82: `reactive Shells: A Low-Tech 2d System For Thin Concrete Shell Construction Via Material Feedback

Thin concrete shells offer structural and spatial efficiency. However, their constructions are often limited by the complexity and wastefulness of traditional formworks. This research introduces a low-tech, reusable method using 2D plywood frames and fabric as flexible formwork. Concrete is poured and bent during curing using hand winches or turnbuckles. This enables curvature to emerge from the dynamic interactions of force, material behavior, and time. Here, time is an active agent rather than a passive backdrop. The construction method is suitable for resource-constrained settings and reduces material waste. Multi-scale prototypes demonstrate the possibility of forming thin shells without rigid molds or advanced tools. Digital simulations were used lightly to understand prototypes. They helped refine stress and curvature of the shells. Beyond its technical application, this work offers a conceptual framework where materials and geometry develop together over time, opening new ways to approach responsiveness in architecture.