Design Criteria and Procedures for Archaeological Shelters: Towards Flexibility Thanks to Algorithmic Modelling

Many examples of archaeological shelters can be found over sites and a wide range of literature illustrates their features. However, it seems that only a few have passed through a proper assessment phase of their effectiveness and compatibility to the archaeological remains. which is mainly due to proper detailing of the building solution in respect of general conservation criteria. Furthermore, in some cases, shelters have proven to worsen environmental conditions that they are supposed to protect. In this paper design criteria for archaeological shelters are proposed, in respect of the three main themes recognized as crucial: general architectural quality, conservation effectiveness, structural and functional detailing. To deal with the wide range of cases where such criteria must be applied, an innovative tool providing the desired flexibility in the design procedure is taken into consideration. Algorithmic modelling in Grasshopper environment, a plugin for Rhinoceros 3D software, offers the required features thanks to a linear workflow, where the general characteristics of the structure as far as its structural details can be implemented. Every element is represented by a set of parameters in the plugin rather than a single object in the ‘parent’ modelling tool, thus allowing easy change to the design. Other plugins provide additional tools for specific tasks, such as finite element analysis, safety verifications and structural optimization. The paper presents the methodology for the implementation of the entire workflow and the preliminary assessment of its results, from the structural and architectural point of view, showing good adaptability to several possible design choices (position of pillars, truss number, roof pitch, etc.). Structural optimization is also executed. The future implementation of environmental parameters (e.g. daylight, ventilation, temperature), as an additional set of restraints, will complete the framework on which a final assessment will take place.