Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction

This paper takes a first step in characterizing a novel field of research-jammed architectural structures-where load-bearing architectural structures are automatically aggregated from bulk material. Initiated by the group of Gramazio Kohler Research at ETH Zürich and the Self-Assembly Lab at Massach...

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Main Authors: Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus, Willmann, Jan, Tibbits, Skylar, Gramazio, Fabio, Kohler, Matthias
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Architecture
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Berlin Heidelberg 2016
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103279
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author Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus
Willmann, Jan
Tibbits, Skylar
Gramazio, Fabio
Kohler, Matthias
author2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Architecture
author_facet Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Architecture
Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus
Willmann, Jan
Tibbits, Skylar
Gramazio, Fabio
Kohler, Matthias
author_sort Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus
collection MIT
description This paper takes a first step in characterizing a novel field of research-jammed architectural structures-where load-bearing architectural structures are automatically aggregated from bulk material. Initiated by the group of Gramazio Kohler Research at ETH Zürich and the Self-Assembly Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this digital fabrication approach fosters a combination of cutting-edge robotic fabrication technology and low-grade building material, shifting the focus from precise assembly of known parts towards controlled aggregation of granular material such as gravel or rocks. Since the structures in this process are produced without additional formwork, are fully reversible, and are produced from local or recycled materials, this pursuit offers a radical new approach to sustainable, economical and structurally sound building construction. The resulting morphologies allow for a convergence of novel aesthetic and structural capabilities, enabling a locally differentiated aggregation of material under digital guidance, and featuring high geometrical flexibility and minimal material waste. This paper considers (1) fundamental research parameters such as design computation and fabrication methods, (2) first results of physical experimentation, and (3) the architectural implications of this research for a unified, material-driven digital design and fabrication process. Full-scale experimentation demonstrates that it is possible to erect building-sized structures that are larger than the work-envelope of the digital fabrication setup.
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spelling mit-1721.1/1032792022-10-01T17:19:23Z Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus Willmann, Jan Tibbits, Skylar Gramazio, Fabio Kohler, Matthias Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Architecture Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Self-Assembly Lab Tibbits, Skylar This paper takes a first step in characterizing a novel field of research-jammed architectural structures-where load-bearing architectural structures are automatically aggregated from bulk material. Initiated by the group of Gramazio Kohler Research at ETH Zürich and the Self-Assembly Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, this digital fabrication approach fosters a combination of cutting-edge robotic fabrication technology and low-grade building material, shifting the focus from precise assembly of known parts towards controlled aggregation of granular material such as gravel or rocks. Since the structures in this process are produced without additional formwork, are fully reversible, and are produced from local or recycled materials, this pursuit offers a radical new approach to sustainable, economical and structurally sound building construction. The resulting morphologies allow for a convergence of novel aesthetic and structural capabilities, enabling a locally differentiated aggregation of material under digital guidance, and featuring high geometrical flexibility and minimal material waste. This paper considers (1) fundamental research parameters such as design computation and fabrication methods, (2) first results of physical experimentation, and (3) the architectural implications of this research for a unified, material-driven digital design and fabrication process. Full-scale experimentation demonstrates that it is possible to erect building-sized structures that are larger than the work-envelope of the digital fabrication setup. 2016-06-22T20:00:34Z 2017-03-01T16:14:47Z 2016-04 2015-09 2016-05-31T12:13:21Z Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 1434-5021 1434-7636 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103279 Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus; Jan Willmann, Skylar Tibbits, Fabio Gramazio, and Matthias Kohler. "Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction." Granular Matter 18:28 (2016), pp. 2-12. en http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10035-016-0628-y Granular Matter Article is made available in accordance with the publisher's policy and may be subject to US copyright law. Please refer to the publisher's site for terms of use. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg application/pdf Springer Berlin Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg
spellingShingle Aejmelaeus-Lindström, Petrus
Willmann, Jan
Tibbits, Skylar
Gramazio, Fabio
Kohler, Matthias
Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title_full Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title_fullStr Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title_full_unstemmed Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title_short Jammed architectural structures: towards large-scale reversible construction
title_sort jammed architectural structures towards large scale reversible construction
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/103279
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AT gramaziofabio jammedarchitecturalstructurestowardslargescalereversibleconstruction
AT kohlermatthias jammedarchitecturalstructurestowardslargescalereversibleconstruction