Design and fabrication using 3D concrete printing
Impact Printing
Design systems and construction strategies: Arch opening exploration
Hollow core 3DP + Spaceframe
Invisible natural dynamic to visible artificial object
Experience machine of nature
Reinterpretation from dark movie and cemetery
Professional Works
Baokao industrial park & Ginza central tower
ETH DFAB Thesis Design 2023 Jun-Sep
Collaborator: YoCheng Lee
Tutors: Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger Ana Anton, Andrei Jipa, Lukas Gebhard
Abstract
Concrete is one of the most extensively used material in construction and produces significant carbon emissions and formwork waste, especially slab elements.
This thesis explores a horizontal 3D concrete printing (3DCP) method to reduce the negative impact. The proposed fabrication method, inspired by Nubian vaults, focuses on compression-only structures, slicing with inclined planes and using an angled end effector.
The experimental process consists of five steps:
(1) Geometric design
(2) Physics simulation
(3) Toolpath generation
(4) Printability check and structural analysis
(5) Fabrication
After a series of experiments, the goal of this thesis is to identify the geometric factors, the toolpath factors and explore the further potential of this method in architectural applications with an efficient slab design.
Concrete is an essential material in construction, but its extensive usage has significant environmental impacts. Especially, over 35% of concrete in construction is used for floor elements.
Additionally, scaffolding and formwork are temporary components necessary for shaping concrete into the desired geometry. These auxiliary components have a notable contribution to the amount of resources used, waste generated, and global warming potential, especially for non-standard geometries.
3DCP combined with efficient structural design presents a solution to eliminate scaffolding and formwork, which also reduce the amount of concrete used in structures.
The inspiration for this research is drawn from Nubian vaults, which originate from the ancient civilisation of Nubia located in modern-day northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Nubian vaults are built by stacking rows of stones or bricks in inclined arches, assembling them with mortar and forming a self-supporting structure without traditional formwork. This building technique aligns with the layered extrusion 3DCP process.
Design and fabrication using 3D concrete printing
ETH DFAB Thesis Design 2023 Jan-Mar
Collaborator: Carl P-Conquilla, YiHsiu Hung, Joseph Kenny, Ramón López, Nijat Mahamaliyev, K. Lihin
Weera, Zhuo Zhang
Tutors: Prof. Fabio Gramazio, Prof. Matthias Kohler
Kunaljit Chadha, Lauren Vasey, Ananya Kango
We aim to develop novel methods and techniques for the aggregation of soil-based material through a fast remote deposition process in order to build nonstandard and sustainable architectural structures with an autonomous excavator.
The built outcome will have real-world significance and applicability to the Swiss building sector and beyond, paving the way for new means of sustainable construction.
This research will advance sustainable construction systems that can be directly sourced from the construction site and then re-used in construction.
With increasing environmental challenges like pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, earth-based materials are becoming more prevalent in construction. However, traditional building methods rely heavily on formwork and labor, leading to increased costs and extended timelines. This research explores an innovative robotic construction technique that deposits discrete materials by "shooting" and controlled velocities, forming structures.
Our research group addresses a key challenge in earthbased construction: creating stable structural openings. The project unfolds in several phases:
(1) Geometry design: The concept is a wall element incorporating arches of varied positions, sizes, and angled tiling to explore structural versatility.
(2) Framework and building process development: Ensuring a stable earth-to-frame connection is critical to counteract the impacts of this "shooting" technique.
(3) Issues: cracking and collapse: Cracks are a natural concern due to the material properties and complex geometry. We experimented with various reinforcement materials, while scanning technology allowed us to analyze structural behavior and understand collapse limitations.
ETH DFAB Thesis Design 2023 Mar-Jun
Collaborator: MAS 2022-23
Tutors: Prof. Benjamin Dillenburger Matthias Leschok, Marirena Kladeftira, Nik Efekhar Olivo
Abstract
Pr ō tóplasto rethinks the role and use of plastic in architecture, introducting novel moldless, wastefree digital fabrication based on 3D printing. A digital process chain is developed, which allows to easily adapt the system through computational design to any given context. The project speculates on the future role and potential of plastic material in architecture through additive manufacturing.
This design reimagines the principles of lightweight plastic architecture and introduces a new approach to circular synthetic materials that can be reused or recycled multiple times over their lifecycle.
The pavilion features three long-span mushroom columns, each composed of a 3D-printed column and a radial spaceframe roof.
