Advancing Bio-Based Construction: Co-Design of a Natural Fiber-Timber Hybrid Architectural System

This paper presents the co-design methods for a new hybrid load-bearing system as a strategy for advancing bio-based architecture. Timber and natural fiber polymer composites (NFPC) are combined into a hybrid system, offering opportunities to leverage their strengths while balancing the use of natural resources. The system performs synergistically, with each material fulfilling complementary roles. Timber extrapolates its structural function by acting as an embedded frame for the fibers to be wound on. The paper presents computational methods designed to optimize material performance while integrating functionalities and fabrication opportunities. A dual-robot winding method is presented as a solution for balancing winding tension in the structure during fabrication. The hybrid system is demonstrated through the design and construction of a pavilion, the first to combine NFPC and timber into a dual-robotically fabricated structure on an architectural scale. The project represents further advancements in multi-robot fabrication and a novel material approach toward bio-based hybrid systems in architecture.