Generating Structure through Tessellating

  DEFINE

As opposed to the traditional design thinking of resolving the spatial systems before resolving the structure of it, this project was an attempt to promote a thinking from part to whole, to develop a design ability in which the search for systems of space becomes intrinsic to the search for systems of space. Consequently, this project explores structure as abstract and diagrammatic, enabling diverse and interchangeable forms. Material is seen as temporal and replaceable, its organization in space generating two spatial dimensions: the space defined by the organized material and the space surrounding it. The project focuses predominantly on dealing and detailing out the latter as an outcome of principles of form deriving, through detailed prototypes and technical drawings that showcase structural and constructional principles.

  IDEATE

As a part of the design process, a module was first developed with experimentation, calculation and iteration. The module acted as the atom of the building. Next, the module, also seen as the component, was propagated to form a spanning system. The connections between the components as well as the end condition of the spanning system altogether defined the structure, form and forces of the developed system

The reverse process of designing in this project was challenging and fun. The focus here was to learn how to resolve and detail out architecture to its tiniest component to be able to communicate it aptly to the maker of the building. Every design decision had its sequence of construction figured out.

PROTOTYPE

Starting with an L-shape (like that of a hinge), as the guiding rule, the form of a component was explored. Load testing helped in identifying the strengths and weakness of the component and it's joineries. Further, exploring ways of propagating it in X and Y direction helped in further detailing of it.

Translating this study to a different material, further prototypes were explored to see the possibility of the form of the component as well as the rules that would enable to the design of the component to propagate in X and Y directions. Since this component would lead to an entire spanning system, propagation becomes a key test.

The variations were based on the type of joinery that would further govern its behavior in the spanning system

The final component..

The component with the module, the pin-joint, and a pipe under compression that enables the propagation of the component while keeping the modules all together

Thus resulting into the system:

axonometric view of the spanning system

An analysis of the load transfer in the system helped identify the members under tension vs compression. This was supported by plugins from grasshopper.

the modules are in blue, the red line indicates the pipes under compression, and the cable ties them all together being under tension balancing out all the forces the keep the system stable

A physical model of the spanning system that becomes the roof of the building to be designed.

view of the end condition, governing how the system rests on the walls

  DESIGN  

The resultant building that was designed accommodates a guest house for Badminton players. The layout of the space was designed based on the requirements of the program as well as the climatic response to the context. There was a simultaneous attempt to develop and follow the language derived from the spanning system into the entire building; its material expression and fenestration.

A detailed wall section along the transverse side showing the play and specification of materials used in the project and how they connect with each other

An exploded view of the building with its various layers coming together as shown above in the wall section