A Form-Finding Instrument for Reciprocal Structures

In order to span longer distances than the length of the available timber beams the structural principle of mutually supporting beams was used in vernacular buildings and in studies by numerous architects and scientists. Although the generating rules are simple, the control of these structures has to date proven to be very complex because of the reciprocal dependency of the elements. The paper describes the development of a digital tool that shall facilitate the design of these structures and enhance the spectrum of architectural applications. The structural configuration of an assembly is constituted by means of a form-finding process, which is based on the individual members and its relations. Several parameters for these members enable the user to respond to contextual conditions such as plan form, height and number of supports, and to gradually refine the output. The report ends with the description of three applications in which several wooden materials and various forms of fabrication have been tested.