DESCRIPTION Collaboration between AA Inter 1 and 3form Architectural As part of their one year long studio, students of Intermediate Unit 1 of the Architectural Association School of Architecture are designing an ‘Agency’ that utilizes interactive and integrated façade component systems. Their projects are developed and designed to challenge what a ‘façade’ system is, while generating research of material life-cycle investigations, sustainable issues and socio-political awareness. Driven by technology and the collaborative design environment available today, the Unit worked closely with the leading material manufacturer 3form, to experiment and define the potential of these innovative network systems. 3form’s material and social philosophy, its goals of ‘Path to Zero’ builds awareness of both the global environmental crisis as well as the local impact of our own activities. 3form is committed to research and constantly assesses its impact on the environment, setting an aggressive goal to completely eliminate all contributions to landfill by 2009. Leaside Wood Recycling Project is contributing their reclaimed 1876 timber from the old London School of Fashion that was recently disassembled. Green Finger Hydroponics is providing the aeroponics and technical know-how for the edible vegetation component of the installation -where chilies, Chinese vegetables and a chandelier of cherry tomatoes are being cultivated and integrated into the installation. An intensive two week design student charette led by the Unit Tutors Marisa Yiu and Eric Schuldenfrei with Ruben Suare and Jen Silbert (3form), Graeme Warner (Green Finger) and consultant Giorgos Artopoulos has taken place from May 1st to May 15th. Through online discussions and web conferencing, 3d Rhino modeling feedback, staff and students of Inter-1 directly interfaced with 3form’s manufacturing facility. As Ruben Suare states, 'The intertwining of design and manufacturing elicits a working structure of mutual participation, coordination and action and is a catalyst for innovation, removing many of the limitations inherent in either architecture or manufacturing alone'. Marisa Yiu and Eric Schuldenfrei's group gained this privilege to experiment with new modes of collaboration of interfacing directly with a manufacturing facility to test a pedagogical model for learning. As a result of this design charette the tutors and students have created an installation and façade system entitled ‘NUTRITIOUS: an aeroponic façade’. The main components are composed of a new 3form product- for exterior use called Ecoglass™ (40% post-industrial recycled content), and 100PERCENT™ a recycled material made entirely from discarded milk and detergent packaging. Intermediate
One Unit Studio: Architectural Association, School of Architecture,
London |