Design and digital fabrication of a parametric joint for bamboo sustainable structures

Abstract

The study deepens the design of a joining system for bamboo spatial structure by proposing new and advanced solutions that guarantee maximum freedom of composition to the designer. The joint allows to determine and control parametrically the adaptability to any spatial grid configuration of culms with heterogeneous dimensions. Despite the bamboo being one of the main natural building materials in the field of sustainable architecture, currently, it is not used enough due to the lack of adequate connection systems. Bamboo is a rapidly growing renewable resource, naturally available, which is quite strong and lends itself to structural applications. The paper proposes an innovative approach to architectural design by parametric modelling techniques developed in recent years in parallel with advances in the field of computational geometry. The 3D prototyping of different types of joints and the architectural-compositional design of a temporary structure, destined to be used as an exhibition pavilion, have made it possible to validate the technological solution defined.