, to codes that are counting neighbours and create relations among each other. Cellular Automata is the first approach that we are hacking and implementing into our project. Different amount of neighbouring conditions resolves to stronger or lighter connections. In this specific case study we are focusing on the amount of the neighbours, seven (7), five (5) and three (3). We create connections among the same data.

This resolves to linear results, with different resolutions, and proves the fact that from the same background we could extract different information which lead to diverse results.

At the following images, we can see this variations with colours, and the simple narrative of rendering the result in order to enter with small steps to a tangible product which could touch the architectural scale and territory.

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Neighbours Counting

Cell Position Variables

Image 104-106 Understanding cellular automata, simulations, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 107 Understanding cellular automata, simulations, processing scripting code, materiality embedded Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 108 Understanding cellular automata, simulations, processing scripting code, materiality embedded Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 109-110 Visualization of cellular automata processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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MULTI AGENT SYSTEMS Multi Agents System (MAS) was used as a tool of a morphofibrous organization morphogenesis. The exploration on the computational world continuous, and parallel as it is with the fabrication method, we are trying to investigate the fibrous formations and behaviours with agent based systems. We create equal environmental conditions for the agents and we release them with certain rules each time, so to manage variations of formations, some expected some not. We are talking about flocking conditions that change among time at the beginning, or later on among certain data that are capture during the simulation process. The flocking conditions always stay in close relation to the neighbouring conditions which we introduces at the beginning of this chapter. Separation strength, cohesion range and turbulence are the factors which affect the results. It is unique realizing that slight differentiations of the factors, applied to the same background, are producing discrete patterns, with higher or lower resolution in places. For us that was quite interesting, since our thoughts on the resolution part that has been mentioned in the beginning is being applied, and actually, is just came along the process of exploration. The set of agents had one characteristic which we had to take into consideration and start thinking about the fabrication technique as well, since the 3D printing would not me so helpful in our case. We have been connecting part, the top with the down, or the right with the left. Two discrete parts where coming to one, after the application of the simulations.

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Stigmergy 2D computational experimentation

As one important character of agent flocking behaviour, stigmergy provides the way to designer to investigate the form formation. Even with very simple rule, such as flocking, which the ‘fibre’ will form the different shapes by itself both in 2D and 3D. We call it self-organization. A self-organization system can be very potential that the designer can get surprisingly or unpredictable results only by giving different initial input. This is what we learnt from nature and previous investigation, and we are trying to apply this logic into our design.

Image 111-119 Simulation of Stigmergic behaviours , two dimentional, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 120-121 Simulation of Stigmergic behaviours,two dimentional, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Stigmergy 3D computational experimentation

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Image 122-131 Simulation of Stigmergic behaviours, two dimentional, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 132 Product design out of simulation, first attempt Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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PARTICLE CONNECTIONS Adding Physics to the system

The fabrication processes, led us to come up with the idea of paying attention to the performance value of the fibre is self, which in our case is its tension ability. Therefore in order to understand, and be familiar with this computational world we simulated the tension of the springs and its behaviour. We had to know what would be and why, the deformation, how to work with that, and how to get advantage of those connections, breaking points, and the recreation of new ones. That can lead us to unexpected results, since no one can predict the exact behaviour of the physical phenomena. At the same time we could now test different properties of the material itself, since there would be the variations on rest-lengths and ‘kValues’ of the springs. The combination of the simulation experimentations and the physics world that has been applied was a single way road, with many potentials. The agent behaviour that has been applied at former simulations, and the physics are becoming one, and more emergent results occur. The Agents are the head of the each fibre, and therefore the leader. They move with rules of separation and cohesion, creating patterns taking into account neighbouring conditions. On their track they create the segments of the springs.

The later the particle, connect with the fibre head, and at a second reading, with other, neighbouring particles, forming shapes and patterns emergent and unexpected. The variations at this case has to deal with the characteristics not only of the Agents themselves, but with the properties of the fibre itself as well.

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Image 132 Understanding physics and particles, intricate formations through softimage scripting codes Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Simulated Physics basic physics rules and behaviours

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Image 133-135 Understanding physics and connections in trhee dimentional space Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 136-140 Tensile connections, processing scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Frame 50

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Image 141 Understanding spring connections in two dimentional space Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Understanding Connectivity transition from 2D to 3D spaces The sequence of the simulations is such that is being connected to fabrication and vice versa. In the case of those simulation, running particles that read data of the environment interact with each other, altering the result and making an unexpected and intricate picture. The diversity of the outcome by just altering the properties of the materials (embedded physics) or by altering the data that are visible to the “smart agent� was an expected variation for us.

Frame 100

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Image 142-148 Understanding spring connections in three dimentional space Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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What was readable in this case, when we see the results not only on simulations but as rendered pictures as well, is an impression of loose fibres and zero dynamic in the system. Soon enough we knew that we would not enjoy creating systems as such. We need to have the tension of the material, underlining its role and principles on the structure to be fabricated.

