A(BouT) Building Technologyperiodical for the Building Technologist
featuring Derksen|Windt Architecten, Anna Maria Koniari; Ir. Daniella Hesterman-Naous; Ir. Pavan Kumar Sathyamurthy; Panos Sakkas & Foteini Setaki (The New Raw)
BT Spotlight featuring MEGA and EXTREME Studios
Cover page
30TH LUSTRUM SPECIAL
The cover image features a collage of past RuMoer issues to celebrate the history of the magazine’s publication.
It captures moments in time across the 30 years since RuMoer’s beginning, reflecting the magazine’s evolution in highlighting creative advancements and innovations in the built environment.
From aesthetic architecture to ground-breaking designs, this collage pays homage to an extensive legacy while demonstrating the magazine’s enduring influence and connection with its readers.
Praktijkvereniging BouT
RUMOER 87 - 30th ANNIVERSARY LUSTRUM SPECIAL
2nd Quarter 2025 30th year of publication
RuMoer
RuMoer is the primary publication of the student and practice association for Building Technology ‘Praktijkvereniging BouT’ at the TU Delft Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment. BouT is an organisation run by students and focused on bringing students in contact with the latest developments in the field of Building Technology and with related companies.
Every edition is covering one topic related to Building technology. Different perspectives are shown while focussing on academic and graduation topics, companies, projects and interviews.
With '30th Anniversary Lustrum Special', we are publishing our 87th edition.
The Rumoer Committee is open to all students. Are you a creative student that is eager to learn about the latest achievements of TU Delft and Building Technology industry?
Come join us at our weekly meeting or email us at rumoer@praktijkverenigingbout.nl
Circulation
The RuMoer appears 3 times a year, with more than 150 printed copies and digital copies made available to members through online distribution.
Membership
Amounts per academic year (subject to change):
€ 15,- Students
€ 30,- PhD Students and alumni
€ 30,- Academic Staff
Single copies
Available at Bouw Shop (BK) for :
€ 5,- Students
€10,- Academic Staff , PhD Students and alumni
Sponsors
Praktijkvereniging BouT is looking for sponsors. Sponsors make activities possible such as study trips, symposia, case studies, advertisements on RuMoer, lectures and much more.
For more info contact BouT: info@praktijkverenigingbout.nl
If you are interested in BouT's sponsor packages, send an e-mail to: finances@praktijkverenigingBouT.nl
Disclamer
The editors do not take any responsibility for the photos and texts that are displayed in the magazine. Images may not be used in other media without permission of the original owner. The editors reserve the right to shorten or refuse publication without prior notification.
16
Derksen | Windt Architecten
-David Windt, Jeroen Derksen
Company Article
Just Glass
-Anna Maria Koniari, AiDAPT Lab, TU Delft
Academic Article
Bridging Vision and Reality
24
32
-Ir. Daniella HestermanNaous
Façade Engineer
Project Article
Truss-to-GO
-Pavan Kumar Sathyamurthy
Graduate Article
42 The New Raw
-Panos Sakkas, Foteini Setaki
Company Article
Biophilic Design in High-Rise Architecture
50
-Xiaochen Ding
MEGA Studio
BT Spotlight Article
56
Project UniCity -Cansu Ersoy, Laila Saleh MEGA Studio
BT Spotlight Article
62 The RED Line -Mauritz von Kardorff MEGA Studio
BT Spotlight Article
68 The Rule of Three -Berk Adsan
EXTREME Studio
BT Spotlight Article
74
V Roof House -Sanguk Ryu
EXTREME Studio
BT Spotlight Article
TATA Steel Factory Visit
82
-Janvi Dedhia, Daan Schlosser
Study Trips, BouT
86 Event Calendar -BouT
EDITORIAL
30th Anniversary Lustrum Special
For three decades, BouT has been more than a student association—it has been a launchpad for visionaries in Building Technology. As we celebrate 30 years of BouT and Rumoer, with our 87th edition, we reflect on the incredible journeys of our alumni, whose work continues to shape the built environment and inspire future generations.
Yet, some argue that building technology struggles to break industry barriers, citing budget constraints, regulations, and slow adoption. They claim research rarely translates into real-world application.
Our alumni prove otherwise. Derksen, Windt Architecten integrate circular, demountable, and nature-inclusive design, redefining daylight-filled spaces. Façade engineer Ir. Daniella transforms complex façade concepts into reality through detailing. The New Raw pushes sustainability forward with cutting-edge additive manufacturing. Meanwhile, Anna Maria Koniari and Pavan Kumar Sathyamurthy mark new beginnings with their remarkable graduation projects. Once experimental, these ideas now set industry standards. Yes, challenges exist, but progress demands persistence and vision.
As we mark this milestone, we challenge the next generation: What will you create? What legacy will you leave?
With this edition, I also warmly welcome the new Rumoer committee members. We are grateful to our alumni for their collaboration and look forward to many more inspiring contributions in the future. Curating this issue has been a privilege, showcasing the brilliant work of TU Delft’s Building Technology community. Let this edition honor the past and ignite the future—because if the past 30 years have taught us anything, the best is yet to come.
We hope you enjoy this edition!
Swornava Guha Editor-in-chief
| Rumoer 2024-2025
Rumoer committee 2024-2025
Minoo Finn Laila
Ziyue Swornava
Olivia Purvi Sinan
DERKSEN | WINDT ARCHITECTEN
Two alumni architects of BT and former board members of BouT
David Windt & Jeroen Derksen
Arch. MSc | TU Delft - Founders of derksen|windt architecten
David Windt and Jeroen Derksen, founders of derksen|windt architecten, are renowned for blending architecture with building technology. During their studies at TU Delft, they pursued a dual master track to deepen their expertise in constructional engineering, materials, and detailing. Beyond academics, they joined BouT’s board, playing a crucial role in reviving the association during a challenging period. Their efforts, including organizing a study trip to Japan, helped restore BouT’s vibrancy. In this RuMoer edition, they reflect on their journey and showcase projects that emphasize sustainable design, material innovation, and creating spaces focused on human experience.
During our studies, towards the end of the bachelor's program, we both really loved architecture, it became clear to of us that this is what we wanted to do after our studies. But we also felt that we understood far too little about how to realize something, in terms of constructional engineering, detailing, materials and assembling. And then not just placing a frame in a wall, but also the research and innovation side, about what could be possible with materials. We wanted to dive in to how spaces and buildings are designed and shaped in terms of structure, constructive elements, facade materials. To look into what possibilities there are for those materials with which you shape the spaces. That's when the master track building technology came on our path. It even turned out there was a possibility for a program with two combined master tracks, architecture and building technology, perfect for us.
We also wanted to do more and be even more involved with the university, and that brought us to two board terms of practice association BouT. At that time, in 2005, the practice association was unfortunately almost gone. There were only a few members involved, RuMoer was published occasionally, and the board could not find any successors. With a lot of help and energy from the secretariat of Building Technology, and with a lot of help, passion and energy from several other (board) members who joined in those years, we succeeded, partly through some fantastic excursions, in getting BouT completely alive and vibrant. For us, that period ended with a study trip to Japan, which was an absolute highlight. And that is also a nice way to conclude this first part, because it was the dream architecture country for both of us, with so much attention and love for materials in buildings, for detailing,
and for the profession of building. A real architecture and building technology country.
Creating the firm and its vision
After a joint graduation project, we decided to start our own architectural firm, derksen|windt architects. In the first few months, in addition to a day a week of work previous internship firms, we mainly tried to get our vision sharp and to go to everyone we knew in the world of construction with our portfolio consisting of study plans. We actually just started, almost without income, without assignments, but with a lot of passion and belief.
In addition to the visits and seeing if people could do something for us, we wrote a concise business plan, and our website went online with our vision texts. Already during our graduation in 2008, our vision largely revolved around the experience of spaces, and that designs should revolve around the experience of spaces and transitions between spaces, both inside and outside, with the user being the central point. The latter is now almost a 'weak' or ‘commercial’ text, but that shows how the world changes in 10 to 15 years. At the time, we received our first assignments from private individuals who were charmed by that text.
In those years it turned out that for us, designing from that experience, always had to do a lot with daylight. Daylight shapes ‘our’ spaces and daylight can create fantastic effects and experiences. The play between light and view from the perspective of the user became an important part of that vision in our projects. The basis of our vision has remained through the years and has only been strengthened.
What is interesting to mention, the second piece of text non that same first website was about materialization, starting with a great quote: ‘Architecture is the materialization of higher ideals’ written by the architect Friedrich Gilly. After that we wrote: ‘We have (...) explained our ideals (...) but to really put these ideals into practice, those ideals must be taken from an idea to something that can actually be built. It must be materialized. Smart, beautifully detailed and integrated solutions for technical challenges.’ And such a text is also, described somewhat differently, still on the website. We still believe in in ‘the materialization of the ideas’, and detailing is still a passion of ours.
The convergence of ARCH and BT
For this edition of RuMoer we were asked to write about our graduation, about the origin of derksen|windt architects, about our vision, and to illustrate our vision with a few example projects.
We like to show these two following projects. First, a recent project that has received a lot of attention, and it also fits perfectly with today's issues: nature inclusive, circular, even demountable in terms of detailing. And second a project that is less obvious in terms of material (concrete and translucent panels), but does show the constructional love, and the search for possibilities.
Fig. 2: Study trip to Japan, BouT board and members, 2007
Fig. 4: First house with innovative CLT cantilevered angled roof (2010)
Fig. 3: First house with innovative CLT cantilevered angled roof (2010)
Project 1: Renovation and expansion of primary school
This school in Heemstede was eligible for demolition and a new building based on a housing plan from the municipality. In response, together with school management, we created a plan for a renovation. A design that supports and strengthens the educational vision, preserves the typical hall school in its strength, and adds a lot of spatial quality. The renovation was completed within a summer holiday and at a fraction of the cost of a new build. The roof of the covered courtyard was removed and a new two-storey wooden volume was placed there as a core of the building. Due to the special roof structure and by only filling in half a floor, there
is an abundance of light and space inside. The teachers' room, boardroom and various smaller teaching spaces are positioned on the first floor. Downstairs, a classroom, flexible spaces, a stage, and a central staircase form a new hall at the heart of the school. The extension features visible laminated wooden construction inside, with timber-framed walls finished in light pine between the columns. A diffuse light enters through the skylights, which gives a very warm and peaceful atmosphere and from the outside the beautiful shed shape has a connection with the original roof on the classrooms. With the vertical wooden facade cladding it is a modest and at the same time striking extension.
The future of architecture and building technology
The last question was to give our vision on the future of our firm or the profession. We want to answer this a little different, by discussing the usefulness and necessity of architecture and building technology.
As far as we are concerned, an architect creates a space to work, entertain, learn and live. Basically, this can be done in a sheltered space, a box, perhaps with some heating and electricity. But it turns out that the quality of life improves enormous when these are, next to the box-functions, also good, healthy, beautiful, spacious spaces filled with daylight and fresh air. We should not see this quality as a kind of luxury product. Unfortunately, with the current madness on the housing market, a maximum will be paid, even for minimum quality. Which unfortunately results in developers building minimum quality because it sells anyway, in many places they literally realize a heated box. We believe that more should be asked, should be demanded. Because these buildings will be there for a long time.
And next to the problems of those boxes themselves, we should think about the space to meet each other. Nothing happens around these stacked boxes, realizing some extra shared space, even in the hallway, has no profit for the developer. And this happens in a society where loneliness is becoming an increasing problem. TU Delft could also be a bit more ambitious in this regard, look at where the mainly foreign students in the TU district now live?
Architecture and design of both outdoor and indoor spaces are very important for people's well-being. You can use this to stage social interactions, create spaces that flow from one to the other, and from inside to outside, it has a major
influence on well-being. It can be the step from working and coming home and then being able to sit at home sheltered (the basis) to a street or square with opportunities for meeting, in a safe (green) setting. It is ensuring that after coming home there is a place to relax, or where people can develop, where there is contact with the outside, with light, and where there is sufficient space to move. That is design, that is the essential thing about architecture and making architecture and therefor about building technology. Research into what is possible in terms of sustainability, (innovative) use of materials, building for the future, realizing more construction quality than the minimum requirements of a building code, the progress that still needs to be made, etc. In the coming years and decades, we must ensure that we realize high-quality buildings that can do what they are supposed to do for a long time, and more.
