Abstract
Living architecture, changing in structure with annual growth, requires precise, regular characterisation. However, its geometric irregularity and topological complexity make documentation using traditional methods difficult and presents challenges in creating useful models for mechanical and physiological analyses. Two kinds of living architecture are examined: historic living root bridges grown in Meghalaya, India, and contemporary ‘Baubotanik’ structures designed and grown in Germany. These structures exhibit common features, in particular network-like structures of varying complexity that result from inosculations between shoots or roots. As an answer to this modelling challenge, we present the first extensive documentation of living architecture using photogrammetry and a subsequent skeleton extraction workflow that solves two problems related to the anastomoses and varying nearby elements specific to living architecture. Photogrammetry was used as a low cost method, supplying detailed point clouds of the structures’ visible surfaces. A workflow based on voxel-thinning (using deletion templates and adjusted p-simplicity criteria) provides efficient, accurate skeletons. A volume reconstruction method is derived from the thinning process. The workflow is assessed on seven characteristics beneficial in representing living architecture in comparison with alternative skeleton extraction methods. The resulting models are ready for use in analytical tools, necessary for functional, responsible design.
Highlights
Complexity of tree structural forms is addressed in the literature only to a limited extend
This is partly because most authors have focused on conifer stands in the forestry industry and partly due to historical limits to data acquisition, before the recent availability of detailed point clouds (PCs)
As results of our study we present selected photogrammetric PCs of living root bridges (LRBs) and example skeletons and reconstructed volumes of representative samples resulting from our workflow
Summary
Complexity of tree structural forms is addressed in the literature only to a limited extend. Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) and close-range photogrammetry (CRP) document the visible surfaces of objects They are used in the field of architectural heritage, where large buildings are documented, along with small scale details marking unique features, historic techniques and ongoing decay. While in simple structures a small number of accurate data points can be collected (e.g. using tacheometry) to represent edges and corners onto which shape primaries are mapped, in complex structures (e.g. an irregular curve in a branch) simple curves and surfaces cannot be interpolated and edges and corners are not clear This challenge is present, for example, in heritage documentation[14,25].
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.