The Problematizing of Structural System Design in Digital Architectural Design Process: "A New Relation Between Form and Structure"

Abstract

In contemporary architecture, digital architectural design goes beyond the scope of designing. Design and production converges into a unique process in digital medium. Structural design becomes an architectural design problem in that unique process rather than being an engineering problem. In digital architectural design, it is possible to define the design process as form based. Computer aided design allows architects to derive and transform wide range of forms. Complex, irregular, indeterminate, limitless forms become the representatives of the contemporary zeitgeist for architects. However, form based approach brings forth problems in relation to constructability. There is exactly a problem of designing and fabricating structural systems of complex and free forms in architectural design processes. Thus, the new approaches are developed for form­ structure relationship to overcome the constructability problem. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to realize the questioning of form­ structure relationship and reveal the problematizing of structural design in digital architectural designs processes. Therefore, this study explains the realization (designing, manufacturing, constructing) of "architectural designs/forms" that are produced in digital medium. It presents the new kinds of relationships between design process and construction process through three cases which exemplifies three different approaches. Each case is discussed in the design process -from conceptual thinking to fabrication- focusing on the type of the relationship between form and structure.