Project 2: An alternative to the Dutch terraced house
For the new built of this corner-house we made a design that is a series of ever-changing spaces. We tried to create a house within the typical volume and outside form of two floors and an attic, but with a surprising spatial quality on the inside, that one normally only sees in a villa or museum. The zones are connected as openly as possible, from kitchen to basement and living room, and from entrance to attic. The transitions between zones are tangible through differences in height, positions of windows, view to the outside and changing from light to robust material. This has led to a house with staggered floors, wrapped in a facade and all that within that characteristic building envelope.
The facade is a beautiful clean-concrete facade. A stonelike material was a requirement from the municipality, something that normally results in brick. But this is where our love for Japanese (and Swiss) architecture provided the inspiration for concrete facades. They give a feeling of texture, of refinement, you want to touch the facade, as it were. The house has a ground heat exchanger, integrated solar panels as roof cover, and all this within a very well insulated shell. The weight of the facade is compensated by innovative light weight wooden floors. This created a robust and maintenance-free house for the future, sustainable where possible.
"derksen|windt architecten is our creative and distinctive architectural ranging from school to housing block, and from villa to hotel. We are the centre of every project, from start of construction to completion. That involvement characterizes us.
With every assignment we aim to create spatial quality that is tangible for everyone. We want to design inspiring, usable and beautiful spaces, inside and outside, with a lot of attention to the transitions
Jeroen Derksen derksen|windt architecten
between them. We achieve this by using materials purely, in an innovative way and in their strength.
In a derksen|windt design, the love for materials, the play of light and vision and the passion for proportion and scale are visible. All this comes together in the realization of the concept, down to the last detail. For both the design and permitting process, as well as the tendering and construction supervision."
JUST GLASS Development
of a Topology Optimization algorithm for a mass-optimized cast glass component
Anna Maria Koniari
Glass exhibits unique potential as building material, since it offers structural properties comparable to other conventional materials –its Young’s modulus is similar to stainless steel – along with unique aesthetic properties, such as light permeability. Moreover, through casting, transparent or translucent elements of any shape can be designed, escaping the two-dimensionality of float glass panes. This could be exploited for the creation of free-form monolithic loadbearing structures. Such structures would allow for spatial and light continuity while, at the same time, fully exploit the glass properties, such as its great compressive strength - which is higher than that of conventional building materials, including wood, steel, and concrete. However, to achieve this result, inherent challenges, such as the time-demanding annealing process of the glass articles, should be overcome since the repercussions in time, energy and cost render
the structures unfeasible to be manufactured. This stems from the fact that an oven needs to be operating during the whole cooling process of the cast component until the latter reaches room temperature, increasing, therefore, the cost and energy demands. Therefore, till now the structural applications have only been restricted to small glass bricks which can be cooled down in a reasonable amount of time (e.g. Crystal Houses façade).
However, prototypes – mainly related to telescope lens applications - have shown that the total annealing time needed can be diminished with the application of different glass compositions and/or the reduction of the mass through the integration of inner voids in the design of the component. Structural Topology Optimization (TO) offers novel applicability potential in this regard since it allows for efficient material allocation, resulting in reduced mass and, thus, considerably improved manufacturability. However, the absence of adequate mathematical formulations and commercial software impedes the application of realistic TO in such structures. Particularly, annealing constraint needs to be accommodated into the optimization problem, whereas the asymmetric tensile and compressive stress failure criteria that are associated with the brittle nature of glass cannot be captured by uniform stress constraints. The latter are the most frequently used stress constraints in commercial software but are mostly relevant for ductile materials.
The MSc thesis “Just Glass. Development of a Topology Optimization algorithm for a mass-optimized cast glass component” attempted to fill this research gap through building a customized algorithm for the design of large monolithic cast glass structures. The algorithm is based
on a unified topology optimization (TO) formulation, considering both structural and manufacturing limitations related to glass as material and casting as fabrication method. The thesis was developed by Anna Maria Koniari, under the supervision of Dr. Faidra Oikonomopoulou and Dr. Charalampos Andriotis. It was a continuation of previous research held by TU Delft MSc students (Wilfried Damen, Daan Koopman, Iro Maria Stefanaki), who, although showed the large potential for the design of these structures, highlight the large restrictions when using existing software as the tool for it.
The customized code was developed following the penalized artificial density method and solved with the interior-point method. The proposed formulation focused on volume minimization of the glass article, while complying with structural (i.e. compliance, displacement, tensile and compressive stress criteria) and manufacturing constraints. Specifically, the latter refers to the maximum imposed annealing time limit and is formulated according to the maximum length scale approach. To achieve this, the maximum time limit is translated into a maximum cross-sectional dimension constraint. The maximum value of the cross section is defined through considering primarily the maximum dimension that can be annealed in the set time limit based on the respective annealing rate and the glass composition input.
The case study refers to an interior pedestrian bridge, whose demand of tensile strength poses an additional challenge to the optimization problem. Specifically, the overall shape, dimensions and boundary conditions are defined based on the needs of an interior bridge placed in the Great Court at the British museum. The
total slab is divided along the transversal axis into two identical monolithic components, while laminated float glass sheets cover their upper surface to account for redundancy and safety issues. The algorithm optimizes the characteristic two-dimensional cross section of the individual monolithic components without the top glass sheets.(Fig 1.)
Results based on different glass compositions and structural design strategies were extracted to illustrate the practicality and versatility of the implementation. Regarding the glass composition, the most prevailing
two types are applied: borosilicate and soda-lime glass. They share similar mechanical and structural properties, but they have considerably different thermal properties requiring different annealing durations for the same geometry. Particularly, borosilicate glass has significantly lower thermal expansion coefficient, thus cooling down approximately three times faster than soda-lime glass. In all cases, the algorithm converges into robust solutions that comply with all the imposed constraints. Considerably different shapes and volume reduction are achieved based on the glass type and the design strategies applied. Particularly, volume reduction
ranges between 10-49% compared to the optimal fullmaterial cross section, i.e. the thinnest slab ensuring sufficient structural performance. Similarly, annealing time is reduced up to 78% compared to the reference optimal slab, ultimately rendering the structures more feasible to manufacture.
The optimization outcome with fixed supports and borosilicate glass composition achieves the largest volume and annealing time reduction while at the same time performs efficiently regarding structural performance. Therefore, it is selected to be applied to the slab design. (Fig 2.)
To validate the structural performance of the geometry, the planar optimized cross section is translated into a 3-dimensional shape, through its extrusion along the y axis. The contribution of each design part to the total volume is proportional to its contribution to the structural stiffness during the optimization. Upon extraction of the finalized shape, the 3-dimensional geometry is verified structurally using the ANSYS software. (Fig 3.)
Regarding fabrication of the complex glass elements, 3d printed sand molds are suggested to additionally benefit from lower overall cost, higher shape precision and fast fabrication process. Relevant research by TU Delft already showcases the potential and restrictions in this direction. Particularly, a more thorough investigation was held by Menandros Ioannidis during the MSc thesis “Bringing Glass Giants to Life”, which was also presented in Challenging Glass 2024 Conference under the paper: Ioannidis, M., Oikonomopoulou, F., Bristogianni, T., Bilow, M., & Koniari, A. M. (2024). Surface and finishing quality exploration of complex cast glass forms produced on disposable moulds. Glass Structures & Engineering, 1-25.
Overall, ‘Just Glass’ highlights the potential of using Topology Optimization as a practical tool in the early design phase leading to better performing and non-
Initial full cross section before optimization
Variation 1: Point supports with soda-lime glass – 30cm cross section
Variation 2: Point supports with borosilicate glass – 30cm cross section
intuitive architectural solutions. This diminishes the need for post-processing and shortens the design cycle, while pushing the material boundaries to achieve non-conventional applications. The MSc thesis was completed in June 2022 and was presented in CAAD2023 Conference under the paper: Koniari, A. M., Andriotis, C., & Oikonomopoulou, F. (2023, July). Minimum mass cast glass structures under performance and manufacturability constraints. In International Conference on ComputerAided Architectural Design Futures (pp. 437-451). Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland.
Anna Maria Koniari @ AiDAPT Lab, TU Delft
The research is continued by MSc Building Technology students. Recently finished MSc theses that make advancements in the customized TO formation are the ones of Eva Schoenmaker (“Adding a New Dimension to Glass Giants”) and Pim Brueren (“TO3DPGS - The Future Of Glass”). and manufacturability constraints. After the completion of her studies, she worked as a junior researcher in the Faculty of Architecture &The Built Environment (TU Delft), while she was also occupied as a parametric architectural designer in the ArchiTech Company. Currently, her Phd research lies on machine learning applications for optimization of retrofit strategies at scale towards upgrading building’s energy performance.
Anna Maria Koniari is a Phd Candidate in the AiDAPT Lab, TU Delft’s AI Lab for Design, Analysis, and Optimization in Architecture & the Built Environment since October 2023. She holds a master’s degree in Architectural Engineering from National Technical University of Athens (NTUA) and a MSc in Building Technology from TU Delft. During her studies, she focused on computational methods to enhance conventional design processes and, particularly, her MSc thesis was dedicated to the development of a customized Topology Optimization formulation for the design of minimum mass cast glass structures under performance
BRIDGING VISION AND REALITY
Innovations in Façade Engineering
Ir. Daniella Hesterman-Naous | Façade Engineer
Architecture is a discipline that shapes and beautifies the cities we live in. Tourists from all over the world travel to capture photos in front of iconic buildings. But how are these buildings brought to life? How does an architectural detail evolve into a tangible structure?
This is what my master’s degree (MSc) in Building Technology taught me. This program bridges the gap between architecture, engineering, product design, and manufacturing, filling a vital niche in the creation of our built environments.
Today, using these skills and the knowledge I've gained on the job, my colleagues and I bring architects’ dreams to life. As a façade
1: A panel featuring a script-driven hexagonal pattern. Spot CF, Amsterdam.
QR2: Author Profile
QR1: AldowaB.V. Website
Fig.
engineer, I translate an architect's vision into a buildable reality. This involves developing precise construction details that seamlessly connect architectural conceptual designs with the practical requirements of manufacturing and assembly. Which includes production or shop drawings of every façade element. We also provide installation drawings and instructions including where every screw, bolt, or anker should be implemented.
Traditionally, engineers relied on hand-sketched details, 2D CAD drawings, and eventually 3D models to represent their designs. More recently innovative tools like scripting and parametric design are revolutionizing the façade engineering process, dramatically enhancing efficiency. In this article I will showcase two projects that demonstrate how these advanced techniques play a vital role in accelerating and enhancing façade engineering.
Spot CF in Amsterdam
A good example is Spot CF in Amsterdam, designed by Klunder Architecten with Pleijsier Bouw as the main contractor and Aldowa as the façade supplier. This 23-story building is clad in gold-anodized panels featuring a striking hexagonal pattern.
To achieve the architect’s vision of a dynamic façade, the hexagons in the pattern are rotated at a 30-degree angle, but only 10% to 50% of the hexagons on each panel are rotated. The rest of the hexagons remain flush with the front surface of the panel. These rotations are selected randomly to create a visually balanced and harmonious effect across the façade. The challenge is
Fig. 3: Extruding balcony, Spot CF , Amsterdam.
Fig. 2: On-site installation starting from the 23rd floor. Spot CF, Amsterdam.
in the complexity of the design: over 800 unique panels need to be perforated with hexagons, each assigned a specific percentage to tilt. Simply providing factory workers with the percentage and allowing them to choose which hexagons to tilt is not feasible or desirable. Manual selection would be inconsistent and uncontrolled, fail to achieve the desired effect of random yet harmonious distribution, and significantly increase labour time. Additionally, each panel’s unique size and hexagon count makes manual calculations impractical.
