This winter the AA will hold its first annual Beijing Global School at the Digital College of CrystalCG in collaboration with the parametric Studio of Tsinghua Architectural Design & Research Institute.

I will be a part of this event as a tutor.

The studio-based course is open to anyone interested in the experimental design of architecture and will investigate emerging computational approaches in the context of Beijing, one of the world’s most architecturally eclectic cities.

Challenging the Iconic As the capital of the world’s fastest growing country, Beijing has become an experimental platform for many architects, making grand statements encouraged by the obsession for so-called iconic buildings. Does Beijing need more of these and do these projects respond to the city’s history and culture or create an entirely new context? This workshop will address these questions. The objective is to evolve a coherent architectural prototype by ‘Super-Blending’ conflicting elements co-existing in Beijing (e.g. hutong and boulevard, courtyard and skyscraper, culture and technology, old and new, nature and artefact, order and chaos). Students will tour parts of the city prior to working in a team-based design studio. A series of seminars and lectures related to computational design will also be offered. The essential parametric design technique will enable students to experiment with code-based modelling and simulation following the workshop’s objective to challenge the iconic buildings of Beijing. participants will learn Rhino Gh and Scripting, plus some Maya and 3D Max animation and simulatio techniques, as well as 3D printing of prototype models.

Applications
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2010. Application forms and additional information are available online at:
www.aaschool.ac.uk/beijing2010 and applications can be submitted to: visitingschool@aaschool.ac.uk

Posted: November 15th, 2009 under News.
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As part of my work for Zaha Hadid Architects, I have designed the installation for the ZHA retrospective exhibition and the Table of Architecture, both of which have been unveiled during the 2009 Barbara Cappochin International Architecture Biennial. The exhibition takes place at The Salone of Palazzo della Ragione (constructed 1172-1219), one of the most notable monuments in the city of Padova, being reputed to have the largest roof unsupported by columns in Europe and decorated inside with an elaborate cycle of frescoes.

The Palazzo has presented itself as a vigorous design challenge for Zaha Hadid due to the historical quality of the space. The aim has been both to respect the spatial / contextual characteristics and to intervene in the space at the same time. The Salone is viewed as a field upon which the existing data of the space, such as entrances/openings, act as shaping forces. This force-field has resulted in the creation of a world of undulating landscape-like forms, made up of blocks and plinths. Due to their slender geometry, the blocks, performing both as installation and exhibition medium, allow the visitors to appreciate the frescoes and other existing sculptures in the space. The plinths can be used for placing the various products/furniture pieces ZHA has designed as well as offering seating spaces for the visitors.

The undulating blocks, whose forms are defined by the rules of breaking and continuity, generate 6 distinct islands within themselves. Each of these islands define the Conceptual Morphologies of the ZHA exhibition concept, namely: (1) Lines/Bundles/Networks, (2) Waves/Shells/Cocoons, (3) Aggregations/Clusters/Jigsaws, (4) Fields, (5)Landscape & Topography, and (6) Parametricism.

The purpose of the Table of Architecture is to showcase the winners of the 2009 Barbara Cappochin Biennale. Located in Piazza Cavour, Padova, the object is designed to challenge the usual perception of wood as a sheet or stick material, rediscovering the sculptural potential of the wooden mass. A large block of wood is carved out by dynamic forces to create an undulating structure, installed as a large scale piece of urban furniture which will attract and surprise the pedestrian flow around it. Seating areas as well as displays are provided within the sculpture.

The top undulating surface has been panelized to generate a series of elements that can display the architectural projects of the winners of the Biennale.

Table of Architecture is 2,3m x 1,5m x 19,8m and it weighs 7,3 tonnes.

Me with the Table of Architecture and the Installation

Posted: November 15th, 2009 under News.
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