Versatility and Vicissitude: Performance in Morpho–Ecological Design

This third AD by the guest–editors of the highly successful Emergence and techniques and technologies in Morphogenetic Design titles shifts the morpho–ecological design project into the realm of performance. Whereas the dictionary definition of performance –to ′carry out an action′ or ′to fulfill a task′ – invokes a tired utilitarian debate, Hensel and Menges inject the meaning of the word ′performance′ with an entirely new life. In this context, form is redefined not as the shape of a material object alone, but as the multitude of effects, a milieu of conditions, modulations and microclimates that emanate from an object′s exchange with its specific environment, a dynamic relationship that is perceived and interacted with by a subject. A synergetic employment of performance and morpho–ecological techniques combine to create integral design solutions that will render an alternative model for sustainability. This issue presents historical precursors and precedents for this approach, as well as the current state of the art of morpho–ecological design. Key contributors include: Klaus Bollinger and Manfred Grohmann of Bollinger & Grohmann, Aleksandra Jaeschke, OCEAN, Professor Remo Pedreschi, Defne Sunguroglu, Peter Trummer and Michael Weinstock.

4
Editorial
Helen Castle

6 Introduction

Versatility and Vicissitude An Introduction to Performance in Morpho–Ecological Design
Michael Hensel and Achim Menges

12
Form, Force and Structure A Brief History
Remo Pedreschi

20
Form, Force, Performance Multi–Parametric Structural Design
Klaus Bollinger, Manfred Grohmann and Oliver Tessmann

26
Metabolism and Morphology
Michael Weinstock

34
Material Performance
Michael Hensel, Defne Sungurog¢lu and Achim Menges

42
Manufacturing Performance
Achim Menges

48
Performance–Oriented Design Precursors and Potentials
Michael Hensel

54 Inclusive Performance: Efficiency Versus Effectiveness Towards a Morpho–Ecological Approach for Design
Michael Hensel and Achim Menges

64 Complex Brick Assemblies
Defne Sunguroglu

74 Membrane Spaces
Michael Hensel and Achim Menges

80
Aggregates
Michael Hensel and Achim Menges

88
Environmental Intensifiers
Aleksandra Jaeschke

96
Engineering Ecologies
Peter Trummer

102
Designing Morpho–Ecologies Versatility and Vicissitude of Heterogeneous Space
Michael Hensel and Achim Menges

114+
Interior Eye
Craftsteak, New York
Jayne Merkel

118+
Building Profile
Public Toilet, Gravesend
David Littlefield

122+
Practice Profile
m3architecture
Mark Taylor

128+
Unit Factor
Renewable Types and the Urban Plan
Christopher Lee and Sam Jacoby

132+
Spiller s Bits
In Praise of the Blur
Neil Spiller

134+
Yeang s Eco–Files
Recharging your Bio–Batteries with a Can of Coke
Ken Yeang

136+
McLean s Nuggets
Will McLean

138+
Userscape
The Social Call
Valentina Croci

142+
Site Lines
Making Waves at East Beach Café
Howard Watson

Michael U Hensel is an architect, writer and principalresearcher in OCEAN and the Emergence and Design Group, as well asa board member of BIONIS (the Biomimetic Network for IndustrialSustainability), and co–founder and co–director of the EmergentTechnologies and Design masters programme at the ArchitecturalAssociation School of Architecture. He is also on the editorialboards of AD and JBE (the Journal for BionicEngineering). Recent publications include AD Emergence:Morphogenetic Design Strategies (2004), AD Techniques andTechnologies in Morphogenetic Design (2006), and Morpho–Ecologies (AA Publications, 2006). Forthcomingpublications include a book entitled Heterogeneous SpaceReader, which he is co–editing with Professor Christopher Hightand Professor Achim Menges, to be published by John Wiley and Sonsin early 2009. He is currently working on the concept and contentfor a peer–reviewed architectural research journal that will focuson research by design. www.ocean–north.net Professor Achim Menges is an architect and partner inOCEAN and the Emergence and Design Group. He studied at theTechnical University Darmstadt and graduated from the ArchitecturalAssociation with Honours. He has taught at the AA as Studio Masterof the Emergent Technologies and Design masters programme since2002, and as Unit Master of Diploma Unit 4 from 2003 to 2006. Since2005 he has been Professor of Form Generation and Materializationat the HfG Offenbach University for Art and Design in Germany. Hisresearch focuses on the development of integral design processes atthe intersection of evolutionary computation, parametric design,biomimetic engineering and computer–aided manufacturing that enablea highly articulated, performative built environment. His researchprojects have been published and exhibited in Europe, Asia and theUS. He received the FEIDAD (Far Eastern International DigitalArchitectural Design) Outstanding Design Award in 2002, the FEIDADDesign Merit Award in 2003, the Archiprix International Award 2003,RIBA Tutor Price 2004, the International Bentley Educator of theYear Award 2005 and the ACADIA 2007 Award for Emerging DigitalPractice. www.achimmenges.net www.ocean–north.net