To address this, we developed a script in collaboration with our in-house factory colleagues, with special
Fig. 7: Tolerance gaps with black back structure. Spot CF, Amsterdam.
Fig. 4: Seamless continuity from façade to balcony, Spot CF, Amsterdam.
Fig. 5: Anodized aluminum cladding by Aldowa B.V.–Spot CF, Amsterdam.
Fig. 6: The crown of the building, 23rd floor – Spot CF, Amsterdam.
Fig. 8: Parametrically designed curved copings seamlessly aligning with the matching curvature of the panels. Logistics & Environment Building, TU Delft.
thanks to Jona Prins for his contribution in automating the process. The script selected which hexagons to tilt in a random yet homogeneous manner, ensuring the dynamic aesthetic while avoiding areas where the back structure might interfere with tilted hexagons. By inputting the desired percentage of tilted hexagons, the script automatically marked the selected hexagons for our punching machines to identify.The result is a visually stunning façade that precisely meets the architect’s intent. This project highlights how scripting can save significant time and ensure precision in complex façade projects.
Logistics & Environment Building, TU Delft
The Logistics & Environment Building at TU Delft is another good example. As a TU Delft alumna, contributing to the campus I called home for six years has been a true privilege. This recently completed project, designed by Cepezed architects and constructed by De Vries en Verburg, features façade work engineered, manufactured, and installed by Aldowa.
The building is clad in high-quality Corten steel panels, which gives it a distinctive and modern appearance. In addition to the façade, we covered gates and fences with perforated Corten steel plates, installed expanded
9: Unique panels aligning with the curved copings. Logistics & Environment Building, TU Delft.
Fig.
metal ventilation grilles to meet airflow requirements, and incorporated a coated aluminium band between the ground and first floors to house cameras and lighting. Doors were also clad in Corten steel using 13 unique panel designs that were repeated across similar doors. We insulated parts of the façade with mineral wool insulation and used stainless steel brackets to minimize thermal bridges.
The curved roof posed significant challenges in aligning panels and achieving design precision. Traditional methods, which involved 3D modelling and manually editing each panel to fit its unique context, proved highly time-consuming. To streamline the process, we employed advanced parametric design software.
By programming design rules that accounted for structural requirements, reinforcement, curvature, height,
Fig. 10: Cladding camouflaged hidden doors for technical and maintenance spaces, seamlessly integrated along the descending façade and curved roof. Logistics & Environment Building, TU Delft.
and buildings
connection holes, hanging bolts, and tolerance gaps of surrounding elements, I was able to generate 3D models for over 1,300 unique parts. This approach ensured both efficiency and unparalleled accuracy in the design and fabrication process.
Each part was meticulously designed to align seamlessly with the curvature, height, connection holes, hanging bolts, and tolerance gaps of the surrounding elements, ensuring a flawless fit across the entire structure. This parametric approach not only saved significant time but also delivered a level of precision and consistency that would have been difficult to achieve efficiently using traditional methods.
The building featured 41 custom-rounded roof caps that seamlessly aligned with the sloping façade and 272 unique cassette panels, which gradually increased in height from 100 mm to 4 meters. These panels complemented the curved architecture, aligning perfectly with the roof caps and maintaining consistent seams
Fig. 11: Cladded ports, gates,
with Corten steel panels. Logistics & Environment Building, TU Delft.
throughout the structure. Each element was meticulously designed to ensure harmony between the façade and the roof’s curvature.
The panels and roof caps were engineered, produced, and installed to adapt perfectly to the rounded structure. All Corten steel panels were treated with hydrochloric acid to accelerate the rusting process, allowing the colour to develop into a more uniform and even finish over time. This project exemplifies how parametric design is not just a trend but a necessity for addressing the intricate challenges of modern architecture. As I reflect on my role in this project, I’m proud of the innovative techniques and meticulous craftsmanship that brought this unique building to life.
Daniella Hesterman-Naous earned both her bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences and her master’s degree (MSc) in Building Technology at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft). Her MSc thesis focused on a Topologically Optimized Cast Glass Shell. Alongside this academic achievement, her passion for detailing and façade engineering stood out. Currently, she works as a façade project engineer at Aldowa B.V., a Dutch metal façade company with international operations. Aldowa specializes in engineering, manufacturing, and installation of metal and composite façade claddings.
Ir. Daniella HestermanNaous
Truss - to - GO A Novel Low-Tech Flax-FRP Technology
for the In-Situ Construction of Lattice
Structures
Ir. Pavan Kumar Sathyamurthy (AUBS-BT MSc. | TU Delft)
Truss-to-GO is the name given to a Research-by-Design idea for a novel construction technology for Lattice Structures such as trusses and space frames. The ambition is to develop an in-situ fabrication method for these structures, using a continuous Flax- FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite-technology-based ‘Rope’ that can be compactly transported to site in a spool, and manually ‘woven’ into truss-like shapes and finally cured and rigidified. This thesis addresses the first steps of such a technology, addressing FRP design, mechanical performance, consolidation strategy and on-site infrastructures and fabrication workflow. Finally, a simple comparison is made between the Truss-to-GO technology and some conventional lattice construction technologies, with insights about the potentials, limitations and future research topics for this ‘fantasy’ technology.
QR1: Report
Figure 1: Braided Flax-Epoxy truss prototype manufactured using a modular jig
Finding a efficient, effective, and intelligent ways to design and build our buildings and structures has always been a key concern and ambition. For the engineer, this is often a matter of structural mechanics, manufacturing and construction processes, in addition to a good understanding of the building’s intended purpose and its requirements. Thus, the building engineer ever strives to find ways to span and enclose larger spaces with structures that are robust (strong, stiff, stable, durable), yet using the least amount of resources. These structures must make practical, financial, and ecological sense. This is the modern concept of efficiency. Among the various systems developed, Lattice
Structures (trusses, space frames etc.) are a good answer to this problem as they are efficient and versatile.
Truss- to - GO was a ‘shot in the dark’ exploration of whether the limitations of conventional lattice structures such as high cost and labour effort, levels of manufacturing instrumentation, and conformity to simple shapes could be overcome with a novel idea. The vision was to develop an in-situ fabrication method for these structures, using a continuous Flax- FRP (Fiber Reinforced Polymer) composite-technology-based ‘Rope’ that can be compactly transported to site in a spool, and manually ‘woven’ into truss-like shapes and finally cured and rigidified. The research conducted suggested the following key advantages:
(i) Low tech and decentralized.
Truss-to-GO is an ‘out of factory’ fabrication model, allowing for in-situ fabrication in construction sites that have little to no established infrastructure, as electricity and water are not required.
(ii) Composite fabrication difficulties addressed
The technology offers a novel way to achieve consolidation pressure without a vacuum bag or other apparatus, and a continuous seamless joint of significant mechanical strength for the truss node.
(iii) High speed and convenience.
The product is eventually envisioned as a spool of preimpregnated braided textile that can, along with a modular collapsible reusable jig, be transported by truck and deployed in remote locations with a very simple and highspeed fabrication workflow as suggested by the sampled prototypes.
Research Structure
The exploration was broken down into three steps:
(i) Part A: The development of the cordage: A problem in FRP design- this section dealt in developing a cordage of natural fibres and polymer composite. The goal was to achieve an (isolated) material that, when formed into a cylindrical shape or a short strut, can withstand compressive and tensile forces of a respectable magnitude, allowing for use in lattices employed in building construction applications. Material choices and fiber architectures were explored, along with a suitable method of ‘consolidation’ (creating pressure in the FRP while it cures).
(ii) Part B: The in-situ fabrication process: Here, the specific workflow of shaping the textile designed in Part A was proposed, in a manner that can be realistically performed on site. This involved the design of the fabrication apparatus and step-by-step scheme of the
actual construction. This research was done through prototyping.
(iii) Benchmark assessment.
Part A: The development of the cordage:
Material Choices: Flax was chosen as the plant fiber reinforcement due to its remarkable mechanical properties and availability in Europe. Epoxy was used as the binding polymer after research conducted into various thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, as epoxies were documented to have higher mechanical strength in composites and better creep and fatigue performance than thermoplastic polymers. For this research, Lincore FR 520 (Depestele Group) flax fibre rovings were used, along with Epikote Resin L20 (Westlake Epoxy) and Epikure Curing Agent 960 (Westlake Epoxy).
Fiber Architecture: The orientation and layup of fibres in a FRPC are crucial to its load-carrying capacity. As a general principle, it is advantageous to orient reinforcement fibres collinearly to the principal stresses in the composite, particularly in the tension axis. Having reviewed various textile processes, braiding was chosen due to (i) its suitability to create long continuous cordage, ii. the ability to control braid angles in a braid setup (allowing for the alignment of fibres in the axial direction), (ii) The ability to ‘over-braid’- effectively allowing for the stacking of coaxial braid layers about the cordage’s cross section. A custom braiding apparatus was built to braid flax yarns for this research (Figure 2a).
Fig. 2a: A 16-roving, shallow-angle braid in process .
Experimental testing and Results: Various types of braid angles, yarn counts, and over-braid layer counts were trialed to create the structurally strongest possible cylindrical element. Sections of the cylindrical samples were tested for compression and tension. A notable innovation in this stage was to attempt consolidation without a vacuum bag. Whereas consolidation- the application of pressure during the preparation and curing of a composite in order to compact the fiber architecture and remove air and dust- is a key process to achieve a defect-free high-performance composite, methods like vacuum bagging are impractical to reproduce in dusty and
poorly equipped site conditions.
A novel ‘Chinese-Finger-Trap’ (Figure 3) based method was developed to achieve consolidation for Truss to Go, whereby axial tension was applied to the braided composite, which would then constrict about a sacrificial rigid internal core. Testing showed that composites of about 75 MPa strength in both compression and tension were achievable- a performance similar to those prepared by vacuum bagging.
Making the cordage flexible: The internal rigid core, while necessary to achieve the consolidation effect, impeded both the ability to wind the rope into the shape of a truss, and the vision of a compact ‘spool-able’ rope. Thus, the idea was carried to an extreme- what if the core was a beaded string, against which the textile could intermittently achieve full consolidation? This was fabricated, tested and showed an acceptable strength of about 70 MPa in compression and tension.
Fig. 2b: A 16-roving, shallow-angle braid in process
Figure 3: The pre-tensioning rig for a single tubular sample, b. excess resin drip-off upon tensioning.
Part B: Fabrication Workflow:
For the actual winding of the truss on site, a simple modular jig was proposed, upon which the truss could be woven and sequentially tensioned until the epoxy cured. The jig was sized to stack and fit in a shipping container and could be deployed and chained into a robust and versatile array on site.
Part A is then concluded, with a reasonably strong cordage designed. It is proposed that the cordage is to be braided by an industrial maypole braider (and certainly not the hand-braiding process which was simply a necessary compromise for the academic research).
Regarding the polymer resin, a high-performance epoxy which could be cured conveniently on site (while remaining in uncured state during manufacture and transportation) could not be found. However, there is presently research being conducted on such polymers that are cured by frontal polymerization or by UV excitation. Such polymers could potentially make this technology more actionable.
Fig. 4: Compression testing of a squat cylindrical sample ina Zwick Z10 UTM (Courtesy- Materials testing Lab, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TU Delft)
Figure 5: Schematic step-by step process of the in-situ weaving the composite rope into the form of a planar truss.
Figure 6: A schematic of the proposed manufacture and fabrication
Strength of joint: Though the strength of a strut was established in part A, the strength of a truss node was to be tested, as lattices may also (and are often more likely to) fail at joints. Further, joints in composites are complex affairs due to the rotation of fibers and load eccentricities. Hence, joint samples in accordance with the truss to GO proposal were fabricated and load tested in a Zwick UTM at the TU Delft Material Science Lab. It was discovered that the joint strength was about 80% the strength of the chords and struts themselves, even though the joint was compromised by manufacturing defects.
