Topic
The main goal of AMBS is to use a mathematical approach to design efficient building structures. This includes skillful parameterizations of certain surfaces suitable for architectural design. The essential tools used to harness such surfaces are parametric modeling and geometric transformations.
Important but so far hardly noticed are the surfaces with negative constant Gaussian curvature (e. g. Dini), They allow special networks, having correspondences between asymptotic and principal networks. Benefits from combining those are explored during AMBS, since their properties allow the elegant creation of braced, piece-wise developable surfaces or/and planar quadrilateral panels.
Geometrical characteristics enhance design possibilities and we will explore this hands on with bamboo structures. The good reason for using bamboo is its sustainability and its structural capacity. The organic material will also challenge the precision of the parametric setup. This part will be guided by international bamboo experts.
AMBS is both a summer school to enhance knowledge and abilities of the participants, and a design space exploration of mathematics and architecture, especially applied to bamboo construction.
Background
AMBS is part of TU Dresden research within the SPP 2187 called »Adaptive Modularized Constructions Made in Flux«. The research with the title »Formwork-free flow production of adaptive support structures from variable frame elements (ACDC)« is a colaboration of the working groups of Prof. Dr.-Ing. Viktor Mechtcherine and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Daniel Lordick. The SPP 2187 is part of the AdvanceAEC network.
AMBS is driven by an international cooperation of researchers coming from different disciplines: GMV of TU Dresden (D), AMG of the GSA lab (ENSAPM, FR), CMAT of UMinho (PT), FAUL (PT). The link and mathematical background is provided by Dr. Dr. Ahmed Elshafei (Centro de Matemática, Universidade do Minho, Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal), who currently is a visiting researcher at GMV, funded by the Dresden Fellowship Program.
Simulation of the bamboo structure »La Fleur Mathématique« in the Garden of Pillnitz Castle. Rendering by Max Schwall.
AMBS is also a DESIGN CAMPUS Lab and interacts with the exhibition Plant Fever. Towards a Phyto-centred Design currently on display at the Kunstgewerbemuseum Pillnitz. The bamboo sculpture, which will be created during the workshop, will be displayed in context with the opening of the THE SCHOOL OF PHYTO-CENTRED DESIGN by d-o-t-s (Laura Drouet, Olivier Lacrouts).
The developed strategies, which combine a mathematical approach with the requirements of architectural design, will be presented during the upcoming AAG conference in Stuttgart.