Abstract
The paper presents an experimental digital form-finding method demonstrated on a tensegrity pavilion design. The creation process is driven by biological inspiration, relating the architectural design to the natural organism’s adaptation to its surroundings. In the Grasshopper parametric environment, we interrelate weather data, expressed through one Forming Force, with the process of form-finding. Employing Python scripts, the topological, structural, and geometric relations of the emerging 3D geometry are transformed under the influence of the weather. In an iterating loop, the tensegrity-like units gradually duplicate (grow), creating the ‘Weather Pavilion’. Through receiving environmental information, a weather-responsive structure simultaneously emerges. The resulting architectural form integrates the influence of the meteorological data and converts it to the optimal reaction to the specific microclimate. On a case study pavilion in Košice, the weather-driven design method is demonstrated, which (1) aims at improving climate-collaborative, sustainable building design in the future, (2) blends the Grasshopper-integrated techniques: form-finding employing a new plug-in Anisoptera (which integrates the weather information to the design process), and structural analysis through Karamba 3D, with architectural design.
Keywords
- Form-finding
- Grasshopper
- Python scripting
- Weather
- Tensegrity
- Loop
- Anisoptera
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- 1.
This Python-based script is employed in the form-finding process in Grasshopper and developed by the authors.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support from the following funds: VEGA 1/0626/22, VEGA 1/0129/20, and VEGA 1/0379/19 (Grant Agency of the Slovak Republic).
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Baroš, T., Kabošová, L., Baroš, M., Katunský, D. (2023). Experimental Form-Finding Method. Case Study: ‘Weather Pavilion’. In: Mora, P.L., Viana, D.L., Morais, F., Vieira Vaz, J. (eds) Formal Methods in Architecture. FMA 2022. Digital Innovations in Architecture, Engineering and Construction. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-2217-8_15
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