Benchmark Comparison:
Having completed Parts A and B and established design strengths for the Flax epoxy braided composite both as
7: The Jig is a modular element that may be transported by shipping container and deployed into an array for the fabrication of lattice girders of various geometries on site.
Figure
Figure 8: A 1:5 scale prototype of the modular jig and the fabrication process using the Truss to Go rope
a strut and as a joint, a theoretical calculation exercise was performed, with truss solutions for a hypothetical pavilion made in three candidate materials and fabrication- Steel pipe sections, Timber Sections, and Truss-to-GO. The trusses were designed and sized to resist the assumed design loads, and the weight, embodied energy and embodied carbon for the three variants were calculated and compared (Figure 9).
The results indicate that while the Truss-to-GO option was predictably the lightest of all options, Truss-to-GO had the highest embodied energy of all options. This is almost entirely attributed to the epoxy matrix, indicating that better polymer options are required for this technology to be environmentally feasible. Truss-to-GO also had a high embodied carbon value, though the steel design was still higher due to the high heat required in steel manufacture.
9: Three candidate options in steel, timber, and Truss-to Go for the fabrication of a lattice girder designed for a specific load case.
10: Weight, Embodied Energy and CO2 statistics for the material volumes of the options case studied.
Figure
Figure
Conclusion:
Based on the research, prototyping, and the desktop comparative analysis, it was concluded that a novel Biobased FRPC technology for in-situ constructions of lattice structures is possible. The low-tech and highspeed nature of its construction can prove effective in specific construction response contexts. However, the research is far from complete and many more parameters need to be investigated to deem the technology truly meaningful to develop into a reality- some of which are effects of creep, weathering, and humidity (biobased FRPC’s are documented to perform quite poorly in these attributes), the need for better and more environmentally friendly polymer chemistry, and the need to standardize construction procedures in order to achieve mechanical predictability and quality control.
Ir. Pavan Kumar Sathyamurthy AUBS(BT) MSc. | TU Delft
Ir. Pavan Sathyamurthy is an architect and Building Engineer from India. Pavan graduated from the Building Technology Master Track from the TU Delft in 2024, before which he worked in Indian construction for 5 years, specializing in alternative construction practices. Working for his mentor Georg Leuzinger, helped set up a Structural Timber Glue Lamination facility that offered designbuild services in India. His interests lie in structural mechanics, materials, formforce relations, and creative detailing of building products and related machinery. He presently works in Octatube Engineering, Delft, NL.
We kunnen er niet meer om heen. In de bouw moeten we aan de slag met veel belangrijke thema’s. Energiezuinig, gasloos, circulair, gezondheid, stedelijke verdichting en ga zo maar even door. Bij ons ga je werken aan allerlei soorten projecten en leer je waarom bouwfysica bij deze onderwerpen essentieel is.
Energieleverende sportaccomodatie, Utrecht
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THE NEW RAW
A Journey of Robotic 3D Printing and Plastic Recycling
Panos Sakkas and Foteini Setaki
The New Raw is a Rotterdam-based research and design studio founded in 2015 by architects Panos Sakkas and Foteini Setaki, graduates of TU Delft’s MSc Building Technologies program. Our journey began with a simple yet ambitious question: What if citizens could print their cities using their own plastic waste? This idea sparked an initial research project, supported by the AMS Institute and Professor Arjan van Timmeren, with the aim of addressing the growing problem of plastic waste.
What started as a small experiment has evolved into a studio dedicated to exploring the potential of robotic 3D printing and the creative reuse of discarded materials. By blending design, research, and technology, we continue to redefine waste as a valuable resource for the future of design.
From the beginning, we were curious about the overlooked possibilities of plastic waste—how could we turn this persistent material into something meaningful and functional? Inspired by its durability, we began experimenting with ways to reshape plastic through digital tools and modern manufacturing techniques. Our research led us to robotic 3D printing, a method that combines precision and flexibility while reducing material waste.
Our approach has always been a mix of research, design, and experimentation. Over the years, we’ve developed our own processes to transform different types of plastic waste, from household and industrial sources to marine debris, into products that emphasize material honesty and circular design.
Robotic 3D Printing: Craft Meets Technology
Robotic 3D printing has been central to our practice. It allows us to create objects layer by layer, adding a tactile quality to the material while keeping waste to a minimum. The process is flexible, enabling us to design products that are both functional and visually intriguing. By embracing the natural irregularities of recycled plastic, we highlight its imperfections rather than hiding them.
Today, our focus lies in developing products for both indoor and outdoor use—functional pieces that range from furniture to urban installations. Each design reflects our commitment to circularity: locally sourced plastic, on-demand production, and a zero-waste process.
One of our most significant projects to date is Print Your City, which explores the power of participatory design. The project began in 2018 as a way to engage communities in recycling and co-creating urban furniture. Citizens were invited to transform their plastic waste into functional objects for public space, customized to suit their needs through a digital design platform.
Implemented in cities such as Thessaloniki, the project not only revitalized public spaces but also empowered people to rethink their relationship with waste. By involving citizens directly, Print Your City demonstrated that sustainability goes beyond materials—it’s about collaboration, shared ownership, and creating something meaningful together.
Second Nature: Tackling Marine Plastic
Our work has also taken us to the sea. Second Nature was born out of the need to address marine plastic pollution, a challenge that is often difficult to integrate into traditional recycling systems. Through this project, we developed processes to collect and clean marine plastic waste, transforming it into new products with textures and forms inspired by the sea.
Second Nature led to an enduring partnership with BlueCycle, an initiative focused on reducing marine pollution. Together, we’ve continued to develop ways to give new life to marine debris, turning a serious environmental issue into an opportunity for innovation and design.
Our Design Philosophy: Embracing Tactility and Imperfection
We are drawn to forms that are irregular, layered, and textured, using them as a way to explore the unique qualities of recycled plastic. By delving into the tactile nature of recycled plastic, we uncover new dimensions of the material—its history, transformation, and potential for reinvention. By embracing these characteristics, we aim to shift perceptions of waste, transforming what might be seen as a flaw into a compelling narrative worth sharing.
Circular Design: The Way Forward
At The New Raw, circularity is central to our mission. We source plastic waste locally and utilize robotic 3D printing to minimize material waste, ensuring that all our products are fully recyclable. By adopting a zero-waste approach, we reintegrate production offcuts into new designs, creating a true closed-loop system.
Our focus on on-demand production further reduces overproduction and waste, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods. This blend of efficiency and creativity allows us to deliver solutions that are both environmentally responsible and highly functional.
Currently, we are contributing to the plasticLIFEcycle project (LIFE21/ENV/PL/074161), where we are developing a mobile robotic 3D printing unit that uses recycled plastic. This initiative tackles the challenge of plastic waste on-site, providing a flexible and scalable solution for transforming discarded materials into valuable resources wherever they are needed.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, our focus remains on pushing the boundaries of recycled materials, exploring new technologies, and continuing to innovate. We are particularly interested in expanding our work into new material streams and further developing products that bring sustainability into everyday life—indoors, outdoors, and beyond.
While we’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, we see this as just the beginning. Every project is a chance to learn, refine, and explore new possibilities. By blending technology, design, and sustainability, we hope to inspire others to rethink waste as a resource and see its potential for creating a better, more circular future.
For us, The New Raw is not just about producing objects— it’s about building connections between people, materials, and the environment. Whether through projects or our ongoing collaborations, we aim to show that design can be a powerful tool for positive change, one layer at a time.
Panos Sakkas is an architect and co-founder of The New Raw. He holds a Diploma in Architectural Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MSc in Building Technology from TU Delft, where his master’s work focused on integrating sustainability principles into design. Panos has also contributed to the design field through numerous workshops, lectures, and publications.
Foteini Setaki is an architect and co-founder of The New Raw. She holds a Diploma in Architectural Engineering from the National Technical University of Athens and an MSc in Building Technology from TU Delft. Her master thesis, honored with a selection for Archiprix 2013, led to her ongoing PhD research on sound absorption and 3D printing.
The Building Technology (BT) program is one of five master tracks under the MSc Architecture, Urbanism, and Building Sciences (AUBS) at TU Delft’s Faculty of Architecture. BT emphasizes research, technological innovation, and market-driven design, balancing applied research with the development of buildings and building elements.
This section showcases few of the many remarkable student projects from the MSc1 fourth-quarter design studios, MEGA and EXTREME Technology (2023-24). In MEGA, multidisciplinary teams (5-7 students) collaboratively design complex buildings, often multifunctional high-rises, with each member specializing in a discipline. EXTREME focuses on integral design for extreme environments, encouraging students to critically evaluate their technical and architectural choices.
Biophilic Design in High-Rise Architecture (Multi-objective Optimization)
Xiaochen Ding (MEGA)
About the project
In an era marked by rapid urbanization and a growing awareness of environmental challenges, the design of high-rise buildings presents unique opportunities and constraints. These towering structures, integral to modern cities, often compromise human connections to nature, leading to a host of physical and psychological consequences for occupants. Addressing this, biophilic design emerges as a promising paradigm, aiming to reintegrate natural elements into the built environment to enhance human well-being and promote sustainable development.
This article explores the methodologies, tools, and outcomes of our collaborative high-rise design project CAThWALK, where I served as the computational designer. My role involved spearheading efforts to bridge disciplines—architectural, climatic, structural, and façade design—through advanced computational methods. Central to these efforts was the development and application of the Biophilic Design Tool, a parametric system designed to quantify and optimize biophilic performance in building layouts. This tool not only facilitated interdisciplinary collaboration but also underscored the transformative potential of technologydriven workflows in contemporary architectural practice.
Biophilic design in context
Biophilia, as defined by the renowned biologist Edward O. Wilson (1986), refers to the innate human tendency
to connect with nature. This concept underscores the emotional and psychological benefits derived from natural elements, such as light, air, greenery, and water. Biophilic design extends this concept into architecture, aiming to create built environments that nurture these connections and promote holistic well-being.
In high-rise architecture, where access to the outdoors is inherently limited, the application of biophilic principles becomes both a challenge and a necessity. Traditional sustainable design approaches, while focusing on energy efficiency and resource conservation, often overlook the sensory and experiential dimensions of the built environment. Biophilic design, on the other hand, emphasizes human-centric aspects, fostering mental health, productivity, and overall happiness.
What is the design objective for High-Rise biophilia tool?
Our project CAThWALK, situated in Utrecht, one of the Netherlands' fastest-growing cities, sought to reconcile the competing demands of urban density, sustainability, and human well-being. The overarching question driving our efforts was: How can we introduce nature into highrise buildings to ensure that all occupants, irrespective of their location within the building, have meaningful access to natural conditions?
To address this question, a comprehensive biophilic design framework was developed to inform every aspect
1: Workflow of Biophilia design tool, Source : Own
of our project, from architectural layout design to climate design. Central to this framework was the Biophilic Design Tool, which quantified and optimized biophilic criteria to create layouts that balanced functionality, sustainability, and human-centric considerations.
The biophilic design tool
The Biophilic Design Tool is a parametric system that enables the systematic evaluation and optimization of building layouts based on biophilic performance. It incorporates computational algorithms, performance simulations, and multi-objective decision-making frameworks to analyze layouts across five key criteria: daylight, air quality, indoor comfort, visual connection, and social connectivity. By integrating these criteria into a unified workflow, the tool provides architects, climate designers, structural engineers, and façade specialists
with actionable insights, fostering collaboration and ensuring that design decisions align with biophilic principles.
Parametric layout - Floorplan generator
The floorplan generator serves as the foundational component of the Biophilic Design Tool, enabling the creation of multiple layout variations for subsequent performance analysis.
The generator operates based on three primary inputs:
1. Building Boundary: Defines the spatial extents for layout generation, ensuring that all configurations adhere to the project's physical constraints.
2. Entrance Location: Establishes the fixed position of the core and dictates circulation patterns, ensuring logical and efficient movement within the building.
Fig.
