Future Traditions – How Digital Technologies can Contribute to Rethink Vernacular Architecture

How modern architecture can be adapted to local needs, materials and traditions? How new digital tools can help redesign vernacular architecture able to fit our modern lifestyle and exigences? Can digital fabrication reintroduce traditional craftsmanship in modern constructions?

Future Traditions has been a seven-day workshop held in Tehran, Iran focused on the reinterpretation of vernacular architecture through the use of digital tools and digital fabrication machines. Under the guidance of IAAC Robotic Expert Alexandre Dubor and IAAC Alumni Sofoklis Giannakopoulos Expert in Additive Manufacturing, participants proposed new designs for local applications inspired by the traditional Iranian architecture.

Tutors and participants of the Tehran workshop

Participants could learn about parametric softwares (Rhino / Grasshopper), digital fabrication (3D printing), Environmental Analysis (Digital sensor w/ Arduino Ladybug Sun Analysis Tools) and how to integrate those tools in the design of an architecture which is respectful of its environment.

During the workshop bioclimatic architectural elements, inspired by vernacular Iranian architecture, have been 3D printed with earth material to be composed in a wall facing south in a theoretical house in Tehran. The performance of the wall has been judged by the hygrothermal comfort provided within the house.

Arduino sensor measuring hygrothermal comfort

For the purpose of the exercise the design has been limited within a bounding box of 1m depth, 3m width and 3m height. The performance has been tested on a physical model of the wall to be 3D printed with the robot at a scale of 1:10. Temperature and humidity sensors connected to an Arduino® micro-controller have been used to analyse the performance of the wall exposed to the Tehran exterior climate over one day.