Digital tools have revolutionized the understanding of what is possible to create. Simultaneously, digital tools are in the process of changing our understanding of what is rational to make.
If form follows physics, one will make material-efficient constructions. Good processes makes reasonable and environmentally friendly constructions. In our thesis we never drew a shape - it was generated and largely determined by the forces applied on it. Our goal has not been to replace the civil engineer, but to look on how to communicate more closely. If the architects proposal can be 80% near a constructive, good solution, we are pleased.
The traditional craftsmanship and knowledge should not be neglected, but be combined with effective design and new production methods.
It is important to emphasize that the focus has bee to develop good processes and tools needed in order to generate advanced architecture with a rational construction. The assignment is not just the gridshell alone. The processes currently developed can be transmitted to other construction types.
The assignment has on one hand, focused on developing and rationalizing a building method. Meanwhile, we developed a parametric digital procedure that lets us effectively shape all types of gridshells. During our thesis, we refined the typical post-formed timber gridshell and developed a new kind of modular gridshell construction method. The procedure is exemplified in two design examples and tested one built pavilion.
