AA Rio de Janeiro Visiting School

2011 – 2014

2017 – WORK OF AA DRL

WORK USING ROBOTS FROM STUDENTS OF SHAJAY BHOOSHAN’S ARCHITECTURAL ASSOCIATION DIGITAL RESEARCH LABORATORY (AA DRL) STUDIO

Project Name: WIRED
Team Name: R4D4
Team Members: Alexandra K.G. Lipezker (Italy), Evangelia Magnisali (Greece), Georgios Pasisis (Greece), Sai Prateik Bhasgi (India).
Studio: Shajay Bhooshan
Course: Design Research Laboratory
School: Architectural Association School of Architecture
Music: CYMATICS: Science Vs. Music – Nigel Stanford

Investigations into materials and robotics in the field of architecture have begun to challenge the architectural discourse by proposing alternatives to conventional modes of practice through the adoption of new fabrication technologies. The aim of our research is to create a process that ensures continuity between the stage of design and the materialization of the final outcome, through the customization of industrial robotic arm technology. In order to achieve the development of a prototypical system, hierarchically connected, we have created a composite material that combines fibre-glass rods, spring steel and nylon coating. In taking advantage of the force and form interaction that characterizes active-bending structures, our networked material system is deformed and through a thermoforming process the overall output is fused to produce an architecture of high-resolution formation.

The non-linearity of the formation process of active-bending structures, such as those generated with our material system, have led us to the development of force and materially informed structural concepts, as well as to customized form-finding techniques. More specifically, the material, initially weaved in linear strands in a planar configuration, become networked into a global structural system. Robotic arms elastically deform the latter, to result in a spatial formation. The geometric and structural behaviour of the networks are direct results of: material properties, initial setup topology and robotic choreography. Our research aims to investigate form-finding methodologies that satisfy structural, architectural specifications and robotic fabrication constraints.

Taking for granted that the introduction of new tools in architecture alters the way we perceive and drive manufacturing, our research aims to formulate a new fabrication method that generated and addresses new formal and tectonic challenges. We contribute to the wider architectural discourse a way to develop the initial states of active-bending formations in architecture. Through integrating robotic arm technology in the construction process, we envision their potential application to larger architectural scales.

 

The AADRL Bhooshan studio continues it research in augmenting industrial robotics for architectural production. The research is supported by Greg Epps and the team at Robots.IO. The video showcases current phase 1 & 2 research within the DRL Behavioural Complexity agenda.
drl.aaschool.ac.uk/

 

Studio

Robofold : Gregory Epps, Florent Michel, consultancy and guidance : robotics , material application
Studio assistance : Vishu Bhooshan .
Studio additional assistance : Henry Louth .

External Studio associations
Mark West, fabric formwork workshop.
Alicia Nahmad, fabric formwork workshop,organisational logistics of studio trip in denmark.
ODICO : Asbjorn Sonengaard : topology optimisation and robotic control
IAAC : Luis Fraguada, Alex Dubor, Rafa ( X, TBC) : Robotic feedback introduction.

External studio conversations:

Andy Lomas, lecture dynamical systems
Sylvan Oesterle, studio visit, robotic control
Tim Hutton, computer vision, and computational methods for dynamical systems.
Alicia Nahmad , informal conversation, robArch conference and proceedings.2