Hexashade

Developed within the master's thesis of João Carvalho the prototype explores the use of hexagonal ceramic blocks for the construction of vault shading systems whose geometry and internal structure are defined according to their solar incidence.

Context.

1. Surface do shade;

2. Simulation of solar incidence on June 21 at 5:00 p.m. without solar protection;

3. Simulation of solar incidence on June 21 at 5:00 p.m. with solar protection.

Concept.

1. Approach;

2. Discretisation of the initial surface in hexagonal blocks;

3. The attraction point that defines the permeability degree of each block;

4. Final vault structure with all components.

Block.

1. The contour volume;

2. Definition of the internal structure;

3. Division in layers to inform the machine;

Print sequence.

1. Inner contour line;

2. Inner structure (first line);

3. Inner structure (second line);

4. Outer contour.

Print sequence.

1. Inner contour line;

2. Inner structure (first line);

3. Inner structure (second line);

4. Outer contour.

Test arches.

Research team: Paulo J. S. Cruz, Bruno Figueiredo (coordination); João Carvalho (design and development); Samuel Ribeiro (technical support).