Synopsis:

Dr Leanne Zilka and Dr Jenny Underwood have been pursuing alternative ways of making building elements that utilize fashion techniques and technologies. This research has utilized these techniques and technologies to develop light weight solutions for the use in buildings. Given the climate crisis and that cities are largely constructed, retrofitting has become a favourable way to treat existing stock as we pivot away from new buildings.

Developing light weight solutions that able attach to interior or exteriors of buildings while utilizing technologies such as flexible solar cells, plant supportive materials, environmental sensors, and water harvesting, can make existing building stock reduce their carbon footprint and give back to their local environment.

This presentation will discuss the techniques that have been explored to date and then speculate on how buildings can adapt using this new hybrid cross disciplinary approach.

Synopsis:

This research posits an innovative design methodology that establishes a complementary relationship between topological optimization, behavioural generative design algorithms, and robotic fabrication. It describes a hybrid of architectural and structural performance behaviours through the integration of multi-agent generative design algorithms and the BESO method. This approach creates a negotiation between concerns of architectural design and structural optimization in a simultaneous generative approach. This is an important shift from the normative sequential workflows that either inform generative approaches with structural analysis or operate sequentially to optimize the complex geometries already created within generative processes structurally.

A series of installations have been completed to prototype this approach at a small scale, to understand the implications of long-span large spatial structures. This approach enables the creation of complex, expressive architectural form which is highly efficient in terms of material and structural performance. The complexity and intricacy of the geometry generated through this process are demonstrated to be feasible to build through large-scale additive manufacturing.

It is part of the wider agenda, exploring the fabrication of algorithmically generated architectural forms through robotic fabrication techniques involving additive manufacturing. It also has the potential to create a closer working collaboration between architect and structural engineer in the early stages of design and to avoid the structural rationalization of unfeasible architectural forms in the AEC industry.

Ed Daines is the Director of WilkinsonEyre’s Australian studio, with over 20 years of experience working on high-profile projects around the world, including CIBC Square in Toronto and Battersea Power Station and 21 Moorfields in London. In Melbourne he is working with Architectus and Hines to deliver 600 Collins Street, a new landmark office tower with a distinctive articulated façade and incorporating ground-breaking sustainability initiatives and the latest in workplace amenities.

Ed is passionate about the role of architecture in creating beautiful and sustainable buildings and places that enrich our cities and bring pleasure to those that use them. 

Peter Kneen is a retired structural engineer and academic. His first lightweight structure, in 1965, as an undergraduate at Melbourne University was the unique Aluminium MUMC Memorial Hut on Mt Feathertop. As a result of this he was invited to Canada where he completed post graduate studies in computer aided design of spaceframes – an example studied was the world’s largest Aluminium structure at Sao Paulo. He later returned to the University of New South Wales in 1972 and became involved as a specialist consultant for the design of numerous spaceframe and tensioned membrane structures in Australia and around the world - specifically the Melbourne Arts Centre Spire. He also pioneered the use of knitted shadecloth for hail protection in nurseries, car dealerships and to some extent domestic applications.

He is a founding member of the MSAA – now the LSAA – and since 2006 has acted as a part-time Executive Officer of the Lightweight Structures Association and maintains their website and coordinates the industry leading Design Awards.

We are pleased that seven teams of students have responded to the Inaugural LSAA Student Awards. Teams are from the Melbourne based organizer institutions as well as overseas teams. 

These teams are:

Team Dandelions - First Prize - Swinburne University, Melbourne
Team Members: Adam Nuske, Harry Tweedale, Antonios Koufidis. Tutor:  Daniel Prohasky.

Team X-Bamboo - Second Prize - RMIT University, Melbourne
Team Members: Kang Liu, Jinbang Liang, Chih-I Lin, Yuzhe Zhu. Tutor:  Nic Bao

Team 404.5 - Third Prize - Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen
Team Members: Changrong Hu, Meichen Shang, Qianxi Kong, Qiaoyang Chen.   Tutors:  Yuqian Liu, Ting Cao.

• Swinburne University Team FormFlex

• Swinburne University Team ARCi-tension
  

• Swinburne University Team PAVilion

• University of Melbourne Team Mezz

Further details of the submissions will be available soon. Congratulations !!

LSAA Members and non-members may enter (different fees apply).

The 2024 Awards are for completed structures since May 2022 and are open to companies or individuals who have acted as the main designer, fabricator or installer. 
The "project" may be part of larger facility - e.g. an Atrium, Facade, Entrance, Roof.

However only one entry per project will be considered.

The 2024 RULES and ENTRY FORMS can be downloaded. Closing Date is August 14 2024. Late Change made to BSB Number (Aug 13 2024)

Wednesday September 11 2024 was a busy time with the Skylounge being filled with our valued sponsors setting up their displays and mounting of the pull up banners. The AV was being tested with several of the speakers presentations - a few hiccups but the show will go on.

