A fun project that explores the fusion of natural processes and architectural design, speculating on a hybrid approach to construction. Drawing inspiration from the principles of structural redundancy found in nature, we envision an architecture that intertwines and overlaps, much like the intricate patterns of a spider's web.

To bring this concept to life, I imagined the use of a spider-like robotic mechanism that employs a weaving process, creating structures that are both resilient and aesthetically pleasing. This weaving process not only mimics nature but also offers potential benefits in terms of flexibility and adaptability in construction.

Technologies used: Maya, nDynamics, nHair, MELscript

Postscript: The Robot

To further investigate this nature-inspired architectural concept, I developed a specialized robot.

The next video provides a playful snippet of the plastic extrusion process under varying temperatures and movement speeds. It delves into the nuances of line thickness, rate of extrusion, and the strategic entanglement of threads to optimize structural support.

Engineering Notes

• This robot is designed with sustainability in mind, utilizing extruded recycled plastic pellets as its primary construction material.

• The transformation of these pellets into usable threads is facilitated by a custom-built thermal extruder.

• The robot's mobility is engineered using a 3-point suspension system, reminiscent of an inverted delta bot configuration.

Technologies used: Python, Ardunio, Rhino, Processing