Self-Lock Pavilion aims to build a continuously smooth minimal surface from inter-locking shell parts without the use of additional joining materials/ devices.

The section of each notch is designed to allow movement in only one axis which is the one used during the assembly. The section of the notch is then robotically milled to the required tolerance.

The digitation is being developed to accommodate a sequential assembly and resist the local bending forces at the joints. We’ve explored variable shell thickness to control the center of gravity for self-stability.

After initial tests in 3D prints, we have assembled with robotically milled foam pieces and are exploring more rigid materials and larger size. Our aim is to build a small pavilion to test the concept followed by a larger structure.

The morphology/form of Self-Lock Pavilion is based on the experimental work in higher-dimensional and non-periodic structures at Lalvani Studio and builds on the 6-dimensional non-periodic minimal surface proposed by Lalvani (1986) as a continuously curved 3D surface related to Shechtman’s quasicrystal (1984).