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Ddf smart materials FA09

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Maria R. Perbellini

Course Information: ARCH 5301 Special Problems in Architecture (3). Prerequisite: College approval. Individual study projects in architecture of special interest to students. May be repeated for credit. Particularly useful for Interdisciplinary Studies master’s program.

Credits: 3 semester credit hours

Course time: Tue 9.30-12.20 p.m. Room: 601 Office: 405 Arch. Bldg. Email: maria.perbellini@ttu.edu Phone: 806-742-3169 x 229


Smart Materials and Building Skins

The course on Smart Materials and their applications in building envelopes will engage students in research and development of fabrication strategies and material processes, and explore the potential for innovation in building components and their assemblies. A first phase of the course is dedicated to the analysis of design, engineering and manufacturing constraints related to emerging materials and high performance building skins. Case studies will explore the design of façade typologies through contemporary manufacturing methodologies and with regard to the novelty of materials of various cladding systems. Smart materials will be defined and classified in different types and characteristics in relation to input and output stimuli.

All the information collected during this course will initiate to compile the body of The College of Architecture’s Materials Laboratory.

A second phase will focus on engineering and scientific applications of smart materials and their use as smart products, and on their effects on the energy environments and systems. The definition of classes of smart materials will be linked to the exploration of their effects, and actions, but also to the changes and improvements of manufacturing technologies. What is today available and usable to the designer? What can we do with materials like extreme textiles, or with latest polymer and fiber composites? Students will be given a hands-on experience from small scale models to large scale mockups in different methods of fabrication, exploring material performances and employing the equipment of the digital design and fabrication laboratory.

Studio Blog: ddfsmartmaterialsfa09

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