IrreguLab Transdisziplinäres und interfakultatives Lehrlabor für das digitale Entwerfen und Herstellen mit unregelmäßigen Materialien
In Zeiten knapper werdender Ressourcen ist die Vermittlung und Förderung innovativer Ansätze zur Erschließung bisher untergenutzter Materialbestände wichtiger denn je. Das IrreguLab ist die Vision eines interfakultativen und gleichermaßen transdisziplinären Lehr- und Lernlabors für das digitale Entwerfen und Herstellen mit unregelmäßig geformten Materialien. Exemplarisch wird im Rahmen dieses Projekts auf einen Rohstoff fokussiert, der in Thüringen, als Bundesland mit dem größten deutschen Holzeinschlag, geradezu im Überfluss vorhanden ist: unregelmäßig gewachsene Resthölzer. Studierende im Bereich Architektur, Produktdesign und darüber hinaus entwickeln hier Konzepte, Strategien und Methoden, diese Hölzer mithilfe digitaler Werkzeuge wie 3D Scanning, digitaler Datenverarbeitung sowie CNC-gesteuerter und Augmented Reality-unterstützter Fabrikation, präzise und effizient zu bearbeiten und dadurch originelle, materialgerechte und vor allem: ressourcenschonende Gestaltungs- und Herstellungsansätze zu entwickeln. Hierzu werden insbesondere neuartige Lehr-/Lernformate (u.a. AR-Design-Build Workshops und Installationen) angeboten sowie spezifische Transfer- und Austauschformate entwickelt. Diese bieten Studierenden die Gelegenheit, sich einerseits mit lokalen und regionalen Akteuren aus Forst-, Holzwirtschaft und Handwerk zu vernetzen und andererseits ihre hier entwickelten Visionen mit einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit zu teilen.
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Design and fabrication of wooden grid shells using small-diameter timber
As the construction industry shifts toward sustainability, timber has emerged as a primary renewable material. However, current wood value chains are often inefficient; a significant portion of harvested timber—particularly small-diameter roundwood—is relegated to low-value uses like thermal energy or fiber products. Despite being underutilized, these thinnings possess a continuous fiber structure that offers higher and more consistent bending strength than sawn beams. To explore this material’s structural potential, a 6×6 m wooden grid shell was developed. This case study combines the geometric efficiency of Hyperbolic Paraboloid (Hypar) structures with the inherent strength of small-diameter logs. Realized during a one-week design-build workshop, the project utilized locally sourced logs through a digital-material workflow consisting of three main phases: 1. Debarking: Careful processing of raw logs. 2. On-site Assembly: Rapid construction of the shell framework. 3. AR Integration: Use of Augmented Reality (AR) to ensure high accuracy and robustness when working with irregular geometries. The findings demonstrate a scalable approach to valorizing low-grade timber, reducing waste, and optimizing value chains. By blending contemporary digital tools with insights from historical construction, this research offers a viable model for sustainable, low-impact timber architecture that transforms irregular roundwood into high-performance structural systems.
Publikation anzeigenModular Metal Nodes for Timber Space Frames
This research explores a new approach toward sustainable timber construction by utilizing leftover timber for space frame structures, and, as such, introducing digitally designed and fabricated modular metal nodes as connectors. With timber construction on the rise in Europe, the potential for future timber shortages looms, necessitating a more effective and efficient use of available wood resources, and, ultimately, characterizing systemic building processes that capitalize on leftover timber. In this light, one important key is to develop modular connectors that are suitable to non-standard material systems and are architecturally lean. Hence, these elements must be geometrically generic while allowing an optimal architectural and structural performance. Of particular concern is therefore the design, development and fabrication of metal node connectors optimized for round timber elements, with two variants explored: one involving individualized topology optimized nodes produced via “lost foam casting”, and another utilizing the same fabrication technique but with a modular approach to allow for efficient assembly, mechanical adaption and serial production. The paper discusses ,research parameters, the iterative design and fabrication process, and presents an 1:1 architectural prototype. Overall, it highlights the potential of using leftover timber in digital design and building construction, reshaping sustainable timber practices and architecture’s constructive repertoire.
