MODULAR STEREOTOMY
Abstract taken from the published article https://doi.org/10.1007/s00004-021-00577-6:
In the last decade, research interest in digital stereotomy has been renewed, with efciency as a popular objective. However, along with a mainstream focus on full customization, comes a paradox of efficient design yet inefcient fabrication. Provoked by this situation, the potential of modular stereotomy is explored here. By utilizing a parametric design approach and rapid additive prototyping method, sequential experiments were executed to test seventy variations of units. As a result, a clear workfow and an optimized design were generated and used to form a modular stereotomy construction. Finally, efciency was achieved from three standpoints: main material efciency through complete modularity, supporting material efciency through total elimination of shims and up to 91% reduction in falsework, and material use-value maximization through an easy assembly of form and a selection of up to six diferent constructional strategies to build arches with similar shape and volume.
In the last decade, research interest in digital stereotomy has been renewed, with efciency as a popular objective. However, along with a mainstream focus on full customization, comes a paradox of efficient design yet inefcient fabrication. Provoked by this situation, the potential of modular stereotomy is explored here. By utilizing a parametric design approach and rapid additive prototyping method, sequential experiments were executed to test seventy variations of units. As a result, a clear workfow and an optimized design were generated and used to form a modular stereotomy construction. Finally, efciency was achieved from three standpoints: main material efciency through complete modularity, supporting material efciency through total elimination of shims and up to 91% reduction in falsework, and material use-value maximization through an easy assembly of form and a selection of up to six diferent constructional strategies to build arches with similar shape and volume.