Bicho VI

ARCHDAILY TOP 50 STUDENT-BUILT PROJECTS 2016
“Bicho VI” is a parametric pavilion that originates from internal logics and the study of flexible elements, whose conformation, rather than being a top-down process, arises from a long series of material bottom-up form finding experimentations.
The flexible nature of the design iterations for this pavilion gave place to the exploration of timber shaping limits through flexion and laser cutting techniques. 3D model isocurves were studied and compared to timber sheet streaks in order to push the timber’s bending capabilities further. This method allowed the development of complex and unconventional uses for this material.
As the sixth version of the “Bicho” Pavilion explorations, this project builds upon previous prototypes and seeks to further explore the capabilities of timber structures and the design of aggregative and parametric systems.
The form-finding process for this pavilion started with a series of analog explorations using thin sheets of various materials, which would then have to translate into a timber one-to-one scale structure. The resulting explorations led to a three-dimensional matrix aggregation system based on a singular parametric unit. The system was then translated from analog to digital using Grasshopper. The parametric system would be then further optimized digitally adding thickness, and joints, and optimizing its form and load distribution before preparing the digital fabrication files for laser cutting. In comparison to previous Bicho versions, this build would require complex timber bending using unconventional methods.