This master thesis was focused on aggregate structures and the way they can filter daylight. It investigated the potential of controlling the material and creating light qualities.
The aim of this research was to create a system that allows filtering the daylight in aggregate structures into different luminance conditions in order to create specific shifting, fragmented light quality of the space. There are two important methods, used and developed during the research. Together they create a way to construct aggregate structures with programmed light quality. On one hand, the structures were digitally fabricated by using online controlled robotic processes. On the other hand, a photometric analysis technique was developed to read light conditions in aggregate structures. That made a light-controlled robot manufacturing possible.
Series of experiments on aggregate wall structures and dome structures were done and different light conditions were investigated. Modification techniques were developed in order to control the filtering quality of the structures.
At the end the research continued with a focus on robotic manufacturing of aggregate structures and programmed light conditions. An online controlled robotic process was developed, where a web camera was used to capture the light passing through aggregates structures and detect luminance changes. The luminance information was then used to calculate the next modification point and in this way to control the robot by light.
The investigations could be considered as a foundation for further development on designing spaces driven by light.
Project Gallery
ITECH M.Sc. Thesis Project 2014: Graded Light - Modulating the daylight in aggregate structures using online controlled robotic processes
Desislava Angelova
Thesis Advisers: Karola Dierichs
Thesis Supervisor: Prof. Achim Menges
Second Supervisor: Prof. Jan Knippers