Interlocking architecture comes in all shapes and sizes, from the pyramids of Egypt to contemporary constructions with intricate and inventive designs. This method looks good and has practical benefits such as structural strength, earthquake resilience, and effective material utilization.

The Connection between Interlocking Design and Structural Integrity

The vital concept of masonry construction has stayed mostly unchanged for many years. Generally speaking, using concrete or stone blocks gives the entire structure high resistance to compression loads. However, other elements, such as the mortar?s quality, the accuracy of the assembly, and the material qualities, also affect the structure?s stability. Interlocking principle-based structural systems offer an intriguing way to get around some of these issues. In this particular instance of masonry construction, three-dimensional (3D) surface pieces can be assembled from individual blocks without the need for cement or extra seams. The mutual arrangement of the construction components and the geometrical pattern provide the system’s overall stability. Interlocking components serve as a foundation for the design process and programmatic evolution from the outset. The idea is to design flexible systems that are simple for everyone to use and install.

The modular construction of interlocking homes is built with a review of housing through precedent study, sketching, and 3D modelling. These prefabricated, modular homes are made up of parts that fit together differently. The parts are arranged into rooms, the dwelling is integrated into the rooms, and the homes are combined to form communities.

The National Museum of Qatar: Pushing Boundaries with Interlocking Discs and Innovative Materials

One of the significant examples of interlocking architecture is this modern museum designed by Jean Nouvel. It evokes the timeless depth and fluidity of the desert devoted to Qatar?s heritage. The desert rose, a mineral structure formed when minerals condense beneath the outer layer of a salt basin into a series of flat plates imitating rose petals, inspired the building?s aesthetic and dramatic appearance. Massive interlocking discs comprise the structure, with varied diameters and curvatures that are spherical in section. Most disks lay “horizontally” over other disks. The “vertical” disks serve as the structure’s support system, distributing the weight of the horizontal surfaces to the base. The interior is a landscape of interlocking discs, just like the exterior, with monochrome and neutral finishes. The polished concrete floors include little mineral aggregates and a sand-coloured appearance. Stucco-Pierre, also known as stone stucco, is a traditional plaster made of gypsum and lime that gives the vertical walls the appearance of stone. Mineral wool is sprayed with a microporous soundproof plaster to cover the ceilings. They represent the innovative building materials used. The interlocking discs are supported by a steel structure that supports an insulated waterproof framework. The discs are covered with sandy-coloured glass-fibre-reinforced concrete that resembles the desert and blends quite well with the surrounding landscape.

Building a sustainable and resilient architecture

The potential of interlocking architecture to promote resilient and sustainable building practices has drawn a lot of attention to this design and construction technique. Reducing material waste during construction is one of the main benefits of interconnected architecture. Conventional construction techniques frequently lead to substantial material waste, which raises expenses and degrades the environment. On the other hand, interlocking systems minimize the need for shaping or cutting and save waste because they are made to fit together, and preserving resources not only encourages sustainable building techniques but also helps developers and builders save money. Interlocking design has advantages for structural integrity as well as chances to increase building energy efficiency. Better thermal performance and reduced use of energy for heating and cooling can be achieved by incorporating insulating materials with the help of interlocking components.

Exploring the Intricate Design of the six-unit Interlocking blocks in the Living Art Pavilion

The living art pavilion is made up of six interlocking concrete blocks that connect a tea house and furnishings store to a technology park in Shenzhen. The ground floor of the office building in the industrial park houses commercial and cultural spaces that, when combined with the pavilion, offer a multipurpose area for entertainment. The tea house takes up two blocks and the furniture shop four, with the central two blocks, combine to form a huge interior area that serves as the business’s exhibition space. The structure has a courtyard area and a sloping roof, which references traditional home features. The pine-textured concrete rib beams accentuate the sloping roof’s aerial perspective impression. The trees in the courtyard are hard to see because of the varying heights of the walls and roofs. A wonderful example of a pedestrian-friendly public area was built with building profiles and interfaces interacting with one another, which is one of the modern architecture concepts.

In summary, interlocking architecture has several advantages, including sustainable construction techniques, aesthetic value, and structural stability. Its historical roots, use of diverse materials, and uses in modular construction and space optimization highlight its importance in contemporary architecture and architectural design trends. We can help create built environments that are robust and sustainable by adopting interlocking architecture.

Sources

• Ghosh, S., Saha, P., & Das, S. (2019). Seismic response of interlocking brick masonry building: A case study. Procedia Engineering, 201, 10-17
• Kumar, S., & Bhattacharjee, S. (2015). A review on interlocking compressed earth blocks. International Journal of Earth Sciences and Engineering, 8(5), 1771?1776
• Kurokawa, K. (1977). Nakagin Capsule Tower. Architectural Design, 47 (7/8), 471-477
• Weizmann, Michael & Amir, Oded & Grobman, Jacob. (2017). Topological interlocking in architecture: A new design method and computational tool for designing building floors. International Journal of Architectural Computing. 15. 10.1177/1478077117714913
• https://www.archdaily.com/913989/national-museum-of-qatar-atelier-jean-nouvel
• https://www.designboom.com/architecture/stu-d-o-interlocking-masses-macrocare-office-bangkok-11-03-2019/
• https://www.dezeen.com/2019/06/08/living-art-pavilion-mozhao-architects-shenzhen/