Bookings and registrations are now available on Humanitix website 
Note that we have reached capacity for the Gala Dinner. Consider buying a Thursday Only or Friday Only ticket (Members and non-members) (Last update 10 Sept 2024)

As normal for our Conferences, financial members of the organizing bodies are offered a discount.

There are also tickets for Non-members as well as limited space for Full time students (excludes Thursday night Dinner). Day tickets are possible to attend the technical sessions on either the Thursday or Friday. Extra tickets for the Dinner only are available.

There are entry fees for each project entered into our Design Awards - again there is a discount for financial members. Payment details for Award Entries are on the Design Awards Entry Forms. Sponsorship packages enable sponsors to some complimentary registrations. Our valued Sponsors will be issued with an "Access Code" to enable viewing of additional ticket types (added August 7 2024) 

Information on How to get to Swinburne is HERE and a Map including Parking is HERE

Direct link to Humanitix listing, or scan the QR Code below. Once on the Humanitix site, click on the "select tickets" to see the range of options - it is on the right side under the banner graphics. Some extra questions added 5 September (diet, accessibility, Company).  Note Bookings for the Gala Dinner have reached capacity (10 Sept 2024)

The Venue is in the AMDC (Advanced Manufacturing and Design Centre), Room 301 - see ellipse on map below. You may also download a PDF of Swinburne Campus with some notes about Parking facilities HERE

The LSAA 2024 Conference will be held in the excellent facilities at Swinburne University (Hawthorn Campus)

Reaching the venue is easy by suburban Metro train lines (nearest station is Glenferrie about 250 metres walk) or via the fantastic, world famous trams going along Burwood Road. Information on How to get to Swinburne is HERE and a Map including Parking is HERE

Specifically we will be in the AMDC Building Room 301 highlighted below

The following are some images of the Swinburne Campus and the area where Sponsors will set up displays and the most important coffee / tea outlets will be located.

When you come to the LSAA 2024 Conference and Design Awards jointly held with Swinburne University, take the time to appreciate "Vibrant Melbourne".

Melbourne is a rapidly growing city - voted the most liveable city for many years.

In recent years there has been an enormous amount of construction in the areas of the Docklands, Spencer Streets and Southbank.

There are a number of lightweight structures in and around Melbourne.

There are the roof structures at the major sports stadia - Tennis Centre (Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas), the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), the Rectangular AAMI Stadium, the Etihad Stadium and the Southern Cross train station.

The Victorian Arts Centre Spire, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and the nearby Aquatic Centre are other examples.

Smaller tensioned fabric structures can be found throughout Melbourne.

We are again working closely with Swinburne, University of Melbourne and RMIT on a two day event in September 2024. This page will contain details and articles related to the upcoming event.

For the following links you may need to use your "Back" button to return here - the links may replace this page.

Our two Keynote Speaker profiles have been added - Rachaporn Choochuey,  Design Director, all(zone) and Alastair Richardson is a Director of COX. (Updated April 30 2024)

Details of the Program - (May 21 2024) Can be viewed on the Program page

Conference Theme - expect to hear more about the impact of AI on teaching and design

General Information about the Design Awards - Gallery of 2022 Winners added (April 2). Start getting your entries together. Closing Date August 14 2024
Brief Introduction to the Inaugural Student Awards  (updated 30 April 2024)

Some Lightweight Structures in Melbourne - worth extending your stay in Melbourne?

Vibrant Melbourne and Conference Venue Images (more added April 4 2024)

Booking and Registration summary details - actual bookings is through Humanitix - from End of May 2024

Details yet to be added include:

• Details of the Conference Venue and Transport to Swinburne
• Accommodation - left to Attendees but some choices to be offered

The graphic for the Conference is based on a real image of a radial cable supported and tensioned fabric sports arena. The image is taken directly under the centre of the recently modified Ken Rosewall Arena and the image is credited to Fabritecture.

These forms of roof utilize a minimal amount of material because the structural system places the material in direct tension - the most efficient structural action - compared to heavy beams under bending. All the cables are connected together and radiate to cover the entire roof. 

The Conference Theme "Connecting to Tomorrow" is reflected by this image where we all have to work together, make good connections, aim to use the least amount of materials for a given task. The graphic also represents this "target" to aim for.

Not only do lightweight structures use materials efficiently, the evolving and connected design and manufacturing processes are driving our industry to a better tomorrow.

The Conference Organizing Committee formed from the LSAA, Swinburne University, University of Melbourne and RMIT engaged some of our future graphic designers - Andrea at Swinburne Bureau - to adapt the above image into a format suitable to promote the event.

Andrea interpreted the images as follows "The way I’ve interpreted the image is that the cables branching out from the tension ring at the centre out to the compression rings reflect a sense of connection. Referring to the theme (Connecting To Tomorrow), the image represents how the LSAA connects their work (in promoting and building lightweight structures) to solving the world’s most pressing problems through their choice of materials".

Download an A2 Conference Poster as well as an A4 Conference Flyer