Skip to main content

Democratising Tectonism: High Performance Geometry for Mass-Customisation of Virtual and Physical Spaces

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Disruptive Technologies: The Convergence of New Paradigms in Architecture

Abstract

A so-called Spatial Technology Stack (STS), that unifies Architectural Geometry and game-tech can robustly support the

  1. (i)

    synthesis of high-performance shapes including structurally optimised geometry and its processing for robotic and digital fabrication (RDF), and

  2. (ii)

    creation of environments that deliver novel, engaging and productive spatial user experiences both in the physical and virtual instantiations of architecture.

A technological thesis associated with these observations is that STS can provide, in comparison to the ubiquitous but misaligned Building information Modelling technologies, an alternative high-performance technological basis for engaging and responsible design, both online and on-land. We will argue that STS is better aligned with the cultural production view of architecture, spatial user-experience (UX) design and end-user ergonomics, integrated design and construction and the ecological benefits thereof, and the game-tech powering the metaverse.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 139.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 179.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akbarzadeh M, Van Mele T, Block P (2015) On the equilibrium of funicular polyhedral frames and convex polyhedral force diagrams. Comput-Aided Des 63:118–128

    Google Scholar 

  • AIBuild. AIBuild (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  • AltspaceVR (2013) AltspaceVR. https://altvr.com/. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Ball M (2021) The metaverse primer. https://www.matthewball.vc/the-metaverse-primer. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Barlow J (1998) From craft production to mass customization? Customer focused approaches to house building. In: Proceedings international group for lean construction IGLC

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, El Sayed M (2011) Use of sub-division surfaces in architectural form-finding and procedural modelling. In: Proceedings of the 2011 symposium on simulation for architecture and urban design, pp 60–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Bhooshan V, ElSayed M, Chandra S, Richens P, Shepherd P (2015) Applying dynamic relaxation techniques to form-find and manufacture curve-crease folded panels. Simulation 91(9):773–786

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S (2016a) Collaborative design—A case for combining CA(G)D and BIM. Archit Des

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S (2016b) Upgrading computational design. Archit Des 86

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S (2016c) Realizing architecture’s disruptive potential. Oz 38(1):7

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S (2017) Parametric design-thinking A case-study of practice-embedded architectural research. Des Stud

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Bhooshan V, Dell’Endice A, Chu J, Singer P, Megens J, Block P (2022a) The Striatus bridge: computational design and robotic fabrication of an unreinforced, 3D-concrete-printed, masonry arch bridge. Archit Struct Constr 1–23

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Bhooshan V, Megens J, Casucci T, Van Mele T, Block P (2022b, September) Print-path design for inclined-plane robotic 3D printing of unreinforced concrete. In: towards radical regeneration: design modelling symposium Berlin 2022. Springer International Publishing, Cham, pp 188–197

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan V, David Louth H, Bhooshan S, Schumacher P (2018a) Design workflow for additive manufacturing: a comparative study. Int J Rapid Manuf 7(2–3):240–276

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Ladinig J, Van Mele T, Block P (2018b) Function representation for robotic 3D printed concrete, ROBARCH 2018b—Robotic fabrication in architecture, art, and design. SpringerZurich, pp 98–109

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Van Mele T, Block P (2018c) Equilibrium-aware shape design for concrete printing. In: Humanizing digital reality. Springer, Singapore, pp 493–508

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan V, Reeves D, Bhooshan S, Block P (2018d) MayaVault—a mesh modelling environment for discrete funicular structures. Nexus Netw J 20(3):567–582

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan V, Louth H, Bieling L, Bhooshan S (2019) Spatial developable meshes. In: Design modelling symposium Berlin. Springer, Cham, pp 45–58

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhooshan S, Vazquez AN (2020) Homes, communities and games: constructing social agency in our urban futures. Archit Des 90:60–65

    Google Scholar 

  • Block P (2016) Parametricism’s structural congeniality. Archit Des 86:68–75

    Google Scholar 

  • Block P, Ochsendorf J (2007) Thrust network analysis: a new methodology for three-dimensional equilibrium. J Int Assoc Shell Spat Struct 48(3):167–173

    Google Scholar 

  • Block P, Van Mele T, Rippmann M, Ranaudo F, Javier Calvo Barentin C, Paulson N (2020) Redefining structural art: strategies, necessities and opportunities. Struct Eng 98(1):66–72

    Google Scholar 

  • BranchTechnology. Branch technology (2015). https://www.branch.technology/. Accessed 12 July 2019

  • Bruns A (2007) The future is user-led: the path towards widespread produsage. In Proceedings of perthDAC 2007: the 7th international digital arts and culture conference. Curtin University of Technology, pp. 68–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Chapanis A (1959) Research techniques in human engineering. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Criddle C, Klasa A (2023) What Gucci and others learnt from the metaverse. https://www.ft.com/content/d4c3d51f-4568-400e-8ca9-7706539d9cae. Accessed 24 Feb 2023

