Kagome Architectures

Kagome Architectures is a project focusing on generating fundamental knowledge and novel construction methods for realising free-form timber grid shells in architecture employing the Kagome weaving technique.

Kagome is a tri-axial weaving method that embodies principles for generating double curvature using only one straight strips of material. The project exploits these principles and applies them directly in the interlacing of solid timber members. It is anticipated that this can lead to a systematic and efficient method for achieving any free-form geometry using only straight stock materials, without the need for mechanical or chemical fixings within the structural lattice. 

The project has three primary research tracks:

• Material performance and characterisation of pre-stressed timber employed in weaving.
• Assembly logics – focusing on member-to-member jointing, assembly sequence planning and computational methods for segmentation of generated weave designs. 
• Design integration and demonstration – focusing on developing novel designs that expand the scope of building typologies realised using timber grid shells.

Kagome Architectures is a five-year project funded by the Carlsberg Foundation under the Semper Ardens Accomplish instrument (grant number CF-23-1255). The project runs from 2025-2029. 

The Carlsberg Foundation is an industrial foundation that supports basic scientific research within the natural sciences, social sciences and humanities conducted by Danish researchers and international researchers connected to Danish research environments. The funds for awards mainly come from the profits of Carlsberg A/S, in which the Carlsberg Foundation has a controlling interest. The Carlsberg Foundation was founded by Brewer J.C. Jacobsen in 1876.