Algorithm — DAO | Algorithmic & Timber Architecture

Generating Systems To Tailor Work.

ALGORITHM

Cambrian Site
Sudbury, Ontario

We fine tuned the subdivision of complex site topography into zones to maximize cost effectiveness. Bedrock efforts on the large site were differentiated into blasting and fill volumes, while similarly loose fill efforts were differentiated into subtraction and addition. Finally, the foundation structure and retaining walls were modelled together with the site volumes. These were all adjustable based on the fluid control over building placement including its location, elevation, and size to identify the most cost effective option.

PERIOD 2021
SCALE 2 stories
FLOOR AREA 46,500 ft2

CLIENT Bloomington Developments
STRUCTURAL Tall Pines Engineering
SITE STRUCTURAL S.A. Kirchhefer Ltd.
Englobe
CIVIL Tulloch Engineering
GEOTECHNICAL Terraprobe

ALGORITHM Bedrock Fill
Bedrock Blasting
Fill Subtraction
Fill Addition
Foundation Walls
Foundation Piers
Retaining Walls

Fluid Costing
Sudbury, Ontario

Whether a design is schematically or fully determined, it can remain unclear how costing is affected geometrically. For example, will lowering or raising the ceiling impact the overall cost to an actionable level. Some components fluctuate in price at a fluid rate, while others step incrementally in small or large blocks. This type of cost analysis provides accurate material take-offs for comparable design outcomes by animating the outcomes and creates opportunity to optimize cost savings that might have otherwise gone unnoticed.

PERIOD 2021
SCALE 3 stories

ALGORITHM Envelope Structure
Envelope Insulation
Envelope Cladding
Foundation Assembly
Floor Assemblies
Roof Structure
Roof Insulation
Footings
Columns
Ductwork
Elevator Core
Guardrails
HVAC Units
Windows

Carbon Canopy
London, Ontario

Genetic designs are particularly beneficial for pre-fabrication companies that have constant requirements to satisfy variation and are interested in producing their own building designs to reduce the inefficiencies of poor coordination. The goal is to seek the benefits of total automation with the convenience of tailoring to site. These conditions closely resemble biological processes where a species with consistent DNA can pursue considerable variety. Therefore to imitate this process, we use parametric tools to link together and automate fabrication, design, and the marketing content. The combined results can then be simultaneously explored quickly for project suitability, client satisfaction and for production efficiency.

We can implement design changes with ease using only a few simple controls relevant to the client. With implicitization the rest of the design is automated right away. We can fully coordinate with building structure, building science, and mechanical-electrical specifications in BIM format for accurate up-front design descriptions. We can fully automate fabrication outputs with 3D geometry, orthographic views, text, dimensions, and grids. The algorithm design is based on the best factory details that can become the focus of advanced manufacturing. We can include integrated design limits to comply with codes, factory preferences, transportation sizes, and embodied carbon figures, etc. This provides accurate material take-offs for cost estimates and client pricing while reducing the rate of errors in customization through predictable repetitive behaviour. Ultimately this leads to a reduction in customer sales cycle time due to accuracy of up-front information.

In this case, the investment of embodied carbon made to construct existing buildings can be preserved by threading a new structure through the existing frame. If the newly introduced system is a post and beam structure, the two structures can co-exist with independent construction and renovation timelines. The predictable new construction costs can support new revenue streams, priming the more expensive restoration of the historical building below. Traces of the addition above can also be experienced below even during the raw unrenovated state further reinforcing the independence of the two construction timelines. Repetition of this scheme over varied historical buildings below will create an undulating rhythm of new construction above.

PERIOD 2019
STRUCTURE Glulam, CLT
SCALE Variable

ALGORITHM Glulam Beams
Glulam Columns
CLT Floor Structure
CLT Roof Structure
Concrete Foundations
Footings
Elevator Core
Existing Building

Formid
London, Ontario

Our most comprehensive representation of a genetic design so far is our Formid Seat. In this algorithm we have algorithmically linked structural sizing, biomechanical fit, counterweight balance, custom 3D prints, tailored lasercut profiles, automated fabrication registrations, and aesthetic proportions together seamelssly. Formid was initiated as a precursor to our genetic design work in architecture and many physical, tailored outputs have already been fabricated. Like a seed, the effort to produce the genetic design is recovered in the efficiency of simplifying variability during assembly.

The electrical and mechanical systems are presently being coordinated into the total system.

PERIOD 2020
STRUCTURE Paper Substrates & 3D Prints
SCALE Variable

ELECTRICAL Western University
MACHINE LEARNING Western University
SOFTWARE Western University
FUNDING Mitacs

ALGORITHM Structural Leg Fill
Structural Geometry
Biomechanical Fit
Counterweight Fill
3D Prints Base
3D Prints Tube
Laser Cut Profiles
3D Electronics Housing

PAST EXPERIENCE HIGHLIGHT

Rogers South Tower
Vancouver, British Columbia

Rapid prototyping was necessary to facilitate the design process as the property line and building core had to move after the building contours were essentially complete. These contours were easily iterated due to the parametric logic that could synchronize with limitations such as site boundary, unit layouts, structural capacity and balcony details.

Linear and arced lines connect the points in plan while simple vertical tubes provide control of the undulating overall form in elevation. Individual floor plate outlines were generated with set-out coordinates for straight or circular slab edge formwork. Since the analogue coordinates were mapped in 3D using grasshopper before producing individual drawings, parametric accuracy could be assessed as a whole. Balcony stanchion points are also laid out parametrically this way.

These drawings successfully documented the geometry for a very basic analogue construction technique without the use of custom formwork that would need to be discarded.

PERIOD 2012 - 2014
STRUCTURE Reinforced concrete
SCALE 32 stories, 5 basement
SITE AREA 18,700 m2
BUILDING AREA 663 m2
FLOOR AREA 15,528 m2

CLIENT Aquilini

Patrick was a member of the design team involved in this project from the design development to construction documents phase at Francl Architecture.

Effortless Growth By Design.

Genetic Design
Long-Term Objective

Our long-term design objective is to create deeply pliable design algorithms that imitate the complete interconnection of design deliverables. It is similar to prefabrication but where every design is unique. Our genetic designs would instantly create the drawings (plans, sections, elevations, details, fabrication outputs, etc.) for a finished product based on the client’s inputs. The preparation of a genetic design is similar to making a seed, where the genetic rules are prearranged and can govern all the possible decisions to make a unique tree. Afterwards, each seed can automatically produce a unique, finely tuned tree on its own.

The above image shows the automation spectrum, defining the position of Genetic Design relative to more familiar design stages. The diagram above outlines our services along a spectrum of automation between hand-drawn and biological DNA. While we continue to work at every tier, we press for advancement with our algorithm work based on a foundation of our more analogue foundations.

Our approach to design can be applied to many scales, extending beyond the scope of traditional architecture. We program genetic design products or buildings that can automatically adjust to fit the needs of many different clients based on strategic algorithm implicitization. We also deepen our project impacts by seeing our genetic design work through to production as part of our evolving design process with a diverse team of specialists in various fields. The benefits of a fully integrated genetic design are broad and the future of the design profession lies in further imitation of biology.

The diagram above outlines our services along a spectrum of automation between hand-drawn and biological DNA.