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The Smart Masonry is a complex geometry that deploys the digital optimization

Germany Architecture News - Aug 12, 2015 - 10:25 8909 views

The Smart Masonry is a master-thesis project designed by Dmytro Zhuikov, Arina Agieieva from ZA Architects, the Smart Masonry is a structural design and a construction method, based on traditional masonry techniques. It deploys the digital optimization to minimize dead-weight of the skeleton and the robotic construction technique to assemble complex geometry.

The Smart Masonry is a complex geometry that deploys the digital optimization

The proposed method is linked to the purpose and place of the building- Makers Center in Berlin. The machinery , which used for the construction of the building, will be preserved as its a core and will drive its the main function. The structural concept represents one seamless mesh, instead of walls, columns, beams, etc. It is designed as a minimal surface, whose stress-pattern is optimized and materialized as a load-bearing pattern.

The construction method mixes advantages of 3d printing and large prefabricated elements. The robotic construction station with robotic arm manipulators allows to build a complex geometry floor-by-floor. It is compact and labor-effective comparing to traditional methods, and fast comparing to 3d printing.

The discretization of the load-bearing skeleton is implemented with unique concrete elements, whose geometrical and material properties are varied gradually regarding local structural demands. ‘‘Positive Casting’’ is a new resource-effective technique. It was elaborated in order to produce above mentioned unique elements.