My explorations into using living bamboo as scaffolding to support rigid formwork for casting concrete have helped advance my project, and there is a lot that I think works well about it. By using Rhino and Grasshopper, I have shown how the process could be done in a "file to fabrication" manner, where a computer model is created and plugged into the Grasshopper script, the formwork is then CNC routed or cut and the bamboo is cut using augmented reality and the computer model. However, the very high-tech approach, with offsite fabrication required and bespoke formwork only used once all seems rather at odds with the community-driven, environmentally conscious nature of the project.
In light of these feelings, I have come to the idea of replacing the rigid formwork with fabric formwork. On first impressions, this seems like it could fulfil all of the things required of it, the same as the rigid formwork, whilst eliminating or mitigating the problems that I have mentioned above. The fabric can potentially be used several times, and if not, it is not as wasteful as a one-use product as large quantities of plywood. It removes any need for off-site manufacture, and as the fabric is flexible, it can accommodate much greater tolerances than the plywood, which is important when the bamboo is still living and growing, and means that cutting the bamboo doesn't require the level of precision which necessitates the use of augmented reality technology.
Plywood and fabric formwork comparison table
As well as being more practical and inline with the ethos of the project, there is a good chance that it may lead to some interesting aesthetic effects, as is speculated upon in the images below, which would lead to a truly unique architectural project.
Speculated sagging behaviour of the cast material in the fabric formwork
I now need to test this concept out. I feel like physical modelling will be a good method for giving me an initial understanding of how fabric formwork behaves.
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