PDMB variations, research proposal, 2021

PDMB Variations researches the potential innovation of the typical (PEMB) pre-engineered metal building using parametric modeling, tapping into the inherent intelligence of this highly optimized system and ultimately delivering a new level of customization. Throughout our research process, we have been guided by David Byrne’s statement from the film True Stories: “Metal Buildings are the dream that modern architects had at the beginning of the century come true, but they themselves don’t realize it.” We believe that pre-engineered metal buildings have not lived up to the potential of their promise and that PDMB Variations offers new possibilities for this banal typology.

Our team represents years of study, a passion for metal buildings, and expertise in parametric modeling. The research project objectives are to:

Advance the formal and aesthetic potential of the typical PEMB by using parametric modeling to generate formal variations from standard components.
Provide variations on the standard PEMB sizes and profiles to create more dynamic forms, while maintaining the optimized structure, components and single-skin envelope.
Create a data rich, generative and qualitative design tool that can produce and evaluate an extensive catalog of PDMB variations.

Designed in collaboration with Ryan Haines. For an online catalog of the document visit:

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/65792034/pdmb-variations