reckonstruct, the us pavilion for the xxii international exhibition, will be unveiled at the triennale di milano. the pavilion emerged as a labor of love between committed partners including arup, humanscale, mit’s shine program, nextwave plastics, stickbulb and novità and demonstrates new possibilities in materials, design and manufacturing that allow us to leave the world better than we found it. we’re overwhelmed by the incredible ingenuity and dedication demonstrated by everyone in this collective to bring the exhibition to life.
laufen collaborates with studio eoos that created the austrian contribution to the xxii international exhibition of la triennale di milano with an ecological project – based on all of the technological know-how of the swiss ceramic specialist – broken nature: design takes on human survival, a group exhibition curated by moma senior curator paola antonelli that explores the power of design to deter climate change. the show includes a multimedia installation by arup and massachusetts institute of technology on the life cycle of materials.
the thematic exhibition consists of four works specially commissioned to international designers. the commissioned works have been entrusted to formafantasma (andrea trimarchi and simone farresin), to neri oxman and to his research group mediated matter group of mit media lab, to sigil collective (khaled malas, salim al-kadi, alfred tarazi and jana traboulsi), a collective based in beirut and new york, and accurat, research and innovation company in the field of data-driven design, with offices in milan and new york (project led by giorgia lupi and gabriele rossi).
the great animal orchestra will also be presented as part of the ‘broken nature’ exhibition. created by american musician and bioacoustician bernie krause and the english collective united visual artists (uva), the collaboration provides an immersive installation that presents a meditative interpretation on the necessity of preserving the beauty of the animal world. a number of directly commissioned works will also complement the thematic installation by highlighting design approaches aimed not only at correcting humanity’s self-destructive course, but also at replenishing our relationship with the environment and with all species – including other human beings.
in addition, mycosystem, the polish pavilion at the triennale. mycosystem showcases trees, fungi and humans in an interconnected system that opens new horizons for design. organized by the adam mickiewicz institute and developed by creative directors agata szydłowska, professor of design at the academy of fine arts in warsaw, visual artist małgorzata gurowska, and architect and designer maciej siuda, the exhibit offers a reflection on a new paradigm of sustainability and design.
waugh thistleton architects and arup have collaborated with the american hardwood export council to create multiply, an interactive modular maze-like installation in the sackler courtyard at the v&a.
the pavilion confronts two of the age’s biggest challenges – the need for housing and the urgency to fight climate change – and presents the fusion of modular systems and sustainable construction materials as a possible solution.
the permeable structure is built from a reusable cross-laminated timber (clt) panel system made of 60cbm of american tulipwood. director andrew waugh says it will show that modular architecture can provide not only efficient solutions but also enjoyable experiences: “the structure will lead people a merry dance up and down staircases and across bridges exploring space and light.” waugh thistleton joins an illustrious list of architects who have collaborated with ahec and arup on landmark projects for ldf. “waugh thistleton has been pioneering innovative uses of wood in construction for decades,” says david venables, ahec’s european director. “multiply explores a new, more sustainable way of building, bringing together a readily available carbon-negative material – american tulipwood – with modular design.”
the project is also a chance to highlight the structural and aesthetic properties of clt, adds carolina bartram, lead project director at arup. “there is increasing topical discourse on the use of clt as a material of choice for commercial and residential development. multiply provides a fabulous opportunity to showcase how advances in timber technology, together with a focus on modularity and efficiency, means we should embrace timber for future developments.”
multiply is carbon neutral: all carbon emissions due to hardwood extraction and processing, together with fabrication and installation of the structure and all transport stages, are offset by the carbon stored in the finished structure and the energy generated by incineration of process wood waste.
designed by waugh thistleton architects, supported by the american hardwood export council and engineered by arup.
with special thanks to: allegheny wood products, baillie lumber co., bingaman lumber inc., boss lumber co, classic american hardwoods, collins hardwood, latham timber, northland forest products, northwest hardwoods, parton lumber and thompson hardwoods inc.
further support from: seam, atrium, construction scotland innovation centre (csic), glenalmond timber and stage one.
waugh thistleton architects & arup: multiply
Sky Reflector-Net (2013) | an integrated artwork, is an artist, architect, engineer collaboration with James Carpenter Design Associates, Grimshaw Architects, and Arup, commissioned by MTA Arts for Transit and Urban Design and MTA Capital Construction Company (MTACC) | photo> (c)David Sundberg, ESTO
You might call it a skylight or oculus, more technically. But Jamie Carpenter’s piece called Sky Reflector-Net is also a sculptural work commissioned by New York’ Metropolitan transit Authority Arts for Transit and Urban Design.
It will open next year in New York’s Fulton Street transit facility near the World Trade Center. The work of a decade in collaboration with Grimshaw architects and engineering firm Arup, the piece is formally known as a “tensioned cable-net structure clad in perforated optical-aluminum panels,”It folds the image of the sky down into this new transit center atrium, enhancing travelers’ daily commute with a remarkably expansive sense of the dynamic change in light over the course of the seasons.”
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