The design , fabrication and assembly of an asymptotic timber gridshell

Paper in proceeding, 2019

This paper describes and discuss the design, fabrication and assembly of an asymptotic gridshell
built of plywood laths. The overall question concerns how geometry, structural action, and
ecient production can interplay and inform spatial design. The environment is a two-day
workshop where architects, engineers and researchers with specialization in structural and digital
design cooperate with undergraduate students in a compulsory parametric design and digital
fabrication course. The gridshell shape is based on an Enneper surface of threefold rotational
symmetry with a boundary baseplate inscribed within a circle of 4.5 m in radius. Utilizing the
concept of asymptotic curves, which are surface curves whose osculating plane coincides with
the tangent plane of the surface, the structure was built using planar straight laths of plywood
made using manually operated drills and saws.