Inherent form

Abstract

Rather than viewing digital tools as incongruous with craftsmanship, ‘Inherent Form’ suggests that they reinforce certain principles characteristic of craftsmanship that help elevate fabrication with benefits for architecture. The thesis aims to reveal the potential of architecture shaped by the interplay between natural materials, craftsmanship, and the capabilities of digital tools. It explores the design of medium span structures entirely composed of non-standard timber components derived from the inherent forms of local wood and demonstrates the potential of a raw timber structure for an architectural application for public use. The development of ‘Inherent Form’ involves a combination of design-driven research and material experiments. The thesis methodology offers a holistic approach to the design and construction process, rooted in material exploration, data acquisition, and structural solutions. It focuses on hands-on making as a means to explore and develop ideas, encompassing three key stages: Prototype, Timber Detail Design, and Architectural Application. These stages overlap during the development of the thesis, formalizing knowledge of design tools and techniques. Prototype involves utilizing digital tools for structure design, as well as point-cloud processing and photogrammetry to compile data from physical raw wood. Timber Detail Design is the process of crafting wood joinery for irregular tree bits, serving as a pathway to deeply understand and appreciate the material qualities of raw wood in structural way. Architectural Application presents a raw timber structure for a greenhouse situated within the Gothenburg Botanical Garden. The thesis makes a contribution to the field of sustainable architecture by demonstrating an alternative to conventional timber construction that relies on the use of standardized materials produced through an industrialized process. Using non-standard found material to create architecture provides complexity and constraint to the design and fabrication process, but at the same time, it enables more sustainable material practices. By incorporating raw wood components into design, it is possible to not only diversify the design and construction methods according to locality but also create a new form of architectural expression. Fig. 1.