The context for Smart Structures Lab is set within the Digital: through design, analysis and fabrication. We give you a platform for inventing your specific interest and focus; by analysing an aspect of your own choice, by situating your project, and by investigating the use of new materials, technologies, aesthetics, and novel spatial organizations -‐ results can be unconventional. In rule based geometries and self-‐forming structures, we analyse, systematize and re-‐articulate catenary, shell, or membrane systems and methods of and for architecture, so that these concepts become design drivers that apply mathematical principles, for new architectural paradigms. These are applied in the design of a structure that produces shade in an open outdoor scenario (as a test case, Bondi Pavilion courtyard can potentially hold such a prototype).
Students, as part of the Smart Structures Lab (Master of Digital Architecture Research) at the University of Sydney investigated self-forming systems and rule based geometries for catenary structures, membranes and shells. Karamba was taught and utilised at a 4 day intensive workshop to guide the students in setting up geometries for structural anaylis and fabrication for a fashion show at Sydneys Brand-X L3 Central location.
Instructors: Dagmar Reinhardt, Alexander Jung (reinhardtjung), Eduardo Barata (UFO), Rob Beson (AR-MA) & Iain Blampied, with assistance from Sascha Bohnenberger, Clemens Preisinger & Matthew Tam (Bollinger+Grohmann)
Location: University of Sydney, Architecture, Design& Planning, Australia
Status: Student Seminar + Workshop + Installation at Brand-X, L3 Central, Sydney
Year: Fall 2014