Abstract

Folded surfaces have the potential to produce efficient structures capable of resisting force through form using a minimal amount of material. Additionally, folding is an effective method to design lightweight and elegant structures that integrate multiple spatial, aesthetic, and functional requirements. Furthermore, they can incorporate kinematic properties responding to environmental inputs such as rainwater collection, wind flow, or sun shading.
Operating at the cross-disciplinary intersection between architecture, structural, and environmental engineering, “Impluvium Redux” (Figure 1) is presented as a prototypical module in the form of an umbrella structure that integrates the kinematic, material, and environmental potentials of folded membranes for the design and construction of ecological urban infrastructures. This paper presents the conceptual framework, design methodology, and manufacturing process for the materialization of this structural prototype, acting as a proof-of-concept for future research developments.