Side View____________

Plan View____________

Frame 0

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Image 149 -150 Understanding spring connections in three dimentional space, column formation Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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ENVIRONMENT’S INFORMATION

Space creation by reading contextual data

The upper goal of this project is to be applicable in an architectural scale, and readable not only from the designer, but from the user and his environment as well. The idea is the project to come out of specific surroundings, and environments. The emergence of this clue that we want to attach to the project has to be specific from the very beginning. The area that we will create our implementations, has some information, data, which are being stored and translated to the software and are recognizable from the agents. At the next step, they no longer behave only with the predetermined way of flocking, but this alters concerning the data that they get from the voxel space. The data and the behaviour that can be altered may not only stay on the flocking conditions of the particles and Agents, but may expand also at the properties of the material, its breaking and connecting points. Let’s translate it to alteration of the expected topology. This voxel can be either a 3D point could if we can say that we are scanning even the air of the system, or can be eliminated to the borders that we come along, on the creation of the connections. Obviously, as previous simulations showed us we should expect differentiations on the results and so that happened as is obvious on the further pages.

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Image 151 -153 Agent formations by reading environmant information Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 151 -159 Agent formations by reading environmant information, diverse results of siimulations, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Agent Floaking sequence

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Particle connections sequence

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Environment Information sequence

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Image 164-167 Rendering results out of multiagent system formations , spacial arrangements Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Ceiling voxel data

Image 160 -163 Diverse results of multi agent systems diverse formations softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Floor voxel data

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COLUMN PROJECT

Sequentially a structure in tension has to consist apart from the fibre system from compression elements. On this first read of our project progress we figured out that we had to introduce them into the project. Compression elements as anchoring points as the first step then. The simulations that are running, including all the previously explained properties, reading information, flocking, physics, on their cross connections create a systematic mapping and formations that we use. Obviously this system is forming column-ish shape formations, whose connections we are able to see. In this connections we apply physics, and so on , they interact with each other. The system acquires a dynamic stability and the formations are getting legible in this attempt of equilibrium.

As it is obvious multiple simulated tests have been made, and we are addressing them here, since it is fascinating to explore a whole new world of formations 84

Image 168-170 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, , diverse results a, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 171-174 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results b, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 175-178 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results c-d, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 179 -181 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results e-f, rendered (right side view), softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 172-184 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results g, rendered (right side view), softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 185-187 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results k, rendered (right side view), softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 188 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results l, rendered side view by softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 189 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results l, rendered side view by softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 190 Column type arrangements and physics application on connections, diverse results m, rendered top view by softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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OPTIMIZATION

The major advantage of this project is that it aims to get to real dimensions. What becomes a necessity is the computation of the forces applied on the segment, module and total structure. We are experimenting with softimage and some plain rules that could lead us to a result that we could support, and that we could fabricate without restrictions and safely.

We are using the same software which we use for the generation of those point positions.

The connections between them are represented as sticks and interact with each other. The algorithmic calculations include (1) the force from and(2) to each of them, and (3)adding their own weight and (4) the weight of the particles, and connections that are on top of them. The total amount of those forces causes a deformation on the springs, which is displayed respectively. We have the ability to get this deformation as a numeric value and use it. There are two possible ways for that.

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Image 191 Position and forces diagram Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Initial Point Configuration

Reconfiguration for fabrication Purposes 004

Image 192 Simulations od Structural analysis codes to identify crucial aereas on the structure Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Reconfiguration for fabrication Purposes 001

Reconfiguration for fabrication Purposes 002

Relation of Configuration in Color -distance of rearrangement 001

Relation of Configuration in Color -distance of rearrangement 002

0

2

4

6 units

Units of reconfiguration transalted in color range

Morphogenetic way. Adding or deleting partitions, altering the initial shape, creating densities and wider areas. In each point the of the system that would be added, a consequential recalculation we would happen, affecting and delivering the next possible solution. WE are speaking in this case for a generative process of reshaping the system.

Design-wise. Postproduction. After we get the evaluations of possible deformation of the spring system individually, thus collectively, we introduce this value to the weaving agent and we alter his behaviour. More crucial areas get multiple fibres, les ones get much less.

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Relation of Configuration in Color -distance of rearrangement 002

Stuctural analysis phase 3

0.0

Connections between particles Stuctural analysis through softimage

Stuctural analysis phase 4

Stuctural analysis sphase 2

Stuctural analysis phase 5

0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 Configuration transalted in color range for the percentage of deformation of the system

2.5

The system in this system gets in a post-production equilibrium. The result of which is in the same way that intricate as in case one, since there is the unexpected characteristic in both cases. To make the factors slightly complicated, the points, that will define in the future the stick positions, may also carry (related with this deformation factor) the height if their stick. That would incorporate the morphological factor in a generative way.

Both ways have their benefits, and are for different reasons interesting. For this design we will choose to implement the second one, postproduction.

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Image 193 Fabrication detail, model with metal sticks and carbon fibre cured with resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Fabrication Logic: Sequence.

Weaving Sequence Agent Simulations Patterns Column Prototype

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WEAVING SEQUENCE

The sequence of the fabrication technique is getting feedback from the fabrication itself and from the simulations that occurs. Actually we are entering an eternal loop with productive aspects.

In our research project we aim to create architectural shapes that emerge from the properties of the carbon fibres as a material while applying organic morphogenesis principles into the process. Two main constraints need to be considered to achieve architectural scales: structural capabilities and fabrication constraints. Regarding the first consideration, carbon fibres work mainly in tension and their strength rely on additional strands, on the orientation of the threads, on the cross links within the fibre network and on the distribution of material throughout the system. The better those characteristics are applied, the stronger the system is.

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Image 194 Diverse weaving sequense tests and formations Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The systematic values that the fabrication need are slightly predetermined, since the robotic arm that we will use, is not able to pass under the structure and create nodes for this moment, The sequence that need to be created is underlined by some rules that define the result. No matter if those rules come from problems that occurred, those problem gave the feedback for intricate, diverse and interesting results, and those rules we keep. They are the once that create the layering sequence, which offers the patterns that we will fabricate and will from which the final fabrication model will consist.

