SCS colloquium: "STRUCTURAL DNA. Genetic Exploration of Biological Micro Structures for Architectural Applications "

ABSTRACT:
Complex biological structures, designed by forces of nature, frequently serve as inspiration
for new developments in the field of building technology and architecture. Well know
examples in the work of Gaudi, Paxton, Otto, le Ricolais and others demonstrate the
inspiration of natural morphology and patterns for structural design. The use of digital
technologies to investigate the translation of natural micro structures into architectural
macrostructures offers a valuable exploration tool for both designers and engineers working
in the field of architecture.
The approach demonstrated in this paper uses Evolutionary Computation (EC) to enhance
and modify structural form based on biological micro structures. The forms are modified to
conform to new boundary conditions associated with architectural structures. The process is
based on a Genetic Algorithm (GA) which uncovers for the designer a range of good
performing solutions within the design space. The application of the GA is combined with
parametric software, in this case Generative Components (GC), to allow the designer to
navigate through a range of solutions which follow morphological patterns taken from the
biological form. The method, referred to in this paper as ParEvO, uses a finite element
analysis to determine the structural performance of the forms. This allows the designer to
manipulate and optimize a parametrically defined model based on predefined criteria and
parameters.
The opportunities and limitations of this design process are explored and evaluated based
on an experimental case study using the forms of radiolarian skeletons. Radiolarians are a
group of marine protozoa found in the open ocean which have ornate siliceous skeletons.
The Radiolarians are analyzed in relation to their environment and special qualities. Based
on these findings, a parametric model of an architectural, space enclosing structure is
defined and used in the ParEvO exploration loop, taking into consideration new boundary
conditions and load cases. The paper demonstrates how the ParEvO cycle of selection,
recombination, and evaluation is used to optimize and explore a large range of solutions.
Finally, there is a discussion of the quality of solutions found based on both structural and
architectural performance. In conclusion, comments are made regarding the general
application of design exploration methods like ParEvO as design tools both in the context of
practice and studio.