The roof structure, a spaceframe with an innovative topology, is enabled by 3D-printed interlocking connections. These connections allow the roof to interlock with each column via an intermediate module. The columns are manufactured with hollow-core 3D printing(HC3DP), designed to house post-tensioning cables and light sources within their hollow cores. Key design parameters for the columns include such as continuous toolpaths, maximum overhangs, and minimum feature sizes.
The column footings are formed as continuous extensions of the column geometry and cast with the HC3DP formwork.
The spaceframe module's geometry is custom-fit for each column to interlock with the column's shape in its upper layers. A post-tensioning cable runs through the intermediate spaceframe module, through the column, and anchors at the concrete footings beneath. For spaceframe joints, a custom design tool calculates the minimum joint volume needed for each tube connection. This tool orients connection details, creating hybrid-detail joints uniquely tailored to their structural positions.
A discrete roof-column system with hollowcore 3D printing and bespoke spaceframe
Keyword
Light weight architecture
Hollow-core 3D printing
Bespoke spaceframe and joints
TKUA Thesis Design 2018 Sep-2019 Jun
Tutors: ChenCheng Chen
Building type: Pavilions
This research-based thesis begins on a journey to explore methods of discrete representation in both parametric design and physical fabrication.
The project begins with an observation of nature. On a microscopic level, particles are in constant motion, following natural laws to form complex, organic phenomena. In nature, everything is dynamic and composed of ongoing processes without a fixed starting or ending point open-ended and ever-changing. This contrasts with static, artificial spaces, which are typically close-ended and finite.
In this project, I capture the essential elements of natural phenomena small units, rules, and iteration to create a dynamic and reversible architectural experience that mirrors the nature.
Advancements in contemporary technology, particularly the use of robotic arms, have made design more flexible and easier to manufacture, allowing for greater experimentation in both form and function.
Ultimately, this design responds to the concept of bionic architecture within the context of the digital age, bridging the gap between nature's organic processes and modern technological capabilities.
This research explores a method for spatial formation using voxels and defined rules. It integrates concepts of tessellation, geometric growth, and digital fabrication to develop contemporary architectural solutions.
Truchet Tile is a 2D tessellation technique that generates diverse patterns using a few units. Voxel is the 3D equivalent of a pixel. While voxels may share the same basic form, their values are encoded differently based on their relationships within 3D space, not simply their coordinates.
(1) Geometry & Tile
The focus is on how the geometric forms connect with neighboring units and how they iteratively aggregate as voxels, creating a complex system.
(2) Rules of Growth
Inspired by natural processes, these growth rules are applied to the four tiles. Various constraints are also introduced.
(3) Material & Fabrication
Given the complexity of the patterns and the amount of the units I experiment with digital fabrication techniques to test the feasibility of the design with some architectural elements.
(4) Architectural Design
As one of the possibility of the application of this design strategy, I uses simple geometric boundaries, allowing four pavilions to emerge through the interaction of tiles and growth rules. While the boundaries remain similar, the result is a series of differentiated and complex structures.
Invisible natural dynamic to visible artificial object
TKUA CAAD Lab Design 2017 Sep-2018 Jan
Tutors:
ChenCheng Chen
Building type: Art studio/ Bus stop/ Resident gathering space/ Observatory and chapel
Abstract
In film, people tend to recall several specific scenes or fragments, but for me, it's the gradual buildup of emotions and dramatic tension that resonates most deeply. It's this unfolding process, rather than a singular aesthetic moment, that captivates me.
In this project, " time and process" is the main concept. The selected sites are four spots locating along a path on Yangming Mountain. My aim is to amplify visitors' and residents' awareness of natural phenomena and enhance the interaction between architecture, environment, and those who experience it.
Introduction
This design originated from the observation of natural phenomena. It implements the concept in three steps:
(1) Phenomena (Conceptual model for analysis)
Natural phenomena emerge from the aggregation of particles undergoing dynamic changes over time. In this stage, I extract and analyze the processes and evolving patterns of these phenomena using a microscopic perspective and computational methods.
(2) Time & process (Installation for interpretation)
Focusing on the changing patterns of four natural phenomena, this stage translates those dynamics into a sensory experience. By incorporating four external forces, I developed four movable installations to enhance visitors' perception of time and process.
(3) Back to Nature (Architecture)
The final stage integrates these ideas into a series of architectural interventions along a path on Yangming Mountain. The route extends from a well-known tourist destination to a secluded mountain village. Along the way, pavilions serve as stopping points, offering spaces for both tourists and locals to pause and engage with the unique ambiance of each site. These pavilions act as reflective moments within a landscape rich in stories.
