Anyone know of any firms/people doing material research that is directly applicable to architecture? Transstudio's Transmaterial is a great start but I would like more. Thanks in advance.
There was an AIA-TAP(technology applied practice)/ACADIA conference at UT in Cambridge in the fall of 2004. Some of the speakers lectures are now up on ArchitectureRadio. Some were mundane and looked like machine processes/materials - some were really cool!!
Theme was computerized fabrication for architecture - which both allows more flexible use of materials, but also can potentially push the practicalities of fabrication for architecture. As architects are more familiar with CAD than the average 'Joe' in the build industry, it is a more natural development that design professionals will ultimately control building processes themselved as they become more CAM end savvy. Learning about materials is a natural progression of exploring fabrication and vice versa.
personal offshoot explorations in materials using conventional chemical milling in new ways applied to architecture - aesthetically
1) Evil technical manipulation of #316 stainless that won't hold up to welding after imaging/etching #316 stainless steel badge - DPM - note the attachment at two corners free floating in a notch. The etched piece is glued (boskik aerospace adhesive used to attach VE porcelain steel cladding to facades) into place on a similar unetched backing plate that is welded.
3) Mudejar (moorish design) influenced steel grills (8) - laser cut and conventional chemical milled before custom bronze patina. This has a different acid etchant chemistry solution and can be welded.materially abused steel plate
Typically all these processes are focused on making tiny electronic circuits or huge aerospace components like the space shuttle skins in titanium.
if you havent all ready you could check out the book "immaterial/ultramaterial" and the chapter devoted to the subject in bruce mau's "massive change". also maybe Young Architects 4: Material Process (Young Architects)
John fernandez at MIT is probibly one of the best right now. He is extreamly talented and actually more intense than a lot of the names listed above. He has a book coming out soon....if its not out already
Jul 20, 05 4:23 pm ·
·
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.
Material Research
Anyone know of any firms/people doing material research that is directly applicable to architecture? Transstudio's Transmaterial is a great start but I would like more. Thanks in advance.
Kennedy Violich Architects (www.kvarch.net)
Their lecture a year ago was an eye-opener. They even have a physicist on staff to help make things real.
thanks. any more?
ply architecture in ann arbor
www.plyarch.com
There was an AIA-TAP(technology applied practice)/ACADIA conference at UT in Cambridge in the fall of 2004. Some of the speakers lectures are now up on ArchitectureRadio. Some were mundane and looked like machine processes/materials - some were really cool!!
Theme was computerized fabrication for architecture - which both allows more flexible use of materials, but also can potentially push the practicalities of fabrication for architecture. As architects are more familiar with CAD than the average 'Joe' in the build industry, it is a more natural development that design professionals will ultimately control building processes themselved as they become more CAM end savvy. Learning about materials is a natural progression of exploring fabrication and vice versa.
ArchitectureRadio conference lectures
personal offshoot explorations in materials using conventional chemical milling in new ways applied to architecture - aesthetically
1) Evil technical manipulation of #316 stainless that won't hold up to welding after imaging/etching #316 stainless steel badge - DPM - note the attachment at two corners free floating in a notch. The etched piece is glued (boskik aerospace adhesive used to attach VE porcelain steel cladding to facades) into place on a similar unetched backing plate that is welded.
2) Acid stains on a concrete slab - controlled by new mask eliminating saw cuts half scale detail when enlarged
3) Mudejar (moorish design) influenced steel grills (8) - laser cut and conventional chemical milled before custom bronze patina. This has a different acid etchant chemistry solution and can be welded.materially abused steel plate
Typically all these processes are focused on making tiny electronic circuits or huge aerospace components like the space shuttle skins in titanium.
josh -- iagree with taboho: kva is a great firm exploring fascinating materials.
also, check out http://www.kierantimberlake.com/; specifically their smart wrap.
i am researching biomimicry and architecture and have started a discussion thread here on this -- there could be some overlap to your interests.
other industries are utilizing smart skin and nanotechnologies. hopefully the architecture industry will catch up soon.
if you havent all ready you could check out the book "immaterial/ultramaterial" and the chapter devoted to the subject in bruce mau's "massive change". also maybe Young Architects 4: Material Process (Young Architects)
The best i know - really intuitive search options
John fernandez at MIT is probibly one of the best right now. He is extreamly talented and actually more intense than a lot of the names listed above. He has a book coming out soon....if its not out already
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.