Presentation Notes on Material Computation and Architectural Design

Introduction

Focus on the intellectual base of the research work.
Relevance of the findings to applied research.
Overview of computation in architecture:
- Processing of information in both machinic (digital) and material (physical) realms.
- Intersection of machine and material computation as a research focus.

Traditional separation between design and making remains, but a new understanding of material architecture is emerging.
Material is being rediscovered through computational means.
Design computation viewed as an interface to the physical world.
Computation expands design space:
- Engagement with natural and material world aspects.
- Material as an active generator of design, not just a passive receptor.

Reference to Joseph Albers' material studies at Bauhaus:
- Advocated for material experimentation over conventional craft knowledge.
- Focused on material behavior as a creative domain for new construction modes.
Reference to Frei Otto's form-finding methods:
- Investigated material systems to compute form.

Materiality
- Investigating integration of material behavior in architectural design.
Materialization
- Shift in how materials are processed and integrated into design.
Material Structure
- Understanding structures as composites organized across multiple scales.
Material Performance
- Exploring new performative capacities in traditional materials like wood.

Examined wood as an ancient construction material due to its environmental virtues.
Most construction practice neglects wood’s internal makeup.
The project illustrates how wood can compute form through its elastic properties.
- Example of a research pavilion at the Sart University:
  - Investigated how a simple force can lead wood to form complex curvatures.
  - Majority of structures built using thin plywood efficiently.
  - Design process integrated material behavior over mere geometric shape.
Key Takeaway: Material can actively generate design shapes and functions.

Investigating the transition from traditional methods to digital fabrication.
Numerical control and robotic fabrication provide opportunities for architectural exploration.
Case study of finger joints in wood:
- Investigation of joint angles and thickness variations through robotic fabrication.
- Mapping design possibilities within the morphospace of the machine.
Principles derived from nature are integrated into the design process.

Emphasizing the composite nature of biological structures.
Example of the lobster exoskeleton:
- Materials arranged in a way that integrates various mechanical properties.
Research focused on how to adapt these principles to architecture through robotic fabrication:
- Use of robotic filament winding to create structures that mimic biological systems.
Outcome: Development of lightweight, highly efficient architectural shells.

Investigating the moisture responsiveness of wood as a building material.
Exploration of a shape-changing veneer composite influenced by relative humidity.
Case study for the Pompidou Center:
- Developed a kinetic installation demonstrating humidity-responsive behavior.
- Further applications in a pavilion exhibiting an ecological response to environmental changes.

The research emphasizes a convergence of technology, biology, and architecture.
Aims to redefine the role of materials in architectural design by leveraging computational strategies.
Final Thoughts: The exploration of material behavior can lead to innovative architectural solutions that integrate ecological and performance-driven approaches.