The digital era in architecture has witnessed the production of a vast array of geometrical assemblies through computational form-finding methods in previous decades. With the developments in digital fabrication, the production and assembly of complex forms has been compromised by the constraints of selected fabrication techniques. In recent years, robotic fabrication processes implemented in architecture have begun to incorporate digital and physical paradigms in an unparalleled way due to the multi-axis freedom of an industrial robot arm, its speed, precision, and low tolerances (Menges, 2013). This development in turn has fuelled the revival of complexity found in volumetric assemblies, moving away from previous standardized / sheet-material component fabrication. The capacity to design and produce volumetric building components with complex curvature through sheet metal bending presents itself as a novel approach where custom-made assemblies can be produced with speed and precision, allowing for the creation of complex forms which would not have been possible with standardized building materials and processes.
How can we alter the perception of an existing architectural element through intervention? Our design explorations have revolved around this question during AA Istanbul 2017. The existing architectural element is the entrance façade of Istanbul Bilgi University Department of Architecture. The brief of AA Istanbul Visiting School will investigate the design and fabrication of a complex partitioning system through the integration of computational and robotic processes. The final prototype is expected to perform as an extension of the existing façade, allowing for spatial diversity and response to contextual factors. The brief will be investigated by focusing on a combination of structural, morphological, and contextual factors which our design intervention will be expected to respond in order to differentiate its material and geometrical organization.
Our physical investigations are based on the use of sheet metal bending processes with an innovative approach which will inform our design options. We explore the geometrical principles of bending and twisting in correlation with material opportunities and constraints, in turn transforming these principles into design inputs. In this way, our digital and physical tests inform each other simultaneously.
Credits
Programme Head: Elif Erdine
AA VS Director: Christopher Pierce
Istanbul Bilgi University Coordinator: Şebnem Yalınay Çinici
Tutors: Aslı Aydın, Cemal Koray Bingöl, Elif Erdine, Gamze Gündüz, Alexandros Kallegias, Alvaro Lopez Rodriguez, Benay Gürsoy Toykoç
Teaching Assistants: Ilkan Cemre Acar, Elif Soylu
Students: Derya Akdemir, Ecem Aksoy, Enes Bayrak, Boğaç Bozalı , Burak Çelik, Çiçek Nil Çiçek, Selen Cihan, Buse Demir, İrem Diniz, Enes Furkan Güçyener, Sena Gür, Ege Güven, Serkan Can Hatıpoğlu, Ahmet Berk Hot, Joosung Justin In, Shahin Jouvireh, Mert Kalem, Zeynep Nur Kavurmacı, Serra Keklik, İlayda Keskinaslan, Ayse Sena Kocaoglu, Dilara Korgal, Edanur Köşeli, Selen Küçük, Mahmut Nedim Kuyumcu, Liana Kuyumcuyan, Esra Öner, Ege Tuna Özdemir, Afra Bedriye Öztürk, Elif Polat, Fereshteh Rostami, Fatma Sude Salahor, Ayşenur Şenel, Zeynep Kübra Sütlaş, Selin Tanrıverdi, Onur Tellioğlu, Ezgi Terzioglu, Sena Tolanay, Nihan Ugan, Hülya Yasak, Selin Yavuz
The research and output generated during AA Istanbul Visiting School is jointly owned by AA and Istanbul Bilgi University.