Soft Structures: Experiments in Digital Materiality

SOFT STRUCTURES E X P E R I M E N T S I N D I G I TA L M AT E R I A L I T Y

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION Through iterative, full-scale design and fabrication, the workshop Soft Structures explored the digital materiality of complex concrete building components by combining cutting-edge fabrication technology with intrinsic material knowledge.

This exhibition is a sample of the process and results of the twenty staff, researchers and students that attended the four day workshop over the past two weeks.

DAY ONE Asbjørn Søndergaard started the workshop by situating the theme of the robotic fabrication of complex concrete formwork in practice with an inspiring overview of the work of Odico Formwork robotics and his personal research in topology optimisation and robotic hotwire cutting. The participants were then introduced to the fabrication processes and design space of the workshop.

DAY TWO Anders Kruse Aagaard gave an insight into his work with the relationship between drawing, making and material properties, with a specific focus on past projects that dealt with concrete, EPS formwork and robotics. After this, Anders gave a hands on introduction to concrete, casting and formwork treatments, through sample pieces and technique demonstration.

DAY THREE The third day of the workshop saw the participants further iterate through design tests. The digital workflow, combined with the robotic fabrication workflow, allowed for a <5 minute workflow from design to production. The first sample molds were cast, and the more complex surface treatments were applied.

DAY FOUR The final day of the workshop was used to demold the casts, organise the final material, and set up a mini-exhibition. We finished up some final adjustments, gathered the artifacts and spoke about the process, what and how we could change the workshop, and ideas for the next iteration.

CONTRIBUTORS Ryan Hughes Anders Kruse Aagaard Asbjørn Søndergaard Anna Krumpholz Maximilian Klammer Jake William Boydell Elisabeth Hult Jakobsen Farina Koehnecke Thorlak Solberg Hamish Alan Bresnahan

Mark Gylling Hansen Nicki Brask Damm Kristoffer Holmgaard Gade Corneel Cannaerts Sabawoon Safi Bethany Terri Hooper Tommaso Pelosini

A special thanks to Anna Krumpholz and Farina Koehnecke for help with the exhibition design and Thorlak Solberg for preparation, testing and teaching assistance.

ARCHITECTURAL R O B O T I C S + C O M P U TAT I O N