DIGITAL PHYSICALITY: AN INVESTIGATION OF TENSILE STRUCTURE IN DIGITAL SIMULATION AND FABRICATION

Abstract

The combination of digital physicality and physical digitality brought about the development of complex performance-based architecture. All this began from the conception of computer drafting and modelling, progressing towards digital simulation tests and digital fabrication which allowed buildings to become more efficient in terms of building performance and sustainability. Tensile structures, however, remain a mystery to architects due to the complexities of the structural system. The non-conventional structural system together with its dynamic shape made the designing and fabricating of membrane structures very difficult for architects. Often, they are left in the hands of the relatively few engineers who expertise in this field. In this dissertation, it aims to explore how digital tools could facilitate architects in the design and construction of membrane structures by solving the three main problems – form finding, membrane patterning and fabrication and customisation of details. Case studies and exploration were used to illustrate and substantiate how the use of digital simulation and modelling could assist architects solve the three problems. The case studies demonstrate the difficulties of constructing tensile structures and how they could only be solved by experts who used digital tools to help them. With architects who are enabled through the use of a simplified digital simulation, modelling and fabrication tool, they could gain some understanding of the tensile system and help them in the design process. The tool could allow them to create new innovative membrane structures which maximise its lightweight, material efficient and portable characteristics. The architects could also take it further to create membrane architectures which benefit the society by producing possible sustainable options for structures and façade systems.