Tree Based Micro House 2nd. Project of Master studies

Tree-Based Micro House Mahyar Jalali Monty Lipphardt WiSe 2019/20 EDEK Unikassel

Traditional Chinese Dougong Brackets; structural dendriforms: 771 BC to 476 BC

Main Concept and case studies Tree-inspired dendriforms and fractal-like branching structures in architecture: A brief historical overview The shapes of trees are complex and fractal-like, and they have a set of physical, mechanical and biological functions. The relation between them always draws attention of human beings throughout history and, focusing on the relation between shape and structural strength, architects have designed a number of treelike structures, referred as dendriforms. The replication and adoption of the treelike patterns for constructing architectural structures have been varied in different time periods based on the existing and advanced knowledge and available technologies. This paper, by briefly discussing the biological functions and the mechanical properties of trees with regard to their shapes, overviews and investigates the chronological evolution and advancements of dendriform and arboreal structures in architecture referring to some important historical as well as contemporary examples.

Figure 7. (a) Dougong brackets from China (The Sakyamuni Pagoda of Fogong Temple, 1056 AD) and Japan (Sensoji temple, 628 AD); (b) typical assemblage oAf Dougong brackets, can be referred to the Iterated Function System (IFS); (c) schematic diagram of the abstract form of larger bracket as column capital replaced by interlocking self-similar smaller brackets to increase the stiffness as well as to transfer the roof and beam load sequentially to the column.

Medieval period: masonry vaults as dendriforms: 12th century AD to 16th century AD Until the medieval period, no other significant examples of dendriforms can be found that were directly inspired by the trees structural properties except few examples. The Basilica Cistern in Istanbul constructed in the 6th century of Byzantine period is such an example of pre-medieval dendriform structures. This under water huge reservoir was constructed by more than 9 m high and 300 marble columns, imitating a dense forest (Figure 8a). This unique column forest was designed for supporting the massive area of vault structures composed by semi-circular arches, referring a typical style of Byzantine architecture. However, after a long gap, in the beginning of the medieval period in the 12th century AD, with the development of cathedrals construction, an important kind of dendriform structure appeared in architecture – the fan vaults. Ornamented fan vaults were the abstract imitation of trees form. One of the earliest examples of fan vaults is seen in the interior of the Sainte-Chapelle in Paris constructed during 1242 AD to 1248 AD. The typical Gothic style in characteristics, these vaults, enclosed by stained glass, is supported by the columns, each of which is a bundle of thin columns that become ribs on the upper side and make a complex ribs network for carrying the vaults (Figure 8b).

Figure 9. (a) Fan vault in the Chapel of Kings College, Cambridge; (b) schematic diagram of stresses in fan vaulting.

Figure 8. (a) Column forest in the Basilica Cistern in Istanbul constructed during the Byzantine period; (b) early Gothic style fan vault in Sainte-Chapelle in Paris.

on the upper side and make a complex ribs network for carrying the vaults (Figure 8b). This Gothic bundle column might be inspired by the ancient Egyptian columns which were imitated by the bundle of papyrus plants used in ancient Egyptian vernacular houses for making strong supports.

Another early example of fan vault can be seen in the cloisters of Gloucester Cathedral constructed in 1351 AD designed by Thomas of Cambridge. During this period different styles of vault structure were widely practiced. Most vaults were constructed by extruding the arch, which was a basic structural element. But, in the Gothic period, there was a new structural approach for constructing vault known as a fan vault where the pointed arch was used. By its construction, this type of vault was produced by ribs which were equal in curvature and rotated at equal distances around a central (vertical) axis, forming the conoid shape. Flat central spandrels as keystones filled the spaces in between the sequences of conoids. Spandrels has an important role in providing compressive forces along the entire upper edge of conoid to keep the conoid in stress equilibrium which is important for a fan vault conoid in terms of structural strength (Figure 9b) (Walter and Leedy, 1978).

Figure 10. (a) Gothic ribbed vault; (b) the web of the vault is cut into strips which are analyzed as 2D arches (Wolfe, 1921).

Main Concept and Development process

After a case study on Tree structures in Gothic Architecture, we started to develop our concept.

The process starts with the outline of a tree which would be taken and would be developed.

