Another inspiration for the project derives from Maison du Peuple which is arguably one of the earliest modern examples of flexible architecture. Since the building accommodates two programmes in a single location, it allows for densification in the urban context in terms of time more than it does in terms of space. It treats densification as a temporal issue and not spatial.

While the focal point of this investigation is urban densification and adaptable design, responsive architecture also offers other significant benefits:
+ it creates intellectually and perceptually stimulating dialogues between the user and its surroundings.
+ by exploring and investigating unconventional design methods, architects contribute towards building a more homogeneous design framework that allows these environments to be applied on a large scale.
+ establishing new workflows for responsive architecture also creates opportunities for novel aesthetics and design languages.

Bending-active hybrid structures (BAHS) exist in various systems and contexts, but fundamentally they all make use of contrary material properties to achieve certain structural and/or architectural qualities. The design process of such systems is often unconventional, yet the effects they achieve can be thought-provoking and therefore worth exploring.

Hybrid structures are capable of achieving dynamic spatial outcomes and working in systems just as well as individual elements. Moreover, when used rationally, BAHS offer possibility to withstand high load-bearing capacity while weighing a fraction of traditional building element.

The proposed methodology can be split into two: theoretical and computational.

The former analyses events in the context of public space and produces guidelines for the concept of transformable structures. Understanding key demands and boundaries of architectural and spatial qualities required to host various events produced initial design inputs.

The latter employs different tools of computation to generate, investigate and evaluate responsive architecture, both in terms of individual elements and collections of them.

A public square in Meatpacking District, Copenhagen will be used as a site and any further analysis will be applied to the scale and specifics of this particular area. In terms of disparity, the square is surrounded by and is a part of an active social life, both during day and night times. Moreover, the space functions as a parking lot for adjacent buildings during certain hours, therefore is a great case for study of transformable structures.

A series of physical scale prototypes was produced exploring different bending-active principles and how these can help to achieve adaptable spaces. The goal of the study was to establish a coherent architectural language and explore shaped assembly typology that would allow for maximum flexibility while using a minimal footprint. How can same BAHS serve multiple functions in their passive and active states? How can same structures possess different spatial qualities with minimal effort to change it? How can modules work in a system as well individually?

Previously created physical prototypes are translated into digital models using spring-based modelling and force-density methods using Kangaroo plugin for Grasshopper/Rhino. This simulation engine embeds physical behaviour directly in the 3D modelling environment. Beams and cables are represented as polylines, piecewise linear curves which may approximate continuous shapes. These are drawn by the designer as coarse polylines describing assembly topology and initial dimensions.

The simulation outputs relaxed geometry that has reached equilibrium between its components and allows us to further explore and compare BAHS typologies by refining various force values

Successful responsive structures consist of many unique characteristics. Therefore, I have identified 3 key categories which I will first examine separately in an attempt to connect them later to propose a comprehensive design.

I approach all 3 design vectors in a gradient fashion, meaning that the final design is questioned from all extreme ends of the spectrum.

Shading is achieved by connecting textile elements to the primary structure and different configurations allow to create variable spaces.

Controlling scale is important in vertical vector as scaling up horizontally is only a matter of aggregation. This is achieved by having one end of the structures tensioned to the ground, and therefore by re-tensioning it, it is possible to raise the structures, giving them different spatial and functional qualities.

From the perspective of spatial organization, having an ability to construct open, closed and spaces that go from open to close allows to create a large amount of varying typologies.

The goal of this project is to design flexible architecture that deals with densification in terms of time rather than in space and treats it as a temporal issue. So the design becomes responsive in terms of accommodating actual functional qualities and transforming to suit the needs of those who use it, hence becoming a state machine.

The system of textile structures and the ground become deeply implicated, therefore it becomes a design domain. In addition, storage and it’s in & out states become an integral part of the project.

There are 3 morphotypes of storage, each functioning independently and extending the use of auxiliary spaces around the site. These units allow for modular elements to always be in use and therefore coincide with the main idea of responsive architecture – having no final state and always being manipulated to suit the needs of those who use it.

Secondary spaces are enabled and supported by storage units. Their active functions enable surrounding squares, and in their passive state they become local landmarks.
How can the site function when no even it happening? How storage can help to inhabit other spaces?

Secondary spaces are enabled and supported by storage units. Their active functions enable surrounding squares, and in their passive state they become local landmarks.
How can the site function when no even it happening? How storage can help to inhabit other spaces?

GFRP rods are housed in the ground using conventional aluminium sleeve pockets in concrete foundation. To preserve the use of the square outside events, these pockets are covered with brass details which harmonize with the context environment and become invisible when not needed.

Due to a mobile nature of storage elements, they are designed as simple as possible. Some of the stored rods can act as structural units and stay fixed in place, supporting the rest of the storage element.
Also, interaction between the user and storage is intuitive and clean – elements are mobile and easily transportable.

I’ve created a comprehensive library of components of different scale and features. The smallest ones serve as links between all the structures, and the larger ones form spatial characteristics and define the space in and around them. All of these modules are made using repeating GFRP and PTFE elements with some tensioning cables.

Although the structures come in various sizes and expressions, they share similar edge conditions that allows them to connect in multiple ways and form interesting clusters. Also, having matching edge helps to mask the transitions and make clusters of components look continuous as opposed to discrete elements.

In order to avoid manual placement of textile structures over the site, I’ve created a scattering engine that would be able to iteratively generate spatial setups which respond to conditional settings. How can a system of pre-defined rules produce something that is unexpected?
Key principle of this task was to have a full control of spatial organization within the site, while not being limited by any specific elements. This tool allowed me to have ‘controlled randomness’ over the entire process and interact with the design method, yet still have a moment of spontaneity and construct unanticipated results.
The engine follows the hierarchy of attributes and rules until no more rules are present/active. At this point, it starts to iterate randomly until the next attribute/rule is met. After a certain amount of steps, I’m able to pause this process, change the rules, adjust additional parameters and continue.
The tool also considers post-generation control and adjustment of individual elements. It allows for a very flexible, yet precise and adaptable design process.

Scattering engine allowed to iteratively design the layout for the square using conditional settings, as opposed to manual placement. Using this method I was able to generate large amount of spatial setups and then process them later on using data-sorting libraries. When being scattered, all of the components are assigned custom attributes, that both, create hierarchy between them and generate unique data for further evaluation on meta level.

Scattering engine allowed to iteratively design the layout for the square using conditional settings, as opposed to manual placement. Using this method I was able to generate large amount of spatial setups and then process them later on using data-sorting libraries. When being scattered, all of the components are assigned custom attributes, that both, create hierarchy between them and generate unique data for further evaluation on meta level.