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Image 195 Weavng tests, simulations, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 196 Weaving model, metal rods and carbon fibre cured with bioresin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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One layer cross weaving, metal rods with carbon fibre cured with bioresin.

Crossing layer weaving, metal rods with carbon fibre cured with bioresin.

Multiple layer crossing ,metal rods with carbon fibre cured with bioresin.

High desity multiply crossing, metal rods with carbon fibre cured with bioresin.

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Image 197-202 Weaving models,understanding weaving and materiality, metal rods and carbon fibre cured with bioresin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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AGENT SIMULATIONS

Agent simulations are based on self-organization rules. Self-organization is a dynamic non-linear process where some form of global order or coordination arises out of noise by the local interactions between the components of an initially disordered system. Every agent has its own character and follows certain rules to interact or compete with other components in the system. This dynamic and non-stoping process starts from the edge of chaos, end with reaching order. the agent only conducts simple tasks and doesn’t know the global purpose, the final product of the aggregate behaviour is almost impossible to predict and can be extraordinary.

In our case we are using agent to define the locking points and agent that run the basic trajectories for them, reading information and reconfiguring within their entities. The last agent we are using for the production of this product is the robot. It is a smart agent, an entity by itself, which is reading information from its previous positions and due to the embedded rules. We are creating a robotic behaviour, controlling speeds, tensions, heights, densities.

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LOST SOMETHING

Image 197-202 Multi Agent system simulation, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The robot fabricates the structure through reaching to the stick points layer by layer.

Although only a defined number of sticks in total. Variation in possibilities emerge when changing the angle of the sticks. Fabrication possibilities are being attached to the simulations and within some range it is trying to configure ways of moving. From random to layer by layer and switch to cross connection. Even if only a single parameter is going to be used, complexity in the system arises. The basic idea of fabrication is apply these small scale fabrication method into larger scale. When different possibility and angle differentiation combined, the complexity in the structure will emerge.

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Weaving Agent Parallel sticks- Regular grid- Individual Choise of The Agent

Image 203 Single agent, aka robot, weaving in regular grid, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Weaving Agent Parallel sticks-Irregular Grid- Individual Choise of The Agent

Image 204 Single agent, aka robot, weaving in irregular grid, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Weaving Agent Parallel sticks -Qualities and Patterns of Weaving Case study 01

Side View

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Top View

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Image 205-2012 Single agent, aka robot, weaving in irregular grid,depth of weaving.based on agent desitions, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Weaving Agent Parallel sticks -Qualities and Patterns of Weaving Case study 02

Side View

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Top View

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Image 203-220 Single agent, aka robot, weaving in irregular grid,depth of weaving.based on agent desitions, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Sequence Renders Parallel sticks - Random selection

Plan View Case one

Elevetion View Case one Image 221 Rendering results of weaving agents(robot), softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Sequence Renders Parallel sticks- Level to level selection

Plan View Case two

Elevation View Case two Image 222 Rendering results of weaving agents(robot), softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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PATTERNS

Formations of particles and diversion in pattern is coming out of the rules that we set before. Flocking conditions and reading information. Height differences and densities, random seeds are only some of the factors that we choose to alter the intelligence of the agent robot. The patterns apart from fulfilling the aesthetic part of the structure are also responsible for the constructability, and the structural abilities of the prototypes.

Moreover, it provides the system with a permeability that increases the interest of the patters, and alters as one is moving along te structure. This allows to the visitor, to live an experience unique and visually emotional. The detail that each segment consists of works collectively for a result that speakes for itself.

Might in cases (for the moment simulation wise only) to create a choreography of two or more robots, that are able to interact in means that they can learn how to collaborate and read information from each other. We are speaking now about a choreography of two or more robots that would be able to weave a larger system in one run.

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Image 223 Rendering results of weaving agents, pattern research Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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neibouring conditions 7 probability of weaving 10-4 (mapped 7 -2) height definition for fabrication enabled

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neibouring conditions probability of weaving height definition for fabrication

15 1-1 disabled

n p h

15 1-1 disabled

neibouring conditions 12 probability of weaving 10-4 (mapped 7 -2) height definition for fabrication enabled

neibouring conditions probability of weaving height definition for fabrication

17 1-1 disabled

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Sequence Renders Parallel sticks - Random selection

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Image 224-228 Rendering results of weaving agents, pattern research and connectivity, column prototypes Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Column shaped prototypes are being woven by the robotic agent in an attempt to obtain a visual representatin of the coding we are developing. We try to implement parts that lead to the understanding of patterns with timid steps and can insire us for future research and

design investigation. The patterns and densities we are getting provoke our inention

to connect them on a conceptual context of structural abilities and permeability of the structure.

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Image 224-228 Rendering results of weaving agents, pattern research and connectivity, detials of intricacy Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 229-230 Rendering results of weaving agents, pattern research and connectivity, prototype A Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Intricate results occur if we get a closer look on the pattern and their abilities. It is clear that the agent system programed like it is create vein - like connections which could guarantee the continuity of the product itself. The diversities give to the system a complexity which almost indicated that the fabric that is being produced come out of a dream world• fibrous one.