Fig. 2: Floorplan generator’s required inputs of & possible outputs,
3. Programmatic Connectivity: Specifies spatial relationships between functional areas, prioritizing adjacencies and connections based on programmatic requirements.
Using an iterative algorithm, the generator creates a series of layout variations. This process balances systematic rules (e.g., adjacency constraints) with randomization, allowing for the exploration of diverse spatial configurations. Each iteration refines the layout by addressing connectivity and spatial efficiency, ultimately producing a set of optimized solutions.
The generator produces multiple layout options, which are then manually adjusted to align room boundaries with the building façade. Four layouts were selected for detailed biophilic performance evaluation, each representing distinct spatial strategies.
Quantifiable
biophilic performance criteria
At the heart of the Biophilic Design Tool is its ability to quantify biophilic performance across five criteria, each addressing critical aspects of occupant well-being and sustainability.
1. View Performance Criteria
• Analysis Methodology: View quality is assessed using Honeybee, which calculates the percentage of outdoor visibility from indoor spaces. This analysis uses ray intersection methods to determine the proportion of unobstructed views for each room.
• Parameters: The analysis considers a 360-degree horizontal field of view, with vertical offsets of 30 degrees above and below the horizon, simulating human peripheral vision. Surrounding environmental context, including neighboring buildings and natural features, is incorporated to ensure realistic results.
• Results: Rooms with higher percentages of outdoor visibility score better, reflecting stronger visual connections to the natural environment. These scores
Source : Own
Fig. 3: Summary of biophilia performance criteria guidelines- Metric comparability, Source : Own
inform decisions on window placement, orientation, and room hierarchy.
2. Daylight Performance Criteria
• Analysis Methodology: The Daylight Factor (DF), a standard metric for indoor light quality, is computed using Honeybee. DF represents the ratio of indoor illuminance to outdoor illuminance under overcast conditions.
• Parameters: Factors such as the transparency of glass surfaces, room dimensions, and Utrecht's frequently overcast climate are integrated into the simulation.
• Results: DF values between 2% and 5% are ideal, ensuring adequate lighting without glare or overheating. Results are visualized through heatmaps, guiding the design of openings and shading devices.
3. Indoor Comfort Performance Criteria
• Analysis Methodology: Indoor comfort is evaluated using EnergyPlus, which models thermal conditions based on temperature, humidity, and air movement.
• Parameters: Simplified building geometry, climatic data, and occupant behavior patterns are used to simulate thermal comfort conditions.
• Results: Thermal comfort maps identify zones meeting the 80% satisfaction threshold, providing insights for
HVAC system optimization and material selection.
4. Air Quality Performance Criteria
• Analysis Methodology: Air quality is quantified by simulating CO2 concentrations as an indicator of ventilation efficiency.
• Parameters: Variables include room volume, occupancy levels, ventilation rates, and air shifts per hour.
• Results: Rooms maintaining CO2 levels below 600 ppm are prioritized, ensuring healthy and productive indoor environments.
5. Social Connectivity Performance Criteria
• Analysis Methodology: Social connectivity is evaluated using the Mouse plugin, which simulates circulation paths and congestion patterns within the layout.
• Parameters: Inputs include room entrances, corridor dimensions, and spatial density.
• Results: Public areas with high circulation density are identified as key zones for fostering social interaction, influencing the configuration of communal spaces.
How to make the metric comparable?
To ensure comparability, given the varied units, scales, and standards of each biophilia performance criterion, we must analyze each criterion individually against
its respective guideline values. This analysis will yield ratios that form the basis for scoring each criterion as a performance factor. Subsequently, normalize the weights assigned to each criterion.
How to enhance computational efficiency?
Factors influencing computation time:
• Model Simplification
Before inputting our building model into the analysis tool, extensive simplification was performed while preserving the original design’s skin details as much as possible. This included fitting complex surfaces with meshes recognizable by Honeybee, using small facets to approximate curved surfaces, employing short line segments to approximate planar curves, and reducing the density and number of grid points in flat rooms. These steps were crucial to optimize computation time, especially for analyzing multiple biophilia performance criteria.
• Grid Size in Input Plane Subdivision
The grid size of the input plane determines calculation precision and computation time. Larger grid sizes were initially used to balance efficient processing with meaningful analysis, while ensuring grids remained smaller than the smallest building segments of the twist tower and surrounding context.
Analysis assessment - Decision support model
Prioritizing & Managing Conflicting Objectives
The challenge of a multi-objective task lies in comprehensively evaluating the values of five biophilia performance criteria for a floor plan layout and managing compromises between them. To address these challenges, a decision support model is meticulously
defined to assist in synthesizing and evaluating the five biophilia performance criteria (view, daylight, air quality, indoor comfort, social connectivity). It aims to balance these criteria and select the optimal floor layout design. In the decision support model, when calculating the overall score, considering potential interactions and trade-offs among the five performance criteria is crucial. To visualize and quantify these interactions, scores for each criterion are plotted on a Spider Diagram, and the area of this diagram is calculated. A larger area indicates better overall performance across all criteria. This approach avoids simply summing individual criterion scores and provides a more holistic reflection of the balance between all performance criteria. Before plotting the Spider Diagram, weighting each performance criterion appropriately ensures that each criterion’s influence is fairly represented in the overall evaluation.
Step 1: Determining Weights
Room functions are ranked by biophilic design needs, prioritizing offices over lobbies, meeting rooms, and toilets/cores. Weighting factors are normalized to total 1,
Fig. 5: Website of Packhunt visualization- the 17th floor on twist tower as an example, Source : Own
6: the 17th Floor of twist tower as an example of the first application (left) and analysis on the existing building as second application (right), Source : Own
ensuring fair representation in evaluations.
Step 2: Calculating Weighted Scores
Each performance score for a given room is multiplied by its respective normalized weight, resulting in a weighted score for each criterion.
Step 3: Calculating Normalized Weighted Scores and Plotting the Spider Diagram
Weighted scores are normalized to ensure all criteria are on the same scale and are plotted on a Spider Diagram.
The diagram's area represents the layout's overall biophilic performance.
Step 4: Aggregating Criteria Scores into the Final Spider Diagram
Scores from all five criteria are consolidated into a single Spider Diagram, visually summarizing the biophilic performance metrics for each layout.
Step 5: Evaluation and Selection of the Optimal Layout
The above steps are repeated for multiple layout options. The layout with the largest Spider Diagram area is selected
Applications on CAThWALK
The Biophilic Design Tool aids in generating optimized floor layouts for the Twist Tower, addressing challenges posed by its rotating floors, and efficiently replicating designs across similar levels. It also evaluates existing buildings’ biophilic performance, guiding decisions on retention, modification, or demolition. In the Catwalk high-rise project, these applications supported informed, biophilic-driven design decisions for both new construction and renovation efforts.
Bibliography
1. Wilson, E. O. Biophilia. Ph.D. Thesis, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, USA, 1986.
2. Advanced Buildings. Daylight Factor Analysis Methods. Available online:https://patternguide.advancedbuildings.net/using-thisguide/analysis-methods/daylight-factorW (accessed on 28 June 2024).
3. ASHRAE. Standard 55: Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy. Available online: https://www.ashrae. org/technical-resources/bookstore/standard-55-thermalenvironmental-conditions-for-human-occupancy (accessed on 28 June 2024).
Fig.
Project UniCity: Green Links, People Connect
Cansu Ersoy | Laila Saleh (MEGA)
About the project
The MEGA 2024 project in Utrecht, atop the Hoog Catharijne mall, challenges participants to create an innovative, multifunctional design that integrates with the urban fabric. The extra challenge is working with existing structures, such as the Radsboudsveste apartments and Gildenkwartier office spaces, efficiently utilizing resources by removing only when necessary and prioritizing retention or repurposing.
The goal is to develop a design that addresses the area’s needs while balancing public and private spaces within a cohesive framework. Functions must connect seamlessly and harmonize with the surroundings, requiring a collaborative effort that prioritizes creativity, efficiency, and sensitivity to the urban context.
Three Main Approaches: Greenery
The design addresses the lack of greenery on-site by integrating green spaces to enhance sustainability and the urban environment. Inspired by Utrecht Spark, it incorporates interconnected pathways to promote biodiversity, improve air quality, and provide recreational spaces, creating a healthier urban area.
Three Main Approaches: Maintaining The Identity
The decision to retain the octagonal shapes aligns with the principle of retrofitting. Maintaining these shapes allows efficient work with the existing structure while minimizing demolition. New additions will follow the octagonal principle to restore the original identity, diminished by the recently added plinth.
Three Main Approaches: Daylight
The aim is to accommodate the program’s size without creating a sun-blocking structure, ensuring daylight for key functions and preserving sunlight in Gildenkwartier. Maintaining pleasant views within the project and for Radsboudsveste residents is prioritized by carefully
The digital workflow diagram illustrates the intricate and collaborative interactions among the various design roles within the project, highlighting the central role of the Computational Designer (COD) in integrating these efforts. Each role, including the Architectural Designer (AD), Structural Designer (SD), Facade Designer (FD), and Climate Designer (CLD), engages in continuous communication and information sharing to ensure a cohesive and well-coordinated design process.
The COD plays a crucial role in facilitating these interactions, ensuring that all computational aspects are seamlessly integrated and that the various design elements align with the project’s overall goals.
The data excchange diagram illustrates an example data exchange that occurred within the project, showcasing
the collaborative workflow among the design team members. The process begins with the Architectural
Designer (AD) developing the initial design concept, which is then passed on to the Climate Designer (CLD) for climate data implementation and daylight analysis. The results from CLD are shared with the Computational Designer (COD), who utilizes this data for generative design and form-finding using the provided geometry.
Next, the Structural Designer (SD) receives a request for grid implementation and conducts an analysis of the existing structure. This information is again processed by the COD, who parametrizes the columns and slabs. Finally, the Facade Designer (FD) integrates the facade concept, incorporating research and climate considerations, and works with the COD to implement a parametric facade design using generative design techniques. Each role benefits from the expertise and input of the others, enhancing overall project efficiency and quality by leveraging the diverse skills and knowledge present within the team. This collaborative framework fosters robust integration across all roles, allowing for efficient problem-solving, innovative design solutions, and a unified approach to the project’s development.
From the design variations, three were selected based on their volume concept and alignment with project goals. However, analysis with the climate designer highlighted insufficient daylight penetration across most of the site. To meet BREEAM standards, the placement and orientation of the volumes were reconfigured to optimize natural light distribution while maintaining design integrity. These adjustments aim to balance aesthetics, functionality, and environmental performance, ensuring the project meets both regulatory and practical requirements.
These features strengthen the connection between the built and natural environments while enhancing the overall quality of the urban experience.
The Final Design
Key principles from the initial volumetric studies were implemented to address challenges. The hotel layout was divided into three rotated segments to optimize daylight exposure, enhance privacy, and maximize scenic views for residents and guests. Connectivity was improved by linking the hotel with the residential towers through communal spaces that encourage social interaction and allow natural light to filter into adjacent parks, enriching the surrounding urban environment. Accessibility was enhanced with wide, gently sloped ramp stairs that provide inclusive access while also serving as versatile spaces for events and markets. These elements contribute to the site’s dynamic character and ensure a balance between
environment that blends with the cityscape and enhances Utrecht’s skyline. Office roofs step in one direction, while the hotel and residential towers step in the opposite, adding visual rhythm and fostering connectivity across the project. This contrast ensures that the various components work together cohesively while maintaining distinct identities. The stepped roofs also integrate green spaces, terraces, and communal areas, offering panoramic city views and promoting social interaction.
The office design incorporates enlarged cores to accommodate fire and standard elevators, along with 2-meter-wide fire staircases for safe evacuation. These cores preserve existing shafts and integrate new ones while maintaining structural integrity. Room configurations were adjusted to meet BREEAM standards for environmental performance.
The final design features sunlit spaces with balconies, terraces, and varied work environments, all within the original structural grid. Auditoriums are strategically placed for optimal usability, ensuring a functional and sustainable office environment.
