AIRBAMBOO

SINGAPORE 2020

INTRODUCTION

The concept of AIRBAMBOO is to design, develop and test a novel lightweight and low-cost deployable bamboo structure. It implements parametric and structural modeling, material scanning, and additivemanufacturing with focus on easing the fabrication and assembly, which typically represent a bottleneck in complex digitally driven projects and, in those related with bamboo architecture. The chosen approach aims to deliver a fast, reliable and easy to assemble system, with innovative use of a post tensioning system for the node-bar connection.

AIRBAMBOO was successfully tested under rain and shine at Edible Garden City, Singapore for a month as a part of “Archifest“ exhibition in September, 2020.

Project material: PLA + Bamboo Site: Edible Garden City Area: 19 Sq.m Typology: Pavilion

Project Team: Sourabh Maheshwary

(Lead), Carlos Bañón, Felix Raspall and AIRLAB team

PLAN

AREA 19.0 SQ.M.

AIRBAMBOO covers about 19 sq. m and forms an irregular hexagon in plan. It can adapt to the user’s need by multiplying them in diff erent orientations. Individual structure consists of 3 legs which are symmetrically placed with 120 degrees between each other.

VIEW

SHOWING ONE LEG

Each leg contains 5 uniquely designed node based on it’s function including hosting bamboo poles, tension cables, supporting roof fabric and a concrete casted base connected via 9 diff erent bamboo poles.

TYPICAL NODE GENERATION

WORKING OF ALGORITHM The most interesting part of the research as it optimizes and automate the generation of nodes. Each node faced majorly three diffi culties:

1: Host the bamboo poles with joinery details. A grasshopper script was developed which generated the parameterized geometry based on the thickness of bamboo.

2: All the cables tend to intersect at the node which would be physically impossible. So a python script was developed which fi nds the minimum angle deviation without intersecting from each other.

3: To fi nd the optimum geometry with minimum infi ll to keep it light weight, reduce excess material and aesthetically beautiful.

NODE DETIAL TOP VIEW

NODE A

WORKFLOW

Overall workfl ow is as follows: 1. Creation of the digital model 2. Structural analysis of the model 3. Generation of nodes’ geometry 4. Additive manufacturing of the nodes 5. Bamboo selection and cutting to the length 6. Scanning of the sections, vectorization and generation of connectors’ geometry 7. 3D-printing of the connectors 8. Assembly of the node-bar system

ROOF

A tensile membrane was designed according to the shape and dimension of the structure. It constituted two major parts – 1. Center piece and 2. Leg connection. The centerpiece capped the three nodes along with the fabric, while the three legs collected tensed the fabric using ‘U’ bolts.

ASSEMBLY

To keep assembly fast and easy, minimum number of hand tools were used such as alen key, hydraulic crimp and wire cutters. The whole process from measuring and cutting bamboo to scanning generating and 3D printing connectors and tensioning together with nodes can be achieved in 1-2 weeks.

1. Cultivation

6. 3D printing Nodes

7. Connect Bamboo and node 2. Transportation 3. Verification and sorting

Processed scan

5. Scanning Bamboo

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

4. Measuring and cutting

8. Make first triangle 9. Build one tetrahedral structure

10. Transport to site in individual leg format

CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THREE LEGS NODE DETAIL

AIRBAMBOO pushes the technologies to work in amalgamation with organic material like bamboo. It delivers a smooth aesthetically appealing structural components which are optimized to utilize minimum material with almost zero wastes. Hence, it was challenging to bring varied technologies to play their role in combination to form a system which is easy to execute even by a layman.

As per designing, the automation for nodes was one of the diffi cult tasks to write a python script which simplifi es the complexity of nodes happening within it and outputs a clean yet functional geometry.

Assembly was relatively easy as the cable made nodebamboo system fl exible to tweak when needed. Also the structure was ultra lightweight which made it easier to be moved from one location to another.

Roof were custom designed with enough tolerances to fi t the components easily, so it was easier to assemble. But usage of steel made it quite heavy for the structure and the fabric was not taut, which caused collection of water on the roof.

I was leading the project hence was involved starting from designing to building on-site. Currently working on upcoming research paper - Abstract selected for CAADRIA, 2021 conference.