Yakim Milev (RCA) - 2019-20 Students
yakim.milev@network.rca.ac.uk

Defining Architectural Typologies Through Structural Topologies and Machine Learning

Many buildings are in functional terms not defined by formal, but organisational and structural typologies. Especially structural design significantly determines both the external form and internal layout of a building. The potential of topological structural models to define more holistic architectural typologies and their implications for new construction and design processes that work across the scales of the building to that of the room or building element and component has been little researched. In order to undertake this research, however, a continuing divide between architects and structural engineers has to be overcome. Thus, the research asks: Can integrating a structural and architectural design process delineate new architectural building typologies that are defined by structural topologies, and do these provide useful design responses to social and economic needs in the building industry? Are these new architectural/structural models more effective when designing adaptable buildings required by increasingly changing building lifecycles and user demands? And, what are the performance parameters that define these typologies and topologies.