digital aptitudes - Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture

SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 2012 - 12:30PM - 2:00PM
Technology Continued
As only one student had welded before, the rest acquired a great
education in the technique and the jigs they created to hold the
steel in position while welding were as interesting as the finished
product. The acoustic panels are constructed like a sandwich with
upholstery foam on both sides of an inner core of quarter inch plywood
to provide stiffness and a connection point for the hardware
to the frame.
The spider web-like steel rods were painted black to stand out and
the tubes painted white to “disappear”(hence the moniker of Spider
Cow). While there was concern the fabric cover was too delicate
and would be ripped or stained quickly, it has held up very
well over several months. Even so, it is designed to be easily replaced
as needed.
Even though our school lacks computer aided machinery, I think
our students demonstrated how it is still possible to create beautiful,
complex forms out of unfamiliar materials with the use of a little
ingenuity.
tetra | N
Glenn Wilcox, University of Michigan
Anca Trandafirescu, University of Michigan
tetra | N project is driven by the impetus to design a generative
self-supporting structure capable of variable form – through utilizing
a single robust detail – one which could be fabricated out of
flat stock material. tetra | n project accomplishes this through two
means. First is the development of part geometry based on a tetrahedron
(see diagram) – structured in this way – the generation
of more complex geometry through simple base geometry always
produces well - formed planar objects. Additionally, coincident
faces of adjacent tetrahedrons always produce continuous forms
– joints always meet correctly – regardless of the position or scale
of the next part. Secondly - through the utilization of Rhinoscript
– highly complex variable formed structures of n tetrahedrons are
possible. The script is simply ‘run’ on an assembled tetrahedral
base structure – part generation, connective element generation,
labeling, drill holes, and part flattening are integral functions of the
script.
tetra | N is formed as a single unified tower structure with an occupiable
base that supports itself simply by standing on the ground.
Depth and redundancy in the form develop not only a robust structure
– but a level of complexity and intricacy found only in organic
forms. The visual effect is of a structure that is, on the one hand,
highly ordered, rigorous and geometric, and on the other degenerates
into near chaos, simulates organic growth, and confounds
clear distinctions between foreground and background.