Teaching Computational Approaches in Baubotanik: Developing a design-and-build workflow for a living architecture pavilion

Living architecture is characterized by dynamic and complex processes, thus requiring a non-static design approach with precise measurement and representation. The next generation of designers are data native and today’s circumstances, such as international collaboration and pandemic restrictions, necessitate greater exploration of computational tools. This provides a good opportunity to teach landscape- and architecture students computational tools for living architecture design. This study establishes, through a taught studio, a workflow for designing and constructing with living trees. It involves photogrammetric surveying, tree representation, parametric design, prefabrication, final installation, and concepts for future growth management. A Baubotanik pavilion, around 12m by 4m, is designed and built. Its roof is supported by 32 London Plane trees around 3m above ground. In following decades, the trees are expected to grow into and through the structure as well as above the pavilion roof. The installed pavilion is scanned for deviation assessment. The workflow proves the feasibility of design and build of complex geometry that fits existing trees. In this process, students are equipped with the iterative design thinking to work with trees in complex architectural settings, integrating dynamic plant growth into future city planning.     «

Living architecture is characterized by dynamic and complex processes, thus requiring a non-static design approach with precise measurement and representation. The next generation of designers are data native and today’s circumstances, such as international collaboration and pandemic restrictions, necessitate greater exploration of computational tools. This provides a good opportunity to teach landscape- and architecture students computational tools for living architecture design. This study est...     »