Distinguished Lecture: Computational Differential Geometry & Fabrication-Aware Design

Speaker: Dr Helmut Pottmann, KAUST and Vienna University of Technology
UCL Contact: Steve Marchant (Visitors from outside UCL please email in advance).
Date/Time: 26 Feb 14, 18:30 - 20:30
Venue: Gustav Tuck LT
Further Information:

A drinks reception will follow in Wilkins Garden Room

Abstract

This talk will present an overview of my recent research which evolves around discrete and computational differential geometry with applications in architecture, computational design and manufacturing. From the mathematical perspective, we are working on extensions of classical differential geometry to data and objects which frequently arise in applications, but do not satisfy the classical differentiability assumptions. On the practical side, our work aims at geometric modeling tools which include important aspects of function and fabrication already in the design phase. This interplay of theory and applications will be illustrated at hand of selected recent projects on the computational design of architectural freeform structures under manufacturing and structural constraints. In particular, we will address smooth skins from simple and repetitive elements, self-supporting structures, form-finding with polyhedral meshes, optimized support structures, shading systems and the exploration of the available design space.

Dr Helmut Pottmann

Helmut Pottmann earned a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Vienna University of Technology in 1983. He has held faculty positions in Germany (Kaiserslautern, Hamburg) and the US (UC Davis, Purdue) and has been Professor of Applied Geometry at Vienna University of Technology since 1992. In 2009 he became Professor at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, where he served as Director of the Geometric Modeling and Scientific Visualization Center until 2013. Pottmann has co-authored two books and more than 200 articles in scientific journals. He is also co-founder and scientific director of Evolute GmbH, a company which offers services and software to industries facing challenges related to complex geometry.