Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
OpenStructures
open-in-new
<h2 id="grid">Grid</h2> <p>The OpenStructures grid is built around a square of 4 x 4 cm and is scalable. The squares can be further subdivided or put together to form larger squares, without losing inter-compatibility. The image shows nine complete squares of each 4x4 cm put together. </p><p>Designers use the OS grid to determine dimensions, assembly points, and interconnecting diameters. This allows parts that were not originally from the same design to be used together in a new design. </p> <h2 id="scales">Scales</h2> <p>OpenStructures works at several <a href="/facts/Scale_model/YgCtlwqb">scales</a>, and analogies are made to <a href="/facts/Biological_system/yKqVbaxu">biological systems</a> including (from smallest to biggest):<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> </p> <ul><li><i>Parts</i>, like <a href="/facts/Body_tissue/H7CpML7A">body tissues</a>.</li> <li><i>Components</i>, like <a href="/facts/Organ_(biology)/FUYsLaxz">organs</a>, formed by the functional grouping together of multiple tissues. An example is a motor.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a></li> <li><i>Structures</i>, like a group of related organs in an <a href="/facts/Organ_system/KAWNntR0">organ system</a>. Here, different components are composed with frames and joints, such as a bicycle.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a></li> <li><i>Superstructures</i>, like <a href="/facts/Organism/j8JkL09u">organisms</a>, can be understood as the whole hierarchical assembly of different structures that together function as a stable whole which has the capacity to grow and develop. Example are houses or <a href="/facts/Electric_vehicle/jhCbx5ur">electric vehicles</a>.</li></ul> <h2 id="open-architecture">Open architecture</h2> <p class="note">See also: <a href="/facts/Open-source_architecture/jFQRRajW">Open-source architecture</a> and <a href="/facts/Modular_building/phPP0JzH">Modular building</a></p> <p>One of the research areas of OpenStructures is architecture. Architects of the Brussels Cooperation Collective<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> have worked on the subject.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> </p><p>Autarchitecture (<a href="/facts/West_Flemish_language/TmPERRaB">West Flemish</a>: <i>autarkytecture</i>, from <a href="/facts/Ancient_Greek_language/LIK7NlUh">Ancient Greek</a> <i> auto</i> 'self' and <i> architecture</i>) is based in OpenStructures and proposes flexible constructions that can adapt over time.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a> </p><p>Open smart brick elements and buildings can be based on OpenStructures. </p> <h2 id="other-uses">Other uses</h2> <p><a href="/facts/Fab_lab/mFpmGF2b">Fab lab</a> Academy had been building several <a href="/facts/Beehive/VQMwYFHq">beehives</a> making use of the OpenStructures system to make them more sustainable.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="see-also">See also</h2> <ul><li><a href="/facts/3D_printing/lbvWU3t0">3D printing</a> – Additive process used to make a three-dimensional object</li> <li>Contraptor</li> <li><a href="/facts/Modular_building/phPP0JzH">Modular building</a> – Prefabricated building or house that consists of repeated sections</li> <li><a href="/facts/Modular_construction_systems/kEFEdhzh">Modular construction systems</a> – Construction techniquePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets</li> <li><a href="/facts/Open_architecture/mou6VjUD">Open architecture</a> – Software design paradigm emphasizing ease of swapping out and modifying components</li> <li><a href="/facts/Open_source/7X9rCdz4">Open source</a> – Source code made freely available</li> <li><a href="/facts/Open-source_architecture/jFQRRajW">Open-source architecture</a> – Emerging design paradigm emphasizing collaboration and ease of use</li> <li>Smart brick</li> <li><a href="/facts/WikiHouse/NHm84y4n">WikiHouse</a> – Project for designing and building houses</li></ul> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="http://openstructures.net/">OpenStructures</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.z33.be/en/projects/workshop-openstructures-open-architecture">Workshop OpenStructures / Open Architecture</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.intrastructures.net/Intrastructures/About_-_what_we_are..htm">Instrastructures</a></li> <li><a href="http://enviu.org/our-work/open-source-house/">Open Source House</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FXTlOytJRI">Open Structures: Thomas Lommee</a> at TEDxEutropolis</li> <li><a href="https://vimeo.com/9641834">Brussels Cooperation (Case Study n°1: Congo) - Workshop OpenStructures / Open Architecture</a></li> <li><a href="http://www.contraptor.org/forum/t-273404/contraptor-openstructures">Contraptor + Openstructures ( 20mm metric version )</a></li> <li><a href="http://p2pfoundation.net/Open_Structures_Project">Open Structures Project</a> at the P2P Foundation</li> <li><a href="http://urbantimes.co/2014/08/urbanization-design-concepts/">3 Design Concepts To Revolutionize Urbanization</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>"OpenStructures :: everyone designs for everyone". openmaterials.org. 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://openmaterials.org/openstructures-everyone-designs-for-everyone/" target="_blank">http://openmaterials.org/openstructures-everyone-designs-for-everyone/</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>About Z33, Z33.be <a href="http://m.z33.be/en/about-z33-mobile" target="_blank">http://m.z33.be/en/about-z33-mobile</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>"Page > About. > show". openstructures.net. Retrieved 2016-01-13. <a href="http://openstructures.net/pages/2#vraag-1c" target="_blank">http://openstructures.net/pages/2#vraag-1c</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>"OpenStructures :: everyone designs for everyone". openmaterials.org. 2012. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://openmaterials.org/openstructures-everyone-designs-for-everyone/" target="_blank">http://openmaterials.org/openstructures-everyone-designs-for-everyone/</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>"Search". openstructures.net. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://openstructures.net/pages/11/components" target="_blank">http://openstructures.net/pages/11/components</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>"Triangle bike". openstructures.net. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://openstructures.net/pages/14/structures/35" target="_blank">http://openstructures.net/pages/14/structures/35</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>"OpenCargoBike". openstructures.net. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://openstructures.net/pages/14/structures/3" target="_blank">http://openstructures.net/pages/14/structures/3</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Brussels Cooperation Collective <a href="http://www.bc-as.org/" target="_blank">http://www.bc-as.org/</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>"Workshop OpenStructures / Open Architecture". z33.be. December 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2014. <a href="http://www.z33.be/en/projects/workshop-openstructures-open-architecture" target="_blank">http://www.z33.be/en/projects/workshop-openstructures-open-architecture</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Short Description and Master Document Case Study n°1, The project Case Study n°1 is a master plan for a social centre and community in Katanga, Congo, developed in collaboration with ‘Intrastructures’, a Belgian design studio. This was developed according to the ‘OpenStructures’ principles. <a href="http://brusselscooperation.be/bcstudies/?p=96" target="_blank">http://brusselscooperation.be/bcstudies/?p=96</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>"Thomas Lommée & Christiane Hoegner - Autarkytecture". z33.be. 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20141231104727/http://m.z33.be/en/artworks/thomas-lommee-christiane-hoegner-autarkytecture" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20141231104727/http://m.z33.be/en/artworks/thomas-lommee-christiane-hoegner-autarkytecture</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Valldaura Bee Monitoring, OpenGreens <a href="http://opengreens.net/category/cities/barcelona" target="_blank">http://opengreens.net/category/cities/barcelona</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>