  • Decentraland (2020) Decentraland. https://decentraland.org/. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Eastman CM, Eastman C, Teicholz P, Sacks R, Liston K (2011) BIM handbook: a guide to building information modeling for owners, managers, designers, engineers and contractors. John Wiley & Sons

    Google Scholar 

  • Eckblad S, Ashcraft H, Audsley P, Blieman D, Bedrick J, Brewis C, Hartung RJ, Onuma K, Rubel Z, Stephens ND (2007) Integrated project delivery-a working definition. AIA California Council, Sacramento, CA 25

    Google Scholar 

  • Fallacara G (2009) Toward a stereotomic design: experimental constructions and didactic experiences. In: Proceedings of the third international congress on construction history 553

    Google Scholar 

  • Fabricatore C (2007) Gameplay and game mechanics design: a key to quality in videogames. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.1125.4167

  • Goffman E (1956) The presentation of self in everyday life. University of Edinburgh Social Sciences Research Centre

    Google Scholar 

  • Hallstedt S et al (2020) The need for new product development capabilities from digitalization, sustainability, and servitization trends. Sustainability 12, 10222. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122310222

  • Hofman E, Halman JI, Ion RA (2006) Variation in housing design: identifying customer preferences. Hous Stud 21:929–943. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673030600917842

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IntCDC (2019) Cluster of excellence integrative computational design and construction for architecture. https://icd.uni-stuttgart.de/?p=24111

  • Jacobs J (1992). The death and life of great American cities

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson A et al (2016) libigl: A simple C++ geometry processing library. 2018-10-16 [2019-06-03]. https://libigl.github.io

  • Jenkins H (2006) Fans, bloggers, and gamers: exploring participatory culture. Nyu Press

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang C, Tang C, Tomičí M, Wallner J, Pottmann H (2015) Interactive modeling of architectural freeform structures: combining geometry with fabrication and statics. In: Advances in architectural geometry 2014. Springer, Cham, pp 95–108

    Google Scholar 

  • Khemlani L (2009) Sutter medical center castro valley: case study of an IPD project. AECBytes, Khemlani L, CA. http://www.aecbytes.com/buildingthefuture/2009/Sutter_IPDCaseStudy.html

  • Lee J (2018) Computational design framework for 3D graphic statics. PhD diss., ETH Zurich

    Google Scholar 

  • Louth H, Reeves D, Koren B, Bhooshan S, Schumacher P (2017) A prefabricated dining pavilion: using structural skeletons, developable offset meshes, kerf-cut and bent sheet materials. Fabricate:58–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Lobato R, Thomas J, Hunter D (2012) Histories of user-generated content: between formal and informal media economies. In: Amateur media. Routledge, pp 19–33

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Y, Osvalder A-L, Karlsson M (2010) Considering the importance of user profiles in interface design. https://doi.org/10.5772/8903

  • Langer AM (1997) Analysis and design of information systems (3rd ed)

    Google Scholar 

  • Malmgren L, Jensen P, Olofsson T (2009) Product modelling of configurable building systems—A case study. Submitted December 2009 to Journal of Information Technology in Construction

    Google Scholar 

  • Maloney D (2021) A youthful metaverse: towards designing safe, equitable, and emotionally fulfilling social virtual reality spaces for younger users. All Dissertations. 2931

    Google Scholar 

  • Martyn D (2020) The future of Revit. https://aecmag.com/bim/the-future-of-revit/. Accessed 20 Feb 2022

  • Michalatos P, Payne A (2016) Monolith: the biomedical paradigm and the inner complexity of hierarchical material design

    Google Scholar 

  • Ministry of Housing, Communities, and Local Government. (2019). https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/830643/190910_Tech_Guide_for_publishing.pdf. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Moritz D et al (2019) Formalizing visualization design knowledge as constraints: actionable and extensible models in Draco. IEEE Trans Visual Comput Graph 25(1):438–448. https://doi.org/10.1109/TVCG.2018.2865240

  • Nahmens I, Mullens M (2009) The impact of product choice on lean homebuilding. Constr Innov 9:84–100. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714170910931561

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nardini FM, Trani R, Venturini R (2019) Fast approximate filtering of search results sorted by attribute. 815–824. https://doi.org/10.1145/3331184.3331227

  • NCCR_dFab (2017) National centre of competence in research (NCCR) digital fabrication. http://www.dfab.ch/

  • Newman O, Rutgers University, United States (1996) Creating defensible space. U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Policy Development and Research, Washington, DC

    Google Scholar 

  • ODICO (2012) Odico robotic technologies. https://www.odico.dk/en/technologies. Accessed 20 July 2019

  • ODICO (2022) Factory on the fly. https://odico.dk/en/factoryonthefly/. Accessed 20 Feb 2022

  • Olofsson T, Lee G, Eastman C, Reed D (2007) Benefits and lessons learned of implementing building virtual design and construction (VDC) technologies for coordination of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing

    Google Scholar 

  • Poli C (2001) Design for manufacturing: a structured approach. Butterworth-Heinemann