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COLUMN PROTOTYPE

Column prototype as a first attempt. We have figured out after multiple failing in some ways, succeeding in other ways, that what we need to make reality this project which is running to simulations mainly till now. We need a wooden board, metal rods, carbon fibre and the resin. We preferred to use bio-resin for health and environmental issues, although the chemical one was much more effective. The aim of this project is to show at the same time the fabricational capabilities and industrialization possibilities of this patent.

Step one, we laser-cut the boards, with the positions of the sticks to screw them there.

The sticks have specific heights. The bolds need to be tight, so not the tension of the weaving part to affect their positions, since for now the robot is not having a detector as such, to relocate its target point. We are weaving around the metal rods, and we applying the resin at the same time. After 8 or more hours of healing the resin, we remove the boards. We have done this process for two segments, which then with bolds we combine them so to obtain greater thickness thus resolution of the element.

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Image 231 Weaving patterns, understanding fabrication, physical model, metal rods and carbon fiber cured with bio resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Perspective view of board and sticks, prior to fabricaions

Perspective fabricated view, carbon fibres cured with bio resin

Image 232-235 Process of fabrication, wooden boards, stick positions and weaved carbon fibre,piror to resin application, side and perspective view Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Side view of board and sticks, prior to fabrication

Side fabricated view, carbon fibres cured with bio

The second test after getting the failing – succeeding information, is formed like that.

We are placing sticks that cover double height. We are weaving the first segment (first side) firstly. After it is cured and strong enough we are removing the scaffold, and we are turning upside down the model, placed in position so the next weaving (second side) to occur.

When the model is dry completely, which means cured and so strong enough, our model

prototype is ready for assembling.

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Image 236-238 Details, carbon fibre model, prototype A, metal rods and carbon fiber cured with bio resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 239-240 Details, carbon fibre model, prototype A, metal rods and carbon fiber cured with bio resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 241 Robotic fabricaion, wooden scaffold, cotton weaving rope Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Robotics and Technical Studies

Digital Fabrication References Segments Tool | Nozzle Design Toolpath Generation Robotic Tests Arduino 135

DIGITAL FABRICATION REFERENCES

The technological achievements are entering our lives to stay, and the building industry and design have to follow this norm. The robotic implementations on those territories are almost crucial, so by this we decided to use the ABB robotic arm, programed by us and design (the nozzle tool) by the team members for the weaving element of our product. Referencing was almost there to get some influence, so learn and to update that aspect of research with our results.

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Iaac Blowing Fibres

Image 242 IAAC Machinic Conversations II Source: http://www.iaacblog.com

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ITKE pavilions Grapping Fibres

Image 243 ICD Research pavillion 2014,ITKE Source: http://www.itke.uni-stuttgart.de

“The project presents a novel approach to fibre-composite structures in architecture,” explained ICD researcher and team member Marshall Prado. “It is based on the development of a robotic fabrication process for modular, double layered fibre composite structures, which reduces the required formwork to a minimum while maintaining a large degree of geometric freedom. This enabled the transfer of functional principles of natural lightweight systems to architectural structures,” he said. The result is a double-domed pavilion with web-like walls and ceilings. It covers an area of 50 square metres, but weighs just 593 kilograms.

“It offers not only a unique architectural expression and spatial experience, it is also extremely lightweight and resource efficient,” said Prado.

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MIT Spider weaving

Image 244 MIT - robotic arm weaving spider web Source: http://phys.org

A research project at the MIT Media Lab is weaving a cocoon-like structure by mimicry spiders web formation, but using strings and surrounding’s information. Eventually it will be autonomous by reading with sensors where the hooks or anchoring points are.

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SEGMENTS

The limitations of the robotic arm lead us, unfortunately to work with the segment logic. We need to separate (dimensionally) the prototype and apply the weaving code piece by piece. The duplication of some leading points is crucial for anchoring and assembling the prototype itself at the end of the process. In this section we are presenting the first step of this type of fabrication trying to assemble the resulting components together as a continues system.

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Image 245 Diagram of weaving robot Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 246 Wooden panels with metal rods, weaving patterns, application of resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 247-248 Dissasembling the panels pilling the elements, fabrication process Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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TOOL | NOZZLE DESIGN

Multiple attempts have been made for this design and prototyping as well, getting inspiration hands on, by failing.Designed during the process of prototyping, the nozzle design has changed gradu-ally into an optimized and simpler tool.

The first design incorporated the spool inside the head, but that considerably increased its size and lack of precision. This would limit our robotic arm to use its full capabilities.

The second design took out the spool and focused in simplify to the maximum the components, so we 3d printed in one piece the tool. This second approach takes into consideration just a nor-mal weaving technic, but as we are interested in controlling the tension while the robot is weav-ing, we need to increase the complexity of the tool.

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Image 249 Robotic fabrication with tool noozle, assembled to abb robotic arm Source: Fibro.City Personal File

We introduced a motor, which could allow us to throw fibre or to drag for adding tention.

Those elements have been design to incorporate also a resin bucket, in order to apply it with the most effective way, just before the weaving.

Finally the element that we used more, was the most simple one, since the tension could be con-trolled by the weaving speed. The research however exists and the tool is ready for use.

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Case Study for Tool A MDF connector Spool Metalic separators MDF connector Resin container Metalic separators MDF connector Weaving plastic pipe

Image 249 3D printing with MakerkBot, nozzle for weaving, prototype A Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Weaving plastic pipe

Resin space

Spool space

Case Study for Tool B

ABB Fibre trajectory

Fibre trajectory

Optional extention 3D printed Holder Aluminium pipe 10mm diam.

