Draft Barcelona Presentation_Eric

Research on the Sagrada Familia
The research focus' on the application of local ruled geometries to create global complexity that is structurally determinate. The compressive force distribution utilizes doubly twisted columns, made of increasingly stronger stone towards the Nave. The construction requires massive stone bodies digitally designed and manufactured off-site, transported and assembled in the dense urban area. Inspiration is taken from the application of Gaudi's principals of ruled surfaces with the contemporary reality of such a massive construction undertaking in a urban context.

 

Architectural problem for Thesis

Most contemporary Compressive structures rely on the use of concrete. Mold work and scaffolding is the most labor and cost intensive aspect of concrete structures within architecture. Similarly with the necessity of fabricating Sagrada Familia stone bodies off-site, I am interested in closing the gap between material fabrication, and architectural construction, or the distance conceptually and physically from source to site. Using Robotic fabrication technology I am exploring alternative media such as gelatin and high viscosity liquids to create an alternative, reusable scaffolding for complex form created in space directly on site. Gaudi's Application of ruled geometry is ideal in that it dictates a simple deposition of material via a linear vector or line. The agglomeration of which yields the complex form of parabaloid, Conoids, Helicoids, and hyperbolas.

 

Tools +Materials

Kuka 6-axis robot
Concrete pressure vessel
Effector ends for Depositing Concrete
Portable Air Compressor

AgarAgar (100 lbs)

Portland Cement (300 lbs)
Fine Sand (100 lbs)
Cement Retarding Admixture
Cement Acceleratign Admixture
Powdered Alumnimum (10lbs)

Time Table

Effector Fabrication                      November 12
Pressure Vessel Fabrication          November 16
Barcelona Research                       November 17-25
Material Variables ID                    December. 4th
Varaiables Resolved                      December 10
Flow and Speed Determined         December 10
3 Axis Test                                    December 17
6Axis Test                                     January 7