Geometry and Construction Optimization: An example using Felix Candela’s Church of St. Joseph the Craftsman in Mexico

Abstract

This paper presents a contemporary architectural working method that encompasses digitalization and parameterization of existing buildings and optimization of new buildings designed with ruled surfaces. The method uses parametric modeling and computational structural analysis in order to simplify contemporary building processes. As an example of the application of these techniques, in this paper they are applied to Felix Candela’s Church of St. Joseph the Craftsman, a design which features hyperbolic paraboloids that are considered difficult to design, calculate and build. The optimization method introduced in this paper seeks to explore different possibilities for designing and modifying buildings designed using non-standard geometry allowing them to be built out of simplified elements but also keep construction and visual properties of their shape. This method is also useful for students and young engineers to expand their skills in structural analysis, parametric modeling and optimization methods with contemporary tools.