Renaissance Pavilion features an inflatable structural skin that is precision-cut by computer-controlled machines. It fully inflates in a little more than an hour, and the entire skin is 100% recyclable through a process called Texyloop.

Wind turbines will help generate the power needed to maintain the inflatable structure and any lighting systems deployed during the evening. The hope is that the pavilion will be completely self-sustaining and will provide a versatile performance space even in off-the-grid locations.

Various Architects’ project “Yorkshire Diamond” was a finalist in the open international competition for a mobile pavilion for Yorkshire Forward. The Yorkshire Diamond Pavilion is a unique and iconic venue that is designed to represent Yorkshire Forward at events around Yorkshire and Humber or further abroad.

The project is an attraction in itself with a striking exterior in the form of inflatable tubes arranged in the atomic structure of diamonds. The 20 x 26 x 10 meter diamond grid volume is mined out to form a cavernous interior space reminiscent of the coal mines of Yorkshire. Light and air shafts pierce the structure providing natural light and ventilation. At night the translucent shafts and outer skin radiate light in all colors and directions like a diamond twinkling in the sunlight.

A focus on flexibility gives the pavilion multiple configurations which allow it to be used for everything from small gatherings to large conferences or public presentations. The voluminous internal space will surprise and delight when installed in close quartered public squares. The pavilion can also be turned ‘inside out’ to open up a large covered area to open outdoor spaces to create the ultimate mobile venue for concerts or big-screen events.

Innovative sustainable features that can generate energy during transport and while installed, together with lightweight recyclable materials will demonstrate Yorkshire Forward’s commitment to the environment wherever the pavilion is situated. Creative new uses of existing proven technologies make this pavilion design possible to produce and operate for a reasonable price.

Source: Google

Based upon 3-dimensional “cellular automata”, m.any displays the concept and prototypical realization of a complete digital work flow from parametric design to production on CNC-machines. An irregular spatial structure generated by algorithms was controlled and manipulated through an especially developed software. In addition to the calculation of the complex geometry, the software also generated necessary parametrical construction elements for the realization.

A masters project for a group of postgraduate students of Computer Aided Design (CAAD) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, m.any was realized during a three month period. Intertwined with the programming process, construction studies and fabrication systems were developed. Using construction data directly derived from the 3D-model, m.any variations could be explored and tested. Using a combination of JAVA and RhinoScript, the group were able to generate, test and prototype the design process ensuring that it met the assessment criteria. 3D printed models were created during initial visualizations, followed by laser-cut, component based models.

The final and realized spatial structure consists out of 1500 individual parts all generated and produced in a seamless digital workflow. 111 main assembly frames were CNC milled, and precisely 1368 MDF connection pieces were laser-cut. In total 34 hours were spent in the workshop cutting all of the pieces, in addition to 16 hours of installation and construction time within the gallery.

(http://peterbooth.wordpress.com/category/casestudy/page/2/)

Christina Doumpioti
Architectural Association, Emergent Technologies + Design

The core idea of this research is the incorporation of the morphogenetic principles found in natural systems in the generation of fibre-composite structures by exploiting, at the maximum, the intrinsic performative capacities of the material system in use. The intention is the integration of form, material, structure and program into a multi-performative system that will satisfy simultaneously several, even conflicting objectives, in order to achieve an optimal compromise. This process involves the combination and implementation of concepts and methods based on precedent studies in the field of biomimetics, as well as form-finding digital and physical experiments that inform a coherent design methodology, leading to a structural system able to be fabricated using cutting-edge technology.

DUBAI, UAE 2006

Construction 2007

Size: 31,400 sq. m

Type: Office

Structure: Concrete Shell, steel, glass

In May of 2009, the exterior shell of O-14 was topped out, revealing the full height concrete exoskeleton, which surrounds the tower in a lace-like veil.

O-14, a twenty-two storey tall commercial tower perched on a two-storey podium in the heart of Dubai’s Business Bay, comprises 300,000 square feet and is a collaboration between RUR Architecture of New York and the Creek Side Development Company of Dubai. O-14 is located along the extension of Dubai Creek, occupying a prominent location on the waterfront esplanade.

The design of O-14 fundamentally shifts away from the architectural norm in current Dubai towers by eliminating the now obligatory curtain wall and above ground parking in favor of a shade-producing, concrete load-bearing shell and an open public space at the tower base achieved by moving the parking below ground.

High-strength self-consolidating concrete was cast around a basket weave of steel reinforcement resulting in an elegant perforated exterior shell. The holes are achieved by introducing computer numerically cut polystyrene void forms into the rebar matrix, and sided with modular steel slip forms prior to the concrete pour. The concrete shell of O-14 provides an efficient structure that frees the core from the burden of lateral forces and creates highly efficient, column-free open spaces in the buildings interior.

The shell is not only the structure of the building but acts on the interiors as a sunscreen open to light, air, and views. The openings on the shell are modulated depending on structural requirements, views, sun exposure and luminosity. A space nearly one meter deep between the shell and the glazing creates a ‘chimney effect,’ a phenomenon whereby hot air has room to rise and effectively cools the surface of the window wall behind the perforated shell. This passive solar technique essentially contributes to a natural component to the cooling system for O-14, thus reducing energy consumption by 30%, just one of many innovative aspects of the building’s design.

The project has generated extraordinary international interest in the architectural press. It is among the very first innovative designs to be constructed among a sea of generic office towers that have come to be the standard in Dubai’s recent building boom.

Jesse Reiser and Nanako Umemoto, the principals of RUR Architecture, credit the Creek Side Development Company for encouraging their innovative design approach to O-14 and refer to their relationship as a ‘unique collaboration’. Each floor of O-14 has been already been sold to future tenants who can arrange the flexible floor space according to their individual needs. In addition to office tenants, the building will contain upscale retail spaces and a restaurant at promenade level, as well as an elevated podium restaurant for formal dining with spectacular views of Dubai Creek and the rest of the neighboring Dubai skyline.

Source: Google

Light in Islamic architecture, then, is used to symbolically represent God’s presence in a space while emphasizing the colour and texture of decorative elements, materials, and architectural articulation. One particularly intriguing mediator of light and space in Persian and Indian architecture is the screen or jail.

“Meet the Taichung Center, Taiwan’s massive eco-friendly installation. The building comes complete with eco-skin, a Venetian blind-style covering which will allow airflow and light to enter the structure.  The center will also feature large grassy areas in an effort to focus on the Eastern wisdom of harmony between nature and dwellings.  Taiwan hopes that this new project will spur interest in renewable building practices throughout country and become a landmark among future eco-designed structures.

Perhaps even cooler than the building’s concept and design is the use of Photovoltaic Glass.  PV Glass produces residential solar power like a panel while still functioning as a window.  As Sir Norman Foster said, “solar architecture is not about fashion, it is about survival.”  He’s right, but with Taiwan’s very modern appeal and radical design, solar panels would have likely distracted from the theme and greenways because of their need for space.  It may not be about fashion, but we humans love the aesthetic appeal. So we may as well create it.”

The Cybertecture Egg, an office building, located in Mumbai , India, was design by a firm based in Hong Kong called James Law Cybertecture International Ltd. They have started to use technology to create a new language called cybertecture, which they apply to this building. The main concept is planet earth working as an ecosystem that allows live to evolve, to morph over time using technology, providing its habitants optimal work space. The idea is to blend tangible materials (concrete, steel, and glass) with intangible materials (technology, multimedia,intelligence, and interactivity). The skin of the building is its main structure, which allows the building’s floors to span up to 30 meters with no interior supports.