AA DLAB 2024
22 July – 09 August 2024
London, UK
DLAB 2024 has focused on generative design, material computation, and large-scale fabrication, culminating in the construction of a 1:1 scale structure in AA London’s outdoor area. Fiber-based structures, prevalent in nature, rely on the bundling of stiff fibres within a matrix, enabling adaptability, redundancy, and robustness (Jeronimidis, 2000). This principle has long been applied in human construction, where bundling and friction-based techniques enhance load-bearing capacity, as seen in bamboo, reeds, and other traditional materials (Otto, 1985).
Active Bending
Active bending involves the intentional elastic deformation of initially straight or planar elements to create complex, curvilinear structures (Lienhard et.al., 2013). This technique leverages the material properties of elements such as rattan canes or fibre-reinforced polymers, allowing them to be bent into desired shapes while maintaining structural integrity. The resulting forms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also structurally efficient, utilizing minimal material for maximum strength and flexibility.
Use of Membranes in Actively Bent Systems
Incorporating membrane elements into actively bent systems offers significant potential for architectural innovation and efficiency. Membranes, when combined with elastically bent beam elements, create a unique hybrid structural system, termed as textile hybrids (Lienhard et.al., 2013). This interaction allows for the creation of novel forms and highly efficient structures due to the synergy between the tensile properties of membranes and the elastic properties of bending-active elements. This hybrid approach not only broadens the formal and functional vocabulary of tensile structures but also enhances their structural performance and adaptability. By integrating these methods, DLAB 2024 aims to push the boundaries of material and structural exploration, promoting the development of lightweight, robust, and multifunctional architectural systems.
Compared to conventional building materials, natural materials often embody lower embodied energy and carbon footprint. Moreover, natural materials, often sourced locally, reduce the reliance on energy-intensive manufacturing processes and long transportation distances, both major contributors to carbon emissions.
During AA DLAB 2024, we worked with rattan canes, a renewable and biodegradable resource, and we focused on the creation of lightweight structures through the bundling of rattan canes, combined with membranes.
Credits
Programme Heads
Dr. Elif Erdine, Dr. Milad Showkatbakhsh
AA Visiting School Director
Dr. Christopher Pierce
Tutors
Elif Erdine, Alexander Krolak, Angel Lara Moreira, Milad Showkatbakhsh
Students
Filippo Amman, Ege Berk Ankarali, Antonios Spyros Nicolaou, Andrea Isabel Blaschke, Ka Fong Kou, Ayse Uzun, Kyriaki Tsialera, Abdullah Alfadda