Environmental Data-Driven Performance-Based Topological Optimisation for Morphology Evolution of Artificial Taihu Stone

Taihu stone is the most famous one among the top four stones in China. It is formed by the water's erosion in Taihu Lake for hundreds or even thousands of years. It has become a common ornamental stone in classical Chinese gardens because of its porous and intricate forms. At the same time, it has become a cultural symbol through thousands of years of history in China; later, people researched its spatial aesthetics; there are also some studies on its structural properties. For example, it has been found that the opening of Taihu stone caves has a steady-state effect which people develop its value in the theory of Poros City, Porosity in Architecture and some cultural symbols based on the original ornamental value of Taihu stone. This paper introduces a hybrid generative design method that integrates the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Bi-directional Evolutionary Structural Optimization (BESO) techniques. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation enables architects and engineers to predict and optimise the performance of buildings and environment in the early stage of the design and topology optimisation techniques BESO has been widely used in structural design to evolve a structure from the full design domain towards an optimum by gradually removing inefficient material and adding materials simultaneously. This research aims to design the artificial Taihu stone based on the environmental data-driven performance feedback using the topological optimisation method. As traditional and historical ornament craftwork in China, the new artificial Taihu stone stimulates thinking about the new value and unique significance of the cultural symbol of Taihu stone in modern society. It proposes possibilities and reflections on exploring the related fields of Porosity in Architecture and Poros City from the perspective of structure.