COMPUTATIONAL WEAVING
A MATERIAL ORIENTED DESIGN PROCESS
Bachelor Thesis A.A. 2012/2013
Student: Bernardo de Cossio
Supervisor: Ingrid Paoletti
Co-supervisors: Roberto Naboni, Walter Carvelli
Contemporary digital practices, favoured by the use of advanced computational tool-sets, are focusing on the potential of integrating material properties within the digital model in order to inform physically consistent architectural design. Industrial standardization have drastically selected just a few of possible techniques and materials, which were able to satisfy mass production criterias. With the implementation of digital custom-based workflows, antique traditions can be revisited exploring the emergent properties of original material characteristics.
In particular weaving constitutes one of the first techniques developed by mankind in the production of crafts, accompanying human civilization since 10,000 years ago. From containers to buildings, the intricate art of basketry represents an important technology heritage that nowadays has been mainly forgotten. Willow [Salix] is an essential material in basketry which displays very specific properties in terms of growing rate, environmental impact and cost factor. With more than 300 types of species, Salix is very susceptible to soil and climate conditions, determining a great range of mechanical properties that had been engineered and selected through time. As a natural system of wood fibers, Salix is also an anisotropic material showing significant variants with industrially produced materials.
This research aims to present computational based methodology and results arising from the application of willow and weaving techniques to the construction of experimental architectural systems. The research explores the close correspondence between material properties and assembly systems found in basketry, studied through analytical and laboratory tests, and then implemented through finite element analysis and algorithmic workflow. The goal is to explore how to extend the knowledge gained through a millennial relationship between man and weaving under the perspective of contemporary design and fabrication techniques.
In order to do so, a series of computational experiments and simulations have been introduced to highlight the integration of materiality, digital morphogenesis and fabrication of willow. It will be presented how the digital model have been informed by mechanical tests in laboratory and practical tests on weaving, for the generation of specific geometries related to the elastic nature of the material.
The exploration of the interaction between digital and craft techniques for natural materials represents a promising field to decrease the environmental impact of the construction industry. Nevertheless, new assembly systems, such as wood weaving, seems to have still unexplored potential in terms of performative and tectonic characteristics which highlight important results when approached as a material-driven design and fabrication process.
Student: Bernardo de Cossio
Supervisor: Ingrid Paoletti
Co-supervisors: Roberto Naboni, Walter Carvelli
Contemporary digital practices, favoured by the use of advanced computational tool-sets, are focusing on the potential of integrating material properties within the digital model in order to inform physically consistent architectural design. Industrial standardization have drastically selected just a few of possible techniques and materials, which were able to satisfy mass production criterias. With the implementation of digital custom-based workflows, antique traditions can be revisited exploring the emergent properties of original material characteristics.
In particular weaving constitutes one of the first techniques developed by mankind in the production of crafts, accompanying human civilization since 10,000 years ago. From containers to buildings, the intricate art of basketry represents an important technology heritage that nowadays has been mainly forgotten. Willow [Salix] is an essential material in basketry which displays very specific properties in terms of growing rate, environmental impact and cost factor. With more than 300 types of species, Salix is very susceptible to soil and climate conditions, determining a great range of mechanical properties that had been engineered and selected through time. As a natural system of wood fibers, Salix is also an anisotropic material showing significant variants with industrially produced materials.
This research aims to present computational based methodology and results arising from the application of willow and weaving techniques to the construction of experimental architectural systems. The research explores the close correspondence between material properties and assembly systems found in basketry, studied through analytical and laboratory tests, and then implemented through finite element analysis and algorithmic workflow. The goal is to explore how to extend the knowledge gained through a millennial relationship between man and weaving under the perspective of contemporary design and fabrication techniques.
In order to do so, a series of computational experiments and simulations have been introduced to highlight the integration of materiality, digital morphogenesis and fabrication of willow. It will be presented how the digital model have been informed by mechanical tests in laboratory and practical tests on weaving, for the generation of specific geometries related to the elastic nature of the material.
The exploration of the interaction between digital and craft techniques for natural materials represents a promising field to decrease the environmental impact of the construction industry. Nevertheless, new assembly systems, such as wood weaving, seems to have still unexplored potential in terms of performative and tectonic characteristics which highlight important results when approached as a material-driven design and fabrication process.
