Four researchers from different universities collaborated to create rolyPOLY – a unique flexible shelter produced by robotic winding of carbon fibers. The 20-pound, single-occupant CFRP prototype is seen as an example of the potential of tensioned CFRP as a means of creating complex architectural structures with minimal construction waste.
“The successful completion of rolyPOLY shows the potential for the use of preimpregnated carbon FRP tow in conjunction with tensile modeling for architectural-scale projects within the context of digital craft,” the researchers wrote.
The researchers chose the preimpregnated CFRP due to workability, consistency, overall stability, curing attributes, toxicity and overall strength. The rolyPOLY took the form of a hendecahedron (11 faces) consisting of 10 flat surfaces, two of which left open for user access. The actual making of the shelter required a complex robotic winding process, curing, demounting and installation.