Mainly we have 3 cores in the first level. Which one of the are defined as a stair box with the same system. On the second floor we have one central core which just hold the load of the roof and transport it to bottom and finally to the ground

Main elements 1. Formable Surfaces 2. Attractor points In the mathematical field of dynamical systems, an attractor is a set of numerical values toward which a system tends to evolve, for a wide variety of starting conditions of the system. System values that get close enough to the attractor values remain close even if slightly disturbed.

In finite-dimensional systems, the evolving variable may be represented algebraically as an n-dimensional vector. The attractor is a region in n-dimensional space.

In physical systems, the n dimensions may be, for example, two or three positional coordinates for each of one or more physical entities; in economic systems, they may be separate variables such as the inflation rate and the unemployment rate.

Surfaces forming process and defining the position of cores

Panelization and Vertical Connections After the main surfaces got their forms, to achieve the purpose the should be panelized into some squares with same size, so the could be defined as plates.

These panels are connected together with some vertical elements which are acting like BIMs to hold the whole structure. The size of these panels are different and the number of the are randomly under control. The tool-path is able to generate them by itself. It depends of how much opening we would like to have in the house. If the number of vertical elements are reduced, so we have more openning and if they are totally filled there would be no openings.

The free spaces that remain in Z direction could be filled with a combination of glass and sticks. It would be shown later.

Panelizing the surfaces and connecting the with vertical panels

Stair box applying With the same system of panelizing and connecting with vertical panels we applied a stair box in the house to have access to the second floor. The difference between the stair and the other normal cores is the opening which is provided on top of the stair box and the distance between the panels so a human can climb the stairs.

Combination of the panelized surfaces and putting the together

Stair box and the opening on top of it makes it possible to have access to 2nd. level

Section diagram; position of the cores and the combination of transparent and solid areas

Connection Details Generally we would have 2 kinds of connections details in the structure.

1. Connection between floor panels (boxes) and vertical panels. at this part we prefered to use the tongue and groove joint.

Tongue and groove is a method of fitting similar objects together, edge to edge, used mainly with wood, in flooring, parquetry, paneling, and similar constructions. Tongue and groove joints allow two flat pieces to be joined strongly together to make a single flat surface. Before plywood became common, tongue and groove boards were also used for sheathing buildings and to construct concrete form work.

A strong joint, the tongue and groove joint is widely used for re-entrant angles.

The effect of wood shrinkage is concealed when the joint is beaded or otherwise moulded.[1] In expensive cabinet work, glued dovetail and multiple tongue and groove are used.

Each piece has a slot (the groove) cut all along one edge, and a thin, deep ridge (the tongue) on the opposite edge. The tongue projects a little less than the depth of the groove. Two or more pieces thus fit together closely. The joint is not normally glued, as shrinkage would then pull the tongue off.

Connection Details 2. using sticks for two purposes: a. Sticks are used to hold the glass facade as acting like a structure. b. They also could be used in the free spaces that we have in Z direction on our cores to fill the with a combination on sticks and glass.

The system in both above cases are the same. by making some holes on the boxes that we have as floor they could be placed in the holes as double structure and the glass will be placed in between.

With this system we would be able to have solid, semi-transparent and transparent areas in the house.

The tool-path is able to generate all of the itself. We are able to define the value of transparent (opening).

The holes on boxes could be easily done just with a gripper to hold each box and a milling tool to make the holes on them and after that they would be placed in the specific position.

Exploded diagram of using sticks and the combination with glass

Further Developments Tree-Based Micro House has the potential to be developed into different forms just with the same system.

For example we can use the same system of attractor points to form another roof.

This example is inspired from traditional chines roofs.

Ancient Chinese architecture was designed to be attractive, especially the distinctive roofs. Traditional Chinese roofs had different forms at different stages of history. There were various roof styles with functional features, a hierarchy of designs, and exquisite details.

3 Features of Chinese Roof Architecture 1. Timber Jointing Systems 2. Graceful Curved Shapes 3. Round tiles

Variation #1

Further Developments We can also have different outlines depends on the site plan that we have.

We cam form the outline and the tool-path is able to generate the whole house.

We are also able to define the position of each core just by moving the points.

Because each core could be controlled just with a single point.

Below how it looks like from the top view.

Top view Variation #2

Further Developments Another outline of the house with the same system of cores and floor.

The glass facade is going to be holden by sticks as structure. The stair box is still applied to access the second floor.

Below how it looks like from the top view.

Top view Variation #3

Thanks for your Attention!