Instrumentalization of origami in construction of folded plate structures - Design, research and education

Abstract

The paper deals with the origami used as an abstract tool to describe and represent the form and the structure of physical objects. In that respect, the potentials of this interdisciplinary technique as a medium of exploration of structural forms was introduced in the semester project done within the course Structural Systems at the Belgrade University, Faculty of Architecture. The technique was used as an interface to gain cognitive experience on spatial transformation and computational design. Throughout the intensive project period divided into three successive stages, the objective was to test method which enabled students to analyze geometrical principles of folding in order to apply these principles in the development of new designs. The generative algorithm inspired by the technique of paper folding assisted form-finding. Resulting shapes were verified by a production of small scale prototype models. The applied method, as a guiding design principle, facilitated formal exploration and augmentation of the design process. At the end of the course, students got cognitive experience on structural forms, while this simple technique delivered richness in terms of design solutions.