Chapter

Towards a 4.0 Mass Customized Wooden Housing in the Mediterranean Area: The Ecodomus Project: Innovative Techniques of Representation in Architectural Design

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Abstract

The paper describes the necessary transition from the consolidated practices of contemporary residential architecture to innovative sustainable design and construction practices, which can be pursued by applying the principles of digital fabrication to the construction industry. The contribution is divided into two parts: the first investigates the theoretical-critical assumptions of research and the second part describes a design experience that led to the creation of a housing prototype with an irregular geometry made up of CLT panels. The paper will explain the need to overcome the current phase of experimentation using digital fabrication technologies applied to small pavilions with complex shapes or high budget, to move to their application on residential building. The application of these technologies to residential architecture is desirable both for the diffusion and for the relevance of the change it would produce.

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... Their method allows having an automated design of small buildings of CLT and helps architects and engineers to reduce the developing time of this type of project. The second article, from Colella and Fallacara, presented a case study of a CLT house in the Mediterranean, Ecodomus, where they implemented intelligent design techniques and digital manufacturing tools for the building, making apparent the necessity for new technology for mass customization [82]. ...
... Their method allows having an automated design of small buildings of CLT and helps architects and engineers to reduce the developing time of this type of project. The second article, from Colella and Fallacara, presented a case study of a CLT house in the Mediterranean, Ecodomus, where they implemented intelligent design techniques and digital manufacturing tools for the building, making apparent the necessity for new technology for mass customization [82]. The top 10 journals and conference proceedings were obtained from the academic dataset, similar to the previous Section, and the list is presented in Table 7. ...
Article
Full-text available
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been one of the principal materials in mass timber construction, and now it is possible to find mid-rise and high-rise projects around the globe. This study makes a scientometric review comparison between CLT and the impact of the fourth industrial revolution (formally known as Industry 4.0) in the construction industry, focusing on worldwide academic publications between 2006 and 2022. The analysis considers keywords, co-author, co-citation, and clustering analysis. This study used 1320 documents, including journals and conference proceedings from the Scopus database, where 753 were for cross-laminated timber and 567 for Industry 4.0. Key researchers, research institutions, journals, publications, citation patterns, and trends are some of the results obtained from the scientometric analysis. Once the knowledge mapping was conducted for both fields, scrutiny of the interconnection of both areas was performed to find possible research gaps from a manufacturing perspective. Among the conclusions, it is logical to say that Industry 4.0 implementation in cross-laminated timber is still in its infancy. One of the most popular technologies impacting construction is the digital twin concept; however, no work is reported for CLT on this topic. Additionally, digital automation is a necessity in any research practice, and the use of industrial robots is shown to be an essential asset for CLT as these robots can handle complex shapes.
... Our approach aims at extending the life cycle of timber constructions by introducing a robotic process for the reversible assemblies, in which generic discrete elements can be used and reused endlessly, therefore, retaining their carbon store for longer than usual structures. Key concepts of Industry 4.0 such as a higher level of flexibility, adaptability and integration (Colella and Fallacara 2019) are here cardinal in establishing a CPS, where flexibility is articulated in multiple levels: ...
Article
Full-text available
Wood is more and more seen as a sustainable solution to offset carbon emissions from constructions. In response and in parallel to this, the research in robotic timber construction is evolving rapidly, pushed by Industry 4.0 technologies and the integration of digital and physical robotic assets. This paper presents an approach for the design and assembly automation of layered timber structures, with the use of a flexible cell based on collaborative robots. Advanced assembly procedures and digital design of non-standard timber structures are here established and integrated. The automation process is here enhanced by the (1) use of feedback systems based on the location and force signals, (2) the introduction of a flexible robot setup with automatic screwing, and (3) human-collaboration to provide immediate assistance to the robot in the case the signals do not match the defined assembly conditions. The paper discusses the development and use of a Cyber-Physical System to govern the entire construction process, including reflections on the integrated approach to the design, modelling and simulation of the process.
Conference Paper
In alignment with the rapid advancement of cyber-physical technologies in an information age, we are faced with complex problems that go beyond the kinds of challenges that designers had to deal with in the past. For many of these challenges we do not have established theories, methods, or tools to solve the problems. Therefore, it is critical for architects to not only have expertise in established design methods, but also to be able to rapidly and creatively develop new theories, skills, and technologies. This paper seeks to contribute to the core curriculum of architecture programs by exploring opportunities that benefit from advancements in computation as an innovative approach to teaching digital tools. The paper explores how computational thinking can be used in design as a new way of thinking, making, solving problems, and developing techniques and technologies to nurture creative processes, practices, and design outcomes. The paper presents how advancements in technology and computation may change the process of design. Intelligent Design Systems are introduced as a successful example of teaching “Computational Methods” by the author in several architecture schools’ core sequences in the United States. Computational Methods introduces students to computational thinking and fundamental concepts of computation through explorations with generative and analytical technologies. The goal of the course is to explore and elaborate the potential of computation and the role it can play as a part of one’s design process; not as a collection of specific tools, but as a way of thinking about design.
Article
This book presents the state of the art in advanced customization within the sector of architectural design and construction, explaining important new technologies that are boosting design, product and process innovation and identifying the challenges to be confronted as we move toward a mass customization construction industry. Advanced machinery and software integration are discussed, as well as an overview of the manufacturing techniques offered through digital methods that are acquiring particular significance within the field of digital architecture. CNC machining, Robotic Fabrication, and Additive Manufacturing processes are all clearly explained, highlighting their ability to produce personalized architectural forms and unique construction components. Cutting-edge case studies in digitally fabricated architectural realizations are described and, looking towards the future, a new model of 100% customized architecture for design and construction is presented. The book is an excellent guide to the profound revolution taking place within the fields of architectural design and construction, characterized by computational tools, advanced fabrication means and custom-made high-performance architecture.
Chapter
Digitalization of manufacturing in the era of Industry 4.0 is slowly but strongly challenging also the construction sector. The possibility to introduce Mass Customization of products is possible thanks to two very important factors: computational design process and new advanced manufacturing machines. These two factors foster a sort of Immaterial Building Technology, where performances are embedded in the early design thanks to the amount of information incorporated.
Chapter
Introduction Design for Mass Customization Mass Customization Manufacturing Sales And Marketing for Mass Customization Mass Customization And E-Commerce Summary References
Article
In architectural history, the advent of new fabrication and construction technologies has always been a catalyst for design innovation, and the latent next paradigm shift facilitated by the introduction of cyber-physical production systems will be no exception. What in other domains is often referred to as the ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ will also have a major impact on architecture, making possible a move away from instruction-based making towards that based on behaviour. In this article, Guest-Editor Achim Menges, Director of the Institute for Computational Design (ICD) at the University of Stuttgart, argues that these emerging technologies not only challenge our understanding of how buildings are made, but more importantly how we think about the genesis of form, tectonics and space.
Article
The report documents the state of The Architecture Machine, as a teaching operation, as a computer-aided design facility, and as a computer science research unit. The underlying theme of all these roles is to understand the makings of architecture; the interfaces between people, machines, and the real world; and the ingredients of intelligent behaviour. Design is construed as an inference-making procedure. We postulate that it must be aided by very personalized computer systems, idiosyncratic systems, capable of handling ambiguities, incosistencies, and the vagaries indigenous to design thinking.
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