TC_W16_Ngongi_2016-0-02_DIII

Movement is reflected in Antonio Gaudi's work through his use of ruled surfaces, hyperboloids, hyperbolic paraboloids, and catenary arches. In La Sagrada Familia these are expressed in various ways, columns, surfaces, and spatial design. The thesis focus will part from Gaudi's methods of using nature and motion and his study to produce a new method of structural stress calculation based on catenary arches. Gaudi's catenary string model projected the ideal curve for an arch that supports its own weight and tolerates almost pure compression with no significant bending moment inside the material. Parting from Gaudi's studies, this thesis research focuses on the study of motion and how motion can be tracked and translated into a large three dimensional free standing element/structure. The fabrication of the architectural element will be produced through the utilization of industrial robotic arms, plastic extruder heads and thermalplastic polymer, ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene).