Sponsored by Laing O'Rourke

Emerging technologies in digital fabrication are rapidly changing the way we can build, and opening up new possibilities for a performative and sustainable architecture. Freeform Construction develops technologies for digital manufacturing and design methods geared towards an architectural 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, solution.

My work is focused on developing design methods and solutions which enable the potential of an additive manufacturing paradigm -mass customisation and a vast formal complexity and variation. In these scenarios algorithmic design methods can allow the structure of a building to start responding to their context in previously unattainable ways and what has been considered separate scales in space and time can be fully integrated. By learning from natural processes we are striving to create structures which are functional membranes and which allow us  to bypass the dependency on external energy to control heat, humidity and ventilation. The membrane utilises local energy gradients in the surrounding environment - for example light, turbulent winds - to drive and control the exchange

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Sponsored by Jason Bruges Studio

When an illusionist or magician is performing a trick, they modify their performance based on the actions of the observer. Techniques such as ‘multiple outs’ enable the illusionist to tailor the situation they are designing, in reaction to the observer – in real time. The interactivity of the situation facilitates the imagination of the observer to influence the designing of the situation itself.

My research suggests that, as experience is a perceptual entity, experience cannot be designed. However, like magicians, designers are able to explore the individuality of observers’ spatial experiences through inferring both observer attributes and changes in attributes from simple observations. Contrary to most static objects and buildings, this is a situation which can modify the affordances it presents in response to real time observations of the character of the observer. I aim to develop spatial situations with similar qualities.

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Sponsored by AEDAS

Concept designs are key to the direction and ultimate success of a project. Major decisions which fundamentally affect the sustainability of a building are made in the early stages of design. However, due to the rapid and erratic development of design, environmental analysis is not usually undertaken until after the concept stage. By this time, most sustainable solutions would need design or briefing changes that are often too costly to implement.

Aedas R&D develop design methods through modelling and computation that quantify, visualise and manipulate spatial, environmental and financial factors of design. In collaboration with Aedas R&D and UCL, my research will explore the use of advanced modelling at the early stages of design, utilising performance data and environmental simulation as architectural design drivers. I aim to explore alternative spatial designs and form-finding techniques while developing the methodology for integrating quantitative analysis into the design workflow that present the performance implications of early design decisions parametrically. The objective is to develop a system that provides quick feedback while designers are undertaking initial exploratory exercises. Read more

Sponsored by Foster + Partners

My research concerns the visual experience of architecture and urban space. I will be exploring the use of machine perception to understand how visual factors influence spatial awareness. Using this research as a foundation, I intend to further investigate how such visual qualities can be simulated in the generation and analysis of architectural design options.

 

 

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Sponsored by Feilden Clegg Bradley

I am researching the cases for refurbishment and replacement of existing buildings to improve whole life cycle energy consumption and reduce carbon emissions.

The energy performance of an old building is typically poorer than that of newer buildings. Such buildings make up a large proportion of the existing building stock and if they remain in use without improvement will form an increasingly significant and irreducible proportion of the overall energy consumption. There is a compelling argument for replacing existing buildings with newer, more energy efficient buildings. However this should be measured against the significant energy invested in the construction of a replacement building, particularly in terms of the embodied energy of the materials used and the construction process. This is in addition to the many other implications of replacing a building.

I plan to apply Life Cycle Assessment methodology to a variety of case studies to explore the impact of refurbishment or replacement on life cycle energy and carbon emissions. My target outcome is a software tool to be used to aid decision making on refurbishment versus replacement of a building.

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