A groundbreaking new algorithm developed by researchers at the University of Tokyo and a leading U.S. engineering firm is transforming architectural design by dramatically reducing the time needed to create complex curved structures called gridshells. The innovative NURBS-based computational method cuts design time from 90 hours on high-end graphics processing units to just 90 minutes on standard computer processors, representing a 98% improvement in efficiency that opens up bold new possibilities for architects worldwide.
Gridshells are lightweight, curved architectural structures formed from networks of intersecting structural members made of materials like metal, glass, or timber. These striking designs can span large areas without internal supports, making them ideal for covering broad public spaces such as train station entrances, museum courtyards, and open plazas. Notable examples include the British Museum's Great Court, the glass roof of the Dutch Maritime Museum, and New York's Moynihan Train Hall.
The research collaboration between Masaaki Miki from the University of Tokyo and Toby Mitchell from the U.S. engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti addresses long-standing challenges in gridshell design. "Traditional designs aim for shapes that carry their own weight entirely through the force of compression, but this limits how expressive or sculptural they can be," explained Miki. "We set out to find new ways to design shells that consider forces of compression as well as tension, allowing greater design freedom."
The breakthrough lies in the algorithm's use of NURBS surfaces, a standard digital format in computer-aided design that provides smooth, continuous, and highly precise surface representations. Unlike traditional mesh-based modeling that relies on thousands of triangular elements, NURBS surfaces offer architects a more familiar and accessible workflow. The researchers have integrated their technique into Rhinoceros, a commonly used NURBS-focused CAD platform, as a plug-in that architects can easily adopt in their everyday practice.
This technological advancement comes at a crucial time as architects increasingly seek alternatives to traditional reinforced concrete shells due to cost concerns, waste reduction efforts, and growing demand for more transparent and visually appealing materials. The shift toward sustainable and aesthetically diverse materials has encouraged wider exploration of gridshells, which use intersecting curves to create stunning architectural statements while maintaining structural integrity.
Previous attempts at gridshell design faced significant obstacles, including geometric and structural constraints, fabrication difficulties, and construction challenges that made these projects unrealistic for many clients. While Miki and Mitchell had previously developed a NURBS-based approach that addressed many of these issues, two critical problems remained: the method struggled with highly irregular shapes and required prohibitively long computing times that limited practical application.
The new algorithm successfully resolves both limitations by capturing stress distribution using NURBS surfaces combined with advanced computational techniques. "Because we are addressing a real-world problem, we have been rigorously validating our solutions by several test methods we also developed," said Miki. "When the tests revealed failures in the method, it was stressful. However, we are now totally happy because all solutions pass the tests."
The enhanced efficiency eliminates the need for expensive high-end graphics processing units, making advanced gridshell form-finding accessible to a much broader range of designers and architectural firms. The resulting structures remain stable under gravity while supporting practical metal-and-glass construction methods that can be realistically implemented in real-world projects.
Looking ahead, the research team plans to extend their method beyond metal-and-glass designs to include composite timber gridshells, thanks to advances in computer numerical control fabrication technologies. This expansion could further democratize access to sophisticated architectural design tools and enable even more sustainable construction approaches using engineered wood products.
The research, published in the December 3, 2025 issue of Transactions on Graphics Siggraph special issue, was partially supported by the Nomura Foundation, the JSPS Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, and JST ASPIRE. The work represents a significant step forward in computational architecture, potentially revolutionizing how designers approach large-scale structural projects and enabling a new generation of visually striking, environmentally conscious buildings.
