The field of architecture is undergoing a significant transformation in response to environmental concerns. This profession, by its nature, has historically placed a heavy burden on natural resources, generating waste, and contributing to high CO2 emissions during the construction process. In light of the urgent need to address climate change and embrace sustainability, architects and the construction industry are reevaluating their practices.
One of the consequences of climate change, particularly in densely populated urban areas, is the urban heat island effect (UHI). This phenomenon leads to surface overheating, raising urban temperatures by as much as 5 degrees compared to rural areas. Cities like Vienna are taking steps to combat UHI, such as creating cooler streets with features like tree plantings and humidifiers. However, these endeavors are long-term projects that develop gradually.
During hot summer months, there's a pressing need for more immediate solutions to provide shaded areas and establish comfortable microclimates in urban environments. Exploring temporary projects becomes essential, though it introduces challenges related to waste production due to their limited lifespan.
The focus of our studio lies in addressing these issues and introducing a novel approach to temporary urban canopies. We propose a methodology centered around reciprocal structures, which offer promise in constructing temporary objects. These structures consist of discrete components and possess the flexibility to adapt their systems to various geometries. Our aim is to investigate adaptive architectural systems that can be assembled as reciprocal structures and later disassembled and reconfigured into different shapes in different locations. This approach seeks to bridge the gap between the need for immediate relief from urban heat and the imperative to minimize environmental impact.The studio focuses on the design and robotic assembly of reciprocal structures.
The students in this program will receive training in computational design thinking, equipping them with the skills to develop adaptive design systems. Their task will be to create design solutions that can cater to various site-specific requirements using a common set of discrete materials.
The core of this material system is based on a reciprocal system comprising discrete wooden elements, with the potential for up to five variations of these similar elements. From these components, the students will craft a structural system for a family of canopies. These canopies will be designed to be assembled on-site through robotic processes.
The curriculum will encompass a range of computational design methods, starting with tools like Rhino Grasshopper. Additionally, students will delve into analytical methodologies that involve the analysis of satellite data using Google Earth Engine. This multidisciplinary approach allows students to draw insights from environmental data and incorporate them into their designs.
Furthermore, students will be educated in the simulation and programming of robots. They will learn to write and apply robot programs, specifically tailored to the robotic arm available within our department. This combination of computational design, data analysis, and robotic fabrication skills will empower students to tackle complex design challenges while considering sustainability, adaptability, and site-specific requirements.
