Catalogue of teaching works

MAGNET TOWERS

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Students composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires, ex-

Ali On a t Tu rke r

MAGNET TOWE I n t r oheight d u c tactive i o n systems, using magStudents composed various Works in this catalogue are outcomes of my teaching experiences at architecture departments of Kadir Has and Bilgi Universities in Istanbul. They are produced through course assignments and workshop gatherings.

As an academic having both architecture and engineering degrees, I designed these exercises, class curriculums and workshop processes. I am interested in teaching building physics not only theoretically but as well by engaging body a n d m u s c l e m e m o r y. C o r p o r e a l experience of stability and failure will create a deeper understanding of static equilibrium. Thus, analog model making process is prior to digital computation medium.

As the instructor of these classes, I supervised the whole work and personally participated in the construction of installation projects. I envision that this teaching experience will be the foundation of my further academic endeavors, b o t h a s a n i n s t r u c t o r a n d a s a r e s e a r c h e r.

The exclusion of computational tools in the process is intentional. One reason is to engage the body more, another is to discover the tectonic possibilities of a pure physical process to the extend. In a digitally dominant c u l t u r e o f t o d a y, I a s p i r e t h a t t h i s m e t h o d w i l l y i e l d f r e s h tectonic expressions and architectural relationships.

This being said, this collection of works intend to be a foundation for the future incorporation of digital tools, and my research for the next chapter will be focusing on a methodology where analog and digital mediums merge.

MAGNET TOWE o n t eheight n t active systems, Students composedC various

M agnet S t ruc tu re s Roller Coasters

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Lattice Towers

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Space Trusses

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Magnet Towers

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Frame and Casing Struc tures

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Tectonic Experiments

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Form Exercises

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Tens il e Work s From Buildings to Light ing Objects

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From Buildings to Seati ng Units

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Tensile Works

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Tensegrity Wall

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Geometry and Strenght

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I ns t all at i ons Tape Structure I

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Net Structure I

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Tape Structure II

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Terrace Experiments

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The Snake

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Bamboo Experiments

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The Bird

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Biodegradable Materia l Experiments

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M o d e l R o o m , K H a s U n i v e r s i t y, 2 0 1 7

MAGNET TOWERS

I _ MAGNET STRUCTURES

Students 1composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires, experimenting with bracing, connections, cantilevering and stability. Different combinations of Students are assigned to build physical models of functional structures; lattice towers of electric transmission lines and roller coasters of entertainment parks. They are allowed to use only piano wires and magnets. While wires simulate linear structural elements; beams, columns and bracings, magnets simulate pinned connections. Freedom of movement achieved by magnet connections is stabilized by addition of bracings. The compositions of linear members, magnet connections and bracings transform the static systems into events of force equilibriums.

T h i s a p p r o a c h b r i n g s o u t a n o n - r e d u n d a n t s t r u c t u r a l q u a l i t y, a limit state where constructing is going back and forth between s t a b i l i t y a n d c o l l a p s e , t r i a l a n d e r r o r. M o d e l m a k i n g b e c o m e s a testing ground for ideas.

These assignments are part of an introductory structural course for architecture students, where the ideas of strenght, rigidity and flexibility are transmitted through model making exercises.

Investigating structural principles by doing incorporates muscle memory into the learning process.

Final assignments for the semester are to compose various height active and space truss systems. After the basics of strenght and stability are taught, advanced concepts of vertical frame systems and spanning by three dimensional triangulations are experimented by the students. With same materials and connection methods, these more complex systems are investigated.

MAGNET TOWERS

Roller Coaster Structures

Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2018 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOWERS

L a t t i c e To w e r s

Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2017 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOW

Magnet Space Trusses

Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2017 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOWERS

M a g n e t To w e r s

Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2017 - KHas University

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MAGNET

Casing and Bay Systems Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2016 - KHas University

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MAGNET

Te c t o n i c E x p e r i m e n t s Arch233- Structural Systems I - Fall 2016 - KHas University

Traditional building systems, of batak house, sumba house and platform framed house, are constructed using the magnet connection system. The process gives the opportunity for deconstruction and reinvention of these systems, resulting in new tectonic expressions and material relationships.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets

Form Exercises

Arch234- Structural Systems II - Spring 2017 - KHas University

Throu g h b u i l d i ng b a mb o o and me tal models, students explored the rela tionship betwe e n fo rm and st r uct u r al s t r enght. Geometries of hypars, vaults, domes , cones, pyram id s , a n d pol y hedr o n s ar e c omposed and constructed in varying arrang ements, conta i n in g o r i nt e r sect i ng e a c h o ther volumetrically, bringing out complex formstr uc tu re re la t i onshi p s a n d advanced spatial qualities.

