The Specialist Modelling Group focusses on three core areas, Geometry and Building Physics and Innovation. The Geometry team works on complex geometrical modelling and fabrication strategies. The Building Physics team looks at the movement of natural light, air and sound, while focussing on occupant comfort. The Innovation projects include collaborative research with universities and industry partners, exploring far-reaching ideas from bio-inspired engineering to extra-planetary 3D printing.
Specialist Modelling Group
Geometry Modelling
The geometrical parametric modelling of complex facades and roofs was the genesis of the Specialist Modelling Group at Foster + Partners and it is still at the core of our activities. Geometry modelling can be very widely applied from product design to pattern design.
Building Physics
We look at the way light, heat, air and sound move through a building and how those affect occupants’ perception.
Design Technology Innovation
Our current design research and innovation work is focused on five thematic areas: Technology, Design, Materials, Environment, and Futures. These have been driving change in architecture and helping transform the construction industry with the adoption of robotics, additive manufacture, augmented reality, drones, and other physical tools. Our work in this area involves forging collaborations with industrial partners to co-develop new technologies and help bring them to market.
Space Architecture
The role of the Specialist Modelling Group is to actively engage in research which deepens levels of understanding and to investigate opportunities that spring from new technologies and adjacent fields. Research extends into extra-planetary habitation, machine learning, self-organisation, biological evolution, adaptive structures, autonomous systems, fabrication with robots, material deposition and remote sensing.