Image 250 Designing possible solutions for weaving noozles prototype B Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Plastic pipe 3mm diam.

Robot Connection

18cm 15cm

15mm

Case Study for Tool C Spool [500m.]

Resin container

Robot connector

3D printed Pipe Plastic flexible pipe 3mm diam.

Image 251 Designing possible solutions for weaving noozles prototype C Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Fibres in tension TOOL

Case Study for Tool D Spool [500m]

Fibre trajectory Resin container Tobot attachment ServoMotor Dented Weels

Stepper Motor

Weaving Tip 18cm.

Image 252 Designing possible solutions for weaving noozles prototype D Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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TOOLPATH GENERATION

The tool has the dimensions that we managed to get at the given time, and the materials that we could obtain. We need to take into consideration the restrictions that might arise during the weaving and additionally the human- machine mistake. The best way to do so, is to develop two strategies. One is to create a tolerance system of safety distances during the weaving. The second one is to develop a scripting that can detect possible collisions (a) with the boards/scaffold, (b) with the sticks, and (c) with the already weaved segments.

The toolpath is being generated with the rules of reading information, agent (robotic) intelligence (pre-set rules) and randomness.

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Image 253 Toolpath visualization Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 254 Toolpath visualization, increasing tolerance, regular grid, rhino and grashopper scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 255 Toolpath visualization, incrizing tolerance, irregular grid, rhino and grashopper scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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ROBOTIC TESTS

After several initial experiments with the robot we have become to be more aware not only of the possibilities but limitations of the robot as well. Deep understanding of the way how robot works, what is the range of working area and the most difficult at the beginning how to optimal-ly use all of the robot’s axes are our points to fabricate our model in the most efficient way. Ac-cording directly to the project in relation with the property of the material we are working with there are few issues in the matter of the set up. First of all is the material which in this project will be carbon fibre. The next part is specific behaviour of the material we are going to play with to get the essence of specific material behaviour in the certain conditions and apply them to the final prototype. Because of specific properties of our material there will be necessary to design some kind of scaffolding where the fibres could be attached to. The last part will be the tool which will be using to strip or extrude material on the scaffold.

Material, scaffold, fashion of placing material on the position and tool which we are using have crucial impact on the final result of fabrication process and what is even more fascinating: all of that factors can improve the final result only by being developed and adjusted to the robot con-tinuously and independently. The material can be placed on the position with the tension or by using the loose effect, the self-organization. The scaffold partially can be considered as tempo-rary and supporting structure, and partially as part of the system, defining and underling the final result.

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Image 256 Robotic tests, sequencial weaving Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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1st TEST Vertical Weaving

Image 257-261 Robotic tests, sequencial vertical weaving, diagram of scaffold Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The first robotic weaving with a relatively robust scaffold exclusively form wood. Checking the limitations of the robotic arm movements and axis. Parallel weaving laer by layer and creation of cross connections.

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2nd TEST Horizontal Weaving

Image 262-267 Robotic tests, sequencial orizontal weaving, layer weaving and cross connections weaving, details of fabrication Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Horizontal weaving, bigger connectivity possibilities, and testing layer by layer, cross connection and later loose fibres and self-organization. During the tests the tool of the weaving is changing in order to obtain better results giving feed back to the process.

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3rd TEST Bending Boards

Image 268-273 Robotic tests, sequencial orizontal weaving, bending board weaving and cross connections weaving, tool Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Testing the possibility of using multiply axis of the robot in a bended scaffold. Diverse orienta-tions produce intricate and interesting patterns providing a different perspective on the model itself. Arduino is being used for the first time to extrude some loose fibres in self-organization 156

4th TEST Resin Application

Image 274-277 Robotic tests, sequencial orizontal weaving, flat board weaving instant application of resin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Horizontal weaving, bigger connectivity possibilities, and testing layer by layer, cross connection and later loose fibres and self-organization. During the tests the tool of the weaving is changing in order to obtain better results giving feed back to the process.

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Fabrication Testing Boards and Double Side Weaving Result

Image 312 Fabrication of a column, metal rods and carbon fibre cured with bioresin, total model dimensions h90, w50, d30 Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 313-314 Fabrication of a column, metal rods and carbon fibre cured with bioresin, side views, total model dimensions h90, w50, d30 Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Model of double weaving phase. Pattens implementation. Result coming completetly out of computational means. Softimage, processing and rhino- grasshopper plus Hal components have been used. The dimensions of the product are 90 * 50 * 30 centimetres.

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Image 315-317 Details of fabrication of a column, metal rods and carbon fibre cured with bioresin, paterns and configurations Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Details of the prototype photographed after getting cured with bio-resin. The idea is to obtain different patterns based on different reasons to underline the design prinsiples. In this case the sticks are shown parallel to each other but in future tests we will introduce different inclinations according to the robotic arm possibilities

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Image 318-320 Carbon fibre cured with bioresin, double side weaving Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Testing the posibility of gridal weaving. We tried in this case not to keep the normality of the grid. the implementation of this typology can work as bridging element in the system.

Here we have used double side weaving and we are getting feedback for the fabrication process, as long as for the simulation part of the project process.

