Biomaterials and Automation

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Arch. Hanaa Dahy, BioMat, University of Stuttgart

The BioMat Research Pavilion 2017/18 covered an area of about 55 m2 and an internal volume of approximately 130 m3 with a span of 9.5 m and a height of 3,6 m. It was located at the University of Stuttgart’s Campus in Stuttgart’s city centre, Keplerstrasse 11, formed of a double-curved, and parametrically designed segmented shell of light, single-curved wood and biocomposite elements, which have been supported by three curved crossed wooden beams.

BioMat department focuses on a mission of examining different sustainability aspects in architecture. This built 1:1 mock-up was the result of 10 months of intensive work, following many years of work in the field of applications of bio-based materials and diverse approaches towards future-oriented sustainable architecture.

In the course of research work prior to the construction of the pavilion, biocomposite plates have been developed. The core of the plate was a flexible board made from natural fibres. The CNC cut fibreboard cores were later laminated from both sides with pre-cut 3D veneer sheets, allowing double-curvature. The processes of lamination and forming took place by means of a closed mould-pressing process with the assistance of a vacuum press bag.

Lamination did not only change the nature of the flexible core board into a 3D stiff bent element, but also allowed to create a biocomposite sandwich panel with adjustable mechanical properties allowing the originally available elasic material to be stiffened and applied as a structural component.

The holistic geometry of the shell resembled a 3D fabric in which the curved elements are connected to common nodes in all directions in space. This enabled the expression of new aesthetic architectural features of the future that was allowed through the application of digital fabrication technologies and data-flow management.