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2013 Structural Engineering Traveling Fellowship
Repetition and Modularity in Structural Design

In researching examples of notable buildings and structures that demonstrate the critical architectural, structural, and construction techniques of modular repetition that differentiate the selected structures from the typical, and to find out the design stories behind them, Yao Xiao traveled to locations on three continents in seeking to answer the question, “What design choices make the difference in promoting elegance, efficiency, and economy?”

Yao Xiao
Stanford University

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Somf structural fellowship yao xiao 01 2013

Gare do Oriente (Lisbon Orient Station), Lisbon. © Yao Xiao.

Jury
Glenn Isaacson
Kang Kiang
Jes Pedersen
Maryann Phipps
Mark Sarkisian (Chair)

The creation of structure involves two main stages: design and construction.

Building structure emerged to accommodate human demand of shelter from natural environment. In ancient times, the form of “architecture”, as we call it today, was simply a result of creating enclosed space through an repeating effort of piling up available materials. With minimal awareness toward aesthetics and symbolism, ancient people focused on building simple yet reliable structures based on their instinct and experience. During this time, ease of construction overrode aesthetics, although most unintentionally, as the primary concern for creating structures.

As self-awareness formed and the experience accumulated through generations of practice turned into knowledge, the activity of building developed from an instinct into a craft. The demand for shelter was no longer the mere purpose for constructing structures. Instead, many were deliberately produced with particular forms to indicate culture, belief and social status. The process of “architecture” began to formalize as planning and design becoming an important step during the creation of structures.

As civilization advanced over time, architecture evolved from being considered solely as physical enclosure to work of art and representation of culture and technology. The form of architecture became diverse, no longer confined to being consisted of regular geometries and ordinary materials. In the recent decades, the further development of modern engineering knowledge and digital design brought about the postmodern free-form architecture. However, the excellence in aesthetics is often accompanied by the complexity in construction. Customized fabrication and assembly may become necessary in order to achieve certain architectural form, which is often costly and time consuming.

Architecture composed of regular and repetitive elements are often structurally efficient and resolve the concern of budget and ease of construction. But the aesthetic results can be very divergent: while many are considered mediocre for lacking of statement and visual impact, few became remarkable for comprehending minimalism and forming visual impact through an extraordinary sense of order.

Today, the practice of the architecture industry has been brought up to a higher standard under various engineering, economic and social demands. Design and construction are becoming one integrated process for many new projects, where architects and engineers are challenged to create synergy of elegance, efficiency, economy and sustainability. The technique of structural repetition offers improved potential for the future of the industry. The associated construction and economical advantages are still widely recognized and desired, especially with the recent development of prefabrication and modularity. However, better design techniques need to be explored to leverage the aesthetics of structural repetition toward the contemporary architectural standard.

That led to the proposal of this study entitled “Repetition and Modularity in Structural Design” to the Skidmore, Owings and Merrill Foundation for the 2013 Structural Engineering Travel Fellowship. The objective was to identify the critical modular design techniques that promote both aesthetics and constructability. Forty selected structural projects across Asia, Latin America, and Europe were studied through literature and site visit. While vary in architectural style, function, material, age and surrounding environment, the selected projects demonstrate extraordinary overall results brought forth by the repetition of structural modules. The research was also supported by a number of universities, research institutes and design firms that allowed viewing of models and drawings, as well as interviews regarding design and research experience.

This report includes the description of the selected projects through which the key modular design techniques are illustrated. By demonstrating the advantages and potential associated with applying the techniques, the report is presented to the architectural and engineering profession to promote structural repetition and modularity for the future, and help designers to achieve the modern industry’s standard by creating more elegant, efficient, economical and easy-to-built structures.

Turning Torso, Mälmo. © Yao Xiao.

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Parroquia del Cristo Obrero, the waving side wall constructed with red masonry tiles. © Yao Xiao.

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Parroquia de la Medalla Milagro, the triangular ceiling and the triangular symbol behind the pulpit. © Yao Xiao.

Somf structural fellowship yao xiao 04 2013

Conclusion

Modular form and arrangement are the two critical design aspects of architecture composed of repetitive modules. While repetition and modularity can bring about various architectural and engineering results, the extraordinary are differentiated from the ordinary by their ingenious modular forms that are properly placed to create the structural integrity. Aesthetically, modules are designed and arranged to accentuate the architectural concept and create visual impact through a sense of simplicity and logic. Structurally, modular form and arrangement are determined to provide efficient load transfer and ease the analysis process. Economically, structural repetition holds vast potential toward improved construction method and cost by enabling prefabrication and rapid assembly.

While the research was focused on demonstrating the modular design techniques that promote elegance, efficiency, economy and ease of construction, it also identified various problems and difficulties that prevented modularization from being realized. They are often related to vaguely defined modules, compromise of structural strength capacity, and lack of efficient fabrication technique. As the advantages associated with structural repetition and modularity are becoming broadly acknowledged by the architecture and construction industry, bridging the concept and realization of modular design and construction becomes the next step to truely benefit the industry’s practice in the future.

Middelfart Savings Bank. © Yao Xiao.

Somf structural fellowship yao xiao 05 2013

Automobile Shop in Salto. © Yao Xiao.

Somf structural fellowship yao xiao 06 2013

Helix Bridge, view from the platform. © Yao Xiao.

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Somf structural engineering yao xiao 2013 02

Yao Xiao
Stanford University

Yao Xiao

was born and raised in Beijing, China. Yao is an April 2013 graduate of Stanford University with a Master of Science Degree in Structural Engineering. She also holds a BS in Architectural Engineering, received from the Illinois Institute of Technology in May 2011.

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