Application of Design Synthesis Technology in Architectural Practice

The use of computational tools and techniques has opened up new possibilities in architectural form generation. In parallel there have also been developments in structural engineering analysis and design methods, with the primary focuses being on accurate modelling of material behaviour and structural stability, and on ensuring economy. Having accepted that form and structure are mutually concomitant, something that is particularly important when considering freeform architecture, there are two distinct design approaches: (i) shapedriven architectural forms and adoption of creative integrated postrationalisation for a predefined freeform, and (ii) form-structure integration from conception, manifested by a growing number of methods for use at various stages in the design process. In this regard, a truss layout optimisation technique is proposed as a versatile design tool. This has a potential role in both these approaches to form generation at the conceptual design stage. A series of design studies are employed for this purpose, and generated forms are discussed. Additionally, further form generation possibilities are explored, using an extended version of the aforementioned technique. As a representative example, ‘tensegrity’ forms are studied in greater detail. The generated forms are extensively tested using a commercial structural analysis package, in order to verify the correctness of the conclusions drawn.