‘Equilibrium Morphologies’, a project developed by Fabian Eidner and Alina Turean at the Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD/University of Stuttgart), investigates how complex articulated membrane structures can be erected and tensioned through emergent behaviors of interacting forces and explore multiple states of equilibrium.

The structural capacities of membranes unfold in the state of equilibrium — a state in which the entire structures is fully under tension and thus utilizes the lightest material means for spatial organization. Achieving this specific structural condition, however, is notoriously difficult as the geometrical description of elastic materials is mathematically inexpressible and does not follow predictable patterns.

To resolve these complex material interdependencies, this project proposes a hybrid approach: consisting of a physical sensory modeling interface and a computational, behavior-based framework.

The technical setup comprises a collection of eight dynamixel 420m servo motors, that are interconnected through a stretchable membrane, and due to their ability to sense torque forces, able to communicate with each other. Connected to a Motor Shield of an Arduino, the motors are capable of sensing and transferring the torque/load data to a digital interface. Depending on the measured torque value and a user-defined target value, a respective set of three simple functions dictate each motor’s behavior:

1. if measured torque is lower than target value -> motor spools
2. if measured torque value equals target value -> motor stops
3. if measured torque is higher than target value -> motor unspools

Only if all eight motors come to a halt, the target tension-value is reached and thus an equilibrium state of the structure is found. The membrane can now be physically manipulated, the motor chassis maneuvered or the target-value tuned.

This behavior-driven approach allows for self-tensioning and real-time adaptation of the membrane structure performed in a fully autonomus manner. This interactive interpretation of form-finding shall demonstrate how tension-active systems behave in ever-changing environments and expose new avenues in the behavioral side of architecture and engineering.

Project Page | Instagram | ICD

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Lung – A device that visualizes breathing data using soap bubbles

Philips is doing more and more in the field of health and asked the second and third years Interaction Design at ArtEZ Academy of the Arts Arnhem to do develop a project about Quantified Self. Amy Whittle and Willem Kempers teamed up and choose breathing as focus, it being a vital function that can be subconscious as well as controlled.

Mesh Grammars: Studies for a Dome by Dillenburger & Hansmeyer

DESCENT – A meditation on one of humanity’s blackest hours

Created by Peter Burr, Mark Fingerhut, and Forma, DESCENT is a “spiraling interdimensional narrative”, a meditation on one of humanity’s blackest hours. The downloadable exe gives the user a brief glimpse of a world descending into darkness – an unrelenting plague indifferent to the struggles of the user.

Phototropia – “A self-sufficient architectural vision”