Fields have been an issue in architectural discourse, at least for the last 25 years. Stan Allen in his – now classic – text “from object to field” specifies some of the properties of a field. One is multiplicity. Fields are always multiple, since they are made out of a large number of individual elements, but most importantly because they allow multiple connections/relations between those elements. Then, they have a non-hierarchical character. Each element of the field is equal to all others, and gets differentiated from them due to local conditions. Also fields are inherently expandable (Allen uses the example of the Cordoba Mosque to illustrate that): A field can be expanded, virtually to infinity, without changing its inherent rules and syntax.

Computation added the tools necessary in order to study such field conditions. The element of a field is in its essence – no matter what its visual representation is – a vector. A vector has – at least in Euclidean space – a length (or magnitude) and a direction. Therefore a field of vectors becomes the ideal tool to represent, to study or to create flows (of energy, of matter, of information). And it is as such that the field has been used most successfully in computational experiments in architecture. Object-e has been involved in several such experiments during the last 5 years, which resulted in several (projects) but also in several tools created in order to extend the functionality of existing software in such directions. So this post is one of a series that will present some of those (simple but sometimes useful) tools and make them available for download (provided that I find the time to sort and clean those scripts a little bit…)

Orientation_field.ms is a script of this kind that does what the name implies: alters the orientation of a field of objects based on the distance of each object from several attractor points. Therefore focuses on one of the properties of the vector (direction) and it does so quite literally. The script is simple enough, but it serves as a good base in order to expand it more and enrich it with more functionality (and meaning). An earlier and even more primitive version of that script was used for Axi:Omes’ Digital Fabrication Lab project, 3 years ago. Of course the really fun part was actually (and manually) building that nice and clean digital model, which meant cutting, bending, sanding, drilling, threading and putting in place hundreds of steel bars, each one of different size and rotation. I think that it was all that work that gave meaning to the project. I miss those days…

The results for the OEK-SIKA 2010 Competition have just been announced, where we are awarded with a honorable mention. The competition concerns the design of a housing project at the outskirts of Thessaloniki. Congratulations to our hardworking team: Theodora Christoforidou, Sebastian Duque, Dimitris Gourdoukis, Roumbini Makridou, Vasilis Ntovros, Spyros Papadimitriou, Katerina Tryfonidou, Fotis Vasilakis.

Two abstract landscapes, exploring the notion of vertical algorithmic growth. A CA is the basic algorithm, and it then gets interpreted into geometry. Those two images are actually early sketches. Hopefully more will follow in that direction.
Also, I am afraid that I drove my pc to its limits with this model counting 7.870.016 polygons. Somehow you always seem to need more computational power...

Algorithmic Body and Urban Performance are featured on the latest damdi special Issue publication, "Architectural Models Lead to Design" that is focusing on physical modeling and its relation to the design process. Here is a link to the book webpage.

F(lying).I(nfo).C(ollectors) is a proposal for the Piraeus Tower 2010 competition that was asking for the ‘reformation’ of the facades of an existing tower in Piraeus, Greece. Our proposal is a swarm of mechanical 'birds' that covers the facades of the building (when the 'birds' are nesting) while it visually communicates information (when the 'birds' are flying). More information for the project here.

Damdi Publications just released 'portfolio', a collection of 5 books featuring work from 107 offices from around the world. Among them object-e. Features What if NYC Competition, Para*site, MAP, Algorithmic Body, Space Sound and the KU School of Architecture. Here is a link to the book page at the damdi website.

I just returned form the eCAADe 2010 conference in Zurich where I presented Protocol Growth. Several interesting presentations (full program here). Most of them in the direction of performance/optimization (and some sustainability as well). However I was a little disappointed to see that there were very few exploring experimental design, that is new approaches to the design process... Lets see how things will be developed...

Aggregate! is featured in the 6th Biennale for Young Greek Architects, at the Benaki Museum in Athens. Opening of the exhibition in on Wednesday, Sep. 15th, at 8:00pm.
More for the project here.

The 2010 KAM workshop at Chania focused this year on the concept of Bankruptcy, literary or metaphorically, and included several interesting lectures along with the 9 projects that were developed by the students. A lot of material on:
Flickr
Blogger and
Twitter
many thanks to Stavros Vergopoulos and Aristide Antonas for the invitation.

This August I will be part of the 2010 KAM workshop entitled "The Bankruptcy of Architecture", which will take place from August 18th to August 27th, at Chania, Greece. Applications are still open (you can find the application form here) More information at http://www.kamworkshops.com/

Glowing Cloud is a proposal for the open space between the existing building of the Hellenic World Foundation, in Athens, Greece. The canopy structure has been generated through an attractor field that encodes information regarding lighting conditions and possible movements. More information for the project here.

The results of the Urban_Performance workshop will be presented at the Thessaloniki Center of Contemporary Art from June 8th to June 13th. The opening of the exhibition is on Tuesday, June 8th, at 20:00

Infrared are presenting Thess Bic Seat? as part of the event "I Thessaloniki Allios" organized by Parallaxi, on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th. The installation suggests a new way of seating at the Nea paralia of Thessaloniki, combined with a space for bicycle stands. The geometry of the constructed object consists of a sequence of gradually differentiating planes thus creating a fluid, complex form. The shape offers many possibilities of ways of seating as well as playing and climbing for the children.

Urban Performance is a workshop taking place until May 25th at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Aim of the workshop is to explore how parameters concerning site conditions can guide the design process, while exploring at the same time the possibilities arrising from the use of industrially produced recycled materials. Here is the website of the workshop.
Visiting Professors for the workshop are Heather Woofter and Sung Ho Kim of Axi:Ome llc.

Aggregate! has been selected to be exhibited at the 6th Biennale of Young Greek Architects. The biennale will take place in September 2010 at the Mpenaki museum in Athens. Here is a link to the biennale site and here more information for the project.