Geometry-Driven Design of Gridshells: Integrating Form, Force, and Fabrication

This paper explores how geometric optimisation can simplify the design and construction of gridshell structures, making them more efficient, fabricable, and adaptable to circular construction principles. While freeform structures often require customised components, this research investigates how specific curvature paths enable the use of standardised elements - beams, joints and panels - to form construction-aware doubly curved shells. Through a combination of computational form-finding, discrete optimisation, and structural analysis, we develop strategies for rationalising edges, nodes, and faces. The study examines how asymptotic grids enable plank structures to be assembled flat and then bent into shape. The structure is designed with consistent intersection angles, and allows for panelization with flat or singly curved fa??ade elements. Finally, we touch upon Principal-Symmetric Structures, aligning grid topology symmetric to the stress trajectories to balance the force distribution. This review paper highlights the benefits of architectural geometry and structural engineering, presenting a methodology that enhances material efficiency and construction feasibility, thereby defining a new design language for freeform structures. The findings are demonstrated through multiple case studies and give inspiration on how these principles lead to economical, scalable, and visually expressive gridshells.