The Yas Hotel is one of the main architectural features of the Yas Marina development. Asymptote envisioned an architectural landmark embodying various key influences and inspirations ranging from the aesthetics and forms associated with speed, movement and spectacle, to the artistry and geometries forming the basis of ancient Islamic art and craft traditions.

Of architectural and engineering significance is the main feature of the project’s design, a 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear forms constructed of steel and 5,800 pivoting diamond-shaped glass panels. This Grid-Shell component affords the building an architecture comprised of an atmospheric-like veil that contains two hotel towers and a link bridge constructed as a monocoque sculpted steel object passing above the Formula 1 track that makes its way through the building complex.

The Grid-Shell visually connects and fuses the entire complex together while producing optical effects and spectral reflections that play against the surrounding sky, sea and desert landscape.

The architecture as a whole “performs” as both an environmentally responsive solution and as an architecture of spectacle and event. The entire jewel-like composition of the project responds visually and tectonically to its environment to create a distinct and powerful sense of place as well as a breathtaking backdrop to the Formula 1 and other events that the building will celebrate.

2-Layer Center Ring

Cell Cycle

A collection of jewlery combining the strategy of the radiolarian with that of a catenary surface that makes strong, yet visually delicate volumes with minimal material use. They’ve created an interactive software were buyers can personalize their piece. The bracelets are composed of a bilayer structure that juxtaposes two patterns on top of one another. The final designs are built up layer by layer in durable nylon plastic using Selective Laser Sintering.

“Computational design, for us, means creating computer programs as part of the design process. This goes beyond using computer programs as a tool.  It is computation as a medium. It isn’t just automating something you could do by hand, like drawing a thousand lines, but doing things that really only make sense by writing software.  It is new, and we’re still trying to understand it but computation is a medium for making things.  Programming is a very explicit process.  Nothing happens without you telling the computer to do exactly that thing.  In some ways, it is the most verbose and articulate creative process there is.”

a brief except from the introduction Jesse wrote for the Easton Pribble Visiting Artist lecture at Pratt MWP, posted on September 27th, 2010.

Wave bracelet

Wave bracelet