On March 28, 2022, local time in Switzerland, the online evaluation results of the 2022 Geneva International Invention Special Exhibition were announced. Tsinghua University sent 41 participating teams and won a total of 45 awards, including 20 gold medals, 23 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals, setting a new historical record. Among them, the project completed by Professor Pan Peng's team in the Department of Civil Engineering, Associate Professor Huang Weixin's team in the School of Architecture, and Tsinghua Architectural Design and Research Institute won 2 gold medals.

1. “Bending-active freeform-knitted surface grid shell"

" Bending-active freeform-knitted surface grid shell " product display

The Bending-active freeform-knitted surface grid shell project focuses on the international frontier issue of building freeform surfaces. It innovatively utilizes the shape-finding property of elastic rods, combines digital design and simulation, and proposes a unique knitted structure technology system. The system uses elastic rod materials and standard nodes and can construct various complex freeform surfaces without customized processing. Its characteristics: easy construction, excellent structural performance, unique artistic expression, and reusable material, saves costs, is environmentally friendly, and has a wide range of application prospects.

2. “Snow Velvet Star"

“Snow Velvet Star"

Another achievement: "Numerical Control Machining Aluminum Alloy Profile Knitted Freeform Surface Grid shell" project, was the construction of system for making large-scale spatial freeform surface structures using aluminum alloy profiles, assisted by numerical control machining, including independently developed processing data algorithms, structural simulation algorithms, construction systems, lighting control systems, and prefabricated construction methods. The system has a simple and beautiful appearance, easy construction, high structural strength, and good durability. The team used this method to complete the large-scale public light art installation "Snowball Star" for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics. It was completed and put into use at the south square of the National Swimming Center and was reported by many media outlets, such as Xinhua News Agency, Beijing TV, The Paper, and Global Times.