A review for using swarm intelligence in architectural engineering

Swarm intelligence algorithms are natural-inspired computational methods that mimic the social interaction between creatures to solve certain problems. Swarmative computational architecture (SCA) is a novel nomenclature proposed by the authors to present the use of various swarm algorithms in solving architectural problems. It includes three main aspects: form generation/adaptation, performance evaluation, and optimization. This study provides a systematic review and comparative analysis for the major publications within the review scope. The correspondence between dynamic subjects and the objective functions for the optimization process is presented. Particularly, dynamic subjects such as building formation parameters and objective functions such as occupant comfort and energy consumption. The main results and criteria are categorized into the design approach, case study, form generation/adaptation, and performance evaluation/optimization. Finally, this review presents the current trends and highlights the gaps in the use of swarm algorithms to solve architectural engineering problems.

Towards Self-shaping Metamaterial Shells:

Double curvature enables elegant and material-efficient shell structures, but their construction typically relies on heavy machining, manual labor, and the additional use of material wasted as one-off formwork. Using a material’s intrinsic properties for self-shaping is an energy and resource-efficient solution to this problem. This research presents a fabrication approach for self-shaping double-curved shell structures combining the hygroscopic shape-changing and scalability of wood actuators with the tunability of 3D-printed metamaterial patterning. Using hybrid robotic fabrication, components are additively manufactured flat and self-shape to a pre-programmed configuration through drying. A computational design workflow including a lattice and shell-based finite element model was developed for the design of the metamaterial pattern, actuator layout, and shape prediction. The workflow was tested through physical prototypes at centimeter and meter scales. The results show an architectural scale proof of concept for self-shaping double-curved shell structures as a resource-efficient physical form generation method.

邁向湧現美學的基本設計教學研究

<p>本研究主要在探討建築設計在數位工具與生物學觀點介入後，如何將形態生成語彙的，以自然的湧現特質呈現在設計中。設計的操作方法透過材料特性的探索、量體聚集和力學傳遞的差異與連續，企圖創造出不同於以往只有幾何的組織特性而能傳達自組織美學的意。此看法包含Las Spuybroek所說解釋的新激進唯物主義概念，可以體現從構築、跨越物質感知與物質本身產生共鳴的設計方法。目前在數位設計型態上十分常見。但是，如何避免只是複製形式而不了解邏輯的生成原則，將材料探索和其生成意義傳遞給學生，需要一套較完整的設計教學方法。本研究歷經三年的嘗試，已接近明確的方法論，其目的就是希望讓學生從近身事物之觀察為起點，分門別類理解各種材料與對應工具的技術，最後運用於生成形式獨特的空間內涵。即便學生沒有直接接觸或使用計算機工具或任何種類的演算和結構運算軟體。學生也能自然地體驗形式由下而上的生成方法，以及來自構築性物件中結構力量的流動與傳遞經驗。他們可以看到組織的流動性如何轉移到物體結構中。</p> <p>&nbsp;</p><p>The research primarily explores how, after the introduction of digital tools and biological viewpoints, architectural design may express the morphological generation language within as a natural emergence. Through the exploration of material properties, mass aggregation and the force distribution and continuity, the design method attempts to create an assemblage characteristic containing more than simply geometry as in the past, and the ability to communicate the aesthetic value of self-assemblage. This aspect was also explained by Las Spuybroek, on new radical materialist concept that embodies a design approach resonating with the tectonics, cross-material perception and the material itself. At the moment, this approach is prevalent in digital design. Nonetheless, for the purpose of conveying this tectonic significance to students by the material exploration, and avoiding a simple replication of form and uninformed of the principles that generate such logic, a more thorough method in design teaching is required. After three years of experimentation, the research has nearly arrived at a clear methodology, which aims to allow students to take the observation of the surrounding objects as the outset, categorizing and understanding the materials and set of techniques of respective tools, and finally realized by generating unique forms of spatial connotation. Even if the students have yet been in direct contact or use of the computational tools or any types of algorithms and structural calculations, they can naturally experience the bottom-up approach of the form generation and the flow of structural force from the tectonic, thus pass on the experience. They will observe how the organizational mobility is transferred to the structure.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

Study on Contact between Construction and Vision in New Digital Methods

In the form language of architectural design, the process of form generation and the source of form are completely different from the perspective of construction and vision. The two traceability for form are opposite. This paper attempts to quantify and analyze the process in a creative way of digital, by summarizing the relevant digital research of forms, a feasible modular sequence is proposed, which can correspond the form evaluation based on construction and vision in architectural design, and provide an actionable way by digital for the form design language.

