- Informed Architecture
The academic project of “Twister” was set-up with the aim to generate a spatial design which was inspired by fascinating structures from nature but was at the same time based on traceable geometric principles and rules. Moreover, the challenge was not only to generate a complex design but also to build it in scale 1:1. In the beginning inspirational natural structures were translated into a mathematical model. Based on that 3D-Model the generative elements of the geometry – like points, edges and surfaces – where transformed in order to achieve self-similar models, with slightly different properties. In a process of selection the models where categorized in relation to their spatial and structural qualities and their ability to be represented in an appropriate geometric model for the production of large scale elements.
Design processes can be described as a sequence of inspiration, abstraction, variation and selection. An initial inspiration was the structure of a winding nautilus-snail. Analysing and rationalizing the geometry of this natural structure led to the development of a digital 3D-model that interconnected different arcs to an intertwining surface. The radiuses of the arcs increased from the center to the outside of the structure, while the arcs were rotated by 10° in XY-direction around the center. The spatial performance could be described as an in-between of directional and centered space. The shape seemed to be ideal for the function of an exhibition space that allowed a seamless transformation of guided circulation while entering and leaving the space to focused concentration while being in the center of the structure.
CREDITS
Prof. Marco Hemmerling, Prof. Ulrich Knaack, Prof. Jens-Uwe Schulz, David Lemberski, Simon Aksal, Yalcin Dündar, Benjamin Gerner, Jakob Heining, Matthias Kemper, Rüdiger Kiene, Jan Klassen, Manuel Welsky, Thomas Wirtel.
Detmold School of Architecture and Interior Design
East-Westphalia University of Applied Sciences