Workshop for Tensile Structures - Patras School of Architecture

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DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE ΤΜΗΜΑ ΑΡΧΙΤΕΚΤΟΝΩΝ U N IΠΑΝΕΠΙΣΤΗΜΙΟ V E R S I T Y O FΠΑΤΡΩΝ PATRAS B U I L D I N G T E C H N O L O G Y A P R I L 2 0 1 9

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STRUCTURE, FUNCTION & AESTHETIC IN NATURE Inspiration for the architecture - Architectural form follows the structural response Ι. Nature & Spatial Structures. Introduction 1.1. LOADS DISTRIBUTIONS IN STRUCTURES 1.2. DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

3. BEARING STRUCTURE, FRAMEWORK

Beams, Pillars, Cables

3.1. SOLIDS [form active]

1.3. TWO DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

Multifaceted, Geodetic Arches, Spatial

Bows, Frames

Networks

1.4. THREE DIMENSIONAL STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS

3.2. DOUBLE CURVE SURFACES, ‘ACTIVE’

Cones, Dome, Dome, Double Curvature

FORM STRUCTURE, SHELLS [form active]

Surfaces

Retractable Membrances, Inflatable Struc-

2. WAYS TO STRENGTHEN THE STRENGTH OF

tures, Self-supporting Constructions

CONSTRUCTION

3.3. FRAMEWORKS - VECTORS [vector active]

2.1. ASSEMBLY

Trees As Intelligent Building elements, Outer

Joints, Mechanisms, Anti-vibration

Framework, Grid Constructions

2.2. GEOMETRICAL STRUCTURE DESIGN Folds, Ribs, Ripples, Special Profile Cross-sections 2.3. COMBINED STRUCTURAL MATERIALS & BUILDING COMPONENTS Mixed Constructions, Polyclonal Cables, Multilayer Constructions

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ΙΙ. USAGE - FUNCTION

ΙΙΙ. AESTHETICS - PLEASANTNESS

IN NATURE & IN ARCHITECTURE

IN NATURE & IN ARCHITECTURE

4. TOOLS & MECHANISMS

6. RECURSION ΙΝ BIOMORPHISM IN ARCHITEC-

Nature as a Source of ‘Inspiration Tools &

TURE. IMITATION OF FORM

Mechanisms in Technology and Architecture

Plant-geo-bio-animal-human Morphism,

5. IMITATION OF NATURE’S PROPERTIES – FORM

Bio-imitation

OF USE, FORM OF FUNCTION

8. FORM WITH SYMBOLIC VALUE

Form Follows Function, Hydro-aerodynamics,

Intentional, Incidental, Conceptual Design

Variants-camouflage, Τstealth, Voronoi

9. MICROCOSM

Natural patterns 5.1. ARCHITECTS OF NATURE Ventilation, Nests

Tsinikas Nikos Liapi Aikaterini Antoniou Dimitris April 2019

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TWO-DAY WORKSHOP FOR TENSILE STRUCTURES Workshop Nature & Spatial Structures Lecture Topics Emeritus professor Nikos Tsinikas Structure, Function & Aesthetic in Nature. Inspiration for the architecture, Architectural form follows the structural response.

Tensile, Retractable, folding membranes & inflatable structures.

Nature & Spatial Structures. Introduction.

Workshop Theme Tensile – Retractable membrane Basic shapes Curved cylinder – silo – curved surface, hyperbolic paraboloid, curved cone or truncated cone, arched tensile membrane.

Key categories Topped Canvas with interior or exterior or perimeter or indirect support – supports (a central – or off center, one column or more), “wavy” membrane tents propped or hung from internal or external bows.

Optionally, the membrane of the construction can be retractable (Sun, rain), a limited number of shapes favor folding.

Model Basics Sturdy base (60 x 60 cm), membrane-membranes, Poles-arches, cables, connectors-anchors.

Instructions Engravings in the fabric to be visible, avoid flat sections of fabric (the triangle is the shape that defines a level), joinery to be visible, assess the lateral sides, accentuate the lightness of construction, leave (as much as possible) free access to space below the membrane, check the construction scale and particularly the height of columns, do not ground them down and treat them as “gridded” structural elements.

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Materials for the Model Base Sturdy mdf base 55 x 60 cm.

Coating Fabric (elastic to 2 directions) from – swimsuit – lycra – pantyhose – elastic tights, insulating fabric, netting.

Structural elements, pillars, arches, grids Chopsticks, skewers, wood line, aluminum or brass wire, matches, paper, bamboo tubes, metal mesh.

Connectors sticky tape, glue, wire, metal cable, fasteners, thread, twine, pins, fishing line.

Tools Scissors, craft knife, stapler, small pliers, small hammer, sewing needle, awl.

Design process For the design procedure either you choose the location and design will occur as a result of your construction or you will build the model and will adjust it to the proper location. The structure or parts of it resemble, or mimic, or have inspiration forms or bearing organisms from nature-biology. This is a natural consequence (double-curvature surfaces) and not conditions (by accident not on purpose!).

