Adaptive Branches / Complex Forming

This project is an exploration of branching systems that combines the adaptive, hierarchical qualities and subdivisions of ramified structures. Adaptive Branches is focused on Sympodial Dichasium due to its ratio proportions and bifurcations. The form was developed using a series of computational design tools for the creation of a highly adaptive form with a structure that relies on 2 planes for support. the Structure utilizes triangular meshes as this geometry adapts well to such systems.

The design process involved the following steps:

1-Definition of the plane angles and number of ramifications

2-Search through a cloud of point for the most efficient structure

3-Definition of the base radius and its progressive reduction

4-Fattening and optimization of the mesh

5- Ivy peeling and creation of a catalogue for geometry selection

6-Geometry unrolling

The meter tall prototype was assembled using laser cut metacrylate sheets in overlapping geometries. The assembly process took 5 people, 16 hours and 2000 screws for assembly.

Adaptive Branches is a project of Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Developed at the Master in Advanced Architecture 2019-2020.