2018 and published by the Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) in Hong Kong. This research investigated the possibility of creating adaptable and precise curvilinear surfaces through the deformation of flat wooden surfaces. A prototype design system was developed to accomplish this task. The goal was to take a commonly-used architectural material, which is valued for its environmental sustainability and its aesthetic qualities, and to re-conceptualize it for use in cutting-edge adaptive digital designs. We therefore sought to develop a way to create wooden surfaces that could predictably transform in response to environmental stimuli. We successfully developed and tested the reversible deformation of a wooden surface by laminating a shape-memory polymer onto a kerfed wooden plane. The composite obtains its responsiveness from the shape-memory polymer, and its curvature direction and structural stability from the kerfed wood. The composite is able to deform to a defined curvilinear surface when heated to 40-60 degrees Celsius, and then self-transform back to the original flat surface when cooled. In addition to demonstrating kinetic behavior for a wood-based composite, the prototype offers a practical technique that can be used by designers to create flexible, inexpensive fabrication and packaging strategies.
name of conference
Proceedings of the 23rd Conference on Computer Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia (CAADRIA) [Volume 2]