ComStruct workshop, Tehran (Iran) - a case study

ComStruct was a two-week workshop in the summer of 2015 on computational structures as form generators, hosted by the Contemporary Architects Association in Tehran, Iran, and led by 5 tutors with 25 participants.

The workshop aimed to explore material behavior and directionality of elements, as well as understanding the structural potentiality of complex geometries, using algorithmic design and analysis potentials of Rhino, Grasshopper, and Karamba. It explored industrial fabrication techniques to design and construct a one to one scale canopy pavilion that covers a four by ten-meter area of an unused swimming pool, converting it to a vivid exhibition area.

The canopy free-form surface was optimized through several steps including structural performance done with Karamba. The result was a design-driven by information; the output from each step of the structural analysis led to the geometry and pattern choices. The result was a highly optimized 2.5mm aluminum tensegrity shell. The aesthetics were derived from calculations and structural needs, and the process from idea to production was entirely formed through algorithms.

Watch the video...

Credits

Host: Contemporary Architects Association, Tehran, Iran
Location: No. 7, 2nd alley, Hassan-e Seif St, Faze-3, Shahrak-e Gharb, Tehran, Iran
Tutors: Mariam Khademi (La Sapienza University), Mehrad Mahnia (theALLIANCE), Vahid Eshraghi (VEA Studio), Kristjan Plagborg Nielsen (Arup), Ramtin Taherian (theALLIANCE)
Workshop Team: Farhang Alipour, Soroush Asadi, Ahmadreza Atashbar Tehrani, Pouria BaniAdam, Ali Derazgisou, Paniz Farrokhsiar, Pouria Gachpazan, Faraneh Ghahremani, Hoda Hamzeh, Ehsan Heidari Zadi, Hooman Homayooni, Niloofar Imani, Mostafa Jahanmiri, Keyhan Khaki, Aryan Khalighy, Sadra Khosravan, Fatemeh Mahmoudyar, Ali Mirzadeh, Sogol Moaven, Farnaz Mohammadi, Hamid Peiro, Hasan Shafiei, Iman Shameli, Fahimeh Tahmasebian
Laser Cutter Provider: Arpa Laser Co.
CNC Sheet Metal Bending: Arpa Laser Co.
Aluminum Anodizing Service: Arpa Laser Co.
Lighting Device Provider: Shoa Industrial Group
Collaborators: Elham Razavi / CEO at Contemporary Architects Association, Ali Zolfaghari / Technical Support, Majid Kazempour / Technical Support, Afshin Koupaei / Technical Support, Mehran Davari/ Technical Support, Farshid Esmaeili / Marab Mahbod Engineering & Technical Co., Faraz Maleki / Arpa Laser Group
Cinematography and Video Director: Sepand Saedi
Photography: Sepand Saeidi, Davood MohammadHasan, Farhanf Alipour, Pouria Gachpazan