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Anagnostaki Georgia Andri Einiri Chrisovalanti Katsaros Charalampos Chrisochoidou Eleni The first attempt to create a tensile structure on that specific site began with a series of axonometric sketches that led to making a model. Comparing our expectations to what the model actually looked like, we ended up having doubts about our designing process. So, continuing to another attempt, we agreed that what we wanted was a structure that would consist of two identical parts in different scales.

The first one, larger in scale, creates passages while the second one, smaller in scale, creates an enclosed space. When those two parts come together, they create a meeting point for the students that is protected from the bad weather conditions.

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Antonopoulou Aleksandra Korontzi Marousa Saksoni Maria Tsakiri Eleftheria Christodoulou Chrisa It is a structure located in the back courtyard of the Rectorate. It is a tensile structure that mainly consists of two curved metal elements. The balance and stability of the structure is ensured by an arc which connects the two curved elements and pulls the cloth of the roof in such a way that flat surfaces do not appear. Finally, the shape of the structure succeeds maximum shading during the day while allowing circulation in the courtyard.

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Gavala Marina Mavropoulos Andronikos Stamouli Foteini Tasiani Florentia Tsalavouta Maria The key element of the structure is the connection of successive edges on a vertical axis, just like the construction of the masts of a sailboard. The cloth of the structure is adapted to the surrounding environment as they coexist with the biggest tree on the center of the site. The cloth basically embraces it and limits itself so that the trunk will not be cut down. The cloth is fastened on wooden pillars or attached to the ground. The structure is made to provide shading and relaxation.

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Voulgari Stefania Garefalaki Eirini Efthimiou Eleni Zaraveli Zografia Thermogianni Elina Our tensile structure is located in the back courtyard of the Rectorate. Its main structure has a spiral shape. The cloth is fastened on four points besides the main frame. Two of those points are high on a beam while the other two are on the ground. The stability and solidity of the structure is also succeeded by using pieces of rope that firmly hold the main frame on the ground.

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Kalogianni Christina Aikaterini Koutoula Konstantina Mathioudakis Ioannis Telitzidis Evaggelos To build our structure, we were inspired by the gothic groin vaults. After experimenting a lot with them, we came up with a form that utilize many of their elements (symmetry and cross-like shape). The main frame of the structure is centrally located, with the cloth laid on it and stretched through counterweights to the base. At the same time, thin pieces of rope penetrate the cloth and give it a curvature on its surfaces in order to maintain both the basic elements of the form and its proper function.

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Vasilakou Elpida Mouzakas Vasilis Mousteri Eleni|Ntagkouli Lena Skempetzi Marina|Farmaki Christina The idea of the structure is based on the different qualities – densities of shadows its cloth creates on the courtyard. It basically consists of two shading systems, dense and dilute, which rest on either side of a central shaft. Each system differs from the other, but the design strategy is the same. The lack of symmetry creates peaks on the facades and on the site. The use of elastic fabrics for shading enhances the outline of the structure as the shade is denser near the outline of the structure and thinner on the center of the structure.

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Kaliakmanis Tilemachos Konomis Lampros Linardopoulos Dionisis

The original idea was inspired by the geometry of the hexagonal shape. We started with sketches that help us evolve our design. After several variations of our original idea, we settled down with the one that offered maximum shading. All the wooden pillars that support the main frame of the structure are placed on its perimeter so that most of the shaded area is accessible.

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Voukelatou Evaggelia Kouris Nikos Papastamou Elina Tsoutsanis Ilias The designing of our architecture model was inspired from the minimum covered area theory. Thus, we constructed a frame with 4 minimum (on the base of the model) and maximum (maximum frame heights) points. Then we stretched the cloth so it could adapt to the geometry of the frame. That way, we achieved the creation of a surface that minimizes its area and has zero curvature on the center.

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Giaka Demi Margaritis Giannis Nikoloudaki Aggeliki Fanou Marilina Our tensile structure may not cover the maximum area of the site, but it offers maximum shading due to its location. We placed it near the building of the Rectorate so that it could offer a pleasant shading.

The maintenance of the coexisting paths was an important factor throughout our design process. So, we managed to enhance them and give its path a different aesthetic by fastening the cloth of the structure to wooden pillars of different height.

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Vlaxos Georgios Giagklis Thanos Nikolopouos Nikolaos Pandermaki Maria This specific structure has to different functions due to its geometry. It can serve visitors all day long as its covering cloth does not allow the sunlight to penetrate it. The canopy can also serve as a meeting point for many students at the same time due to its large covered area. Finally, the structure seems like it is floating on air because of its hyperbolic parabolic shape.

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Varela Eleni Ziros Nikiforos Kaloudis Stergios Malandraki Eleana Mpinios Michalis Nistikaki Varvara The basic idea of our structure was to exaggerate how lightweight it could be, while still creating interesting spaces. To achieve that, we placed a vertical element which does not rests on the ground but still is the main frame of the construction. The rest of the beams are not molded on the ground and therefore it is possible that the whole structure can be placed somewhere else.

