Learning from Failure: Hybrid Fabrication of a Gridshell Canopy Structure Using Timber Battens and 3D Printers

Construction courses are fundamental to architectural education, and prototyping is an effective way to engage students in hands-on learning and one of the most effective methods for teaching practical skills. Furthermore, these courses must incorporate digital technologies, as current professional trends increasingly demand their use. But how can we integrate these elements into lecture-based courses that are constrained by limited time and resources? This paper describes the design, fabrication, and assembly of a free-form gridshell structure as part of an undergraduate course at the Faculty of Architecture, Yaşar University. The prototype was constructed using a hybrid fabrication technique that combines timber battens with 3D-printed connections, facilitating both assembly and potential disassembly. Over the course of 14 weeks, students developed the structure through an iterative design-build process, gaining a unique, hands-on learning experience in experimental construction. The paper highlights how the development of the structure proceeded deliberately, with reflections on failures between iterations. This approach not only facilitated learning but also led to relevant research findings. The final prototype serves as a proof of concept for the advantages of hybrid fabrication, making it suitable for temporary structures within architectural and engineering curricula. The insights gained from this practical experience can contribute to both structural engineering and architectural education by providing valuable knowledge on digital production and structural design processes. Additionally, the study contributes to the ongoing discussion about the performance of 3D-printed nodes under challenging structural conditions, highlighting both the potential and the limitations of this emerging technology.