Archinect - News

Exquisite play on materiality defines "Maison de Quartier de Chatelaine-Balexert" by Stendardo Menningen Architectes

2017-01-19T13:24:00-05:00

Designed as an easily accessible community center that, according to its architects, would preserve "a logical continuity and preservation of the existing landscape as well as construct synergies with the surrounding buildings," the Maison de Quartier de Chatelaine-Balexert benefits from a sophisticated material interaction.

The visual interplay between the concrete and wood, along with the angular, Dan Flavin-meets-Daniel Libeskind-interior lights, creates an exquisite structural passageway. It functions both as an intriguing space in itself and a facilitator of its surrounds.

Designed by Geneva-based Stendardo Menningen Architectes, the building was commissioned by the client Ville de Vernier and completed in 2016.

Students explore structural concrete strategies in “Weave.X”, from AA Summer DLAB: ORANGE

2016-11-29T13:52:00-05:00

Twenty-one participants from 11 countries got to hone their skills in computational design and research during the AA Summer DLAB: ORANGE workshop at AA's London campus this past July. Building upon the last two Summer DLAB cycles, students worked side by side in researching and developing innovative architectural strategies to construct 3-D interwoven concrete structures. With guidance from AA Summer DLAB tutors and collaborators, students also applied techniques related to geometry rationalization, material behavior, and robotic fabrication.

The three-week program culminated with the creation of a full-scale, working prototype installation called “Weave.X”, which now stands on display in the midst of Hooke Park.

Keep reading for more about the fabrication process behind Weave.X.

“Initial computational form-finding techniques explore the generation of a network of interwoven elements via a bundling algorithm developed in Grasshopper. The algorithm enables the user to locally different...

Students go above the double-curve in “InFlux”, from AA Summer DLAB::RED

2016-07-27T18:49:00-04:00

Contrasting against the greenery of Hooke Park is “InFlux”, a brick-red wall prototype that 18 students and their tutors assembled for the AA School of Architecture's Summer DLAB::RED 2015 program. Taking place from July 27 to August 8, the RED-themed agenda explored the phenomenal process of decay in nature.

InFlux builds upon the material behavior research that began in 2014, with further investigations that connect geometry, material, and structure. During the first two weeks, students investigated the fabrication and construction of double-curved complex geometries in applying generative design techniques and robotic milling strategies. Students then applied their skills in constructing the 1:1 working prototype during the last seven days of the program. Since then, InFlux has become a permanent installation at Hooke Park.

Also be on the lookout for more from 2016 Summer DLAB::ORANGE, which just started earlier this week.

Keep reading for more about InFlux's fabrication process:

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Barkow Leibinger’s “Kinetic Wall” prototype exhibited at the Venice Biennale 2014

2014-06-11T20:37:00-04:00

American/German architectural practice Barkow Leibinger is back at the Venice Biennale with "Kinetic Wall". Specifically designed for this year's Biennale, the prototype highlights the evolution of wall-making while also standing as an ode to the 20th century fantasy of kinetic architecture -- or architecture that can move. Kinetic Wall is currently on display in the Wall Room at the "Elements of Architecture“ exhibition in the Venice Biennale.

Get more details on Bustler.

See it in action in the video below.