A Study On Algorithm-Generated Assembly Of Curved I And Y Shaped Branches For Temporary Shelters

Abstract

The aim of the research is to propose a workflow and an assembly tool for architecture based on curved wood in its whole unmodified form e. g., wasted crown wood from producing sawn timber, wood thinnings cut during forest management or just branches found in the woods. This paper describes the workflow from collecting the real wood to algorithmically generating a shelter structure. The authors propose a new spatial system suited for irregular elements along with a computer tool to generate all possible variations out of the input branch data. The merit of this approach is that it could fit any number of randomly sized branches together into combinatorically predefined structural shell surface, made of irregular triangles. The fitting is based on different parameters such as size, weight, curvature of the branches and can be filtered by the structure's height, interior volume, plan area, surface area of the shell, etc. The user can control these parameters to select the best solution to be build. This shelter generation method could be deployed to smart devices and used remotely in disaster mitigation and relief after earthquakes, floods or in times of wildfires and other emergency situations. This approach to architecture could prove useful because of its speed and ease of construction, low market price, as well as introducing a new way of shelter design generation.