The Canopy Pavilion: A lightweight shading structure using a deployable auxetic linkage membrane


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Date

2021

Publication Type

Conference Paper

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yes

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Abstract

We present the Canopy Pavilion, a lightweight shading structure for a social gathering space. The shading surface is realized as a tensioned auxetic linkage membrane, composed of two double-curved anticlastic layers separated by a compression pole. The membrane is assembled flat on the ground from laser-cut hexagonal aluminium panels, and is subsequently mounted on a circular support frame. Tensioning then deploys the surface to its desired target shape. We apply numerical optimization to form-find the equilibrium shape of the tensioned membrane. The geometry of each individual linkage panel is further adapted to reduce material usage, while maximizing the main function of the structure, to provide shading. Our material system offers a number of distinct advantages. Individual panels can be cut from standard sheet material, all connections between panels are identical, the surfaces can be assembled on the ground and deployed easily to their double-curved shape. The pavilion is a first demonstrator for a novel lightweight construction system at architectural scale that has potential applications in facades, roofs, or support structures.

Publication status

published

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Book title

Journal / series

Volume

Pages / Article No.

376 - 391

Publisher

Presses des Ponts

Event

2020 Advances in Architectural Geometry Conference (AAG 2020)

Edition / version

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Date created

Subject

auxetic structures; deployable membrane; form finding; computational design; numerical optimization

Organisational unit

02284 - NFS Digitale Fabrikation / NCCR Digital Fabrication

Notes

Conference lecture held on April 29, 2021. The conference should have taken place in Paris on August 30 - September 2, 2020. Due to Corona virus (COVID-19) the conference was rescheduled to April 26-29, 2021 and was conducted virtually.

Funding