Erratic: The Material Simulacra of Pliable Surfaces
Paper in proceeding, 2014

This paper examines how designers can invigorate designs with a sense of liveliness and indeterminacy through manipulation of pliable materials. Two approaches to material manipulation are defined and juxtaposed in the paper: The control associated with Frei Otto's elegantly tensioned membranes and the noise associated with Sigurd Lewerentz's intensely material brick walls. These historical approaches become pertinent in relation to current opportunities offered by material simulation software in architecture. Simulation may be used to increase control over the materialization of design, but is at the same time a way to introduce the noise of real-time, real-world experiments into digital design. The paper presents this discussion in parallel with documentation of the research project 'Erratic', a recent installation carried out by the authors' practice Norell/Rodhe. Constructed from polyurethane cold foam, the project combines analogue experiments with digital simulations to target architectural qualities like mass, figuration and relief.

control

material simulation

noise

material manipulation

pliable surfaces

Author

Daniel Norell

Chalmers, Architecture

Einar Rodhe

University of Arts, Crafts and Design (Konstfack)

Fusion, Proceedings of the 32nd International Conference on Education and research in Computer aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe)

Vol. 2 145-152
9789491207068 (ISBN)

32nd International Conference on Education and research in Computer aided Architectural Design in Europe (eCAADe)
Newcastle upon Tyne, ,

Subject Categories

Architectural Engineering

Architecture

Areas of Advance

Building Futures (2010-2018)

Materials Science

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9/6/2021 7