Genetec – Stanza.

I had the pleasure of meeting Stanza at 'Sum (1,4,6)' a few months ago when we were both involved in a night of audio visual performances as part of NodeLondon. It was there that I found out about his interest in bringing his Genomixer research further into an architectural context. His project currently in development called Genetec is an articulating DNA structure, a genetic sculpture telematically controlled from the internet using a special interface. An articulated networked sculpture/stucture which responds to unique user input data. The work uses specialised materials and display technologies that have been adapted to create this work.

"I aim to create a building whose construction is based on your genetic identity. A space where the invisible manifests in 3D form. Genetic information will provide the basis for this organic system, a responsive data – networked real environment. The architecture of the system is responsive to your dna, it is responsive to you, you become embedded in the DATA flow itself; you will be the system. The user, as DNA, becomes the image, the system , the sculpture, the space. The user is the interface to him/herself." 

Using DNA input data to control the unique responsive environment. This information is translated into 3d emergent systems thereby creating a personalised dna large scale sculpture. The purpose is to understand how personalised data from across the internet can be mediated and affect the environment around us. He has already made online protoypes using his own DNA data and 3d visual mappings, these are presented as a generative emergent sequence. Small scale prototypes of these evoke the work and are used as a basis to develop anarticulated work using responsive materials."

Project Details  

1 comment July 25th, 2006

Implant Matrix – Philip Beesley

Implant Matrix by Philip Beesley is an interactive geotextile that could be used for reinforcing landscapes and buildings of the future. The matrix is capable of mechanical empathy. A network of mechanisms react to human occupants as erotic prey. The structure responds to human presence with subtle grasping and sucking motions, ingesting organic materials and incorporating them into a new hybrid entity.

Implant Matrix is composed of interlinking filtering 'pores' within a lightweight structural system. Primitive interactive systems employ capacitance sensors, shape-memory alloy wire actuators and distributed microprocessors. The matrix is fabricated by laser cutting direct from digital models. The project is supported by the Daniel Langlois Foundation for Art, Science and Technology, the Ontario Arts Council and the University of Waterloo School of Architecture.

Thanks to Geoff of BLDGBLOG for the tip 

Add comment July 24th, 2006

Achim Wollscheid

I encountered the work of Achim Wollscheid through the excellent We-Make-Money-Not-Art when Regine recently posted his recent Inlet/Outlet installation exhibited at Sonambiente in Berlin. 

It is a simple project where the movement of inhabitants in a room on the 1^st Floor of the Polish Embassy causes the opening and closing of the Windows. Below is a synopsis of Achim’s recent interactive work. 

Wallfield

Wallfield is a house completely covered by a grid of uniform windows, which Achim says “redefines what usually creates an in- and out-side: the wall.” As a consequence he decided to open the wall to sound, as well. 3 units consisting both of mikes and speakers are installed at 3 walls of the house. Outside sounds can be recorded and replayed in the inside and vice versa. Loudness and (a computer directed) degree of sound-transformation can be adjusted – ranging from "original" to "abstract". 

redlighthaze  & intersite

2 façade installations that use arrays of LEDs, which change lightness or pattern according to real-time sound analyses of local sound conditions.

flexible response

The sounds in the inside (lobby) trigger the light movement on the windows. Thus,  during office hours, the glass facade translates and projects fragments of the social choreography. At night the interactive part is replaced by a self generating light composition. Yes It does look a little bit like Blinkenlights BUT this was done first! 

interflow

interflow monitors the movements of the bypassers and conceives, correlatively, a changing reflection of both movement and context. Interflow consists of 2 elevated steel frame-systems, containing 16 double faced high-grade steel-mirrors. Universal joint bearing facilitates a 360 degree turning of each mirror which is generated by 2 motors contained in the steel frame-system. The center of each steel-frame contains a digital camera. 

The steel frame-systems are directed toward 2 pathways leading to the hospital. The cameras monitor the bypassers' movements and send the respective data to a computer, which according to that movement, defines angle and torque for each of the mirrors' new positions.

See more work at Achim's website

Add comment July 21st, 2006

Miles Kemp – Meta Morphic “Living” Architecture

Miles Kemp explored the question ‘Why can't architecture grow with us?’ for his Masters Thesis at Southern California Institute of Architecture. Inspired by the actuation of miniature robotic modules like the “Self-replicating, Self-sustaining and Adaptive Machines ” from Cornell’s Computational Synthesis Lab (US), he has developed a series of prototype robots and at the same time explored the practical application of such a technology as a new form of dynamic architectural material.

Miles suggests that “Digital technology, and the mechanics that allow spaces to be kinetic, should be embedded in the physical architecture we live in. The form of Architecture should not be predetermined, instead Architecture should play a more active role in suggesting new ways for its inhabitants to use space based on real time information exchanges.

Recently, technological advancements have been made in robotic fields that look at new ways of designing systems to be more interactive. We should employ this way of thinking when we design the relationships of the parts that make up interactive space. Spaces should be constructed of parts that have the ability to communicate with one another and constantly reshape our experience.”

The final images explore the potential future of consumers buying units of modular robotic materials to add to their own homes. The building itself would absorb the new modules into the existing pool of robots to continue to build transforming spaces to inhabit.

Website  

Add comment July 20th, 2006