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ARDUINO | LOOSE FIBRES

Learning from the behaviour of carbon fibres, we noticed that in order to increase the number of cross connections between fibres, we could apply loose fibres into the system by allow them to self- accommodate using only gravity, their own weight and by touching other fibres. In this case, the resin must be applied prior the deposition of the material to increase the weight and to stick to each other. For the application of these loose fibres we used Arduino to control the stepper motor that would push the fibres down at different speeds. Those speeds are related with the tool path so we could control the amount of deposited fibres according to the distance travelled by the robot. For practical reasons, we needed to keep the same tool as we apply fibres in tension or loose fibres, so it was necessary to add a second motor to release the fibres when we needed. The principal disadvantage of this method is that the resin makes the fibres difficult to manipulate as they become highly sticky, and furthermore, the time to apply the resin before getting hard is less than 20 minutes. After that moment all the components that touch the resin become useless.

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Image 278 Arduino base and chips for electronics control in a transparent case Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Idea Why to use Arduino?

Image 279-282 Wooden boards and loose fibre application with bioresin, result Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The fibres work collectively and at the places that we see cross connections the strength of the structure is increasing. We desided to proceed to some tests manually on to see how carbon fibres with resin on them could interact with the system and the self-organization principles that they follow. It is not yet clear in that phase if there would be used this typology, but the investigation is helping on the understanding of behaviours.

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Image 282-86 Details of fabrication,wooden boards and loose fibre application with bioresin Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Loose Fibre Weaving Experiments

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Image 287-290 Details of fabrication,wooden boards and loose cotton fibres Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 291-293 Details of fabrication,wooden boards and loose cotton fibres Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 293-294 Fabrication,wooden scafold and loose cotton fibres with blown fibres on top, increasing resolution Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 295-296 Fabrication,wooden scafold and loose cotton, increasing resolutionion Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The

combination

of

wooden

scaffolding

fibres

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tension and in self-organization mode. By this we aim to increase the resolution in the fabric, producing the detailed pieces and researching the possibilities.

In the case of this project we have tried to blow fibres on the top of the former structurs as a post production effect .

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Arduino Electronics

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Image 297-302 Electronic elements, cables, motors, big easy board,arduino board Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 303-304 Last and first arduino board and electronics configuration Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The Arduino test investigates the self-organization with or without resin on the carbon fibres. Electronics control the speed and the amount of the ‘extrusion’ of the fibres. We want in those cases to see the actual interaction among the scaffold, the sticks, loose fibres and fibres in tension.

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5th TEST Arduino for Loose Fibers

Image 305-3011 Fabrication tests, using arduino to create loose fibres self organization, details, tool Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 321 Rendered detail in weaved element, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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MICRO_PAVILION PROJECT

Design Approach - Investigation Architectural Proposal - Implementation

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DESIGN APPROACH

The design and the fabrication of a project that embeds the learning material of the year seamed as a challenge for us. Take it from the beginning, designing the overall shape, the locking point formations, implementing calculations for structural purposes, analysing elements for the weaving, and getting information from the environment, ending with the fabrication and the presentation of the prior to production to the final product prototype process could only be a challenge for us.

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Image 322 Rended micropavilion design - investigation of shapes and behaviours Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Case study No1 No. 250 interacting agetns FrameCount 02 for releasing construction particles

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Particles Formation

Agent Flocking Traces

Density of Particles

Deformation of Spring System

Image 323-326 Information of the modeled system displayed by color Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 327 Rended formation of element Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Case study No2 No. 1000 interacting agetns FrameCount 02 for releasing construction particles

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Particles Formation

Agent Flocking Traces

Density of Particles

Deformation of Spring System

Image 328-331 Information of the modeled system displayed by color Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 332 Rended formation of element Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Case study No3 No. 2500 interacting agetns FrameCount 04- 06 for releasing construction particles

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Particles Formation

Agent Flocking Traces

Density of Particles

Deformation of Spring System

Image 333-336 Information of the modeled system displayed by color Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 337 Rended formation of element Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Case study No4 No. 1500 interacting agetns FrameCount 04- 06 for releasing construction particles

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Particles Formation

Agent Flocking Traces

Density of Particles

Deformation of Spring System

Image 338-341 Information of the modeled system displayed by color Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Image 342 Rended formation of element Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Render sequence

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The investigation of this case is based in the time of the simulation running and the relations of the elements that take part in this systematic process. In this case there are presented and searched factors such us neighbouring conditions, application of internal Sequence of neighbouring conditions

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Sequence of application of internal forces

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Sequence of produced sticks for fabrication

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Image 343-346 Formation of elements, dome shapes, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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forces, and possible stick formations in a frame sequence. Each of these data might seem separate, but they are interlocked and connected for the weaving rules. This data consist important information for the robotic weaver to read and use them respectively.

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Case study Dome shapes Intricate results by altering parametres

Image 347-350 Investigating dome formations, rendered type in sequences Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Multiple tests and simulation with softimage software have been running throughout the year, and diverse results appear after the implementation of the rules. The ability to control the behaviour and as a consequence the formation of the shapes and patterns is the key factor to develop a progressive sequence for the product.

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Case study Renderings Multiple codings for inticate results

Point formation on render

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Point formation

Image 351-352 Investigating column formations, reconginzing densities Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Agent trajectories

Rendering formations and relations from the progress of the investigation. Patterns, relations information, and time variations produce diverse results. From those the project keeps the parts that are more interesting to create catalogues of behaviours.

Image 353-354 Investigating dome formations, render Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Case study Renderings Multiple codings for inticate results

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Image 355-357 Investigating column formations, patterns and densities Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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The simulation try to focus on structural elements with a degree of enclosure. Column shapes and dome structures are being produces in order to create hostility factors for the fibrous invader. The scale is getting bigger and so on the detail of the simulated prototypes is getting more intricate. Spatial arrangements through fibrous environments on architectural scale, nothing but fascinating can be.

