Project details

Programme

The project began by investigating the application of curved crease folding (CCF) to the fabrication of modular building components based on periodic minimal surfaces. CCF is simulated via a projection-based solver to ensure developability and surface folding, the calculation of the sum of angles over the creased edges. Different components are generated to resolve different building parts such as façades, slabs and staircases.

The project then explored the procedural generation of complex assemblies based on 3D-model synthesis and more specifically the wave function collapse algorithm. Lastly, a Unity-based interactive platform was developed to allow non-expert users to take part in the design of complex assemblies. These were based on modular architectural components.

Students

Methodology Workflow

Design from low poly mesh into high-resolution mesh.

Minimal Surface Geometry

Minimal surface geometry has a high potential for forming tense, continuous curved spaces for collaborative working.

Curved Crease Folding Fabrication

Foldable geometry using the curved crease folding method. It provides an unobstructed inner space, which has high value in both function and aesthetic.

Minimal Surface Prototype

Unit cells and their fundamental regions are taken as a base for generating more complex assemblies.

Planarity Method & Angle Defect

Planarity method is the method to detect whether the surface is planar. Angle defect method is to calculate the difference between the sum of the angles at vertices and 2π.

Factors

Simulation of pleats generation with different angles and depths.

Integrated Space

Slab and vertical transport space, which was developed with minimal surface, is integrated into an unobstructed inner space and fabricated with pleats.

Exterior View

Result

Architecture Components Tile Kits

The basic tile kits can organise to bigger modules, which have specific function of work space.

Rules of 3D Wave Function Collapse Algorithm

Set adjacency neighbours rules in each direction and give each possible relationship a weight. This could effect the choice when calculating the aggregation randomly.