Ajmal Aqtash 2023-2024

A collage featuring architectural designs and construction models. Top left: a 3D architectural model of a multi-story building with geometric roof cutouts and angled walls, highlighted in grayscale and yellow. Top right: a detailed cross-section of a wall assembly with labeled layers, showing materials like reflective coated ceramic brick, insulation, and steel structural deck. Bottom row: three stages of construction models in grayscale, depicting various machinery, cranes, and structural elements in a layout that shows different phases or sections of the construction process.

SAND BOX_3D PRINTING ARCHITECTURE WITH PEOPLE, NOT JUST ROBOTS

Gantry-Crane meets Robot form-factor to create flexible & collaborative production methods for Additive Construction to meet the growing demand for housing. The research effort begins by exploring automated 3D Printing models (Gantry Printing vs Factory Printing vs Curb-Side Printing) in practice currently, and asks the questions related to determining the extent of automation that should be considered on a construction site. Our research in this area focused on exploring the optimal balance between human labor and robotic automation in construction processes. By considering the roles and capabilities of both humans and robots, we aimed to create safer, more inclusive work environments in the construction industry. Emphasizing collaboration and shared responsibility, our work underscored the importance of diversity in perspectives and skill sets within construction teams.

The research also seeks to explore, develop, and produce a series of architectural case studies evaluating the potential for an organic design approach to additive layering, and more importantly, to better understand methods of layering and its impact on the construction industry. A rigorous effort & focus is placed on developing a series of topological taxonomies of typical conditions to recognize the total array of transitional relationships between the column, the floor, and the wall via a structural undertone.

Black and white rendered architectural cross-section showing multiple floors of a structure. The design includes detailed lines indicating walls, windows, and flooring, with textured layers representing the wall material. The section reveals open spaces, doorways, and structural support columns, capturing the layout and intricate construction details.

A black and white architectural rendering focusing on a detailed cross-section of a structural connection. The design displays interlocking horizontal and vertical elements, with cylindrical layers suggesting a ribbed texture, symbolizing wall or support material. The composition highlights the joint and material interaction in a stylized, technical style.

A grayscale and pastel-colored architectural rendering depicting an industrial construction site layout. The scene includes machinery, scaffolding, and segmented work areas. Prominent equipment, such as cranes and workstations, are arranged on a flat surface, with light green and blue accents highlighting specific areas. The overall layout appears organized, with a focus on spatial relationships between equipment and structures.

A grayscale and pastel-colored architectural rendering of a construction site layout. The scene showcases various industrial equipment, including cranes, elevated platforms, and segmented building structures. Some areas are highlighted in light green and yellow to draw attention to specific sections within the layout. The design emphasizes the arrangement and interaction between the different pieces of machinery and construction areas.

A grayscale and pastel-colored 3D architectural rendering of a construction site layout. The focus is on a building with a partially open roof structure, displaying internal beams and sections highlighted in green and beige. The layout includes surrounding machinery, such as a crane and conveyor belt, illustrating the construction and assembly process. The rendering emphasizes the integration of industrial equipment with the building structure.

Detailed architectural rendering of a cross-sectional wall assembly for a building. The diagram highlights various components, including reflective coated ceramic brick, a steel structural deck, insulation, structural U-beams, facade clips, and lateral supports. The structure has both wood and blue-tinted materials, visually demonstrating the layered assembly of materials in a modern facade system.

A grayscale and yellow-highlighted 3D architectural model of a multi-story building with angular roof structures and multiple windows. The building has distinct geometric forms with unique roof cutouts and irregularly angled walls, creating a dynamic and modern appearance. The design emphasizes structural layering and grid-like patterns in window placements, highlighting the building's contemporary aesthetic.

[Credits:]

Principal Investigator: Ajmal Aqtash

Research Assistants: Noah Rosenberg, Anna Kondrashova, Brandon Paniagua, Baleria Bardi Cohen