is the head of the Chair of Building Technology and Climate Responsive Design at TUM. As such, the core focus in teaching and research is a holistic design approach for buildings in consideration of sustainability and energy-efficiency. He guides scientific personnel within research projects on the application of simulation-software as planning instrument for the numerical calculation of thermal, lighting and flow specific processes. These insights with practical relevance can be made in the fields of thermal comfort, energy consumption and daylight supply. In research, the chair is conducting several projects with various sources of funding from public or private sector, on state, federal and European level.

is a research associate at Institute of Structural Design (ITE) of TU Braunschweig. He is responsible for experimental, theoretical and numerical research work as well as for the coordination of the cooperations within the SFB.

Networking with other projects

Poster

TRR277_C01_Poster_1-DFG-Review
TRR277_C01_Poster_2-DFG-Review

Digital models for AM involve many different geometric scales. These scales start from micrometres for metal- or concrete-based processes. AM product scales, which are in the centre of this project, characterise parts as well as entire constructions and range up to tens of meters.

Objective

This project has closely connected central goals: The first one is to develop a consistent description for the relevant geometric models. The second focusses on efficient simulation methods for AM products in construction, based on the multi-scale geometric models. Finally, special emphasis is placed on validation of the developed techniques.

Networking with other projects

Project C01 is directly connected to all three focus areas of the AMC: The process simulation project B01, projects connected to the production technology (A01, A06, A07, and A09) as well as the projects related to the design (C02, C04). We obtain experimental data such as geometric part details and material properties from the A projects and relay their part properties to the design projects. This loop is closed by a continuous verification and validation within C01 as indicated by the circular connection above. We also deliver our findings to C06.

Networking with other projects

Poster

TRR277_C02_Poster_1-DFG-Review
TRR277_C02_Poster_2-DFG-Review

The CO2 Project addresses excessive material consumption in construction by developing a Holistic Design Framework (HDF) for Additive Manufacturing in Construction. Current building practices often treat architectural, structural, and fabrication aspects separately, leading to material inefficiency. To address this, the HDF integrates these aspects concurrently by combining two complementary strategies: a Discrete Optimization Approach (DOA) for low-fidelity structural exploration and a Continuum-Based Optimization Approach (COA) for high-fidelity structural refinement.

Objective

Formalization of a Holistic Design Framework (HDF) based on:

• Multi-fidelity: bi-directional coupling of Discrete Optimization Approach (DOA) and Continuum-based Optimization Approach (COA).
• Multi-scale: concurrent design of optimal structural forms (global scale) and segmentation into structural components (local scale).
• Multi-material: adaptability to different material models and opportunity for material grading.
• Integration of specific AM-process-related constraints and objectives.
• Development of dedicated interfaces to other AEC disciplines (building physics, building informatics, construction management, life-cycle

Approach

The proposed framework will lead to material savings by designing efficient structural forms that can be realized through additive manufacturing. These structures will fulfil requirements and objectives according to the respective design task by iterating the
following workflow:
a. Exploration of the design space by form-finding structural forms in static equilibrium as discrete strut-and-tie networks (low-fidelity) using a Discrete Optimization Approach (DOA); generated structures
are optimized for additive manufacturing constraints and objectives based on topological and geometric design parameters.
b. Conversion of selected design solutions into continuous solid geometries with an associated material model for detailed design iterations (high-fidelity); topological, shape, and material optimization are carried out using a Continuum-based Optimization Approach (COA).
c. Back-mapping from COA to DOA for incorporating further insights gained by high-fidelity model optimization into the fast global design space explorations.
d. Segmentation of the optimal structural form (global scale) into components (local scale).
e. Integration of additional constraints and objectives derived from other disciplines, such as building physics and sustainable design.

Networking with other projects

Structural design plays a key role in additive manufacturing, both at the scale of entire structures and their individual components. Our methods are tailored to the specific requirements of various AM techniques, including particle-bed processes (e.g., SCA, SPI, SLM) and extrusion-based methods (e.g., WAAM, I3DCP). Close collaboration, especially with several A projects (e.g., A01, A09, A10) ensures these methods account for fabrication constraints. Additionally, we work with projects in focus area C to extend our framework toward integrated, multi-objective optimization—linking structural performance with building physics and sustainability (e.g., via C03). The Holistic Design Framework (HDF) developed in this project serves as a shared platform for testing and real-scale implementation across TRR 277.

is the head of the chair of structur alanalysis. He is responsible for all actions, in particular regarding research, education and administration. He was esponsible for the C02 project and its coordination within the TRR. He guided all staff in that context and decided about research actions.

Networking with other projects

Poster

TRR277_C03_Poster_01-DFG-Begutachtung (2)
TRR277_C03_Poster_02-DFG-Begutachtung (2)

This project aims to develop and test additively manufactured building components that integrate multiple passive and active functions to improve building operation and environmental quality. The performative features are directly incorporated into building components to fully exploit the potential of AM. Thus, recyclability and performance are enhanced by shifting the approach from complex multi-layered and multi-material to mono-material and multi-functional components. These components are developed and optimized through a simulation-based parametric design process for integrated performative functions. Thereby, this research aims for high robustness through functional integration in the design and fabrication process and intends to improve building performance.

Objective

The primary objective is to identify passive and active strategies to integrate into AM building components. And to verify suitable AM processes, geometries, functional scenarios, and their optimization potentials.

Expected outcomes:

• An analytic process to explore how complex AM component geometries can achieve minimum material usage and performance optimized intrinsic characteristics.
• Methods to incorporate optimized functionalities into AM building components through a simulation-based process.
• AM building components with multiple integrated passive and active functions.
• An intelligent management system for enhanced energy performance and better thermal and visual comfort in built environments.

Approach

• The methodology is based on simulations that predict specific indoor comfort metrics considering location, function, and climatic conditions under the components’ material properties.
• Assessment of multiple prerequisites for passive and active building component functions.
• A simulation-based parametric design process to explore, forecast, and quantify the benefits of multiple functionalities through energy efficiency and comfort-conscience stance.
• Established upon performance and potential analysis, variants are turned into physical mock-ups.
• Selection of prototypes, including their functional integrated building components, for testing in the research laboratory.
• Testing manufactured prototypes, using testing protocols to verify and validate the various simulation models.

Networking with other projects

C03 provides performance-based information for the connected projects in research area A. On the other hand, the simulation results will guide practicable design criteria required to fabricate demonstrator objects together with A- and B-projects. Furthermore, the evaluation and test results of C03 for building components with their integrated functions will be exchanged within the area C and provided to the A-projects.