Designing The Residential Towers
Core configurations were adjusted to accommodate elevators and staircases for fire safety and vertical
transportation. Floor plans were optimized for daylighting, with bedrooms along exterior walls and south-facing balconies with PV panels for solar gain. The towers align with existing building corridors for better connectivity. A 'little village' concept with a park connects the residences, restaurant, and garden. The left tower has 7 apartments per floor, while the right tower has 6 shortstay apartments per floor.
Designing The Hotel
The hotel design underwent revisions due to fire safety regulations, including enlarging the cores and separating the restaurant elevators from the hotel elevators. Collaboration with the structural designer allowed for a slight expansion of the plan, increasing room capacity. Adjustments were made to meet BREEAM daylighting regulations, optimizing natural light and energy efficiency.
The hotel’s rotation enhances privacy, optimizes views, and maximizes daylight, while also creating separation
Facade Integration Design Parameters
Design parameters specify appropriate window-wall ratios (WWR) for various building functions, such as 4060% for office buildings, 30-50% for hotels, and 20-40% for residential areas. The south façade of the residential towers will incorporate photovoltaic (PV) panels, aiming to maximize irradiation and enhance the building’s energy efficiency. This strategic integration of PV panels ensures that the façade not only provides aesthetic value but also contributes significantly to renewable energy generation. For office façades, daylighting targets are set according to BREEAM criteria, with daylight factors (DF) ranging from 2-5%, and glare reduction criteria ensure occupant comfort, with DGP criteria stipulating levels below 0.35 for imperceptible glare. These measures optimize natural lighting and minimize glare, creating a comfortable and energy-efficient workspace.
Key discussions centered on three main facade implementations: the office facade featuring vertical wavy fins, the south and southeast facade of the residential area designed as a second skin of PV panels with operable windows, and the north facade of the residential towers featuring vertical wavy elements, similar to those in the office façade but more spaced out and with a less dense wave pattern.
Office Facade Integration
These selected performance criteria were then utilized by the computational designer within the Grasshopper script. This involved programming algorithms that dynamically adjusted facade elements such as openings, shading devices, and dimensional properties to optimize for the identified criteria. By integrating these parameters directly into the digital design process, the team ensured that the facade not only met but exceeded expectations in terms of environmental responsiveness, user comfort, and aesthetic appeal. Working this into the office facade required panelization of the existing walls and adjusting the density through generative design tools to minimize glareand maximize daylight intake.
To optimize the residential façade design and meet the project’s multifaceted goals, a script utilizing Octopus was employed. The script aimed to balance two primary climatic requirements: minimizing glare and maximizing irradiation..
According to the DGP (Daylight Glare Probability) criteria: less than 0.35 is imperceptible 0.35 to 0.40 is perceptible, 0.40 to 0.45 is disturbing, and above 0.45 is intolerable . The goal was to achieve glare levels within perceptible. For irradiation, the target was a minimum of 1,484,935 kWh, necessary for the effective functioning of the PV panels integrated into the south façade of residential.
multi-objective optimization required for this project. Tilt angle to adjust the angle at which the PV panels are inclined, orientation angle to modify the direction the panels face to capture maximum sunlight, panel spacing to determine the distance between individual PV panels to optimize light capture while minimizing shadowing effects, and panel positioning to place the PV panels across the façade to balance solar gain and aesthetic considerations.
Performance Based Generative Design
This approach of minimizing glare and maximizing irradiation directly impacts daylighting. Enhanced daylighting improves indoor environments, contributing to energy efficiency and occupant well-being. To manipulate the layout of PV panels a sinus graph was utilized with the formulation: a*sin((2* π/b)*(x-d))+c.
Octopus, an evolutionary algorithm plugin for Grasshopper, was used to handle the complex,
Octopus ran multiple iterations, adjusting parameters based on performance feedback and using evolutionary algorithms to explore various configurations. The bestperforming configurations were crossed over to create new design variations, while occasional rmutations introduced new possibilities and avoided local optima. Octopus identified an optimal PV panel configuration, with 2,377,000 kWh of irradiation and maintaining comfortable glare levels around 0.1823 on the DGP scale.
The Red Line proposes a radical new face for the entrance to the center of Utrecht from the train station. The site is understood as the intersection of flows in and out of the city. The project highlights them and creates synergies between the movement of people and the arrival of goods into the city by introducing an innovative urban distribution center. Nonetheless, the design retains most of the existing 1970s buildings, finding a language that bridges old and new. Embracing the complexity of the site, the intervention breaks it down into three distinct projects while proposing solutions for current residents. The Red Line reconnects the old town with the train station, offers places for people to spend time and showcases innovative approaches to reuse, energy production and the transport of goods.
The Team
The team combined the following five different disciplines to create this project: Architecture (Hyosik Kim), Facade Design (Mauritz von Kardorff & Arian Babaei), Computational Design (Lisa Schneider & Marcell Reviczky), Structural Design (Wei Wei) and Management (Sven Mulder). In close collaboration, the design was developed with the input of each person and discipline.
The Project
The main objective was to divide the large surface of the program (130'000 m2) into multiple individual buildings and therefore adapt it to the scale of the Hoog Catharijne.
Based on the existing buildings, three site opportunities were identified. The first one is called 'The Forest' and is located in the area of the Gildenkwartier. This existing office complex facing the Smakkelaarskade and the TivoliVredenburg has been unoccupied for several decades. Here, a top-up and refurbishment of the existing buildings is proposed.
The second site is the residential tower Radboudveste. After extensive conversations with a representative of the local residents, a concept called the 'Radboudcrown' was proposed.
This top-up improves the existing apartments and adds new space on top of the tower.
The space in between the 'Radboudveste' and the train station was used to design the 'Flow Tower'. It hosts an innovative concept for a vertical inner city distribution center and acts as a new landmark of Hoog Catharijne.
The designs were planned to be built in three construction phases:
Mauritz von Kardorff (MEGA)
Fig. 1: South East View, Source : Own
Phase 1 - The Forest
The Gildenkwartier offered an excellent opportunity to activate the voids between the existing office buildings. An intervention into the old building stock was made on both sides to open the space up and allow pedestrian traffic to flow through the courtyards into the old town. The first level is transformed into bars and cafés, which creates a new vibrant public space for travellers and the citizens of Utrecht.
The Forest
The Radboud Crown
The Flow Tower
Fig. 3: Forest View from Balcony, Source : Own
Fig. 4: Forest Facade Elevation, Source : Own
Fig. 2: Construction phases, Source : Own
The lower levels become an urban mining laboratory which is illuminated through small courtyards and thus interacts with the pathway. The upper levels of the existing offices keep their function.
The entire complex gets extended with a light-weight residential top-up, which uses a timber portal frame based on reinforced existing concrete columns.
The facade takes up the pattern from the 1970s facade and adds a new balcony layer. The guardrail creates space for climbing plants which grow out of a planter accessible to the balcony. The facade is purely biobased, featuring a timber frame, NeptuTherm insulation and a cork cladding. For fire safety, the plant irrigation system is combined with a sprinkler system. The carbon emissions of this facade proved to be over 95% lower than an equivalent aluminium cladding option. The existing facade gets renovated with new windows and an additional insulation layer to reduce its U-value by 80%. The old single-glazing windows find a new life in the plinth of the Flow Tower in Phase 3.
Fig. 8: 1:500 Model
Fig. 6: Urban Mining Laboratory Courtyards, Source: Own
Fig. 5: Top-Up Section ; Office Renovation Section, Source: Own
Phase 2 - The Radboud Crown
To build the high floor area necessary onto the site without obstructing the view of the Radboud Crown apartments, the existing tower was topped up with a hotel and new residential spaces. As the current residents would be disturbed by the construction, it was key to include them in the process and design new qualities for them. Therefore, an unusual decision was made. The support structure for the Radboud Crown top-up would not be placed next to the building, but in front of the existing apartments. This enabled extensions of the
existing spaces on the South and North sides, using the new structure as a base. The South will receive an unconditioned winter garden space. It acts as a buffer zone which heats up by the sun in winter and shades the interior space from direct solar radiation in summer. It is also openable and acts as an additional balcony. The spaces are therefore increased by 10% on each side, thus creating a financial benefit and a better living quality for the current residents. The structural transition floor of the top-up extension will also host an adaptable space with amenities which can be accessed by everyone.
The functionality of a distribution center must be completely reimagined if its site is in a dense city center like in Utrecht. A typical flat layout with access on the side for trucks is not feasible. The location can become a great advantage however. The proximity to the train station and Utrecht's bicycle network are opportunities which form the base of the design of the Flow Tower. The building acts as a buffer storage for goods which arrive in the city via a repurposed train track and move into the tower with external elevators. A direct connection via a visible conveyor belt to a staging area at the station acts as a new entry point for goods into Utrecht. The tower's fully automated shelf system hands the goods to cargo bicycles when they are ready for distribution. Workers are only present in the building for maintenance, so no daylight is required. This presented the opportunity to design a large opaque area for energy generation. With the support of a parametric model, a form and placement for the tower was found to maximise its energy
production potential through solar panels. Large areas towards the North proved inefficient for solar energy generation though. Due to its orientation towards the new public space within 'The Forest', a translucent ETFE facade cladding was chosen. It shows the movement of the robots and goods within the space and provides the people with a direct connection to the functionality of the distribution center.
Fig. 15: On Site Assembly by Crane, Source: Own
Fig. 13: Fire Safety inside the Flow Tower, Source: Own
Fig. 14: 3D Section; ETFE & Solar Cladding, Source: Own
In collaboration with the structural designer, an optimised external steel diagrid was developed, which created a repeatable triangular grid. This enabled a prefabricated cladding system to be mounted on the structure, which could be adapted to integrate solar panels or translucent ETFE membranes. These two contrasting claddings also divide the building into a heavily insulated part behind the solar panels for cooled storage and a non-insulated part behind the Northern facade.
The tower sits on a plinth, which is highly visible from the train station exit. Due to the low requirements for the facade's thermal and structural performance, the windows from the
Gildenkwartier will be remanufactured to serve as cladding in the plinth. The tower is planned as the last phase of the development and will operate entirely off the city's energy grid. It acts as a new landmark for Hoog Catharijne and proposes a futuristic way of moving goods into the city.
The design process of The Red Line showed how each of the three phases had to be approached with a completely different strategy. Compromises had to be found in order to fulfill the aims of the different team disciplines and functions of the buildings. The end result creates a heterogeneous ensemble with the potential to transform Hoog Catharijne into a vibrant and future-proof entrance to Utrecht.
The ongoing war in the Kherson region of Ukraine left demolished buildings and damaged citizen safety at its expense. Therefore, there is a need for a building that can accommodate the urgent need of shelter, human safety, and ease in construction. A building that will not conflict with the replanning of the Kherson region in the future and serve as a local escape unit that complies with basic indoor and outdoor comfort requirements.
The design proposal consisted of researching the blastresistant capacity of concrete for it to allow the reuse of C&D (construction and demolition) waste as a building component and the structural outtake.
The Research
A. Design for Deconstruction (DfD)
The project follows the main steps of DfD to create an efficient scenario for the future situation. Setting of base beams, setting of main supports, connection of walls, arrangement of floors, and construction of the second floor.
B. C&D Waste and Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA)
Due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, there are 600,000 tonnes of destruction and demolition waste. There are already some initiatives from Ukraine-based agricultural companies to build a recycling plant for C&D waste. Additionally, reinforced concrete is known to perform well under blast loads because of its good internal and thermal mass properties proven during WWII. Even though shear failure under static and impact loads is one of the material's safety concerns, it is still a highly capable and known material against blast loads and fragment damage. Therefore, the research was limited to studies on recycled concrete and its state of the art. The general use of concrete aggregates for recycled construction is in pavement application, concrete retaining wall blocks, and highway dividers. However, it still has great potential to be used as the main building material, as the demolition rubble can be processed into RCA with a reduced reuse rate of 80% compared to normal debris. Based on the four recycling operations possible for handling debris, recycling on-site was selected as the best-fit for Ukraine as it is the apparent circular option.
