The bauhaus ifex research series presents novel research results by the Institute of Experimental Architecture at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The focus lies on both fundamental and applied scienti c research as well as prototypical and experimental architectures.
ifex #1: Von der Faser zum Haus
Honeycomb panels with a core of corrugated paper materials can be transformed into extremely stable and aesthetic components by folding processes. The freely selectable material thicknesses and the high static performance of these sandwich panels offer a wide range of applications. The work is dedicated to the geometric determination of folds in honeycomb panels made of paper materials and their manifestation as load-bearing components. The static properties, the constructive potential and the variety of design variants are presented with extensive graphics, system drawings and display boards.
Important impulses from research and technology make it possible to locate the results in the architectural context. As a theoretical basis, the historical development and social significance of paper and paper materials are analysed and their production processes are examined. As a project result of the interdisciplinary research work, an experimental building will be presented, which enables a permanent evaluation of the developed components under realistic conditions and demonstrates their performance.
ifex #2: Adaptivität von freigeformten Flächentragwerken
Christian Heidenreich's work focuses on the optimization of free-formed adaptive fiber composite structures on the basis of a developed design method based on a parametric model. Adaptive load-bearing structures can be designed using Smart Materials as material-saving, ligrane-free load-bearing structures.
The developed design method enables the design and optimization of material-minimized shell structures in a multi-stage process. In addition, analyses of sustainability are carried out on the basis of a life cycle analysis. The general validity and transferability of the design method to other structural systems in the building industry and especially to other material constellations is demonstrated by means of various examples.
ifex #3: Sichtbarkeitsbasierte Raumerzeugung
Spatial contours represent a central task in the architectural and urban design process. The main focus is on design systems for the automated generation of such spatial congurations and the inclusion of criteria relevant to perception and use. To a large extent, these can be described by spatial representation, which illustrates the visibility of room areas and their relationships to each other.
A method is being developed to create floor plans based on such visibility-based room representations. Test scenarios show that this method can make an important contribution to improving computer-aided evidence-based design processes.
ifex #4: Parametric Life Cycle Assessment
The building sector is responsible for a large share of human environmental impacts, over which architects and planners have a major influence. The main objective of this thesis is to develop a method for environmental building design optimization based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that is applicable as part of the design process. The research approach includes a thorough analysis of LCA for buildings in relation to the architectural design stages and the establishment of a requirement catalogue.
The key concept of the novel method called Parametric Life Cycle Assessment (PLCA) is to combine LCA with parametric design. The application of this method to three examples shows that building designs can be optimized time-efficiently and holistically from the beginning of the most influential early design stages, an achievement which has not been possible until now.