Computational Brick Stacking for Constructing Free-Form Structures

Abstract

Our work explores new design methods and workflows that operate at the intersection of emerging biological technologies and advanced computation and engineering. In 2014 we won a competition to construct a large scale temporary installation to host a series of weekend parties. Our proposal explores the future of architecture by using innovative computational tools to test a new material system at an architectural scale. This paper focuses on the design of a custom computational brick stacking logic that generated the structure’s brick layout within the specific constraints of a new organic material. The resulting digital model was utilized directly to guide the structure’s construction, creating a feedback loop where changes made on site could be fed back into the model to recalculate the layout in real time. While computation and technology play a crucial role in this proposal, the ultimate goal is to show how innovation in materials and methods can lead to a more responsive, intelligent, and sustainable architectural practice.