Architect 2014-07.pdf

More documents

Recommendations

Info

92 ARCHITECT JULY <strong>2014</strong> WWW.ARCHITECTMAGAZINE.COM AREA EXPLORES THE POTENTIAL OF THE LIGHTWEIGHT, HIGH-STRENGTH MATERIAL. Carbon fiber has unparalleled strength and lightness, but it is one of those sexy modern materials whose cost stymies its usefulness in architecture. That cost barrier could begin to disappear if architects become strategic in its use. Anca Trandafirescu and her husband Glenn Wilcox— both assistant professors of architecture at University of Michigan and principals of Area in Ann Arbor, Mich.—took this approach by developing carbon fiber architectural units that can be joined to form structural framing, scaffolding, and lightweight construction. They observe that, by weight, carbon fiber is 18 percent stronger than aluminum and 14 percent stronger than steel. Standing 14 feet tall and 8 feet wide at the base, their C-Lith prototype is a semi-cylindrical, hollow structure composed of 143 interlocking carbon fiber modules that vary in shape and size. Each unit measures about 2 feet in its longest dimension and weighs about 3.5 ounces. “Lightness has been more of a technical question for Glenn,” Trandafirescu says, “but for me it is also a question of cheapness.” To make C-Lith, the designers worked with spools of prepreg, or carbon fiber filament pre-impregnated with epoxy resin to stay malleable and sticky until baked. However, prepreg must be wrapped around something to give it form prior to curing. In lieu of the metal molds that other carbon fiber researchers have used, Wilcox and Trandafirescu opted for inexpensive cardboard molds. They derived the molds’ form, along with that of the C-Lith structure, from a packed tetrahedral base geometry. A computer script translated each four-sided tetrahedron into a four-pronged unit, which they cut and joined out of cardboard to make the molds. Of course, the cardboard molds would ignite in a regular kiln, so Area built an elementary oven powered by 18 infrared heat lamps that max out at a relatively cool 260 F. After baking for four hours, the hardened carbon fiber pieces are soaked in water to remove the molds. Meanwhile, a parallel set of cardboard pieces are formed into a mock-up tower, or dummy jig. These are then swapped, one by one, for the carbon fiber components. Glued-on node plates and cotter pins connect the components, which can be quickly disassembled and reassembled. The jurors were pleased by Area’s material exploration but wanted a greater sense of purpose and refinement. “This opens the possibility of what you can do with carbon fiber, but I don’t think it does anything more than be a sculpture right now,” juror Gerardo Salinas said. Juror Bill Kreysler said, “This technique, which is fundamentally sound and reliable and potentially economical, could evolve into things that become more complete. And less [visually] scary.” To set the shape of the modules, Area baked the carbon fiber–wrapped molds in an oven at 260 F for four hours.
93 BRIAN KELLY CITATION Area sculpted the 14-foot-tall, 8-foot-wide, and 31-pound C-Lith installation from carbon fiber pre-impregnated with epoxy resin. The structure’s form was derived from a packed tetrahedral base geometry. ARCHITECT JULY <strong>2014</strong> WWW.ARCHITECTMAGAZINE.COM
Page 1 and 2:
Maigret Arquero Design Studio 56 Fi
Page 3:
©2014 Eldorado Stone, LLC If you c
Page 6 and 7:
4 ARCHITECT THE AIA MAGAZINE JULY 2
Page 8 and 9:
6 07.14 ARCHITECT THE AIA MAGAZINE
Page 10 and 11:
Torsion >> Dark Bronze with Mahogan
Page 12 and 13:
THE MAGAZINE OF THE AMERICAN INSTIT
Page 14 and 15:
NEW TWIST EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT,
Page 16 and 17:
14 DIALOGUE ARCHITECT THE AIA MAGAZ
Page 18 and 19:
16 CONTRIBUTORS ARCHITECT THE AIA M
Page 20 and 21:
Circle no. 94 or http://architect.h
Page 22 and 23:
20 FRONT ARCHITECT THE AIA MAGAZINE
Page 24 and 25:
Page 26 and 27:
24 FRONT Jo ,.., "' :z: ,.., ;;: ..
Page 28:
Page 31 and 32:
62 ND ANNUAL PROGRESSIVE ARCHITECTU
Page 33:
Circle no. 233 or http://architect.
Page 36 and 37:
INTRODUCING
Page 38 and 39:
TM 300SERIES> • 6’ to 12’ •
Page 40 and 41:
Invisiware® fittings hide inside t
Page 43 and 44:
AIANOW across the institute By Will
Page 45 and 46:
AIAFEATURE 39 In 2013, RKTB/Perkins
Page 47 and 48: We built a better way to access AIA
Page 49 and 50: Designers don’t always work in a
Page 52 and 53: 46 CENTER ARCHITECT THE AIA MAGAZIN
Page 56 and 57: CENTER CRUSHTM CRUSH ©2011 modular
Page 60 and 61: CENTER HENRY MYERBERG, FAIA PRINCIP
Page 70 and 71: Where concrete and imagination meet
Page 72 and 73: The versatility of Sunbrella ® fab
Page 74 and 75: CENTER Circle no. 76 or http://arch
Page 83 and 84: 77 8TH ANNUAL R+D AWARDS Intro by W
Page 85 and 86: 79 Patkau architectS createS Shelte
Page 87 and 88: 81 FXFOWLE ARCHITECTS REINVENTS THE
Page 89 and 90: 83 BRIAN PETERS AWARD DesignLabWork
Page 91 and 92: 85 Construction Sequence Do|Su StuD
Page 94 and 95: 88 ARCHITECT JULY 2014 WWW.ARCHITEC
Page 96 and 97: 90 ARCHITECT JULY 2014 WWW.ARCHITEC
Page 100 and 101: 94 ARCHITECT JULY 2014 Embodied Car
Page 102 and 103: 96 ARCHITECT MONTH 2014 WWW.ARCHITE
Page 104 and 105: Call for Entries! Our 29 th annual
Page 107: 101 COURTESY KENNEDY & VIOLICH ARCH
Page 111 and 112: The fastest, most hygienic hand dry
Page 113 and 114: SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Classif
Page 115 and 116: SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION Resourc
Page 117 and 118: Advertiser Page Circle Website Phon
Page 119 and 120: ...and you shall find. ARCAT.com pr
show all

Architect 2014-07.pdf

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?