Aquilomorphism: materializing wind in architecture through ice weathering simulations

ABSTRACT

This paper proposes a morphological generation method based on the integration of wind forces which leads to organic geometries fostering new spatial experiences and environmental adaptation. It suggests that analogical simulations can generate creative design solutions responding to complex environmental fluxes and can accelerate the design process for architects through tactile explorations of form, matter and spatiality. The aerodynamic design solutions, although contextual, are not deterministic, in the sense that they are reinterpreted to meet the functional needs and constraints of an architectural project. The paper concludes on a sample application that enables practical understanding of the possible uses of the method for architectural and urban design applications.

KEYWORDS:

• Design method
• environmental design
• prototyping
• wind simulations
• biophilia
• erosion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Philippe Charest http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9833-6343

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the “Fonds de recherche du Quebec Societe et Culture”, Government of Quebec for the project entitled “Eroded Landscapes as architectural form givers”.