Research - LaufsED LLC

SPINS | Structurally Printed Insulating Nodes System

Most building façades require metal parts to hold structural loads on the outside, so they transfer too much summer heat or winter loss, known as problematic “thermal bridging”. We aim to use innovative highly insulating structural 3D printed parts instead, with much-reduced CO2 footprint! High-strength integrated Carbon/Kevlar/Glass fibers give free-form pieces provide high-durability and long-term strength. The parts are directly designed via BIM modeling & Digital Fabrication approach.

We want to reduce energy loss due to building facades caused by thermal bridges, usually made of metals with high thermal conductivity (50 W/mK for steel and 250 W/mK for aluminum). Metal details with high-strength capacity are currently used to transfer forces from outside to inside, also metals can be machined to fit complex façade geometries, but this construction method must be improved.

Conventional plastics have much lower, beneficial thermal conductivity (<1 W/mK), however such materials were not strong & durable enough over time to carry building elements such as balconies, shading, rain-screen and other load (wind & snow) in the past.

Recently, 3D structural printing has become market-ready, where the printer is BIM-fed any 3D geometry file that now also is reinforced with strong durable fibers (carbon/glass/kevlar fibers). We own such printers in Berlin and New York and have started to perform promising systematic load tests at HTW Berlin already. We want to 3D-print thermal bridging façade parts!

2017

Laufs, W.: ‘Engineering für den Markt USA – gebaute Fallbeispiele’; 13th façade conference Fassade13, Augsburg/Germany 2017

Laufs, W., Cersosimo, A.: ‘Expansion of Spacial Realities – Digital Fabrication Built in the US’; IASS Conference Interfaces – architecture.engineering.science; Hamburg/Germany 2017

2016

Laufs, W., Nefedov, A.: Jumbo- Size Glazing Engineered – Recent Projects in New York City; (continued) conference paper GlassConGlobal, Boston 2016

Laufs, W.: ‘Recent structural façade innovations – US case studies’; What’s Next Conference – Competence Center Façade and Metal Engineering of the Lucerne School of Engineering and Architecture, Lucerne/Switzerland 2016

Laufs, W.: ‘Innovative Building Skins Engineered – Recent Project Examples in the US’, 11th Conference on Advanced Building Skins, Bern/Switzerland 2016

Publications

Biomimicry – Adaptive Dome Grid-Shell Structure

Phyllotaxis – the formally growth pattern of leaves – will follow a spiralling pattern in certain specimen. Our research is focused on studying and producing dome structures that follow the logic of these geometric governing rules. Efficiency governs a plant’s form: leaves are laid out to maximize photosynthesis: they steadily grow in a Fermat’s spiral with Fibonacci numbering. Guided by these principles, we are primarily focused on producing dome structures in urban environments that use these growth patterns to mediate and adapt between buildings to create new environments. We address issues of construction logistics for packaging and fabrication, performing material research in metal, wood, or polycarbonate ribs to support line weight EFTE cushions to make a membrane that brings light into these spaces.

2014

Laufs, W., Desarzens, P.: ‘Ductal-Fassade Louis Vuitton in Aventura/Florida’, Zeitschrift fur den gesamten Ingenierubau, Bautechnik, 03, 2014

Laufs, W., Linares, N.: Recent US Innovative Glass Projects; GlassCon Global; conference proceedings, 07/2014

Laufs, W., Linares, N.: ‘Dünnwandige Freiformstrukturen – The Return of the Rivet, Parametrisch formulierte Metalloberflächen, Stahlbau, 12, 2014

2013

Laufs, W.: Reviewer for Tensile Fabric Structures – Design, Analysis, and Construction; Task Committee on Tensioned Fabric Structures of the Special Structures Committee of the Metals Committee of the Technical Activities Division of the Structural Engineering Institute of ASCE

Laufs, W., Verboon, E., “Innovative Facade Design and Products” In Curtain Wall Systems, A Primer, edited by Ali M. Memari, 154–194. American Society of Civil Engineers, 2013.

Laufs, W., ‘Applied Research Anyone – What We Can Learn From the German System of Engineering Education’; 2013 (in publication)

2011

Laufs, W., Verboon, E.: Chapter in book publication ‘New Developments in Façade Design’; Penn State University, 2011 (in publication)

2010

Laufs, W., Vilkner, G.: Gekruemmte Glasflaechen – Zusammenspiel von Geometrie und Glasdetaillierung, Stahlbau Sonderheft Konstruktiver Glasbau, Germany, Ernst & Sohn, 2010

Laufs, W.: Kaltgebogene Freiformflaechen; Conference Glasbau; Proceedings; Dresden; 2010

Laufs, W.: Visions Engineered – Freeform meets Form-finding; Smart Geometry Conference, Barcelona; 2010

Laufs, W.: Interview in Architectural Record Magazine, Article “Shattering Myths about Glass”, May 2010

Laufs, W., Vilkner, G.: Transparent Glazing for Free-form Building Skin – Parametric Modeling meets curved Glazing Engineering; AEC Conference PennState Uni, Pennsylvania; June 2010

2009

Laufs, W., Luessi, W.: Glass Roof for Hurlingham Gentlemen’s Club in London. Stahlbau Spezial, Konstruktiver Glasbau, Wiley & Son, April 2009

Laufs, W.: ‘Archineering’ Trends for Tensioned Fabric Structures; Proceedings ASCE Conference, Austin/Texas, May 2009

Laufs, W.: ‘Parametric Manipulation of Metallic Tent Surfaces – Example Highpoint Sail Hippie- Teepee Woodstock’; Textile Roofs 14th Int. Workshop, Proceedings CD, Berlin, Germany, 2009