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Gkika Anastasia Katsikerou Marilina Kontogiannis Dimitris Markou Aliki-Milas Christos Stathis Vasilis Chotos Georgios Our structure consists of two alternating shading systems. This way, we create a gap between the two parts of the structure that helps to avoid the accumulation of hot air beneath the covering cloth. Thus, the visitors’ walk through the structure is quite refreshing. At the same time, the maintenance of the existing trees on the courtyard was an important factor on our designing process and therefore we managed to adapt our construction to them. That way, the environment footprint of our tensile structure is minimized.

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Panou Maria Siatras Dimitris Skari Eleni Tempeli Aikaterini Observing the site, our goal was to create a structure that was whole and not divided into parts. We wanted it to be unified so that the shaded area could be maximized. We sought for our structure to be accessible from all sides and that the circulation would not be stopped by any obstacle on the perimeter of it. So we minimized the frame of the construction that would be molded on the ground to the minimum amount we thought was needed for its stability.We wanted a structure that would seem like floating.

Thus, we took an arced metal element which served as the main frame. Then we placed carefully a single piece of cloth above it and stretched it to reach its end points. Experimenting with the height of the end points and the number of it, we came to this particular design result.

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Papaefthimiou Eirini Strani Aspasia Trakosari Eirini Fragkiadaki Elena We wanted to design a simple and easy to understand and construct structure. So, taking into consideration the properties of the fabric, we chose to form two V – shaped parts. To achieve that shape, we stretched a rhinestone piece of fabric with a thread on all four sides. The two facing sides that are higher are fastened on pillars that are firmly mounted on the ground.

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Kiprianou Theodora Konstantopoulou Asimina Pouliou Eleftheria With nature in mind, we made a parabolic frame that rests on four wooden pillars. The cloth laying on the frame is stretched and tied to the wooden pillars with pieces of ropes. The ropes are mounted on knots the ground in a certain direction to achieved the desired the shape. Both the wooden pillars and the rest of the elements are placed on a certain grid so that they harmonize with the natural environment.

That was exactly our primary goal. We wanted a lightweight structure made from simple materials that match to the surrounding environment.

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Karmis Vasilis Tiligadas Sotirios Tsoukias Thomas The tensile structure is placed in such a way that it can be deconstructed without affecting the existing surroundings. The original design of the structure is based on the idea of the groin vaults of Gothic architecture that applied using arcs that create openings all around the perimeter of the structure. The combination of arcs with fixed points on the ground and the cloth of the tensile structure gave the needed stability and solidity of the construction.

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Giakoumelou Georgia Zolota Eugenia Rodopoulou Andromachi Tsakas Nikos We wanted our structure to adapt to the given site. We did not want in any way to cut down the existing trees or to destroy the landscape. So we started by experimenting with sketches and then we went on constructing our architecture model. Our goal was to to create a certain route on the site with distinguishable starting and finishing point. Tus, we ended up with a form that looks like a bat. The cloth used on the roof completes the design.

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Vourloumi Maria Kontogeorgopoulou Eftichia - Maria Papaleksandri Georgia The purpose of the workshop was to study the forces applied to a piece of fabric when it is stretched.

So, we ended up using a single piece of fabric as we wanted to see how many different shapes it could generate. Finally, we came to this particular form after observing that as the fabric is being twisted, a gradation of heights and distances in the open spaces is produced. That gradation creates a special experience to the visitor.

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Amariotakis Emmanouil Anagnostou Konstantina Makri Agapi Papanikolaou Tina Samara Galateia The idea was to create a structure that surrounds a tree at the center of it. We experimented a lot on how to make the opening (placement of multiple pieces of cloth around the tree, cutting the center of the cloth for the truck of the tree to penetrate it). As observed in the pictures, we ended up cutting off a big piece of cloth in the center of the roof so that the tree will not be cut down.

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Papadopoulou Miranta Fountoukidi Kelli Chala Mariefi Charimadopoulou Evridiki Christodoulaki Christina The shape of the structure’s roof is designed to cover most of the site area and does not create flat surfaces. It enhances the lightness of the structure while at the same time the gap created in the center of the roof allows the tree to penetrate the structure. It also allows the structure to adapt to the surrounding landscape.

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Dima Eva Oikonomou Stavroula Our initial thought was to create a structure that would rest on five different points. As the design process evolved, we decided to minimize the resting points on the ground (they were finally 4), by bringing the top high corner to the lower point and thus creating a large curve. Finally, the double surface of the structure helps to better shade (as the cloth is perforated).

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Gianneas Theodoros Dimitropoulos Dimitris Kartsaklis Konstantinos Tension; an intense condition in which a body is opposed by forces that tend to lengthen it. Frei Otto’s influence was significant. The floatation of the structure was of first request. The enclosed, free of pillars, space was a request too. The use of parabola was compelling. The result is quite close to the aspiration and materiality comes to enhance it.Wooden pillars in deposition; balanced tension. Permeable coating. Edges that seem not to touch the ground. Floated structure.

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Monographs Arup Associates, Terry Farrell, Norman Foster, FTL, Buckminster Fuller, FutureSystems, Frank Gehry, Nicholas Grimshaw, Buro Happold, Itsuko Hasegawa, Ron Herron, Michael Hopkins, Renzo Piano, Richard Rogers, Philippe Samyn

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