Robots Weave A Hive-Like Pavilion In Germany

The twisting, spiraling "ICD ITKE Research Pavilion" was inspired by nature, but built by machines.

by Beckett Mufson

June 26, 2014, 10:26pm

Lead Image © Roland Halbe

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have been busy as bees developing a process for crafting super light structures, drawing inspiration from the world of insects. The result is a twisting, spiraling, chaotic masterpiece of sculptural design known as ‘ICD ITKE Research Pavilion.' Don’t let the name fool you, though—it looks like something JRR Tolkien’s Shelob would create when she was going through her rebellious artistic phase.

‘Research Pavilion’ is a joint effort from the school’s Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), the sources of the sculpture’s moniker. A multi-disciplinary team of architects, biologists, paleontologists, and engineers analyzed organic, super light structures—ones made by the Colorado potato beetle, for example—and applied their findings to its structural design. The solid parts of the sculpture are made from reinforced polymers, materials both lauded for their impressive strength-to-weight ratio and malleability.

© ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart

© ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart

After forming the super strong framework, the researchers employed "a robotic coreless winding method," which uses two industrial robots to wind fibers between two specialty steel frame effectors. Through this method, hundreds of feet of resin-impregnated fibers were woven together in super complex, beetle-inspired patterns. The way each and every fiber was layered between the support structures contributes to the lightness and strength of the whole. The detail that goes into the robotic weaving technique is so incredible, it’s evident that Mother Nature inspired such a captivating project.

© ICD/ITKE University of Stuttgart

Biomimetic researchers, or scientists and engineers who study and replicate natural processes, should consider the pavilion a victory for their entire field. The ultra lightweight—yet ultra strong—structural elements the University of Stuttgart developed may be used in architectural design for years to come. It doesn't hurt that the gorgeous and complex woven pattern grabs the eyes and keep them stuck like an insect web. Just a quick gaze at this pavilion had us rolling up a newspaper in case a spider came out.

For more details on the pavilion’s construction, check out the project page here—but have your newspaper at hand.