In exploring responsive architecture alongside with phenomenology, I came across this project that was commissioned by Centre Pompidou (in Paris) for its permanent collection. The interesting thing about this project is that Achim Menges and Steffen Reichert (designers) explored architectural systems that responded to climatic changes without any additional technology through the analysis of material behaviour and computational morphogenesis. The result was a system that responds to relative humidity. When the humidity rises, the system becomes porous to allow for ventilation of the moisture saturated air and vice versa. There are more than 4000 geometrically unique elements that were digitally fabricated; however, the system itself does not require technical equipment or energy. The system's responsiveness is rooted in the material system research. The dimensional instability of wood in relation to moisture content is employed to construct this climate responsive architectural morphology.
For me, I find this project intriguing in its innovation to create a responsive architectural system that doesn't require any computation in its function but rather uses computational design research as a tool to explore materiality. That way, the tectonics of architecture is no longer limited to the static nature of the material but has far greater potential to become dynamic in response. This opens up new ways in which architecture can engage the human experience.
http://www.achimmenges.net/?p=5083
What is good about this is that it not only is a useful reference for other students in the studio dealing with (among other things) moisture, water, and adaptive environments, but it also presents a very strong case for high level performance with (relatively) low tech operations.
ReplyDeleteThough this project is a prototype of what Menges and Reichert posit challenging architecture's ability to respond to variable environmental conditions and users, one can discern the potential the work holds for larger architectural applications. It should also be mentioned that the technology is second to the overall architectural effect. Everyone should remind themselves that strong architectural theses do not rely solely on technologies; they become dated, require finer levels of research, and most importantly for graduate architecture students, present opportunities for scope creep. Strong thesis work is focused. In this particular case, the designers have set a clear investigative agenda but note that the design epitomizes research work and both were done in tandem. Combined with the rapid prototyping Menges is adept in, the design-research synthesis is evident and lauded by others.
For anyone interested in this area of research I found a related thesis to this that could potentially be very useful:
ReplyDeletehttp://digitalcommons.ryerson.ca/dissertations/1063/