Altair Case Studies Optimized Architectural Design through Simulation: Zaha Hadid’s Volu Pavilion

	Optimized Architectural Design through Simulation: Zaha Hadid’s Volu Pavilion Altair

Optimized Architectural Design through Simulation: Zaha Hadid’s Volu Pavilion

Altair

Technology Category	Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation Sensors - Temperature Sensors
Applicable Industries	Buildings Construction & Infrastructure
Applicable Functions	Product Research & Development
Use Cases	Rapid Prototyping Structural Health Monitoring
Services	System Integration
Challenge	Zaha Hadid Architects, a design atelier founded in 1979, has always been at the forefront of innovation, adopting theoretical guidance, systemic knowledge generation, and collaborative design. The company’s Computation and Design research group (co\|de), initiated in 2007, aims to develop early-design methods that enable a directed search for physically, economically, and ergonomically feasible solutions within the vast universe of architectural possibilities provided by digital design and construction methods. For the 2015 Design Miami exhibition, the Zaha Hadid co\|de team was commissioned to create a contemporary dining pavilion that combines computational design, lightweight engineering, and precision fabrication. The challenge was to create a unique dining environment, the Volu Pavilion, that was visually stunning, cost-efficient, and made use of advanced design and fabrication technologies. Read More
About Customer	Zaha Hadid Architects is a renowned architectural firm founded in 1979 by the late Zaha Hadid, a pioneering architect known for her innovative and futuristic designs. The firm has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of architecture and design, often incorporating new technologies and materials into their projects. The firm's Computation and Design research group (co\|de), established in 2007, focuses on developing early-design methods that enable a directed search for physically, economically, and ergonomically feasible solutions within the vast universe of architectural possibilities provided by digital design and construction methods. The co\|de team, which currently consists of 10 members, distributes its activities between research, contributions to commercial projects, technological incubation of novel supporting architectural services, communication and dissemination of design discourse, research, and more. Read More
Solution	To create the Volu Pavilion, a unique lightweight, stable structure, the co\|de team used the Altair HyperWorks platform for computer-aided engineering. The HyperWorks tools helped inform the design very early in the process, paving the way to create better designs from the onset. The geometry under structural loads was analyzed using a topology optimization algorithm in the Altair OptiStruct, and the structural system and skin were optimized to remove unnecessary material, resulting in a stable, yet lightest possible design. Optimization provided guidance for placement of the metal beams to create a stable form. The results received using Altair OptiStruct allowed for faster rationalization of the topology optimization results, serving as the blueprint for the designers to develop innovative shapes. An iterative process allowed for engineering feedback and the comprehensive design development of complex and expressive forms through the single bending of flat sheet materials. Read More Log in to view content
Contents

Technology Category

Analytics & Modeling - Digital Twin / Simulation

Sensors - Temperature Sensors

Applicable Industries

Buildings

Construction & Infrastructure

Applicable Functions

Product Research & Development

Use Cases

Rapid Prototyping

Structural Health Monitoring

Services

System Integration

Challenge

Zaha Hadid Architects, a design atelier founded in 1979, has always been at the forefront of innovation, adopting theoretical guidance, systemic knowledge generation, and collaborative design. The company’s Computation and Design research group (co|de), initiated in 2007, aims to develop early-design methods that enable a directed search for physically, economically, and ergonomically feasible solutions within the vast universe of architectural possibilities provided by digital design and construction methods. For the 2015 Design Miami exhibition, the Zaha Hadid co|de team was commissioned to create a contemporary dining pavilion that combines computational design, lightweight engineering, and precision fabrication. The challenge was to create a unique dining environment, the Volu Pavilion, that was visually stunning, cost-efficient, and made use of advanced design and fabrication technologies.

About Customer

Zaha Hadid Architects is a renowned architectural firm founded in 1979 by the late Zaha Hadid, a pioneering architect known for her innovative and futuristic designs. The firm has a reputation for pushing the boundaries of architecture and design, often incorporating new technologies and materials into their projects. The firm's Computation and Design research group (co|de), established in 2007, focuses on developing early-design methods that enable a directed search for physically, economically, and ergonomically feasible solutions within the vast universe of architectural possibilities provided by digital design and construction methods. The co|de team, which currently consists of 10 members, distributes its activities between research, contributions to commercial projects, technological incubation of novel supporting architectural services, communication and dissemination of design discourse, research, and more.

Solution

To create the Volu Pavilion, a unique lightweight, stable structure, the co|de team used the Altair HyperWorks platform for computer-aided engineering. The HyperWorks tools helped inform the design very early in the process, paving the way to create better designs from the onset. The geometry under structural loads was analyzed using a topology optimization algorithm in the Altair OptiStruct, and the structural system and skin were optimized to remove unnecessary material, resulting in a stable, yet lightest possible design. Optimization provided guidance for placement of the metal beams to create a stable form. The results received using Altair OptiStruct allowed for faster rationalization of the topology optimization results, serving as the blueprint for the designers to develop innovative shapes. An iterative process allowed for engineering feedback and the comprehensive design development of complex and expressive forms through the single bending of flat sheet materials.

Impact #1	The use of the Altair HyperWorks platform and the topology optimization algorithm in the Altair OptiStruct allowed the co\|de team to create a unique, lightweight, and stable structure for the Volu Pavilion. The tools provided guidance for the placement of the metal beams to create a stable form and allowed for the development of innovative shapes. The iterative process enabled engineering feedback and the comprehensive design development of complex and expressive forms through the single bending of flat sheet materials. The successful creation and implementation of the custom HyperWorks workflow integration has led Zaha Hadid Architects to plan to apply Altair HyperWorks for larger projects within its global architectural offices.

Impact #1

The use of the Altair HyperWorks platform and the topology optimization algorithm in the Altair OptiStruct allowed the co|de team to create a unique, lightweight, and stable structure for the Volu Pavilion. The tools provided guidance for the placement of the metal beams to create a stable form and allowed for the development of innovative shapes. The iterative process enabled engineering feedback and the comprehensive design development of complex and expressive forms through the single bending of flat sheet materials. The successful creation and implementation of the custom HyperWorks workflow integration has led Zaha Hadid Architects to plan to apply Altair HyperWorks for larger projects within its global architectural offices.

Benefit #1	The use of Altair HyperWorks platform for computer-aided engineering helped inform the design very early in the process, leading to better designs from the onset.
Benefit #2	The structural system and skin were optimized to remove unnecessary material, resulting in a stable, yet lightest possible design.
Benefit #3	The results received using Altair OptiStruct allowed for faster rationalization of the topology optimization results.

Benefit #1

The use of Altair HyperWorks platform for computer-aided engineering helped inform the design very early in the process, leading to better designs from the onset.

Benefit #2

The structural system and skin were optimized to remove unnecessary material, resulting in a stable, yet lightest possible design.

Benefit #3

The results received using Altair OptiStruct allowed for faster rationalization of the topology optimization results.

Download PDF Version

Overview

Optimized Architectural Design through Simulation: Zaha Hadid’s Volu Pavilion

Operational Impact

Quantitative Benefit