Material System Research

This studio focuses on an intense exploration of digital design tools and computation as applied Generative logic to the architecture projects. Studio demands student to understand the principle of morphogenesis, through Biomimicry and Form-Finding approach to find the solution and use “Nature” as a mentor to demonstrate functionality, optimization and sustainability. Specific system in structure and architecture could be form found through the process of Self- Organization of a material system. The evolution of Form-Finding can also be done through series of analogue experiment through bottom-up design process along with computational simulation processes for the further analysis and optimization. Ultimatly the outcome is an material system and is responsive. Menges explains, “Material system does not only refer to the material constituents of a building alone, but rather describes, in a system-theoretical sense, the complex reciprocity between materiality, form, structure and space, the related processes of production and assembly, and the multitude of performative effects that emanate from the interaction with environmental influences and forces.”

Digital expertise:

Students are required to use intensively the computational capacity for three-dimensional design for the generation of form at the beginning of the design process and carry the 3D digital exploration throughout the final representation of the projects. The morphology and tectonic qualities aim of the studio is is ultimately aspire to fabricate enhanced components of the project to demonstrate the aesthetic effects and tectonic capacity of the design.

Students: Jose Diaz-Rivera & Paula Monteagudo, Alexandra Lopez & Maxine Lambert, Julio Cepero & Hugo Martinez, Daryl Fernandez & Armand Gorrell, Angel Tamayo & Sadiel Ojeda & Veronica Casadesus Celius, Hagar Abdou & Oriana Espinoza