Tangled

A bird hide built by weaving robots

Technoledge design & robotic manufacturing in collaboration with Sara Edelaar & Pepijn Feijen

As part of the course Technoledge Design Informatics, the project explores the possible application of computational design and robotic manufacturing based on discrete element design.
The project brief was to design a nature and wildlife observation hideout in the ‘Nationaal Park Hollandse Duinen’, a national nature preservation park stretching along the coast of South Holland. The challenge in designing such bird hides is to camouflage bird watchers while allowing for multiple observation angles effectively.

Right from the start, the idea of using weaving to create a semi-transparent facade took shape. To give more depth to the shell of the bird hide, the woven structure was designed to describe 3D-shaped surfaces.
Spatially, the bird hide was simplified into a basic tunnel shape, recreated by folding paper and panelizing the surface into diamond-shaped frames filled with 2-way bend surfaces. This way, the design can be customized with frame parts suitably sized for robotic assembly. The structure can follow along curves by adapting only the joints and weaving patterns.

The design consists of two discrete elements: plywood frame parts and 3D printed joint connectors, with the rope serving as a flexible element. These elements form a set of building blocks that can be used to mass customize endless design configurations.

The prototype was built in two robotic assembly workflows. First, using a pick and place script, the frame parts are connected to the joints. Then, the frames are lifted into their 3D shape on stilts. During the second robotic assembly, rope is woven around the hooks on the frame, creating bend surfaces between the frames.

Academic Work, 2024
As part of the course AR0138 Technoledge Design Informatics
coordinated by Dr. Serdar Asut, tutored by Friso Gouwetor
Delft University of Technology