In this course we are going to explore the design potential as well as the performance of essential wooden structures, built entirely by utilizing the elasticity of prefabricated planar or linear elements. The course is primarily offered to members of the doctoral collage computational design but as the topic overlaps with the module ‘form and design’ offered to graduate students of architecture some workshops, presentations and critics are planned as joint events to facilitate the exchange of ideas.
The design we are working on is based on the elastic deformation of planar elements, caused by stress induced by temporary or permanent tension elements like tension bars and cables or membranes, creating aesthetic, complex three dimensional, external load baring structures. we are going to explore and evaluate different design approaches and principles, trying to find material and energy efficient structures.
Flowing a preliminary design phase, dedicated to the experimental creation of abstract objects and the exploration of different principles and options, a functional structure, spanning a certain distance, capable of carrying a defined load, will be developed and built. So theory on design and active bending structures will be supplemented by practice and learning by doing.
To gain the necessary experience regarding shape, material behavior and design process we will use different design media and techniques like models, sketches, collages, mood boards. Flowing these initial steeps computational design and simulation will be used to evaluate and optimizes the design.
To understand the broad capabilities of the material wood and learn about its processing we are going to visit various production sites and workshops, schools, universities and museums in munich, basel and zurich during a four day excursion.
External researchers and designers with great expertise in the field will provide additional input during the course of the semester. Walter Klasz (university of innsbruck) will give lectures and run a workshop, Eike Schling (tu munich) will report on his related research and address digital design methods. In addition to this obligatory course we offer several complementary courses focused on design and fabrication.
Lecturer
- Peter Auer
- Udo Hertrich-Jeromin
- Christian Kern
- Walter Klasz
- Christian Müller
- Przemyslaw Musialski
- Helmut Pottmann
- Florian Rist
- Georg Suter
- Fridolin Welte
Dates
7/3/2017 – 28/6/2017
Workshop: 14-16/3/2017
Excursion: 20-23/3/2017
