Demi Fang | Demi Fang

optimization

System-level design of low-carbon structures

System-level design of low-carbon structures — “What is more likely to be associated with a reduction in emissions: switching from concrete to timber, or shortening the spans throughout the building?” While such insights are valuable for mitigating emissions from structural systems

Trans-typology design space exploration using gradients

Trans-typology design space exploration using gradients — Does a timber beam or a steel truss result in a lighter structure? Between shortening the span and decreasing the load demand, which results in a more efficient structure? Structural designers pursuing high-performance design must

Mechanical behavior of timber joinery

Mechanical behavior of timber joinery — Conventional connections for timber structural systems typically use metallic fasteners rather than all-timber interlocking joinery connections as seen in historic timber construction. What is the potential to re-apply joinery to modern timber construction, given modern

Pluma

Pluma — With a design framework applicable to any site in the world, the Pluma installation envisions a lightweight future where structures generate more energy than they embody. Earned honorable mention at the IASS 2020 Design Competition.

Multi-objective greenhouse design

Multi-objective greenhouse design — We were tasked with designing a greenhouse for hobby-level vegetable gardening in Portola Valley, CA that would be as passive as possible. Modern greenhouse design involves the alignment of several objectives to ensure plant comfort,

Folded plate structures

Folded plate structures — What is the potential for folded plate structures to serve as a structurally optimized architectural typology? Get the Grasshopper definition on Github. Completed during my research internship at MIT’s Digital Structures research group during the