### Gridshell Nodes  
Gridshell nodes have three main functions. First, they ensure structural integrity by transferring forces between the members; second, they play a key role in the assembly and prefabrication of a gridshell; lastly, they accommodate the small geometry changes between the connecting members. In addition, they can serve as visible objects that enhance the architectural concept. Gridshells, like other shells, transfer forces primarily through in-plane membrane forces, which in gridshells are subjected to the members as axial forces. Although this enables efficient material usage, the slenderness makes shell structures subjected to compression forces prone to buckling and stability issues. In gridshells, the nodes are an integral part of the structural system. An assumption that these are rigidly connected to all the adjoining members is both an unrealistic and unconservative estimate. Rigid connections imply a complete transmission of bending moments between members and nodes, which causes the analytical model to be significantly stiffer than the actual system. Figure 1: The node at the Printshell project and the ANSYS analysis at the project. Rigid connections are only possible in practice if all members are welded to the node. In addition, small gaps and imperfections from production allow for small node movements. Modelling connections as either pinned or rigid is common in almost all practical finite element analyses. After extracting the forces in the node, a connection with the appropriate number of fasteners to withstand the internal forces is selected. By using a more realistic node stiffness based on the actual properties of the connector, the global behaviour of the system will be altered. For larger buildings and structures, the cost of the extra analysis done by the engineer is unfeasible compared to the price of some additional bolts and welds. However, for gridshells, where the form follows the forces, the advantage of accurate accounting for node rigidity is significant. A recent study by [PERSON] et al. demonstrates this importance on an elastic timber gridshell by comparing the deflections of a full-scale model to those of a numerical analysis [4]. Without considering the joints' rigidity, the analytical model underestimates the deflections and fails to capture the gridshell's physical behaviour. Therefore, joint rigidity is an important factor when evaluating gridshells as using pinned joints in the evaluation often leads to unstable structures, and rigid joints could result in too unconservative estimates. Several studies report this, including [5; 6; 7]. Nodes are also often reported as the most expensive parts in realising gridshells [8; 9; 10]. Nodes are thus both crucial for the structural integrity and the final cost of a gridshell; however, recent studies by the authors have shown that gridshell nodes are not a pronounced priority in recent research on gridshells [11]. When selecting nodes for a steel and aluminium gridshell, manufacturing companies can provide a set of pre-accepted solutions. For timber gridshells, the nodes are typically developed for each project. Analyses of gridshell nodes are typically done using solid elements as seen in the recent studies by [PERSON] et al. [12] and [PERSON] et al. [7]. Like in the Printshell project presented in Section 2.1, the analyses require exporting to separate tools for performing the meshing and analyses. Structural or mechanical engineers often drive the design of nodes. [PERSON] et al. describe [13] how timber engineers designed the nodes for The Pods sports academy B&K Structures with Westmucket and Hawkes (structural consultants) as sub-contractors for the detailing of the nodes. The geometry deviations between the members'- and the node's plane can be described with three angles, often referred to as the U-, V-, and W-angles [14]. Figure 2 illustrates these three angles.