TKUA EN Lab Design 2018 Feb-Jun
Tutors: YingChang Yu
Building type: Cemetery
The "Neo-noir," or "New Dark Movie," this genre brings a unique approach that stands apart from traditional film genres. While challenging to define precisely, it often explores certain themes and presentation styles:
(1) Theme or Perspective: Focuses on society's hidden, darker aspects.
(2) Characters: Often defy social norms or conventions.
(3) Emotional Tone and Tempo: Frequently features plot reversals and psychological depth.
(4) Visual Style: Strong contrasts in lighting heighten the mood.
I'm particularly drawn to how directors use this darker perspective to highlight societal issues. Whether in detective stories, horror, or thrillers, Neo-noir powerfully heightens viewer perceptions and, at times, allows for emotional release.
In this project, I translate three core techniques of "Dark Movie" Confirmation, Suspicion, and Reshaping into architectural design concepts, developing spaces and details inspired by this genre's atmosphere.
A. Concept Development
(1) Suspicion: Emotions shift when individuals can't link their present experience with familiar states. For example, a person may feel "lost" without a reference point, which makes people concentrate.
(2) Confirmation: A process of rediscovering the original state. Through "peeping" from various perspectives, individuals piece together to understand the whole.
(3) Reshaping: When an unexpected situation becomes reality, impressions are reshaped, creating a "conflict" between what's familiar and what's undefined.
The worship space reinterpreted by dark movies
Keyword Automonument
Detail design
Emotion & perception
Time & process
B. Architecture
This circular cemetery is designed as a layered experiential journey. The exterior's weighty concrete walls contrast with the fluid, reflective metal forms inside. People who come for worship can compose their own experience by observing through windows and navigating through concrete openings of varying sizes. Some of these openings are intentionally low, requiring visitors to bend down, adding to the ceremonial quality of the journey.
C. Detail Design
The primary structural elements are concrete walls throughout and a central metal core that hangs or supports other elements, such as floor slabs. Openings in the concrete, modular windows, and metal structures are parametrically designed.
Selected Projects. | 2020-2022
Type: Factory & Office & Retail Location: Xindian, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Team Contribution: Parametric Model, Design Development, Architectural Visulization Software : Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit, ArchiCAD, Lumion
Phase 1
Site area:41397m²
Building coverage rate: (design) 26% / (regulation) 60% Floor area rate: (design) 144% / (regulation) 210%
Building area:10682m²/ 24838m²
Floor area: 59496m²/ 86935m² Phase 2
Site area:53013
Type: Office & Residence
Location: Linkou, New Taipei City, Taiwan
Site area: 3048.91 m²
Building coverage rate: (design) 46.95% / (regulation) 70%
Floor area rate: (design) 620.99%/ (regulation) 500% (bonus)
Building area: 1431.44 m²
Building height: 84.95 m Floor area: 36069.61 m²
Selected Projects. | 2020-2022
Team Contribution: Parametric Model, Design Development, Architectural Visulization Software : Rhino, Grasshopper, Revit, ArchiCAD, Lumion
/ Tor Alva. | 3D concrete printing tower
Architecture
Prof. Dr. Benjamin Dillenburger, Digital Building Technologies (DBT), Michael Hansmeyer
Team: Dr. Ana Anton (Research Lead), Eleni Skevaki, Che Wei Lin, Ming-Yang Wang, Lena Kitani, Huang Su, Dr. Konrad Graser (Project Coordination)
Materials
Prof. Dr. Robert Flatt, Institut für Baustoffe (PCBM)
Team: Dr. Timothy Wangler, Dr. Lex Reiter
Geodesy
Prof. Dr. Andreas Wieser, Geosensors and Engineering Geodesy (GSEG)
Technicians / Robotic Fabrication Laboratory
Mike Lyrenmann, Philippe Fleischmann, Tobias Hartmann, Luca Petrus, Jonathan Leu
/ Fractal Evolution. | Robot
Team Work
Lecturer: Chin-Han Lee
Teaching Assistant: Yu Chen
Material: Wood
Robotic arm UR10 / Rhino / Grasshopper
/ Workshop
Team Work & Personal Practice
Lecturer: Wei-Ting Chen, Yu Chen, Ping-Husn Tsai
Teaching Assistant: Ming-Yang Wang, Po-Yen Chen
Material: Wood
Lasercut / Rhino / Grasshopper / Maya
/ Knit-restrained pneumatics.
| On-going research
Researcher: Chao Yu Du
Prof. Dr. Philippe Block, Block Research Group (BRG), Dr. Tom Van Mele
Scientific assistant: Huang Su / Pick & Place. | Endless Wall