Fig. 1: Sketches of Demountable Concrete Units, Source: Own
C. Recycled Concrete Recipe
D. Border Demarcation Design
H. Outcomes
blast-resistant capacity of concrete allow the reuse of C&D waste as new building components?
Aggregate (RCA) containing masonry can processed conrete blocks. could reduce the
80%. Any RCA to must meet BS 882 permitted levels of
H.1. Accurate Processing
I. Next Step - Demountable C&D waste UHPFRC concrete block system
higher cement that indicates an creep and thermal
Due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, there is already 600,000 tons of destruction and demolition waste. Ukraine-based agriculture company is building a recycling plant for construction and demolition waste that hopefully recover wrekcage from missile attacks in Kherson region.
Additionally, it has adverse demand and increased
to Concrete Block
Processing aggression in already 600,000 tons demolition waste. agriculture company is plant for construction waste that hopefully from missile attacks in consists of a sorting materials like brick, The final product crushed stone. a need to accurately waste.
Alternatives
Based on the current studies that have been done, there appear to be seven steps that need to be done to ensure the workability of a recycled concrete specimen: C&D waste acquisition from the site, manual crush of the rubble, removal of unwanted particles, screening for required particle size, concrete block production, addition of additives, and a slump test. The tested recipes based on the articles conclude that there is an apparent decrease in compressive (5-25%) and tensile strength (14%) compared to normal concrete aggregate (NCA); on the other hand, there is an increase in the modulus of elasticity. The most feasible recipe after consultation with structural design professors was to aim for C25-30 RCA blocks with 20MM recycled electric arc furnace (EAF) reinforcing bars (see Fig. 2).
This design is primarily used for military fortifications and flood control. Based on the individual criteria, containing demountability, easiness in assembly, etc. The Bastion Gabion Defence Barrier system is selected for the design. It is made of a collapsable wire mesh container and a heavy-duty fabric liner. An advantage of the system is the opportunity to fill the wire mesh containers with fine or coarse aggregates. The barrier system acts as the defence mechanism of the building. Therefore, conducted trials for three types of blast loads (contact, close-in, and far-field detonation) are investigated. It is documented that single-layer bastion walls present flat overturning and bent overturning failures. In the case of the Kherson region, double-layer bastion walls were found to be more
blast-resistant capacity of concrete allow the reuse of C&D waste as new building components?
Processing Russian aggression in already 600,000 tons and demolition waste.
The current plan consists of a sorting line for processing materials like brick, concrete, metal. The final product is imagined to be crushed stone. Therefore, there is a need to accurately characterize C&D waste.
H. Outcomes
I. Next Step - Demountable C&D waste UHPFRC concrete block system
H.2. Material Alternatives
H.1. Accurate Processing
waste as new building How does blast-resistant capacity of concrete allow the reuse of C&D waste as new building components?
I. Next Step - Demountable C&D waste UHPFRC concrete block system
Concrete Aggregate (RCA) rubble containing masonry concrete can processed for conrete blocks. reuse could reduce the by 80%. Any RCA to concrete must meet BS 882 with permitted levels of weight.
ConGlassCrete
crushing, screening of the magnetic seperation removal of carried out by hand and screened with plant. equipped to carry out and purification to contaminants.
mainly based on using glass as cement Ground glass pozzolana is a pozzolanic cement material at levels up to weight of cementitous embodied CO2 is less than 30 kg CO2/
agriculture company is recycling plant for construction waste that hopefully from missile attacks in
Due to the Russian aggression in Ukraine, there is already 600,000 tons of destruction and demolition waste. Ukraine-based agriculture company is building a recycling plant for construction and demolition waste that hopefully recover wrekcage from missile attacks in Kherson region.
consists of a sorting processing materials like brick, The final product crushed stone. is a need to accurately waste.
Alternatives
Recipes recycled concrete water/cement ratio are prepared. replacement of aggregates from 0% to 20% are created. analysis made to gradation.
require higher cement NCA that indicates an shrinkage, creep and thermal Additionally, it has adverse demand and increased contamination.
The prototype is mainly based on using recycled crushed glass as cement replacement. Ground glass pozzolana is suitable for use as a pozzolanic cement replacement material at levels up to 25 percent by weight of cementitous material. While, the embodied CO2 is estimated to be less than 30 kg CO2/ tonne.
Blastfurnace slag aggregate (BFS)
The current plan consists of a sorting line for processing materials like brick, concrete, metal. The final product is imagined to be crushed stone. Therefore, there is a need to accurately characterize C&D waste.
mainly based on using glass as cement
aggregate (BFS) in the manufacture mineral that can be in controlled completing an of weathering, they into standard range Ukraine has great locally and economically processing has been nationwide.
Plants crushing, screening of the magnetic seperation plant: removal of carried out by hand and is screened with plant. plant: equipped to carry out screening and purification to contaminants.
apparent decrease in and tensile strength NCA but the specimen modulus of elasticity.
H.2. Material Alternatives
ConGlassCrete
I.1. Identification of Demountable Concrete Block Members
1. Stretcher Block (Allows vertical and horizontal piping)
2. Stretcher Block (Front/Rear View)
3. Stretcher Block (to be used for T-corner)
4. T-Corner Block (Plan View)
BFS is a by-product in the manufacture of iron. It is a mineral that can be naturally weathered in controlled stockpiles. After completing an appropriate period of weathering, they can be converted into standard range of aggregate sizes. Ukraine has great potential both locally and economically whilethe slag processing has been increasing nationwide.
5. End Block (Door/Window)
6. End Block (Side View)
Concrete Recipes
Ground glass pozzolana is as a pozzolanic cement material at levels up to weight of cementitous the embodied CO2 is less than 30 kg CO2/
(EAF) process uses and recovered as the primary raw creates bar and rod recycled content about 1/3 of energy and compared other steel-
Reinforcement
The prototype is mainly based on using recycled crushed glass as cement replacement. Ground glass pozzolana is suitable for use as a pozzolanic cement replacement material at levels up to 25 percent by weight of cementitous material. While, the embodied CO2 is estimated to be less than 30 kg CO2/ tonne.
7. Half Block
8. Starter Block (Side View)
9. Stretcher Block (Side View)
10. Top Block (Side View)
acquisition from the site
rubble unwanted particles required partical size production with coarse aggregates additives (one needed for the tensile
Fig.2: Sketch of the Final RCA Block, Source: Adapted from Sabai, 2013
Experiment from recycled concrete water/cement ratio
0.45-0.60 are prepared. full replacement of aggregates from 0% to increment of 20% are created. sieve analysis made to gradation.
aggregate (BFS) by-product in the manufacture mineral that can be weathered in controlled completing an period of weathering, they into standard range sizes. Ukraine has great
for Concrete Blocks performance fibre reinforced is found to be option as the main system. A new recipe is replacing fine and coarse recycled concrete
Electric arc furnace (EAF) process uses 100% locally sourced and recovered ferrous scrap metal as the primary raw material which creates bar and rod products wth a recycled content about 95%. It consumes 1/3 of energy and emith 1/6 of CO2 compared other steelmaking processes. H.3. Final Recipe for Concrete Blocks Ulta-high performance fibre reinforced concrete (UHPFRC) is found to be the most suitable option as the main I. Next Step - Demountable C&D waste UHPFRC concrete block system
Blastfurnace slag aggregate (BFS) BFS is a by-product in the manufacture of iron. It is a mineral that can be naturally weathered in controlled stockpiles. After completing an appropriate period of weathering, they can be converted into standard range of aggregate sizes. Ukraine has great
3. Stretcher Block (to be used for T-corner)
Concrete Block
The Design
The design takes its foundation points from circularity, demountability, and safety. It focuses on the local solution that enables easy construction and easy demountability that adapts to the rapid change of situation in a war zone. Only off-site transportation is imagined for the precast hollow core slabs and precast retaining walls. The wall system is imagined to be manufactured fully on-site. The project gets its title, "The Rule of Three" from the conducted survey done on one of the Ukrainian visitors who mentioned that the local community follows the simple rule of hiding behind the third blank wall whenever the missile siren is heard. The area behind the third wall is considered a safe zone. My project takes its origin for its structural design from this simple rule. The bastion gabion walls are reevaluated to function not only as a defence
system but also as an accessibility route and common space. The second layer of the bastion ramp wall gives access to the shared facilities on the ground floor, like the kitchen, panic room, and first-aid room, whereas the private functions, like offices, are located on the first floor.
Generic dimension of bastion walls by HESCO are used for the design of the lines of defences with recycled fine aggregate rubble infill (see Fig. 4). Four types of bastion walls are used for a horizontal line of defence, functioning as a stepped, multipurpose space accessible from the landscape. The first vertical line of defence with DB1O bastion walls enables underground construction and safety. The second vertical line of defence also has an alternative function of ramp while serving as a secondary rigid blast wall.
The Demountable RCA Blocks
The crucial part of the design was to figure out the sizes and types of demountable recycled concrete blocks necessary to prove the concept. The height and span of one recycled block is determined after consulting structural design professors of TU Delft in order to sustain the C25-30 strength. A normal block's dimension
Fig. 3: Ground floor plan, Source: Own
Fig. 4: Graphics showing the lines of defences, Source: Own
is 300x450x120 that needs to be placed in a staggered layout to increase structural efficiency and allow for EAF reinforcing bar to go through. A total of four different block types (N,L,T,C) are created that can accommodate any rectilinear buildings (see Fig. 5). Because of the low strength of the concrete blocks, a double-layered wall after approximately a two meter span is defined as a structural solution repeating both ground and first floor. It
5: RCA Blocks, Source: Own
is envisioned for flexible and repetitive design that allows multi-storey implementation. A close-up block solution has been made for the double-layered wall, L-corner wall, and T-corner wall (see Fig. 6). Based on the span of each block type, whether one or two holes for 20MM EAF rebars are identified.
The Climate Design
Safety and durability had the highest priority for the design, so alternative approaches were sought to satisfy human comfort. Natural ventilation is allowed from the hollow core slabs and RCA blocks. The supply air intake is situated on the floor, and the return air is placed diagonally at the roof of each room (see Fig. 7). Another innovative approach was taken while creating the Breeze Block (see Fig. 7). A breeze block can be placed anywhere by replacing one of the RCA blocks. A metal adjustable ventilation cover can be fixated at any necessary location with ease.
7: Climate design implementations, Source: Own
Fig.
Fig. 6: Close-up wall solutions, Source: Own
Fig.
The Structure
For the structure, demountability was the main concern that affected the decision-making during the process. The main defence system with bastion gabion walls is all filled with recycled fine aggregate rubble and an addition of 20x20x20 support rods for additional support. The wall construction is fully demountable with RCA blocks and hidden fixing insulation sandwich panels. The panels provide A2 class fire safety and can easily be fixed to the wall with anchor bolts (see Fig. 8). The same structure follows after each floor, which makes the system flexible and easily repetitive. After 300x30 steel plates, S355 asymmetrical I-beams are placed at every double-layer wall. Hollow precast slim floorings are slid through the I-beams before the insulation layer and joining tape. The flooring is done with a tongue-groove floor decking system. Coming up with a demountable window system was tricky because of the area limitations. The desired RCA blocks can be replaced with a window unit by fixing the blocks with tension-threaded rebar bolts 20MM.
The aluminium U-channel edge profile is attached to the sandwich panels, and 30mm wood plate is placed between the glazing unit and RCA block. 12-10-12 double glass pane system with demountable aluminium glazing unit is designed for the structure. Thermally, it has three lines of defences, which is also achieved by the glazing sealants (see Fig. 8). The roof construction's multipurpose function necessitates dead and live load expectancy. A seismic load is also taken into consideration for figuring out the blast load from missile attacks. It is assumed that the small span between the double-layer wall system and I-beams would be appropriate to carry all loading cases. Demountable screed panels with necessary surface and water treatment are preferred for roof construction.
