Home > Talk:College of Architecture > Alumni > Ddf Research 

or

Ddf Research

From TTU College of Architecture

Welcome to the ddf research page. Here we will post current research agendas and any issues related to the ongoing work of our faculty and students.

Our current general agenda is to provide a theoretical basis and skill development in creative computational modeling, digital design strategies and emergent technologies all based on parametrics through studio and course offering. Emphasis in both is on the generative development of form, computing in terms of formfindung (formfinding) and extending to the performance and behavior of resulting structures and geometries. A separate course on materials and innovative methods of assembly works in concert to link the parametric design strategies to advanced material systems.

link back to ddf
link to ddf_courses

Research topic (Prof. Pongratz)

Adaptive Material Systems for Scalable Building Envelope Components

In this research, the rules, selection and performance criteria for smart materials will be developed for an adaptive scalable building envelope component strategy. This will be based on emerging trends in mechanics and science of materials, material response sensing systems and the architectural parametric design process. Traditionally, the design and construction of building envelopes involve the use of multiple layers of different materials to achieve a wide array of functionalities including strength, light filtering, thermal insulation, sound insulation, weather resistance and architectural appearance. However, this layering approach introduce inefficiencies and also create a number of joints and interfaces, which ultimately act as weak links in the building envelope causing durability problems. The goal of this research is to develop one intelligent and versatile material system, which adapts to structural loads and provide opportunities to develop self-sensing capabilities in the material to achieve energy efficiencies and environmental comfort. This can be achieved by integrating the design process constraints with opportunities from emerging material and construction systems. This strategy enables each phase of the material system development to account for critical downstream design constraints, construction scenarios and efficiencies needed for a possible self-sustaining system state. The research goal will be achieved through an interdisciplinary effort involving the following disciplines: (1) material science for design and characterization of specific materials, (2) materials and structural engineering to evaluate structural performance, (3) architecture to develop guidelines for the adaptive design process involving building form, appearance, utility and material- and construction specifics, (4) sensing and information technology to integrate and control the smart building envelope. The uniquely interdisciplinary nature of the research plan also provides an opportunity to develop an educational framework for Integrated Sustainable Building Design.

The intellectual focus of this research proposal is to develop an adaptive material system for the building envelope to optimize material use and to integrate additional functions such as self-sustaining energy production, climate control inside the building and lighting control. The inspiration for this research approach is the way natural organisms evolve their structure and shape in response to environmental changes. This research is an interdisciplinary collaboration to tap into synergies within the research team to integrate material properties, architectural design, structural behavior, building requirements and new modes of production.

emergent design potential diagram

September 16th, 2009 @ Noon : Pongratz & Perbellini

Christian Pongratz :

“Design Research as Surface Parametricism”

Professor Pongratz will discuss the prevailing design tendency of surface “treatments” as forming a research trajectory through his theoretical and professional projects. Issues related are the evolution from explicit modeling to parametric design strategies and their gradual adaptation to generative non-linear and non-hierarchical design concepts and practices guided by morphogenesis and emergence. The concept of integrative parametric “systems thinking” is emphasized as it gears to learn from the complex, but synergetic structures of biological organisms and their components. The intense formal differentiation as a new paradigm within the discipline, coming out of a proliferation of dynamic associative design environments and the convergence of distributed design sensibilities opens up a whole new domain of design research. Retooling the methods of the discipline means research for innovation.

Maria Perbellini :

“Research within Practice, Teaching, and Writing”

Professor Perbellini will discuss her research into design strategies related to professional work from building components to an urban scale master-plan proposal. Her interest in the research and development of customized fabrication methods, materials and product design will be illustrated via the recent publication of the book “Cyberstone”. Examples of articulated complexity in design research are the involvement of practice agendas through student projects and the newly launched materials lab/course of the DDF program.