Computational Design x Architecture
Portfolio by: Christos Trompoukis
infinite3
sustainable, DfD affordable housing pg. 4
air well
water collecting structure for urban farming pg. 14
T.I.T. - timber in tension
experimental rooftop structure made from wooden elements in tension pg. 26
tunnel cladding
machine learning for clustering cladding elements in a metro intersection pg. 32
(su)barrio
android app for interactive urban climate data visualization pg. 34
assembled flow
urban assemblages
pg. 36
graphic design + archviz
collection of various graphic design and archviz projects
pg. 40
{full online portfolio}
email: christos.trompoukis0@gmail.com
social: linkedin.com/in/christos-trompoukis
portfolio: christostrompoukis.com
{infinite3}
2021 | group project | concept development, research, module design, apartment configurator, grasshopper scripting
more information: Infinite3
Infinite3 is a project that investigates solutions to the housing problem in Toronto. Based on three main design drivers: circular materials, participatory design, and Design for Disassembly techniques, we create an infinite number of customized living units.
The proposed solution is an easily scalable construction system. Mass timber elements create a structural grid that can house a variety of different housing types. A system of interlocking panels, made from repurposed byproducts of the timber industry, is used for the partitions of the houses. This allows for easy reconfiguration, change of use, and expansion of the housing units. Through the use of a computational algorithm, developed using Grasshopper, the inhabitants are given access to a participatory design interface, that allows them to design their spaces.
The end result, despite being affordable, offers the inhabitants the ability to design unique, visually appealing, and eco-friendly apartments. By involving people not only digitally but physically we bring more awareness in understanding the circular design approach.
Wall rotation
Wave Function Collapse implementation
Using the wave function collapse algorithm, a process was developed that allows for the user-driven creation of different apartment variations.
The room units are sliced to fit a cube. This means that the resulting geometry that is sent into the solver includes 1/4 of the actual columns and 1/2 of the beams and the walls. This is necessary in order to ensure proper geometric continuity between the rooms of the final apartment. Four simplified wall types were used in the process.
A catalog of all possible rooms is created by generating all the combinations of the four wall types. Through a series of filtering operations, the unnecessary or invalid rooms are eliminated. Next, rules of connection are established.
In the final algorithm, the users manipulating cubes representing the different room types. The end result is an automatically generated 3d model and floor plan of the desired apartment.
Catalogue pf possible assemblages
{air well}
2020 | group project | concept development, farming research, form finding, physical model more information: Air Well
Our project foresees the design of an experimental public vertical farm in the Poblenou district of Barcelona. The focus of our project is one portion of Poblenou which is characterized by low-middle class residential buildings. We want to introduce an experimental and innovative public space where people can grow and consume their own produce. The concept is to reverse the industrial chimney into a machine that collects water and hosts vertical farming.
The project followed a research-based design methodology. Environmental simulations and genetic optimizations were used to determine the placement, orientation and slope of the structure. Different crops and their growth times were studied in order to pick the best combination for the urban farming. Additionally, a series of physical prototypes of the proposed srtucture were constructed, exploring different strip attaching techniques.
Number of growth cycles per crop in a 24 week period
Total farming area: 170.9 m2 | Total water needed: 1700 L/week
A wide range of crops was examined for the project, including fruits, vegetables, herbs, etc The final selection was based on providing the local community with the greatest quantity of food that is possible to be produced within the 6-month lifespan of the project, while also giving them a variety of options.
In order to allocate each type of produce to each chimney space, the number of growth cycles in a 24 week period was examined. That way most of the available space was given to the crops with the highest wield.
Another deciding factor was water consumption. By carefully calculating the water needs of the crops, within a vertical farming environment, we made sure that the amount of water needed was within the estimations for the water that the structure we’ll be able to collect.
{T.I.T. - timber in tension}
2021 | group project | prototyping, connections design, Karamba 3D, construction management, fabrication more information: T.I.T
T.I.T. – Timber in Tension is an experimental structure developed during the two-term seminar Data Informed Structures, by 21 students.
The structure is constrcucted of standard timber cross sections that create a network of tensile elements, which provide a shaded public space for socializing. The structural concept is based on timber
strips used in tension, which is the ideal way for wood to transfer loads (in the direction of its fibres) but requires consideration of geometry and detailing.
My main contributions to the project were:
- the design of the cable- timber connections
- the redesign of the corners of the main frame
- organizing the construction sequence
One of the frame proposals called for a double beam, so we came up with the idea of using the space between the beams.
We proposed looping the wire around a metal tube to apply the wire’s force to the timber frame (1). A weakness of this design was that the contact between these two elements was in a single line. This increases the chances of damage to the timber.
Two variations were tested, with the goal of creating a larger contact surface (2). One option was to remove part of the timber and create housing space for the steel pipe. Alternatively, a separate housing piece was tested.
We joined forces with the group designing the connection of the tensile beams to the timber frame (3) and created a complete prototype for structural testing (4). Ultimately, the second option was chosen, as using a separate housing piece simplified the construction and assembly process.
Along with the physical prototypes, we tested our design in Karamba 3D, both separately and as part of the final, complete, 3d model.
{tunnel cladding}
2023 | solo project | concept development, explorations, diagrams, grasshopper scripting more information: Tunnel Cladding
Assembled Flow is a project that explores the use of large-scale assemblages within the urban context. After an intense exploration of the power of assemblages as design tools, a group of three components was developed. By setting specific rules for the handles connections and applying a custom set of heuristics, a series of exploratory assemblages were constructed. The goal of the project was to create assemblages that flow through the city, where this network of interconnected corridors gives way to larger gathering spaces.
{(su)barrio}
2021 | group project | concept development, CNC milling, C# scripting, android app UI more information & live demonstration of the AR app: (SU)Barrio
Barcelona is a coastal city that is going to be severely impacted by climate change in the coming decades and centuries. It is hard, however, for the public to conceptualize the actual impact on their lives.
By visualizing how the chosen urban community will be affected by different levels of flooding from a series of categories, we help the locals see the impact of sea level rise in the environment they experience every day.
We combine an AR android app with a physical model of selected area of Barcelona in order to
create an interactive visualization of the flood’s impact on the city fabric. A projector is also used for visualizing land use and traffic data in the selected area. By focusing on a specific area, we intent to highlight visually how the flooding affects important sites and the urban infrastructure. This interactive experience will also allow for an easier understanding of the long term effects of the sea level rise.
Data layers
Model scanning approaches
{assembled flow}
2021 | group project | concept development, components, explorations, diagrams, grasshopper scripting more information: Assembled Flow
Assembled Flow is a project that explores the use of large-scale assemblages within the urban context. After an intense exploration of the power of assemblages as design tools, a group of three components was developed. By setting specific rules for the handles connections and applying a custom set of heuristics, a series of exploratory assemblages were constructed. The goal of the project was to create assemblages that flow through the city, where this network of interconnected corridors gives way to larger gathering spaces.
Test components
Assemblage tests
Final components
Heuristics selection
{graphic desin + archviz}
2019 - 2023 | solo project | concept, graphic design, printing, marketing campaign, 3D modeling, VRay more information: Graphic Design & Archviz
A collections of graphic design projects I have completed over the last four years. I started working as a freelance graphic designer at late 2013 and I continued all through my studies. It is a fun break from architecture and a welcome change of scale and pace. Most of my work has been marketing campaigns for magazines, festivals, events etc.
Interior visualizations for a two luxury apartment towers in Athens, Greece. Modeling was done in Rhino. Rendered in VRay with postproduction in Photoshop.
