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Characteristics of the 103 nodes
| Section | Quantity | wall thickness | Cross section (cm) | bolt diameter (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Column | 54 | 7 mm | 4.4 × 2.4 | 5 |
| Canopy | 41 | 5 mm | 4 × 2 | 4 |
| 25 | 4 mm | 4 × 1.5 | 4 | |
| 48 | 3 mm | 3.5 × 1.5 | 3 |
Initial course schedule
| week | Stage | Contents / activity |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Understanding Freeform Gridshell Structures | Form-finding methods workshop I (computational) |
| 3 | Form-finding methods workshop II (physical) | |
| 4 | Designing a freeform using gridshell structures | |
| 5 | Designing a Freeform Gridshell Structure | Design proposals: fabrication and disassembly issues |
| 6 | 3D model development (nodes, battens, organization) | |
| 7 | Design of nodes & battens | |
| 8 | Midterm Exam Week | Delivery: Design of all nodes / 3D printing setup |
| 9 | Making a Freeform Gridshell Structure | 3D printing / fabrication of battens |
| 10 | 3D printing / fabrication of battens | |
| 11 | Assembling of parts | |
| 12 | (Dis-) assembling a Freeform Gridshell Structure | Test Installation on campus |
| 13 | Disassemble / Re-assemble | |
| 14 | Final Installation | |
| 15 | Final Exam Week | Delivery: Report & digital archive |
Implemented schedule
| week | main activity | tools / equipment |
|---|---|---|
| 2 – 3 | lectures on form-finding methods & gridshell structures (principles) | none |
| 4 | workshop on funicular models & design competition explained | spare fabric & melted candle wax |
| 5 | Selection of proposal for prototyping | visualizations - Rhino / GH models |
| 6 | Redesign of the selected proposal & 3D model development | Rhino / GH models |
| 7 | Final design was ready / Column nodes are distributed among students for design | Rhino model |
| 8 | All column nodes were ready | Rhino model |
| 9 – 11 | Column: 3D printing (after G-codes are prepared) & preparation of timber battens; Canopy: design of nodes is developed | Rhino model, Prusa / Wanhao / Creality 3D printers, Prusa Slicer, Timber (@University's workshop) |
| 12 | Assembly test of the column | basic power tools |
| 13 – 15 | Canopy: All nodes are designed and 3D printed. Preparation of all timber battens. | Rhino model, Prusa / Wanhao / Creality 3D printers, Prusa Slicer, Timber (@University's workshop) |
| 16* | Full assembly of the first prototype | basic power tools, scaffolding |
Characteristics of the 168 timber battens
| Section | Quantity | Cross section (cm) | Average length (cm) | longest - shortest (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Column | 54 | 4.4 × 2.4 | 49.1 | 94.3 − 32.6 |
| Canopy | 41 | 4 × 2 | 43.1 | 83.9 − 20.9 |
| 25 | 4 × 1.5 | 46.5 | 75.5 − 32.8 | |
| 48 | 3.5 × 1.5 | 49.4 | 83.1 − 19.8 |