Printing of the first layers, placement of the horizontal bamboo pieces, placement of the vertical bamboo piece
The last term at the Welsh School of Architecture is a 2.5-week-long module called Vertical Studio, during which first and second-year students take part in projects with architects, artists, scientists or engineers. I took part in a studio called Digital COBstruction II, led by Aikaterini Chatzivasileiadi, Mohamed Gomaa and Wassim Jabi.
We were asked to create cob structures using advanced fabrication tools (i.e Kuka robot arm). We created a virtual path using programs such as Rhino, Grasshopper and 3DSMax that were then sent to the robot, as a path to follow when extruding cob. These models’ structural performances were then tested using a shaking table simulating seismic activity at various frequencies.
The overall aim was to design a section of wall or modular piece that can be used in the construction of dwellings in parts of the world that are at risk of high seismic activity. The challenge was to find a beneficial way of combining bamboo and cob.
Grasshopper file sent to the Kuka robot arm
Slow motion video of the shaking table test (video by Jamie M.)
Failures of the Cob model (images by You Z.)
3D printed clay model with an additional twist (side and top elevations)
Video of the 2.5-week-long designing and making process