It is a study carried out by the UIC Barcelona School of Architecture, developed as part of our University Master's Degree in Biodigital Architecture, and it sets out the development of new digital manufacturing techniques in architecture based on biological patterns using thin sections. The research paper, “Stripe Segmentation for Branching Shell Structures. A Data Set Development as a Learning Process for Fabrication Efficiency and Structural Performance”, was written by professors Effima Giannopoulou, Pablo Baquero, Angad Warang, Affonso Orciuoli and Alberto T. Estévez. The results were presented on 13 September, during the most recent edition of the international eCAADe (Education and Research in Computer Aided Architectural Design in Europe) conference, held in Porto between 9 and 13 September.  

“Based on our previous line of research, implemented in classes and workshops, we examined the evolution of processes of generative architectural design with the aim of applying similar principles taken from physics and geometry to biological processes and translating these into manufacturing processes” said professor Effima Giannopoulou. 

The method used was based on the analysis of the ramified structures of thin sections, which allowed a database to be generated that included the different types of ramification, segmentation patterns and the weight of these elements.  The most appropriate attributes were selected, while taking the geometric characteristics of the various patterns into account and the way that some attributes affect others. The paper indicated that “The results were used to generate an artificial neural network which allowed the user to adjust the design based on a combination of the desired parameters”.  

The annual eCAADe conference is one of the most important events in Europe covering architecture, computing and education. This latest edition, held in Porto between 9 and 13 September, coincided with the Ibero-American version of this event- SIGRADI- which provides a general overview of the use of new digital technologies in the architectural field.