Form finding and design of a timber shell-nexorade hybrid

Abstract : The aim of this paper is to discuss the form-finding of an innovative structural system through the design and construction of a full-scale timber pavilion. Nexorades, or multi-reciprocal grids, are structures where members support each other along their spans. This structural principle allows simple assembly and connection details, but leads in counterpart to poor structural performance. Introducing planar plates as bracing components solves this issue, but result in a complex and intricate geometry of the envelope and supporting structure. This paper discusses the different challenges for the designers of shell-nexora-de hybrids and algorithmic framework to efficiently handle them in a project workflow.