Fig. 8: Close-up details, Source: Own
Fig. 9: Section drawing, Source: Own
The Reflection
Tackling an extreme architecture in a war zone provided a chance to reevaluate the existing blast-resistant structures and implementations thoroughly. Repurposing bastion gabion walls into a circulation route and multi-use steps gave a humane perspective to the harsh outlook of the conventional warzone design. The bastion walls and RCA blocks enabled the usage of both fine and coarse aggregates from C&D waste. Whereas the mandatory off-site material transport for precast hollow slabs was a defect in regards to circular construction. With all things considered, I extend my gratitude to my supervisor, Job Schroen, for this incredible studio experience.
Bibliography
1. Cai, G., Xiong, F., Xu, Y., Si Larbi, A., Lu, Y., & Yoshizawa, M. (2019). A Demountable Connection for Low-Rise Precast Concrete Structures with DfD for Construction Sustainability-A Preliminary Test under Cyclic Loads. Sustainability, 11(13), 3696. https://doi.org/10.3390/ su11133696
2. Chen, L., Xu, R., Fang, Q., Zheng, Y., Li, Z., & Cao, M. (2022). Response Characteristics of Gabion Wall under Large TNT-Equivalent Explosives. Journal of Structural Engineering, 148(8), 04022104. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0003413
3. Dolan, P. J., Lampo, R. G., & Dearborn, J. C. (1999). Concepts for Reuse and Recycling of Construction and Demolition Waste: Defense Technical Information Center. https://doi.org/10.21236/ ADA368252
4. Sabai, M. M. (2013). Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling into Innovative Building Materials for Sustainable Construction in Tanzania. TU Delft Bouwkunde Library.
Fig. 10: Longitudinal section of the building, Source: Own
V Roof House : Ballistic Safe Underground Community Centre in Kherson
Sanguk Ryu (EXTREME)
Background
In times of war or conflict, underground bunkers offer protection from external threats, but they often lack natural light and ventilation, making them emotionally uncomfortable for long-term living. The V Roof House project aims to address this challenge by creating an underground building that combines safety with good natural light and ventilation (Fig. 1). Located in Kherson of Ukraine, where an old district municipality office building was destroyed during the war, this project will replace the ruined structure with a new, livable design that ensures both security and comfort for its inhabitants.
Modularity
The V Roof House adopts a modular concept to ensure quick and safe construction under wartime conditions. Concrete is used as the primary structural material for its effectiveness against ballistic loads, with precast concrete panels enabling rapid assembly onsite. To enhance structural integrity, the weakest joint connections were reinforced with pre-anchored steel to withstand against critical seismic loads. The design includes Type A and B modules, each containing the main program on either side of a service space, as well as Type C modules that can be used as large, flexible spaces. These modules are designed to be linearly connected allowing for adaptability based on the building’s needs. (Fig. 2)
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Fig. 1: Building concept
Natural Daylight
Ventilation
Protection
Fig. 2: Modular concept Type A Type B
Type C Connection concept
Indoor ventilation - roof shape
This analysis was focused on enhancing ventilation by utilizing a roof structure that slightly protrudes above ground level. CFD simulations were conducted with a wind speed of 15 m/s, considering the dominant east and north wind directions, which are evenly distributed throughout the year. Comparisons between a raised center flat roof and a double V-shaped roof revealed that the V-shaped design significantly improves ventilation. 3D simulations further confirmed efficient air circulation within the space, minimizing excessive stagnation and ensuring a healthier interior environment. (Fig. 3)
Natural light - roof shape
To evaluate the impact of indoor natural light, based on roof shape and opening size (window height), the target range of UDI (Useful Daylight Illuminance) was set at 100–3000 lux, with measurements conducted for the month of September. Among the three design options, the simulation featuring raised center and an window opening height of 900mm yielded the best results. In this scenario, most of the interior space met the target UDI values over 60% throughout the month, ensuring sufficient natural light penetration and creating a well-lit, comfortable environment. (Fig. 4)
Basic wind info
Natural ventilation wind speed: Flat roof vs. V-shaped roof
V-roof 3D wind analysis
Fig. 3: Wind analysis - natural ventilation
Fig. 4: Solar influence - UDI (Useful daylight illuminance)
Option 1. Protruded - H 900
Option 2. Sinked - H 900
Option 2. Sinked - H 600
Structural concept
The concrete retaining cantilever walls were designed to withstand significant loads from the earth pressure to balance the forces. The four-sided retaining wall functions as a shear wall, effectively resisting lateral forces (Fig. 5). In the event of a large impact on the roof, the force distribution is carefully planned to propagate evenly across all structural members. The load conditions considered during the structural design include:
ULS) 1.0 dead load + 1.0 explosion point load (5000 kN) + 0.5 live load (2 kN/m²) + 0.25 snow load (1.6 kN/m²) + 1.0 soil pressure (19 kN/m³), along with a uniformly distributed roof soil weight load of 15 kN/m². (Fig. 6)
Fig. 6: Structural element design advancements
Impact load
Soil pressure
Fig. 5: Structural concept
Ballistic resistant interlocking glass system
To withstand ballistic loads, conventional glass panes, could not be used. Instead, the glass was divided into smaller cast glass blocks, utilizing dry connections to prevent stress concentration and failure at specific points. An efficient osteomorphic shape with dry-interlocking connections was adopted, and each glass unit was connected using post-tensioning steel cables threaded through internal holes. The lateral constraint created by the blocks' upper structure generates strong compression between the glass blocks, effectively utilizing the glass's inherent physical strengths. When out-of-plane deformation occurs, forces are absorbed through elastic deformation and converted into kinetic energy, enhancing overall resilience. By designing the glass units as independent components, failure is localized to specific sections, ensuring that maintenance is simplified and only damaged parts require replacement. (Fig.7)
Osteomorphic dry-interlocking system
3T PU dry interlayer
⌀12mm steel post-tension cable
Dry interlocking cast glass block unit
glass block system detailing
Fig. 7: Structural member design advancements
Cast
Geothermal warming & cooling
In Kherson, where temperatures range from -10°C to 30°C, achieving a comfortable indoor environment through passive climate control alone is challenging, particularly in midsummer and winter. To address this, mechanical heating and cooling systems are necessary. A geothermal HVAC system with a dual-flow ventilation unit and heat recovery was implemented to maximize energy efficiency. This system ensures a continuous flow of fresh air at the desired temperature while minimizing energy consumption, creating a stable and comfortable indoor environment throughout the year.(Fig. 8)
(spiralloopsystem)
Fig. 8: (Up and left) Geothermal heating and cooling system
Fig. 10 : (Down) Exterior perspective
Assembly
Materials are pre-processed in nearby countries due to supply challenges in Ukraine and transported via trailers (L13m*W2.5m*H3m) for on-site assembly. Prefabricated concrete elements, the largest components, were designed to fit trailer specifications, ensuring efficient transport and quick construction.
Sustainable material
Except for the main structural materials, locally sourced finishing materials were prioritized with a focus on sustainability. War demolition debris was re-purposed as filling for gabion walls, while cor-ten steel was used for planter finishes. Bio-based hemp fibre panels were chosen for interior finishes, and Ukrainian granite slabs were utilized as stone material, integrating durability with ecological responsibility. (Fig. 9)
Fig. 9 : (Right) Key Detail section drawing
Fig. 11 : (Down) Interior perspective (office)
www.dgmr.nl
engineers for building physics, fire safety, software and environment
bouT sponsor - DEBUT contributor
TATA STEEL FACTORY VISIT:
Insights into Advanced Steel Production and Emerging Technologies
by Janvi Dedhia | Daan Schlosser (Study Trips)
The tour commenced with an engaging lecture by the chairman of the European Coil Coating Association (ECCA), who introduced the group to the concept of pre-painted steel. This innovative material offers several advantages, including enhanced durability, greater aesthetic versatility, and improved sustainability. The
chairman highlighted how pre-painted steel, with its ability to reduce maintenance costs and increase the lifespan of products, presents a forward-thinking solution for industries seeking eco-friendly materials. The environmental benefits, such as reducing energy consumption during production and minimizing waste,
were particularly compelling and aligned with global sustainability goals.
A key focus of the visit was Tata Steel’s ambitious plans to implement Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) technology by 2050. This transformative process seeks to replace traditional blast furnaces with hydrogen-based steel production, significantly reducing the industry’s reliance on coal. The potential to achieve steel production with near-zero carbon emissions demonstrates Tata Steel’s commitment to decarbonizing the industry and leading the shift toward sustainable practices. The introduction of DRI technology represents a visionary approach to tackling one of the most pressing challenges in steelmaking: the reduction of its carbon footprint.
Following a brief lunch break, the group was equipped with full safety gear—glasses, protective overcoats, earplugs, and helmets—before entering the heart of the factory. The firsthand experience of observing industrial-scale steel
production was one of the most exciting and educational parts of the visit. We were guided through each step of the process, beginning with the transformation of iron ore into molten iron. Seeing the molten iron flow into molds and the subsequent rolling of the slabs into sheets for various applications was nothing short of captivating.
A highlight of the tour was witnessing the molten steel being poured into a large transport vehicle before it was shaped into slabs. This direct exposure to every stage of production—from ore to finished steel sheets— was an invaluable learning experience, offering us a detailed view of the complexity and scale of modern steel manufacturing.
The visit concluded with a discussion on the future of steel production, emphasizing the industry’s growing focus on innovation and sustainability. Tata Steel’s pioneering efforts to incorporate hydrogen-based steelmaking and adopt environmentally responsible practices underscored
the company’s role in leading the industry toward a greener future.
In summary, the visit to Tata Steel’s IJmuiden Works provided an exceptional educational experience. It seamlessly connected theoretical knowledge with practical application, giving us a deeper understanding of both the traditional methods and the innovative technologies that are set to revolutionize steel production in the decades to come. The insights we gained into sustainable steelmaking and the future of industrial production were both eye-opening and inspiring, leaving us with a renewed appreciation for the evolving role of steel in the global economy.
ZRi is een bouwadviesbureau voor Aanbesteden & Contracteren, Bouwfysica & Bouwtechniek en Bouwmanagement. Vanuit een karakteristiek pand in Den Haag werkt ons team van ongeveer 25 adviseurs aan uitdagende projecten, zowel nieuwbouw als renovatie en herontwikkeling van bestaande gebouwen.
In ons werk hebben we extra aandacht voor toekomstbestendigheid, energie-efficiëntie en circulariteit.
Op zoek naar een inspirerende en prettige werkomgeving en leerzame afstudeerplek?
Bij ons krijg je de kans om jouw kennis in te zetten bij onze mooie projecten en verder te groeien als bouwkundig professional. Scan de QR code en ontdek welke mogelijkheden en actuele vacatures er zijn voor jou.
▪ AANBESTEDEN & CONTRACTEREN
▪ BOUWFYSICA & BOUWTECHNIEK
▪ BOUWMANAGEMENT
Beeld: Marcel van der Burg
Academic Year Event Chart
September 2024 to January 2025
06-09-2024
BouT BBQ
Q1
24-09-2024
DGMR Lunch Lecture
25-09-2024
Master Drinks
07-10-2024
TATA Steel Factory visit
17-10-2024
BouT Bouwpub
Q2 11-11-2024
RHDHV Lunch Lecture
13-11-2024
Pre-Debut
06-12-2024
Potluck & Pubcrawl
22-11-2024
Debut
More events coming up!
14-12-2024
A Museum Day out
Contribute to the feeling of comfort at Royal HaskoningDHV
On a daily basis, our colleagues craft environments that seamlessly blend user comfort with eco-conscious design, offering a harmonious experience for both people and the planet. And the most inspiring aspect of all is that you get to work with a lot of in-house experts: engineers, architects, manufacturers and builders. Every day is different, whether you are a building technology engineer, mechanical or electrical engineer, fire safety consultant or acoustics & building physics consultant. You will work for a variety of clients, like hospitals, data centres, laboratories, airports, museums, theatres, performance halls, industrial plants, offices and housing.
▶ Ready to elevate environments?
Scan the QR-code, read more about the experiences of our colleagues and explore your job opportunities!
