Odysseas Kontovourkis

Kinetic Hybrid Structure Development and Simulation

Supported through technological advances, the concept of kinetic architecture is internationally increasingly acknowledged in the past years in the development of adaptable buildings as to differing functional requirements, or external loading conditions. Most decisive factor is the structure in terms of materials and geometrical configurations, and the control system integrated within. Based on general principles of tensegrity structures, a hybrid system has been developed that consists of continuous hinge connected compression members, strengthened by an internal system of struts and continuous cable diagonals with closed loop. The kinetic mechanism is achieved through alteration of the cables length and the respective relative inclination of any adjacent compression members. In this way the transformability of the system arises primarily from the inherent integrative composition and dual capabilities of its members. Following the construction design of the prototype structure, the interactive development, as regards geometric properties and structural configurations, is presented analytically, as based on a parametric-associative design approach applied. Along this line, the specific syntax of structural development and simulation through parametric design is suggested to support in real terms the control design of the innovative structure in an integrated interactive context.

Prototyping of an Adaptive Structure based on Physical Conditions

Latest advances in digital architectural design enable applications of computation and fabrication strategies for the development of adaptive mechanisms. Adaptive design processes, influenced by environmental and human related conditions, are only developed partially with regard to the design, fabrication, and multi-objective performance based context. The current paper proposes an adaptive design process that investigates the design of a kinetic structure emphasizing material behaviour, embedded technology and computation. In parallel, it allows design proposals to adapt or transform with regard to geometrical configuration and structural behaviour according to external and internal influences. An adaptive hybrid structure is developed at digital and physical prototype level, where its behaviour is examined in real time under the influence of physical conditions. The development is based on a holistic design approach driven by environmental and human activity related conditions, while focusing on the application of elastic materials and embedded technology.

Interdisciplinary Research-based Design: the Case of a kinetic form-active Tensile Membrane

In the last years it is increasingly acknowledged that advances in digital technology are paving the way to achieve integrated interdisciplinary design, a type of practice that covers a mindset of collaboration and cross-disciplinary communication and experimentation, visualization and research at all stages of the architectural design process. Along these lines interdisciplinary research is necessary to engage complex topics that bridge between design and engineering. An open loop design methodology of interdisciplinary physical and digital investigations from the conceptual development up to the detailed physical prototyping is proposed in the current paper. The approach is exemplified with the design of a kinetic form-active membrane system. Membrane surfaces comprise the basic component of the hybrid system developed, whereas any form modification is activated through the system’s cablenet and struts. The interactive platform of investigation, based on physical- and digital modelling serves for the definition of the system’s adaptability, its composition and the structural components design.

Adaptive kinetic structural behavior through machine learning: Optimizing the process of kinematic transformation using artificial neural networks

Abstract Nowadays, on the basis of significant work carried out, architectural adaption structures are considered to be intelligent entities, able to react to various internal or external influences. Their adaptive behavior can be examined in a digital or physical environment, generating a variety of alternative solutions or structural transformations. These are controlled through different computational approaches, ranging from interactive exploration ones, producing alternative emergent results, to automate optimization ones, resulting in acceptable fitting solutions. This paper examines the adaptive behavior of a kinetic structure, aiming to explore suitable solutions resulting in final appropriate shapes during the transformation process. A machine learning methodology that implements an artificial neural networks algorithm is integrated to the suggested structure. The latter is formed by units articulated together in a sequential composition consisting of primary soft mechanisms and secondary rigid components that are responsible for its reconfiguration and stiffness. A number of case studies that respond to unstructured environments are set as examples, to test the effectiveness of the proposed methodology to be used for handling a large number of input data and to optimize the complex and nonlinear transformation behavior of the kinetic system at the global level, as a result of the units’ local activation that influences nearby units in a chaotic and unpredictable manner.

Design Concept Of A Kinetic Form-active Hybrid Envelope Structure

In architecture and specifi cally in the design of structures, natural systems are of particular interest as far as their principle integral characteristic is concerned, that of a multi-layered, fi nely tuned and differentiated combination of their components, leading to an optimization and autonomous adaptability with regard to varying external conditions. At the same time, the development of contemporary adaptable lightweight structures takes place on the basis of tensegrity, scissor mechanisms or primary members with predominant bending deformability. Driven by the principle integral characteristic of natural systems, the design concept of a kinetic hybrid structure for a building membranes’ envelope is presented in the current paper. The primary structure is composed of scissor compression and bending-active members interconnected in series through continuous tension-only members with closed circuit. The transformability of the system case example is presented in an initial confi guration and fi ve transformation states that correspond to respective transformation states of the membranes’ envelope. The integral composition of the kinetic hybrid structure is described with its confi guration and parametric associative design. A preliminary investigation of the system’s horizontal load-bearing behaviour throughout its transformation pathway follows a discussion on the motion planning of the structure. The latter builds on issues of the integrative development of the static and kinematic system, as well as minimization of external energy consumption for obtaining different operational confi guration states.