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MAGNET TOWERS

II _ TENSILE

W O R K S

Students composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires, experimenting with bracing, connections, cantilevering and stability. Different combinations of

MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using mag-

From Buildings to Lighting Objects Arch433 - Fall 2016 - Bilgi University

T h e f i rs t t wo gr o u p s o f t ensile works in this section are outcome s of elective c la s s ’S t r uct u r al E x per i ments’. The assignments required students t o analyze an e x i s t i n g bui l di n g a n d t o r e v eal its structural principles as a starting point. Through m a n y i te r a t i o n s , by d e c onst r ucting and reinventing, study models progressed and tra n s f o r me d i n t o u n i que t ensegrity systems.

M a i n g o a l o f t he s t u d i o wa s to render the working forces visible, a nd to build a te c t o n i c a n d aest h e t i c a r ound the expression of materials. Following this principle, te n s i l e f o r ces a n d mat e r i a l s played key roles in the deconstruction and reinvention o f re l a t i o n s hi p s b e t ween t he elements. Te n s i t y r e n d e r e d e l a s t i c b e h a v i o r o f m a t e r i a l s v i s i b l e , r e v e a l i n g a l i m i t s t a t e b e t w e e n b a l a n c e a n d i n s t a b i l i t y.

This transparency of forces through the material created excitement and anticipation.

D u rin g t he e v ol u t i o n of t h e models, another input for the process was assigning fu n c tio n . S t udent s we r e a s ked to translate these tensegrity works into lighting o b j e c ts and s eat i ng u n i t s , attributing to the process a sense of scale and purpose.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height activems, using magnets and metal

From Buildings to Seating Units

Arch 433- Structural Experiments - Spring 2018 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOWERS Sum mer 2016 Workshop

MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height activems, using magnets and metal wires,

Te n s i l e W o r k s

Summer Workshop - Summer 2016 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and

Te n s e g r i t y

Wall

Workshop at Chambers of Architects - Summer 2018

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Structural Experim ents - Fall 2018

Students explored working principles of arches and created tensegrity walls by multiplying and connecting units of arched geometries.

These walls are hybrid systems,composed of bending active members in a tensile network of ropes and fabric.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and

Geometry and Strenght

Arch234- Structural Systems II - 2018 - KHas University

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MAGNET TOWERS Z Students composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires, experimenting with bracing, connections, cantilevering and stability. Different combinations of

I I I _ I N S TA L L AT I O N S

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and

Ta p e S t r u c t u r e N o . 1

Installation at Khas University - 2016 - Tape, strech film, elastic rope, metal connectors.

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The structural investigations through model makin g a s s i g n m e n t s prepare students for 1:1 installations.

During the construction of these installations, studen t s g e t e n g a g e d with their whole bodies, stretching the tensile ropes w i t h f u l l s t r e n g t h .

This creates a unique social situation, where a co l l e c t i v e w o r k i s required and where the forces flow from one body to a n o t h e r.

Throughout these workshops, a predetermined form i s n o t s o u g h t . I t is rather a collaborative improvisation that determin e s t h e o u t c o m e , where many hands work together to sculpt the tensi o n a n d g i v e i t a final form through its performative character.

Material palette consists of rope, tape, net and nylon, which are elastic, cheap, industrial and easy to find. These are weaved together creating funicular geometries. Stretched surfaces r e s p o n d t o g r a v i t y a n d d e f i n e a n e w e l a s t i c g r o u n d f o r t h e u s e r.

MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires,

Ta p e S t r u c t u r e N o . 2

Installation at Khas University - 2016 - Tape, strech film, elastic rope, metal connectors.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets

Net Structure No.1

Installation at Khas University - 2016 - Safety net, elastic rope, metal connectors.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems,

Te r r a c e E x p e r i m e n t s

Installation at Tophane - 2016 - Tape, strech film, net, elastic rope, metal connectors.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and

Snake

Installation at Khas University - 2018 - Safety net, elastic rope, steel rods, metal connectors.

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets

Bamboo Experiments Workshop at KHas University - Spring 2017

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal

The Bird

Installation at Khas Universi ty - 2016 -Plexiglass, elastic rope, steel, metal connectors.

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MAGNET TOWERS Z Students composed various height active systems, using magnets and metal wires, experimenting with bracing, connections, cantilevering and stability. Different combinations of

IV _ BIODEGRADABLE

M AT E R I A L E X P E R I M E N T S

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MAGNET TOWStudents composed various height active systems, us-

Biodegradable Materials and Form Summer School at Khas University - 2019 .

The last group of works explore the use of biodgradable materials for constructing shell structures.Research begun with material experiments, producing variations of bioplastics and combining naturel binders with different substrates. Working with arabic gum, gelatin, and waste material such as coffee grounds and wood scraps resulted with specimens having desirable structural qualities.

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After deciding on material recipes, focus was on form finding and developing methods for casting. Experiments with tensile fabric resulted with desired forms. In order to use these tensile structures as formworks, they were coated with plaster and were transformed them into shells. As a final step, biodegradable materials were placed in sheet forms or in chunks on these plaster casts and let to dry.

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Workshop at Chambers of Architects - Summer 2019

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