Anna Konstantopoulou
Building Technology Graduation Studio
Freeform Transparency: Introducing a novel fabrication technique for curved glass utilizing knitted moulds
Glass is a durable, strong material widely used in structural and architectural applications, predominantly in flat, two-dimensional forms. However, modern architectural trends demand more complex, three-dimensional shapes, which are costly and wasteful to produce with current methods. Inspired by flexible moulds used in other materials, this thesis explores the potential of using knitted basalt moulds for glass slumping, a process that could enable the creation of customizable, freeform curved glass components. This novel and never previously tested fabrication method required extensive experimental research at the lab facilities of TU Delft. Experiments involved creating and testing hand-woven and CNC-knitted basalt moulds to identify the best material combinations for surface quality and geometric precision in the shaped glass. This novel technique indicated that employing such moulds is a promising method for creating intricate glass structures while being easily customizable and cost-effective, and offers the potential to enrich architectural fluidity designed with glass.