    Google Scholar 

  • Pottmann H (2010) Architectural geometry as design knowledge. Archit Des 80:72–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Panozzo D, Block P, Sorkine-Hornung O (2013) Designing unreinforced masonry models. ACM Trans Graph (TOG) 32(4):1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • Pottmann H, Brell-Cokcan S, Wallner J (2006) Discrete surfaces for architectural design. Curves Surf: Avignon 213:e234

    Google Scholar 

  • Prévost R, Whiting E, Lefebvre S, Sorkine-Hornung O (2013) Make it stand : balancing shapes for 3D fabrication. ACM Trans Graph (TOG) 32(4):1–10

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rabinovich M, Hoffmann T, Sorkine-Hornung O (2018) The shape space of discrete orthogonal geodesic nets. ACM Trans Graph (TOG) 37(6):1–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Reeves D, Bhooshan V, Bhooshan S (2016) Freeform developable spatial structures. In: Proceedings of IASS annual symposia, vol 2016, no 3, pp 1–10. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures (IASS)

    Google Scholar 

  • Richard H (2021) Design for constructability. https://aecmag.com/opinion/design-for-constructability/. Accessed 20 Feb 2022

  • Rippmann M, Liew A, Van Mele T, Block P (2018) Design, fabrication and testing of discrete 3D sand-printed floor prototypes. Mater Today Commun 15:254–259

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ross B (2014) General video game playing with goal orientation. Thesis

    Google Scholar 

  • Sacks R, Koskela L, Dave BA, Owen R (2010) Interaction of lean and building information modeling in construction. J Constr Eng Manag 136(9):968–980

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schek H-J (1974) The force density method for form finding and computation of general networks. Comput Methods Appl Mech Eng 3(1):115–134

    Article  MathSciNet  Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher P (2014a) Tectonic articulation: making engineering logics speak. Archit Des 84:44–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Schumacher P (2014b) The congeniality of architecture and engineering. Shell Struct Archit Form Find Optim 271

    Google Scholar 

  • Schoenwitz M, Naim M, Potter A (2012) The nature of choice in mass customized house building. Constr Manag Econ 30:203–219. https://doi.org/10.1080/01446193.2012.664277

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwartzburg Y, Pauly M (2013) Fabrication‐aware design with intersecting planar pieces. In: Computer graphics forum, vol 32, no 2pt3. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., Oxford, UK, pp 317–326

    Google Scholar 

  • Sears Roebuck and Co (1936) Modern homes. https://dahp.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ModernHomessears1936.small_.pdf. Accessed 4 Dec 2021

  • Somnium Space (2019). Somnium Space. https://somniumspace.com/. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Szafir DA, Haroz S, Gleicher M, Franconeri S (2016) Four types of ensemble coding in data visualizations. J Vis 16(5):11. https://doi.org/10.1167/16.5.11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tamke M (2015) Aware design models. In SpringSim (SimAUD), pp 213–220

    Google Scholar 

  • Tang A, Gerrits T, Nacken P, Vliet H (2011) On the responsibilities of software architects and software engineers in an agile environment: who should do what? In: SSE'11—Proceedings of the 4th international workshop on social software engineering. https://doi.org/10.1145/2024645.2024650

  • Tang C, Sun X, Gomes A, Wallner J, Pottmann H (2014) Form-finding with polyhedral meshes made simple. ACM Trans Graph (TOG) 33(4):1–9

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thuesen CL, Hvam L (2011) Efficient on-site construction: learning points from a German platform for housing. Constr Innov 11(3):338–355. https://doi.org/10.1108/14714171111149043

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tolman FP (1999) Product modeling standards for the building and construction industry: past, present and future. Autom Constr 8(3):227–235

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Mele T, Liew A, Mendez T, Rippmann M (2017) COMPAS: a framework for computational research in architecture and structures

    Google Scholar 

  • Vouga E, Höbinger M, Wallner J, Pottmann H (2012) Design of self-supporting surfaces. ACM Trans Graph (TOG) 31(4):1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson W, Barton C (2022) Tackling the Under-Supply of Housing. House of Commons Library. Number CBP-7671. https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-7671/CBP-7671.pdf. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

  • Wood B (2021) Delivery platforms for government assets creating a marketplace for manufactured spaces. https://www.brydenwood.co.uk/platformdesignbooks/s114123/. Accessed 4 Dec 2021

  • World Economic Forum (2021) Next-generation business models a guide to digital marketplaces. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_Marketplaces_guidebook_2021.pdf. Accessed 18 Feb 2022

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Vishu Bhooshan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Bhooshan, V., Louth, H.D., Bhooshan, S. (2023). Democratising Tectonism: High Performance Geometry for Mass-Customisation of Virtual and Physical Spaces. In: Morel, P., Bier, H. (eds) Disruptive Technologies: The Convergence of New Paradigms in Architecture. Springer Series in Adaptive Environments. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14160-7_13

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14160-7_13

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-14159-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-14160-7

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics