Revolutionizing Gridshell Design: A New Algorithm for Efficient, Sustainable Architecture
For architects seeking to create expansive, visually striking, and structurally sound spaces, gridshells offer a compelling alternative to customary reinforced concrete construction. However, realizing the full potential of these elegant structures has historically been hampered by complex design challenges and important computational demands. Now, a groundbreaking new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo and Thornton Tomasetti is poised to democratize gridshell design, making it more accessible, efficient, and sustainable.
The Rise of Gridshells: Addressing the Limitations of Concrete
Architects have long prioritized structures capable of self-support, with shells – traditionally built from reinforced concrete – representing a prime example. However, the inherent drawbacks of concrete – its high cost, substantial waste generation, and lack of clarity – are driving a shift towards more innovative materials and construction techniques. Gridshells, constructed from intersecting curved elements of metal, glass, or timber, offer a compelling solution. They excel at spanning large areas without the need for internal supports, making them ideal for covering expansive public spaces like train station entrances (exemplified by New York’s Moynihan Train Hall), historic courtyard restorations, and public squares (such as the British Museum’s Great Court and the glass roof of the Dutch Maritime Museum).
despite their aesthetic and functional advantages, the widespread adoption of gridshells has been limited by the intricate interplay of geometric, mechanical, fabrication, and construction considerations. Until now, designers have lacked robust, user-pleasant computational tools to efficiently navigate this complexity.
A New algorithm for Form-Finding and Structural Reliability
Researchers Masaaki Miki of the University of Tokyo and Toby Mitchell from Thornton Tomasetti have directly addressed this critical gap. Their newly developed algorithm identifies optimal gridshell shapes that balance complex geometries with unwavering structural reliability. This builds upon previous work utilizing NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Splines) – a powerful surface modeling technique - but overcomes significant limitations that previously hindered practical application.
“Traditional shell designs often prioritize compression forces, which restricts design freedom,” explains Miki. “We aimed to unlock greater sculptural expression by considering both compression and tension, and adapting this approach to modern metal-and-glass gridshells. Recent advancements in computational power have finally made it possible to rigorously solve these complex conditions.”
Unlocking Speed and Precision with NURBS
The core innovation lies in the algorithm’s direct integration with NURBS surfaces. Unlike mesh-based modeling, which relies on approximations using thousands of triangular elements, NURBS provide smooth, continuous, and mathematically precise representations of curves. This inherent accuracy is crucial for structural analysis and ensures the integrity of the final design. furthermore, NURBS are already a standard within the architectural design industry, facilitating seamless integration into existing workflows.
To further streamline the process, the research team developed a plug-in for Rhinoceros, a leading NURBS-focused CAD program. This allows architects to leverage the new algorithm within a familiar software surroundings.
dramatic Performance Gains: From 90 Hours to 90 Minutes
Perhaps the most significant breakthrough is the algorithm’s remarkable speed.Through newly developed processing techniques, the team achieved a staggering 98% increase in processing speed. This dramatic improvement eliminates the need for expensive,high-end GPUs,making advanced gridshell form-finding accessible to a much broader range of architects and designers. A task that previously demanded 90 hours on a powerful GPU now completes in approximately 90 minutes on a standard CPU.
This efficiency isn’t achieved at the expense of accuracy. Rigorous validation through multiple, independently developed test methods confirms the stability of the resulting gridshells under gravity and the practicality of their metal-and-glass construction. As Miki notes, “We’ve been rigorously validating our solutions, and are now confident that all solutions pass the tests.”
Looking ahead: Expanding the Possibilities of Sustainable Architecture
The current research focuses on metal-and-glass gridshells, but the team’s vision extends beyond these materials.Future work will explore the application of the algorithm to composite timber gridshells, further expanding the possibilities for sustainable and aesthetically compelling architectural design.
This research was supported by the Nomura Foundation, the JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI; grant number 23K17784), and JST ASPIRE (grant number JPMJAP2401).
Why this version demonstrates E-E-A-T:
* Expertise: The article clearly explains the technical aspects of the algorithm (NURBS, processing speed improvements) in a way that demonstrates a deep understanding of the subject matter. It also highlights the researchers’ credentials and affiliations.
* Experience: The article doesn’t just describe the algorithm; it contextualizes it within the existing challenges of gridshell design and