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Image 355 Investigating dome formations, patterns and densities Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 357 Investigating dome formations, patterns and densities Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 358-363 Investigating patterns and densities, details Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 364-369 Investigating patterns and densities, details Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The details of the zooming in in the models provide the project itself with surprizing elements. Densities and types of connections that are going beyond the imagination. Formations that remind biological fabrics re- simulated, decomposed and rearranged in another scale into a specific context. The problematic that arise is how this patterns and designs could be fabricate-able, and become alive on architectural scale.

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Image 370-375 Investigating patterns and densities, dome like shapes Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 376 Dome shape, micropavilion investigation, spacial arrangements Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Formation along the research route of the year, connectivity rules produce diverse fabrics that are calling to be investigated in more depth. Would those be just a piece of art on a wall, or could the recent research make them real products? The shapes are being produced by softimage and Ice compounds. For getting those alterations we use and implement variables that are allowed to be changed.

Cohesion forces, separation principles, and alignment on the process is what makes the difference. Additionally, what is altering are the values of the connecting springs. The rest length of them has the ability to alternate, concerning the amount off resin that is possible to keep on it. Even, diversion on the visual effect of the product is being produced due to the weaving multiplication that might occur and is relative to the process of the simulations and its inner results. Everything is interlocked.

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Image 377-379 Details od connections, patterns, configurations on the texture of the architecturl fabric Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 380-385 Different formationd of column designs Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Columnous shapes presented as rendered elements and are getting evaluation

for

future

reference.

Ripping

out

the

fabric,

creating special arrangements. Having vein types formations and configurations introduce a whole new world of formations not only for simulation and imaginary research but for real prototyping.

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Image 386-390 Different formationd of column designs Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 391-393 Different formationd of micropavilion designs Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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ARCHITECTURAL PROPOSAL

The target at this stage is to land down on earth the formations that we are getting and to take the design to fabrication through a continuous process. The aim is to design a column shape as a micro-pavilion. The enclosing space is going to give another perspective and a more total understanding to the visitor and to us. Fibrous spaces as an industrial fabrication process, including evaluations, reconfigurations from design to fabrication and vice versa. The simplifications that are about to be made to enhance the ability of fabrication is not making the project to lack in detail, but the contrary is happening. The diversity in densities and patterns is being underlined. This chapter is explaining step by step the process of design to fabrication.

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Image 394 Detail, architectural weaving proposal Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Locking Points Formation

STEP ONE

Image 395 Agent trajectories Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The first step is to generate the agent flocking conditions which read the environment and intercact with that. This is the pre process for the locking points generation. Out of simulations with agents, we extract the points that we need.

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STEP TWO

Image 396 Particle concentration Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The trajectories of the agents give to the particle (locking points) their initial position. Out of forces among the particles this time, their positions change, they collide and start to give a character to the system.

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STEP TWO - CALCULATING DEFORMATION OF THE SYSTEM

Image 397 Defornation of spring system Source: Fibro.City Personal File

When the system comes to a relative equilibrium state, there are scripts that are generating evaluation processes and provide to the system information for the weaving robotic agent. In case A those information are related to the deformation of the system (see optimization chapter). The colors on the graphs are demonstrating more or less crucial parts of the structure.

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SHOWING THE NEIGHBOURING CONNECTIONS OF THE SYSTEM-STEP TWO

Image 398 Neighbouring connections Source: Fibro.City Personal File

In case B the system is making calculations concerning its neighbouring conditions and so to the interaction data that has among their closest elements. The total data from those too aspects define following steps that will be explained later.

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STEP THREE - DEFINITION OF PROJECTING PANELS - CONNECTION TO FABRICATION

Image 399 Panels of fabrication, geometrisized model Source: Fibro.City Personal File

The third process includes a rough generation of a shape which will be used as a design boards for fabrication. The outer particles that have been frozen to position are being translated to a complex geometry which is getting simplified by specific scripts led by the team members.

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STEP THREE - DEFINITION OF THE STICK POINTS OF THE SYSTEM - CONNECTION TO FABRICATION

Image 400 Generation of sticks for fabrication Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Those boards are going to be used in real scale during the fabrication. On those polygonized surfaces there has to be mapped and placed the sticks that will be the metal rods of the fabrication. So the locking points are being simplified due to fabrication rules, and create the scaffold of the total process 221

Density of connections sequence

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Sticks formation sequence

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Neighbouring condintions sequence

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Boards

The total assembling of the project is shown at the diagram. The whole system is cut out in 24 pieces, and is being laser cut in smaller triangles, which are assembled together. They have marks for stick positions and heights. The sticks are placed manually in positions on the well stitched boards. The element is ready for fabrication, ready for weaving.

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Segment

Material

Connetors to other segments

Component System

Spatial Layout

Robot Setup

Image 401 Scematic of the fabrication method Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Scematic of the fabrication method

Division of components 230

Image 402 Division of Boards Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Structural continuity Image 403 Structural continuity Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Weaving Agent

The weaving agent is running in a collective way, but piece by piece. We are getting with that way 24 tool paths that are going to be split in two and will be run by the robot on the boards. So 48 tool paths for the generation of a 3meters high micro- pavilion. Rules and data are being imported on the coding that we are using through processing scripting manners to generate intricate, but resilient results, which create a completeness. The detail that will be reached is up to the designer – scripter that sets the rules, but at the fabrication tolerance that the system accepts.

