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Building design is a complex, open-ended task that involves diverse disciplines and professionals. Architects and engineers are challenged with solving a variety of often-conflicting issues related to various aspects, such as space making, structural performance, energy consumption, and user comfort. Holistic design approaches allow for addressing all these requirements jointly from the conceptual design stage. However, it is necessary to use appropriate tools to enable effective relationships between different disciplines. The objective of this research is to introduce a new holistic framework in which structural design and solar control strategies are addressed simultaneously thanks to the use of geometrybased graphical methods. Within the framework, graphic statics serves in solving structural design aspects, while graphical methods for solar control are used to tackle solar design aspects. The results obtained show how geometry-based graphical methods lead to a concise and intuitive formulation of the problem without curtailing the precision of the results. On the contrary, the use of such methods represents a crucial advantage for designers as it fosters a thorough understanding of the underlying design principles, thus enhancing the ability of the designer of controlling the design process as a whole., Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia, 2022, ISSN:2518-6582, Proceedings of the IASS/APCS 2022 Beijing Symposium: Next Generation Parametric Design

Additive manufacturing allows using naturally grown structural elements in combination with 3D printed components, aiming to foster a more sustainable building culture. However, from a structural perspective, the combined use of natural and artificial materials introduces new uncertainties and challenges in relation to the design and analysis of the global load-bearing behavior of structures, as well as their connection systems. In this context, equilibrium-based methods derived from the lower bound theorem of the theory of plasticity are particularly effective since they are not restricted to a specific structural typology, material, or scale. This paper illustrates the application of equilibrium-based methods such as strut-and-tie modeling and graphic statics to the structural design and analysis of a full- scale demonstrator, the Digital Bamboo pavilion. The load-bearing system of the pavilion is a bamboo space frame reinforced by post-tensioned cables. The bamboo elements are connected via bespoke 3D printed nylon and steel connections. Thanks to the combination of natural and artificial materials, the Digital Bamboo exhibits a filigree high-performance geometry that goes beyond the ordinary space frame architecture., Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia, 2022, ISSN:2518-6582, Proceedings of the IASS/APCS 2022 Beijing Symposium: Next Generation Parametric Design

The design of building envelopes requires a negotiation between qualitative and quantitative aspects belonging to different disciplines, such as architecture, structural design, and building physics. In contrast to hierarchical linear approaches in which various design aspects are considered and conceived sequentially, holistic frameworks allow such aspects to be taken into consideration simultaneously. However, these multi-disciplinary approaches often lead to the formulation of complex high-dimensional design spaces of solutions that are generally not easy to handle manually. Computational optimisation techniques may offer a solution to this problem; however, they mainly focus on quantitative aspects, not always guaranteeing the flexibility and interactive responsiveness designers need in the early design stage. The use of intuitive geometry-based generative tools, in combination with machine learning algorithms, is a way to overcome the issues that arise when dealing with multi-dimensional design spaces without necessarily replacing the designer with the machine. The presented research follows a human-centred design framework in which the machine assists the human designer in generating, evaluating, and clustering large sets of design options. Through a case study, this paper suggests ways of making use of interactive tools that do not overlook the performance criteria or personal preferences of the designer while preserving the simplicity and flexibility needed in the early design stage., Journal of Facade Design and Engineering, 9 (1)

Form finding is an effective approach for the conceptual design of structures. In the 1950s and 1960s, various form finding techniques flourished to create geometries that could not be realized with analytical models or graphical methods alone. The development of contemporary form finding owes much to the seminal work of a number of structural designers of the period, notably Frei Otto, Heinz Isler and Sergio Musmeci. The scientific cultures to which they belonged led to differentiated results in their research and design. This paper examines the approaches to the form finding of Otto, Isler and Musmeci, looking in particular at the inspirations, methods and visions of these protagonists in the history of structural design., History of Construction Cultures, ISBN:978-1-032-00203-3, ISBN:978-1-003-17343-4

The paper presents a proposal for the structural preservation of the Basento Bridge in Potenza (1967-1975), designed by the engineer Sergio Musmeci (1926-1981) and regarded as one of the most relevant examples of 20th century reinforced concrete infrastructures in Italy. The geometry of the Basento Bridge, which is the most characteristic feature of Musmeci’s project, is the result of a form-finding process in which both mathematical and physical models were employed. The paper describes the current structural problems of the bridge and explains the solutions proposed for its structural preservation. In general, Musmeci’s Basento Bridge in Potenza offers an occasion to develop a case study for the exploration of advanced techniques of structural rehabilitation for 20th century reinforced concrete structures and for minimal interventions that preserve the authenticity of the original design, ISSN:2518-6582, Inspiring the Next Generation – Proceedings of the International Conference on Spatial Structures 2020/21 (IASS2020/21-Surrey7), ISBN:978-1-7399393-3-5

Façade design is a multi-disciplinary process that involves qualitative and quantitative aspects belonging to diverse disciplines – such as architecture, structural design and building physics. Since decisions made in the early design stage generally have a strong influence on the design outcome, the need for a holistic design strategy is evident. This paper presents an extension of a previous research work carried out by the authors regarding a holistic approach to the conceptual design of load-bearing and sun-shading façade systems. In this work, design aspects related to different disciplines are integrated into a holistic process thanks to the application of geometry-based methods (like graphic statics and solar geometry). At the same time, high-dimensional solution spaces are managed with the help of Self-Organizing Maps (SOMs). Particularly, the current paper focuses on the possibility to work with variable topologies. The proposed approach is applied in design explorations based on a multi-story building designed by the architect Christian Kerez and the structural engineer Joseph Schwartz. The case study shows how geometrical descriptions of the core design aspects supported by machine learning clustering algorithms support the designer in performing comprehensive design explorations and in making more conscious design choices., Spatial Structures conference – Abstract book, ISBN:978-1-7399393-0-4, ISBN:978-1-7399393-1-1