ABSTRACT
This research focuses on the development of a dynamic self-supporting membrane. The primal hypothesis is that a structure can be created with the support of rigid elements that are interrupted by inflatable actuators. Making the structure lightweight and integrating all the elements within the membrane were the primary conceptual drivers. The investigation of each member within the membrane is essential to the holistic movement of the structure. The objective is to create a structure that can exhibit soft variation from one state to another in a controlled manner. A range of possibilities in terms of actuation have been explored in order to fulfil the objective of the research. The system consists of soft membrane with rigid elements and inflatable actuators that are seamlessly integrated with it.
As an inspirational starting point, the research looked at tensegrity structures. The structural principle of tensegrity can be explained as “islands of compression in an ocean of tension.”The self-supporting assembly replaces the cables in a conventional tensegrity structure with a membrane, causing the membrane to participate in the structural stability. Furthermore, origami patterns have been investigated to tackle the enhancement in the formal aspects of a conventional tensegrity structure. The geometric formations of the rigid elements have derived from pairing the principles of both tensegrity structures and origami patterns. The empirical results are achieved by quick prototyping the aimed geometry and activation on a smaller scale. Parallelly, the research also presents the inter-relation between the physical and the digital models.
The outcome of the research is the development of a lightweight, self-supporting and shape-shifting structure that creates an empathetic experience for the user inside the space.
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DESIGN PROCESS 
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CASE STUDY : GEOMETRY
MOOM PAVILLION
Structural system replaces some of the linear elements of a tensegrity with tense surfaces; the collaboration between compressed bars and tensile fabric generates a freestanding translucent surface.
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ORIGAMI AS A FORM FINDING TOOL
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COMPUTATIONAL ALGORITHM
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SHAPE SHIFT
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ACTUATION BY INFLATABLES
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FINAL DESIGN PROPOSAL
Tensigrami is a project of IaaC, Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia developed at Master in Advanced Architecture, in 2018/2019 by:
Students: Jitendra Farkade, Jing Weng, Juhi Bafna
Faculty: Areti Markopoulou, David Andres Leon, Raimund Krenmueller
Student Assistant: Nikol Kirova