Publikation anzeigenDigital design and fabrication of adaptive metal nodes for timber space frame structures
This study proposes a new approach to sustainable timber construction, focusing on repurposing leftover round timber for the construction of space frame structures. It introduces digitally designed and fabricated modular metal nodes as connectors, and, as such, addresses timber shortages amid Europe's increasing timber construction sector. Central to this approach is the enhancement and optimization of wood resources, and the development of a corresponding connection technique, being suitable for nonstandard material systems, while, at the same time, emphasizing architectural simplicity and structural efficiency. The connection technique and respective connectors need to be geometrically versatile while ensuring optimal architectural and structural performance. This paper explores the design, development, and fabrication of (metal) node connectors optimized for round, leftover timber elements, considering two variants: individually topology optimized nodes produced via lost-foam casting, and a modular approach facilitating efficient assembly, mechanical adaptability, and serial production. The research framework encompasses defining parameters, detailing the iterative design and fabrication process, and presenting a 1:1 architectural prototype. Through this framework, the study demonstrates integrating leftover timber into digital design and fabrication practices, reshaping sustainable timber construction and potentially expanding the art of structural design.
Publikation anzeigen
Design and fabrication of wooden grid shells using small-diameter timber
As the construction industry shifts toward sustainability, timber has emerged as a primary renewable material. However, current wood value chains are often inefficient; a significant portion of harvested timber—particularly small-diameter roundwood—is relegated to low-value uses like thermal energy or fiber products. Despite being underutilized, these thinnings possess a continuous fiber structure that offers higher and more consistent bending strength than sawn beams. To explore this material’s structural potential, a 6×6 m wooden grid shell was developed. This case study combines the geometric efficiency of Hyperbolic Paraboloid (Hypar) structures with the inherent strength of small-diameter logs. Realized during a one-week design-build workshop, the project utilized locally sourced logs through a digital-material workflow consisting of three main phases: 1. Debarking: Careful processing of raw logs. 2. On-site Assembly: Rapid construction of the shell framework. 3. AR Integration: Use of Augmented Reality (AR) to ensure high accuracy and robustness when working with irregular geometries. The findings demonstrate a scalable approach to valorizing low-grade timber, reducing waste, and optimizing value chains. By blending contemporary digital tools with insights from historical construction, this research offers a viable model for sustainable, low-impact timber architecture that transforms irregular roundwood into high-performance structural systems.
Publikation anzeigenModular Metal Nodes for Timber Space Frames
This research explores a new approach toward sustainable timber construction by utilizing leftover timber for space frame structures, and, as such, introducing digitally designed and fabricated modular metal nodes as connectors. With timber construction on the rise in Europe, the potential for future timber shortages looms, necessitating a more effective and efficient use of available wood resources, and, ultimately, characterizing systemic building processes that capitalize on leftover timber. In this light, one important key is to develop modular connectors that are suitable to non-standard material systems and are architecturally lean. Hence, these elements must be geometrically generic while allowing an optimal architectural and structural performance. Of particular concern is therefore the design, development and fabrication of metal node connectors optimized for round timber elements, with two variants explored: one involving individualized topology optimized nodes produced via “lost foam casting”, and another utilizing the same fabrication technique but with a modular approach to allow for efficient assembly, mechanical adaption and serial production. The paper discusses ,research parameters, the iterative design and fabrication process, and presents an 1:1 architectural prototype. Overall, it highlights the potential of using leftover timber in digital design and building construction, reshaping sustainable timber practices and architecture’s constructive repertoire.
Publikation anzeigenDigital design and fabrication of adaptive metal nodes for timber space frame structures
This study proposes a new approach to sustainable timber construction, focusing on repurposing leftover round timber for the construction of space frame structures. It introduces digitally designed and fabricated modular metal nodes as connectors, and, as such, addresses timber shortages amid Europe's increasing timber construction sector. Central to this approach is the enhancement and optimization of wood resources, and the development of a corresponding connection technique, being suitable for nonstandard material systems, while, at the same time, emphasizing architectural simplicity and structural efficiency. The connection technique and respective connectors need to be geometrically versatile while ensuring optimal architectural and structural performance. This paper explores the design, development, and fabrication of (metal) node connectors optimized for round, leftover timber elements, considering two variants: individually topology optimized nodes produced via lost-foam casting, and a modular approach facilitating efficient assembly, mechanical adaptability, and serial production. The research framework encompasses defining parameters, detailing the iterative design and fabrication process, and presenting a 1:1 architectural prototype. Through this framework, the study demonstrates integrating leftover timber into digital design and fabrication practices, reshaping sustainable timber construction and potentially expanding the art of structural design.
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Mit dem Ohr hinter den Kulissen. Im hochschuleigenen Produktionsstudio entsteht einmal monatlich der Podcast "HNEE Voices". Die Gäste kommen aus dem näheren Umfeld der Hochschule und erzählen in kurzweiligen Episoden von ihren Erfahrungen im Spannungsfeld von Nachhaltigkeit, Innovationen im ländlichem Raum und der allgegenwärtigen Klimakrise.
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