Home « Form Finding Lab - Princeton University Form Finding Lab

Welcome

The question should not be “can this structure be built” but rather “should it be built”? Or in addition to safety, stability, serviceability, are elegance, efficiency and economics also taken into account as key factors in the structural design process? An approach that comprises all these parameters requires out-of-the-box thinking for each design project. Civil engineers should use knowledge, ability, experience, fantasy and intuition to find an optimal and unique structural shape for a given set of boundary conditions.

The search for the optimal durable shape is the recurring theme of our research group. Our projects include structural optimization techniques for complex curved surfaces driven by digital fabrication techniques, development of new structural systems, interaction between tension structures and shaping elements and finally restoration and upgrading methodologies for historic “form follows force” structures with a permanent focus on life cycle thinking.

Please feel free to get in touch if you are interested in pursuing collaboration.

Prof. S. Adriaenssens
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Princeton University

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Site-specific louvered shells for shading harmful Ultraviolet radiation

Horner, M., Rhode-Barbarigos, L, Adriaenssens, S. (2014). ‘Site-specific louvered shells for shading harmful Ultraviolet radiation.’ In: Building and Environment http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2014.04.005

FUNDING: São Paulo-Princeton Strategic Partnership Grant

Our application "Computational Design of Sustainable Urban Infrastructure" for the São Paulo-Princeton Strategic Partnership Grant was selected for funding. Our proposal focuses on a numerical method (form-finding and analysis algorithm) which promotes the design of efficient lightweight structures, therefore contributing to green engineering and sustainable design.

PRESENTATION: FORMS AND ELASTICITY IN STRUCTURES

On April 2nd, I will talk about 'Forms and Elasticity in Structures' at the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, JEC 3117 from 1-2pm. Do join us!

2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize winner, Shigeru Ban writes about shells in our new book

2014 Pritzker Architecture Prize Winner, Shigeru Ban, writes "Without an understanding of structures, we cannot design a building. "in "Sharing the same spirit", the 2nd chapter in our new book "Shells for Architecture: Form Finding and Optimization."

PRESENTATION: ELASTIC STRUCTURAL FORMS

On March 10th, noon I will be presenting our work on Elastic Structural Forms at the University of California, Berkeley, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in Davis Hall 502. If you are around, you are welcome to join this conversation.

SOM Foundation 2014 Structural Engineering Travel Fellowship for ALLISON HALPERN

Allison has been named the Recipient of the SOM Foundation 2014 Structural Engineering Travel Fellowship. Congratulations, Allison!

BENDING ACTIVE STRUCTURES

Julian Lienhard, founder of the German engineering and design practice str.ucture GmbH, will give general insight into form-finding and structural analysis of bending-active structures. Join us on Friday 21st Feb at 6pm in E225, E-Quad.

POST DOC POSITION available

The Form Finding Lab in the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at Princeton University has a post-doctoral or more senior research position open in the area of form finding or structural optimization. Interested applicants should apply online at http://jobs.princeton.edu posting 1400094.

Stretching imagination – roofs lighter than air

David Campbell, principal at Geiger Engineers, discusses the challenges and solution to designing and building large span roofs that are almost lighter than air. You are invited to join us for David’s presentation on Tuesday 18th February, 11h-11h50 in E311

Welcome Kendall!

We welcome Kendall Schmidt into our research group. Kendall will be investigating novel typologies for bridges, structural surfaces and other topics that will improve the built environment. Welcome, Kendall!

TEACHING AWARD for TED SEGAL

The Undergraduate Engineering Council and Graduate Engineering Council proudly present an Excellence in Teaching Awards for the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences to Ted Segal for his work in CEE205 Mechanics of Solids. Congratulations, Ted!

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Material Driven design for a chocolate Pavilion

Jordan, AJ, Adriaenssens S, Kilian A., Adriaenssens, M, Freed, Z. (2013). ‘Material Driven design for a chocolate Pavilion.‘ In: Computer-Aided Design, DOI:10.1016/j.cad.2013.12.002

JOURNAL PUBLICATION: Generating Smooth Curves in 3 Dimensions by Minimizing Higher Order Strain Energy Measures

Adriaenssens S., Malek S., Masaki M., Williams. C.J.K (2013). ‘Generating smooth curves in 3 dimensions by minimizing higher order strain energy measures.‘ In: Journal of Space Structures, v.28 (3-4), pp. 119-126

FEATURE: RUMOER TU DELFT

Rumoer, the periodical by the student association for building technology of TU Delft (the Netherlands), gives a succinct overview of our work at the Form Finding Lab in an article "Shaping better civil structures". http://www.praktijkverenigingbout.nl/shaping-better-civil-structures-sigrid-adriaenssens-princeton-university-featured-article-rumoer-56

FEATURE: Discovery – Research at Princeton

Our site-specific shading structures feature in Princeton's Research Issue http://discovery.princeton.edu/2013/10/31/site-specific-shades-offer-sun-protection/

PRE-ORDER BOOK: SHELLS FOR ARCHITECTURE

Our book "Shells for Architecture: form finding and optimization" will be published in Spring 2014 and is available for pre-order at http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415840606/.