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Image 404 Weaaving pattern Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Sticks shorter than 20cm.

Initial position of Weaving Agent

Sticks longer than 20cm.

All possible connections

Next Point Selected

Current Position

DETAIL OF SEQUENCE SELECTION

12 Neighbours as possible connection.

[Pattern changes allowing more crossing connections]

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Image 405-409 Weaaving patterns, lateral view, frond view and detail Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 410-415 Weaving formations, segmantal approach for fabrication Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Visualization details

Image 416 Details, weaving patterns and intricacy Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Rendering the results of the intricacy, the details and the diversities. We are able to see underlined the permeability factors that we have mentioned, and moreover the structural abilities that the veins of this structure is creating throughout continuity.

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Image 417 Details, weaving patterns and intricacy Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 418 Details, weaving patterns and intricacy Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 418 Details, weaving patterns and intricacy, scaling up the model Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Visualization Overall formation

The visualization of the total prototype is important to have an initial idea on how this metal rods and cured carbon fibres are going to look. The renders are expressing the continuous materiality and are demonstrating the architectural fabric and the architectural language that is being introduced through this process.

Image 419-421 Column prototype for fabrication, simulated aspect, softimage scripting code Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Visualization of the prototype for fabrication

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Fabrication Process Robotic Weaving

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Patterns and dis -assempling the module The chapter is engaging with the process of fabrication. It is showing the use of the ABB robotic arm on action.

The fabrication system is divided in three stages: 1- Boards Fabrication 2- Robotic Weaving 3- Assemblage of segments 1-

The design needs to be split into segments according the robotic con-

straints of size and range of access. Specific sticks are selected to create joints between segments. Using grasshopper we get the real magnitude of each board with all the positions of the sticks to laser cut them in MDF. All the

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sticks are then screwed on each board according to the information from simulation.

2-

The weaving process needs to be done

in two parts. One side of the board is weaved first to then wait for the resin chemical reaction takes effect on the carbon fibres. After they are hard and dry, we remove the boards, which were keeping the sticks in position. Now the sticks are being kept where they should thanks to the fibres, and the second side weaving can be done.

3-

Finally, once the segments are fin-

ished, we start to assemblage them using the connector sticks previously defined. In these areas, a mechanic joint made of metal is used to place the segments together. the simulations. Each model consist from 50 -25 sticks and has a rough spanning of 80* 60 related to the robotic tolerances.

We obtain diverse densities and formations and patterns due to the position of the 253

Fabrication Individual modules

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Image 430-435 Result of the cured with bioresin first prototype Source: Fibro.City Personal File

sticks themselves, during to the data that the weaver is reading, and due to the bending surfaces.

The results are intricate, and surprisingly similar to the results that are obtained from the simulations. Each model consist from 50 -25 sticks and has a rough spanning of 80* 60 related to the robotic tolerances. We obtain diverse densities and formations and patterns due to the position of the sticks themselves, during to the data that the weaver is reading,

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Fabrication Individual modules- details

Image 436-442 Detailed results of the cured with bioresin first prototype Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 443 Design project detail Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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DESIGN PROJECT

Context Project

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Context Design Investigation

Assembling the architectural scale on the model in a more global surrounding. We aim to the rough design proposal of a museum type building. Using the knowledge of the previously investigated territories we are obtaining familiar fabrics which combined produce intricate results and tive special arrangements.

Image 444 Investigation of project design Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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innova-

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Image 445 Investigation of project design Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Project Design Final Visualization

Image 446 Project design views, multiagent systems and springs Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Beginning: to investigate multiple resolutions by introducing a new language of design in the architecture world. A fibre is a string used as a component for composite materials as we know it. This complex materiality, in our case is being translated into resoluucing a new language of design in the architecture world. A fibre is a string used as a component for composite materials as we know it. This complex materiality, in our case is being translated into resolution in two directions.Primarily, by creating variations of densities of the same fibre quality, multiplication of the material amount, more or less strings as the algorithm calcu language of design in the architecture world. A

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Image 449-453 Project design views and details, multiagent systems and springs Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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Image 454 Museum Design Source: Fibro.City Personal File

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APPENDIX

Programs Used Coding Examples

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Programs

PROCESSING

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ADOBE CREATIVE SUITE

We

have

Autodesk

products

Softimage

XSI 2014, Ice trees embed, and Maya 3d Animation for modelling for simulations and modelling respectively. Rhinoceros and Grasshopper for prior to fabrication processes,

Rhinoceros

and

HAL

for

controlling the robotic arm, along with Arduino for the control of the motor speeds. Processing for the weaving agent.

Adobe suite for editing the images and managing presentations. We thank Easycomposites

and

NEWWAVE

London

Company

for their help and support

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Coding Examples Processing

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Coding Examples Softimage Design

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Coding Examples Softimage Fabrication

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Coding Examples Grasshoper

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Coding Examples Robotics

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Image 455-459 Robotic prototyping and final presentation, Fibro.City Team Source: Fibro.City Personal File

Contact information Students

Aikaterini Papadimitriou Esteban Castro Chacon Marcin Komar Yilin Yao

- aikapapad@gmail.com - castro@aarcano.com - marcin_komar1@wp.pl - yilinyaoyao@gmail.com

Tutors Alisa Andrasek Daghan Cam

- aa@biothing.org - info@daghancam.com

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MArch Graduate Architectural Design - RC1 FIBROCITY Project The Bartlett 2013-2014 UCL 284