Archinect - tekton

Self-Similar Structures.

2013-04-01T15:08:10-04:00

I have been doing more work on this conceptual project that originated in one of my Thesis support classes (ADGM-620 with Ammar Eloueini at Tulane).

This whole project has brought up issues around the boundary between art and architecture - it is originally conceived of as a structural system, but it works well as art due to the inherent aesthetic value and the pleasing aspects of self-similarity and emergence in the structure. Part of me wants to mount it on a white box in an interesting shape, do 4 more and call it a series of sculpture, part of me wants to use it to create a large-scale form or structure with some kind of shape and function.

I imagine that I will end up doing both and letting the piece diverge as necessary to fulfill the needs of the space and program. The radical realization here comes from the fact that in art, there is still a context, a function, and a need, but they are aesthetic and conceptual instead of the hard needs such as shelter, protection...

Drawing from Experience

2013-01-24T16:31:01-05:00

Sketching is a crucial part of any Architect's skillset, and that is no different on the fabrication side of things. I wanted to share a few sketches with the archinect community as they often look much different than traditional conceptual or space planning sketches I was doing in school.

All the stuff your professors said about drawing double lines and using single strokes begins to really be important when you are attempting to visually communicate important technical details as part of a sketch.

Pilot v5 Fine

Sakura Pigma Micron 01, 03

Materials ed. 2 - Aluminum / In The Shop - Volkan Alkanoglu

2013-01-23T20:23:44-05:00

I posted last week on Volkan Alkanoglu’s sculptural installation for Cedar Rapids, IA. This week we continue with progress shots of fabrication.

After braking and indexing, the pieces were TIG welded to the backer plates which mount on the wall. The alloy used is 5052-H32 Aluminum which is known for superior ductility and weldability, and that has held true for this project.
In 5000 series Aluminums, Manganese is the second most abundant metal, imparting good ductility and workability. This contrasts with pure 1000 series aluminums, and the 4000 series, which is alloyed with Silicon. Both these series are lightweight and easily welded, but have poor mechanical properties, and will crack when bent. 2000 (copper), and 6000 (magnesium) series Aluminum is easily bent or formed, however it requires a more costly and time intensive pre and post weld processing period to achieve stable mechanical properties. 7000 series are difficult to form and require extensive post hardening, b...

Mesa Verde

2013-01-17T10:55:00-05:00

Mesa Verde

This past fall, I took an extended weekend to go see the ruins at Mesa Verde. I am just now getting caught up on all my personal projects and essays, so with that, I bring you this.

Mesa Verde is a series of cliff dwelling spread throughout the Southwestern corner of Colorado, they were constructed by the Ancestral Pueblo peoples around 1200 C.E.. This is my second trip to Mesa Verde - I can remember scampering through the doorways of many cliff dwellings as a child of 8, however since that clearly preceded my architectural education, it was nice to head back. I also now have the privilege of a rich context in which to place the ruins. Pre-Columbian archaeology has always fascinated me. I enjoy the mysticism of tracing human occupation in the Americas and appreciate archaeology as more than just the origins of architectural drawing and much of renaissance thought. I always stop for archaeological ruins as I travel (and skateparks), and it was pleasing to ...

Digital Tools and Efficiency

2013-01-16T15:57:10-05:00

Recently at the studio, the owner of Demiurge and myself were discussing this amazing interview of Rives Rash by Aaron Willette on his Archinect blog ( www.archinect.com/blog/article/56381985/shop-talk-rives-rash ) and I sketched this out to help visualize the issues we were discussing.

The graph shows that the greatest savings in time occurs as a shop moves from traditional fabrication into existing CNC technology, while there are diminishing returns in the pursuit of the absolute cutting edge of CNC fabrication. This simple visualization helped us to realize that some processes are simply better left to the experts, while other methods of fabrication would show relatively large savings.

Simple yet effective, like many of the visualizations and tools we use.

In The Shop - Volkan Alkanoglu

2013-01-10T11:23:00-05:00

Demiurge just received the processed material for fabrication of Volkan Alkanoglu’s sculpture for the Convention Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is an exciting project for us as Volkan represents an emerging breed of public artist who apply rigorous design processes, material research, and contextual specificity in an effort to create public art that is as much about emergent visual phenomena as it is traditional aesthetic qualities. There is a new paradigm in public art; the synthesis of a wide range of disciplines, from color theory to metallurgy, and the mastery of algorithmic modelling programs has allowed public art to transcend traditional typologies to become less figurative and more abstract in a way that speaks directly to the new processes and tools used in design and fabrication.

Aluminum sheet was waterjet and indexed, and sent for brake forming, or bending, to create the radiating planar shapes of the finished piece.

During fabricati...

Materials ed. 1 - Basalt

2012-10-04T09:59:00-04:00

Let’s talk about materials.

Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock with an extremely fine material structure, making it largely homogenous. When heated to 1500 degrees Centigrade and extruded through very fine holes, basalt produces a fibrous filament, similar to carbon fibers or glass fibers. This filament can be woven into sheets of material in the same way that other composite materials are, and when used in place of fiberglass, basalt exhibits a higher modulus of elasticity, higher yield strength, greater resistance to acids, chemicals, abrasives, UV radiation, high energy electromagnetic waves, and superior thermal stability. Basalt can be used in place of carbon fibre to offer superior thermal control, significant cost savings, and composite parts that outperform carbon in extreme environments, as well as offering significant environmental savings over traditional composites. The unique attributes of basalt, particularly the high tensile strength, exceptional strengt...

Fragmenta Build and Installation, Anchorage, AK

2012-08-27T18:34:55-04:00

Demiurge LLC. recently installed this piece by Osman Akan in Anchorage Alaska as part of a new forensic crime laboratory. This is a good way to get a feel for what a piece of this size requires in terms of fabrication and logistics in design, modelling, fabrication, planning, shipping, and installation.

(Artist's Blog is http://studioosmanakan.blogspot.com/ )

Welcome

2012-08-23T17:01:20-04:00

My name is Nick Cecchi, I am the Lead Designer at Demiurge LLC, a small Sculpture and Architecture fabrication firm. I received my M.Arch in 2010 from Tulane University of New Orleans after which I did a little interning and bounced around until I landed with this atelier. I have always excelled in fabrication and concentrated my academic efforts in Engineering, Fabrication, and Digital Technologies.

Demiurge specializes in high-end custom sculpture production from gallery-based work to large-scale exterior public art. It's Los Angeles and Denver-based shops are fully equipped with expert teams of craftsman ready to handle labor intensive projects of any scope, in any location. From conception to installation, Demiurge brings artists’ vision to life through a meticulous planning process, state-of-the-art design and cutting-edge installation techniques. The studio also provides restoration services and uses specialized material suppliers and local partners for projects across...