02_Panelized Systems: Mulberry House, SHoP Architects.

290 Mulberry

SHop Architects

2013. 26800 sqft.

A rippled brick design was proposed for this residential condominium building in response to contextual zoning that dictated a “predominantly masonry” façade. The complex geometry, in addition to a host of other parameters (including site, cost, code, brick coursing and panel weight, fabrication transport and installation), posed a great challenge with respect to information management. Because the façade needed to be “responsive” to these parameters, both during design and construction, advanced modeling software was essential. Utilizing a parametric based modeling as a solution for resolution of complex geometries and digitally fabricated components. The office undertook this building as a pilot project to initiate the use of Building Information Modeling as part of SHoP’s standard practice.

openbuildings.com

Complex Geometric System to create curvature.

Resulting Panel Curvature

Prototyping

Panel Types

Panel Distribution

Panel Window Section

Facade.

"Software packages utilized to solve complex geometries are not fully functional “out of the box”, so knowledge of scripting is essential to realize their full value. For this project, scripts were developed in-house by the project design team to control the brick panel’s technical requirements, and to adjust the output, according to established rules, to accommodate changes as the design developed. The final model incorporates engineering and cost data, and will also be used to digitally fabricate the panel molds.

Since a thorough understanding of the panel fabrication was necessary to set the parameters, a relationship with the fabrication team during design was critical for success. Since fabricators are often reluctant to invest resources in development of a design without a contractual relationship, the procurement method, and/or the owner’s willingness to invest in pre-construction services provided by sub-contractors during the design phase, becomes very important."

Descriptions from SHoP Architects, Images from Autodesk and ArchDaily.