Ddf studio FA11 Pongratz
From TTU College of Architecture
Christian R Pongratz
Office: 705 C
Email: Christian.Pongratz@ttu.edu
Studio location: 511
Phone: 806-742-3169-226
Course time: m,w,f>1-4.30 P.M.
Re0bootitECOLOGIES studio
This Studio is targeted to explore the potentials of the parametric design paradigm with specific regards to the digital crafting of material ecologies and attempt to generate ECO_organizational structures for an architectural and urban injection in environmentally sensitive environments.
The studio work will test in particular strategies for scalable components, which offer a proliferation logic and differentiation on various scales, from the urban configuration scheme to building skin elements. Material systems will be developed that are able to branch from the micro material to macro building to superscale conditions.
The concepts of emergence and deep surface will form the basis of research for methodologies that help to choreograph those innovative material ecologies.
The project
The project develops through a series of partis of 3D-pattern models, prototypes of “landscapes” that are subject to continuous manipulation over time. Geometry of surfaces is key and any forms shall be designed and organized in such a manner, so they develop into a cohesive relationship of topological forms with complex nesting and mutation
Since the exploration goes into structures, materials and shape being not separate entitities, the projects are assembled in a bottom up strategy by their components and integrating their emergent modalities of development.
The bio-mechanical futuristic approach in recent competitions applies also to the sustainable lab competition. This competition (link below) seeks to explore and develop ideas, systems, and applications utilizing sustainable designs for the Marine Research and Education Center laboratory and campus, based on the actual building program of the facility and the project goals of the partners. The design approach seeks to harmonize the construction of new facilities with the insertion into an existing ecology of a natural environment. This may succeed with the explored application of a bio reef diversity approach to architecture and the use of new materials, technologies ( green tidal, wind, sea, bio fuel and solar energy ideals).
>extract from futuristic water competition (link below)
…The bio reef Diversity theory suggests that cities will evolve complex organism type architectures starting this century. The evidence is becoming clearer sustainability works best when formed based on natures fluid diversity, the rectangle and straight lines are integral to lifestyle needs however there is a crossing point where the box becomes a strain on sustainability building. devising a rule system like the 70 % rule maybe usfull. (see the 70% Theory )
The curve linear ratio in architecture such as the architecture of Zaha hadid Architects London, Is very interesting the The bioreef diversity theory states curve linear ratios should outweigh straight linear ratios. This ratio has become more interestingly studied also in sustianable fluid diverse architectures.
The Iconic is a needed reality for a sense of place and navigation in our cities, for individual orientation and comfort as we know. The Bio reef Diversity Theory argues that this can still be achieved if desired. through a Fluid biological diverse future, Even amongst the diversity and complexity of coral reefs iconics can emerge if desired.
we have an example of nature where this fluid diversity works. The Coral Reefs can provide an insight into how our cities may begin to function, These are our great ecological ancestors and origin, we share 70% of our DNA with Sea Sponges, this is not a future fantasy ideal purely because (a) we know we need to learn from natural structures and (b) we already have buildings in London which have adopted construction techniques found in Coral Reefs such as the Swiss Re building and London Hall.
Many revolutionary architects state that cities should evolve forest-like Such as ( William Mcdonoughs •Buildings Like Trees, Cities Like Forests The Catalogue of the Future: Pearson Press, 2002) Publication. The truth is we should learn from all of nature which im sure william Mcdonough would agree.
However many of the forms found in coral reefs fit our spatial endeavours and our needs incredibly more profoundly than other forms of nature. In terms of forms and structures which are useful for particular energy efficiency and material strength and efficiency. This is particularly found When exposed corals respond to strong currents, This behavoir and genetic makeups bode well with on land wind currents also.
70/70 Rule System example
Human beings 70% water
ocean globe coverage 70%
Coral Human DNA 70%
FURTHER READINGS:
• H. Pottmann, A. Asperl, M. Hofer and A. Kilian: Architectural Geometry. Bentley Institute Press (2007)
• Gilles Deleuze, “Difference and Repetition”, transl. By Paul Patton, Columbia Press NY, 1994, chapter IV, ideas and the synthesis of difference, pp.208-221
• Felix Guattari, “On Machines”, Journal of Philosophy and the Visual Arts, Complexity, 1995
• Sanford Kwinter, “The Genealogy of Models: the Hammer and the Song”, Any23, 1998
• De Landa Manuel, A Thousand Years of Nonlinear History
• De Landa Manuel, Intensive Science & Virtual Philosophy (Continuum Impacts)
• Johnson Steven, Emergence, the connected lives of ants, brains, cities and software, Scribner,2001
• Lindenmayer A, Prusinkiewicz P., The Algorithmic beauty of plants, Springer Verlag, 1990
• Hersey George L., Architecture and Geometry in the Age of the Baroque
• D'Arcy Wentworth Thompson, On Growth and Form
• Innovative Surface Structures: Technologies and Applications, by Martin Bechthold
• Mike Davis, Dead City
• Stephen Wolfram, New Kind of Science
• Przemyslaw Prusinkiewicz & Astrid Lindenmayer, The Algorithmic Beauty of Plants,
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