Case Study: Zaha Hadid Architects achieves 50% chair weight reduction and enables complex lightweight shapes with Altair HyperWorks (Altair)

Complex and Lightweight Shapes Made Feasible with Altair HyperWorks

Zaha Hadid Architects’ Computation and Design group (co|de) set out to explore how 3D printing and topology optimization could produce complex, lightweight furniture and speed design iteration. To optimize a 3D‑printed chair and remove unnecessary material early in the process, they partnered with Altair and used the Altair HyperWorks suite (including HyperMesh and OptiStruct) alongside fabrication partner Stratasys.

Altair’s simulation experts helped build a custom HyperWorks workflow and plugin that integrated topology optimization into ZHA’s design environment, enabling a two‑step iterative process of meshing, OptiStruct optimization and geometry rationalization. The workflow delivered a structurally efficient geometry that cut the chair’s weight by 50%, reduced material use, improved stability, shortened engineer iteration cycles, and is being scaled to larger projects with Altair’s tools.

Zaha Hadid Architects