Encoding Gesture-Oriented Human Behaviour for the Development and Control of an Adaptive Building Skin

This paper discusses soft structural transformation strategies and responsive motional activation control methods for the development of an interactive building skin, responsible for regulating inner light conditions, with particular feedback from human position and stature. Inspired from the latest employment of smart mobile devices in building industry as an on/off wireless control switchboard, the present project demonstrates an alternative, gesture-based activation methodology towards a more natural and approachable way of controlling architectural environments. Elastically deformable planar elements of low thickness, in the basis of bending-active principles, have been chosen for the composition of a ‘soft’, modular adaptive building skin that enables flexible kinetic transformation with enhanced diverse geometrical conversion. Alongside the question of responsive motional control strategies, the search for a practical design setup is investigated aiming to establish a computational-oriented methodology that integrates information from both direct physical sensory data and indirect computational programming and organization of the input information. This is discussed through the case studies, where the physical performance of individuals is examined to generate input parameters responsible for the appropriate gesture activation of the digitally simulated responsive skin. User’s physical actions are recorded via the synergy of multiple sensors and classified into two main categories. Computation of both data resulted on an enriched user motion decoding, and therefore the encoding of specific structural reactions.

High-rise Airflow Structural Concept

Energy technologies realized through kinetic mechanisms in high-rise buildings may maximize the performance and sustainability of the buildings and their urban environments. In search for innovation through respective technological advancements, the interactive design of the building form and its structural components is significant. At the same time, the superposition of the living organisms’ vocabulary on the built environment delivers new insights and innovative solutions for sustainable developments through the integral composition of the components, light-weight and kinetic behaviour of the structures. In this frame, biomimetic-driven research and application leads to new architectural design concepts. Along these lines, the current paper exemplifies the design, simulation and analysis of a high-rise hybrid structure of 250 m height and 25 m diameter, which has an innovative lightweight load-bearing system and incorporates an integrated kinetic core mechanism for providing through vertical airflow, improvement of the environmental conditions for the building spaces and the surrounding urban areas of high density. The kinetic mechanism is envisioned to operate as an urban ventilation chimney for air polluted cities and contribute to microclimate improvements. Through presentation of the high-rise airflow structural system, significant influencing factors and interdependencies towards sustainable, integrated biomimetic-driven solutions of high-rise structures with integrated kinetic subsystems for improved functionality will be discussed.

Post-reflecting On The Process Of Integral Design Of An Adaptive Footbridge Structure Using Bending-active Principles

Contemporary design approaches of adaptive structures enhanced to a great extent through digital technology, gradually acknowledge the fact that the area encompasses a number of disciplines, bringing together a number of distinct modes of investigation. Within this frame, the interactive development of a cable bending-active footbridge structure presented in the current paper aims at clarifying the process of integral design applied. The structural prototype consists of two parallel series of bendingactive PETG members with initial inverted curvatures forming continuous elastic curvilinear elements, which are horizontally interconnected through cables. In a preliminary design stage, the structure is conceptualized through cyclically iterated physical modelling and preliminary finite element analysis. The design development stage is based on digital simulation, whereas the load-bearing and adaptive behaviour of the structure is examined and visualized in real time according to the pretension of the cables and predefined pedestrian movement scenarios, respectively. Following the construction design and manufacturing of the structural members, the design evaluation stage addresses beyond verification issues of the design proposed, structural optimization aspects through investigation of suitable pretension values of the cables and geometric characteristics of the bending-active members. The integral design approach of the adaptive structure is exemplary for integrating different modes of operation and digital investigation tools in achieving effective load-bearing characteristics and adaptability of the structure.

Design optimization and robotic fabrication of tensile mesh structures: The development and simulation of a custom-made end-effector tool

This article presents an ongoing research, aiming to introduce a fabrication procedure for the development of tensile mesh systems. The purpose of current methodology is to establish an integrated approach that combines digital form-finding and robotic manufacturing processes by extracting data and information derived through elastic material behavior for physical implementation. This aspires to extend the capacity of robotically driven mechanisms to the fabrication of complex tensile structures and, at the same time, to reduce the defects that might occur due to the deformation of the elastic material. In this article, emphasis is given to the development of a custom-made end-effector tool, which is responsible to add elastic threads and create connections in the form of nodes. Based on additive fabrication logic, this process suggests the development of physical prototypes through a design optimization and tool-path verification.