What

From Weaving to Tensegrity | In between Interlace

The proposed typology, interlaced architecture, applies weaving methodology to structural level and let the tectonic brings out aesthetic quality. Although woven fabric is commonly used in tensile/ membrane structure, it works as the secondary structural element, primary ones are steel members which control the shape as well as form. Structure in this case is exposed but not interlaced with the surface. Considering structural strength of fabric is given by the ability of fabric to tensile force, pre-stressed system, tensegrity is so the base of research. With replacing the cable to fabric, it turns the surface created by the fabric become one of the structural elements and obtain spatial quality within at the same time.

The test case would be somewhere require light weight structure and providing real experience towards architecture by its minimal quality is in high priority in design concern. Its floating quality in perspective would be interesting to investigate as well. Specific site would be set after the research stage and able to challenge the structural typology. Bamboo and plastic woven fabric are chosen as the initial study material due to their quality of durable and affordable.

Why

Peel off the Surface | Weaving in Architecture Scale

“The best engineer a few decades ago was someone who could create the most beautiful beam or structure; today it’s to do a structure you cannot see or understand how it’s done. It disappears and you can talk only about color, symbols, and light. It’s an aesthetic of miracle.” Jean Nouvel

An irony?  Structure is hidden and in result people can only perceiving the architecture through thin finishing or the texture of surface material. This is an age that design is playing with pattern and composition of different finishing materials and claddings, while structural elements are covered and considered as limitation or even restriction.

“Surface quality of material, that is matière, being mainly a quality of appearance, is an aesthetic quality and therefore a medium of the artist; while quality of inner structure is, above all, a matter of function and therefore the concern of the scientist and engineer.  Sometimes material surface together with material structure are the main components of a work; in textile works for instance, specifically in weavings or, on another scale, in works of architecture” Anni Albers

Yarns – Fabric [Lines – Planes]
Columns & Beams – Structural Frame – Rooms [Lines – Form – Space]

Weave is a process of interlacing sets of interconnected elements to produce panel of woven fabric. Those sets can be in perpendicular direction or in angle, and can be combined of two, or more sets. Number of variations in combination gives room for creativity of artists and thus the quality of aesthetic to the flat surface.

Structure in architecture can be considered as weaving in architectural scale. Columns and Beams join and stand the building, while the aesthetic in structural is given by the way how they are woven together. That is the detail which is able to characterize and define the whole building.

“God is in detail.” Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

“The details are not the details. They make the design.” Charles Eames

The Surface is no more another layer of finishing which covers the structure, but interlacing together as one component to re-celebrate the fundamental of architecture. Experiencing purely the architecture itself.

How

Stage01: The thesis will be started with the study of tensegrity structure incorporating the fabric. Through intensive model and structural study, investigation of its pros and cons and finally develop the module of the system at the end of first stage.

Stage02: After studying the detail scale of the system, next step would be choosing the specific site and form finding process. This stage would be carried out in more architectural scale and aiming to explore more advantage towards other aspects of architecture.

Stage03: Revision of the module study (Stage01) may be needed depends on the findings, it would be more detail in its behavior as well as limitation in whole structural system.

Stage04: Propose a typology that optimize the experience of architecture through weaving methodology.