Granja // Horta

Students:

Akshay Madapura I Pragati Patilkulkarni I Vishakha Darshan Pathak

Faculty: Rodrigo Aguirre

Faculty Assistant: Ivan Marchuk

The studio focuses on an architectural context where, through the development of design processes, computational strategies and means of digital fabrication; the design of lightweight, low-mass and self-supporting thinshell systems, pushing the limits of form, structure, and space.

La Clota, one of Barcelona’s smallest neighborhoods, maintains a traditional way of life, with farming as one of the primary activities, and has minimal connection to the cityscape. After careful site analysis and studies, our observations show that the residents are rigid about the neighborhood’s massive urbanization.

Hence Our project anticipates a place that promotes farming through the use of new technologies that will reconfigure the traditional relationship between people, farms, and urban developments, resulting in the creation of a public space network that will transform agricultural farming into a communal experience. The characteristics and the existing conditions of the site makes it an ideal location for experimenting with contemporary and innovative concepts of farming.

Optimization & Fabrication

The Final prototype (scale 1:15) was made by leaser cutting and zip ties to for the connection.

Fabrication Statistics

Material: Polypropylene 1050 x 750 x 0.8 mm, 7 Translucent sheet.

(Base)MDF 4mm 900X900

Number of Strips: 87

Number of Holes: Connectors: 3408 nylon 2.5mm zip ties

Cut Time: 6hrs

Assembly Time: 14 hours

Final Model Dimensions: 900 x 900 x 600mm

This project uses stripe morphology and Kangaroo plugin in Grasshopper to optimize the structure and create a lightweight structure. The Kangaroo plugin is a physics engine that simulates structural forces and allows designers to create complex forms and shapes that are optimized for strength and weight. By using stripe morphology, the structure is designed to create an efficient and lightweight structure that is both strong and beautiful. The resulting design is a testament to the power of computational design and the potential for technology to transform the way we think about architecture and building design.

Design

Our program is focused on three main aspects: LEARN, PRODUCE, and SHARE. Each element has its own unique activity that contributes to the overall program.

The aim of the design intervention is to preserve traditional ways of living while utilizing advanced agricultural technologies, such as led farming and aeroponics in vertical farming

Workshops are an essential component of the program as they provide spaces for learning about these advanced technologies. Through sharing products via a farmer’s market and a green kitchen, a communal gathering area is created where people can come together and connect over sustainable practices.

The catchment area is the main water gathering point and is formed by natural slopes on the site. The funnels or water collecting towers are strategically placed across the catchment region, with circulation as the primary consideration. A ramp connects the shorter branches of the funnels and leads to the workshop area. From there, the larger branches are attached to the ground with solar energy-collecting surfaces, creating a sustainable power source for the entire program. The design intervention emphasizes the importance of preserving traditional ways of living while incorporating new and innovative technologies to create sustainable living practices. Through the program’s activities, people can learn about and produce sustainable products while sharing them with their community. The water catchment system and solar energy-collecting surfaces ensure that the program operates in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner.

Students: