Teaching and Experimenting with Architectural Design

Maria Vrontissi Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly, Volos, Greece 145

Shapes, geometries, structure and materials are interrelated, form BEING the

structure. Internal forces and material properties interact with the design as well as

the manufacturing process in a differentiated design and making approach.

The whole process is directly based on the 3D model [Fig. 6] (traditionally physical,

now digital) containing all information about form, forces, material properties and

cutting patterns, therefore being a crucial tool in formfinding, engineering analysis

and manufacturing production.

Trial-and-error process, once performed with accurate physical models, is now

carried out using advanced simulation techniques (simulation vs representation) to

give immediate feedback, digital technology becoming a reliable design tool, when

used to all its extent.

Teaching tensile structures is a unique opportunity to introduce the 3D model

based design, to develop awareness of the importance of structural and material

performance as form generators, to present the interaction between design and

manufacturing process.

Digital tools open a new perspective in this field, by offering new possibilities of

analyzing structural behavior and material performance, if more elaborate simulation

tools are to be used.

The design of portable/ demountable structures introduces issues about prefab-

rication, industrial systems, scale and sustainability [Fig. 7]. The question of con-

structability is apparent; the notion of parametric design is introduced. Choices of

materials and manufacturing systems made available by the new digital technology

have dramatically increased, but so is the need for input by the designer. Management

and evaluation skills are required in order to deal with this new reality.

Assignments dealing with material properties introduce the concept of material

design. ‘Custom’ materials with properties tailored to specific functional, aesthetic

Fig. 6
Studies on tensile membranes – E. Kiourtsoglou, A. Tsioli, Chronaki

Fig. 7
Studies on prefabrication and industrial systems – E. Nazlidou, N. Patsopoulos