SPATIAL AGGREGATIONS

Robotic Spatial Aggregation is a robotic spatial structure made by an innovative man-machine collaboration. In one week-design and build workshop, we defined timber units and assembled them into different structures with design ideas generated from digital tools, with a specific focus on the sequential logic of a constructive process. Our design methods distinguish itself from conventional space-frame typologies, fostering the exploration of new structural and topological systems and fabrication-informed design strategies.

The model consists of 612 wooden sticks. It explored the construction of spatial assemblies by using robotic arms to position rectangular-profile wood elements. We developed a computation tool to design the structure and used it to control a small robot to build the design on a model scale. Integrating robot-building constraints, such as the robot arms radius and the length and angle of the components, into our tool, we developed feasible design solutions for real-world fabrication

As a result, we fabricated one timber surface wall that allows the changes of shades with a curving space. It points to diverse architectural applications of facades and acoustic design. Same design method could also be applied to economize building materials.

Project Credits: Georgia Chousou, MoonYoung Jeong, ZongRu WU.
This project was developed during three days called Spatial Aggregations in ETH Zürich.
Supervisors: David Jenny, Gergana Rusenova, Jesus Medina.
Photo Credits: Tom Mundy.