A Study on Meteorological Architecture

Under the background of global warming and energy crisis, exploring the new relationship between architecture and climate has always been a hot spot in the construction industry. Thus, a new design pattern “meteorological architecture” guided by a localized meteorological condition is developed. The paper starts with the distinction of the concepts of “meteorology” and “climate” to explains the connotation of “meteorological architecture”. Through the analysis of current theories and practices related to meteorological architecture, a new principle of architectural space division and architectural form generation logic have been summarized. Finally, the enlightening effect of meteorological architecture on other fields is proposed.

Machine Learning Aided 2D-3D Architectural Form Finding at High Resolution

In the past few years, more architects and engineers start thinking about the application of machine learning algorithms in the architectural design field such as building facades generation or floor plans generation, etc. However, due to the relatively slow development of 3D machine learning algorithms, 3D architecture form exploration through machine learning is still a difficult issue for architects. As a result, most of these applications are confined to the level of 2D. Based on the state-of-the-art 2D image generation algorithm, also the method of spatial sequence rules, this article proposes a brand-new strategy of encoding, decoding, and form generation between 2D drawings and 3D models, which we name 2D-3D Form Encoding WorkFlow. This method could provide some innovative design possibilities that generate the latent 3D forms between several different architectural styles. Benefited from the 2D network advantages and the image amplification network nested outside the benchmark network, we have significantly expanded the resolution of training results when compared with the existing form-finding algorithm and related achievements in recent years.

The Influence of the Initial Contour Parameters on the Contact Ratio of Involute Gearings

Previously, GOST 13755–81 specified a unified standard initial contour, i.e. the tool rack teeth profile. The rolling method was dominant; a family of surfaces was enveloped by tools in the process of form-generation of involute gears. The effectiveness of such standardization was enhanced by the widespread large-scale and mass production. Recently, changes in the nature and technology of production have led to a significant expansion of possible standard initial contours and their parameters. In many cases, manufacturers reject the enveloping method as well as the involute engagement in general. However, the contour parameters are still the foundation of the standard Cylindrical Involute External Gearing. Calculation of Geometry. Thus, even with the complete rejection of the initial contour, its effect on the gearing quality, namely on the contact ratio, remains unchanged. The transverse contact ratio is the ratio of the length of the engagement line segment to the normal pitch equal to the pitch of the base circumference of the pinion. In this study, dependencies of the transverse contact ratio on the number of pinion teeth, speed ratio, pressure angle and addendum coefficient are obtained. The results obtained can be used to select the initial contour parameters that provide the required traverse contact ratio, making the enveloping method and the initial contour (tool rack) redundant. It is established that the optimum transverse contact ratio equals 2. However, to compensate for manufacturing and assembly errors, the values of the number of pinion teeth, speed ratio, pressure angle and addendum coefficient should be selected so as to slightly exceed the above-mentioned transverse contact ratio.

Algorithmic Synergy and Architectural Form Generation Mechanisms

Today, the architecture field is witnessing a noticeable evolution regarding the used tools that the designer should invest in a peculiar way that is made available in architecture through the concept of synergy generally and algorithmic synergy specifically. The synergy is meant to study and analyze the cooperative behavior of complex systems and self-organizing systems that leads to different outputs referred to by the synergy as the (whole), which is bigger than the sum of parts and in architecture, it's translated as the architectural form. This point resulted in a need of a specific study regarding the concept of synergy that focuses on the cooperative, synergistic relations within the trilogy of (form, structure, and material) and clarifies the role of technological evolution of design tools through algorithmic synergy in formulating that relation, thus resulted in the research's problem which came in the following statement (The lack of clear knowledge of the algorithmic synergy and its mechanisms in generating and discovering the architectural form digitally) and to solve this problem and Achieving the research goal which is represented in (Clarifying the knowledge regarding the role of algorithmic synergy and its mechanisms in generating and discovering the architectural form digitally), the research clarifies the concept of "Synergy" in general and "Algorithmic Synergy" precisely in order to get the epitome of vocabulary on the theoretical part and moving on to the practical application on elected projects samples moving on to the conclusions and recommendations that shows having the architecture a self-organizing synergy system connects the designer and the developed digital tool that is provided by algorithmic synergy, plays a vital role in reaching the digitally synergized whole that represented by the architectural form.