Matter has become an ever more essential media for enabling technological advances across multiple disciplines. This phenomenon derived largely from the advent of Quantum Mechanics revolutionized our perception of the world permitting us to see and consequently to manipulate matter into unimagined scales. Yet, material breakthroughs since the late twentieth century would not have been viable where it not for the introduction of computational systems which unveiled new thresholds in the fields of imaging and processing data. Broadened scalar manipulation spanning from macro to nano range has become feasible through advanced imaging technologies leading Material Science and consequently multiple disciplines to an exponential growth in the last decade. The introduction of these material advances presents radically new prospects for the field of architecture particularly when new scalar boundaries within material performance can become the origin for design research. The praxis of new design models that address simultaneously new scalar extents inevitably involves disciplines outside architecture principally when pertaining to the development of bio-responsive control systems. In order to efficiently address the inherent complexity of bio-systems early assimilation of performative criteria in the design research process must be met. This seminar aims at developing critical understanding of emerging technologies, fabrication and distribution processes involved in the production and application of functional materials as they amplify the bio-climatic intelligence of built environments. Students are required to confront and develop specific knowledge on the impacts that new technologies, new materials and new modes of production bear on the environment. This expertise is to be developed and manifested as integrative operations that aim at the reduction of energy consumption, material, volume, weight and industrial product replacement by existing technical systems, etc. Functional materials embody the new generation of ecological material optimization by combining positive environmental interfacing with technological innovation. Environmental materials that implement new functional properties can open up new niches and provide a product with functions previously unthought-of. This seminar will examine sustainable production, innovation and application strategies that embody optimization derived from new technologies applied into broad scale processing. This seminar addresses material design research as a multi-stage condition that encompasses full cycle analysis of material performance. Students are to develop an understanding of multi-scalar material performance emphasizing analysis of interdependencies of form, material distributions, and organizations, physical and bio-chemical exchange. Analysis of the rising application of biomimmicry within design practice in the development of material systems is a crucial component of the course. Specific examination of implementation methods of functional materials to address physical adaptability to environmental and climatic fluctuations will be studied. The latter refers specifically to the analysis of claddings that can embody equivalent performances to those applied for example in biomedics, with fabrics adaptable to physiological variations. Local responsive intelligence opens opportunities for climatic intelligence that is not dependant on mechanic/sensor based systems, thus making them more viable for ubiquitous application. Contemporary strategies for bio-climatic responsiveness via multi-scale intelligence will be examined from innovations on material simulation systems, low-energy/low-waste manufacturing, raw material reduction and material consumption reduction within potential design applications.
PEDAGOGICAL OBJECTIVES 1. Develop an understanding of multi-scalar material performance: analysis of interdependencies of form, material distributions, and organizations, physical and bio-chemical exchange. 2. Analysis case study integrated intelligent material systems (materials/technologies and manufacturing processes) that contribute directly to enhanced bio-climatic performance with positive economic impacts in the built environment. 3. Examine how intelligent materials can embody multi-stage performance in production, distribution and implementation that is adaptable to local conditions. 4. Create interdisciplinary competence in the field of built ecologies with respect to material innovations via new technologies and new means of production (maximum life-span, recycling properties, regenerative raw materials, biodegradability, on-site power generation, bio-climatic responsiveness, and manufacturing energy reduction). 5. Probe into the development of FUNCTIONAL materials understanding how material properties affected by new fabrication systems that address life-cycle analysis (i.e. low waste CADCAM). 6. Introductory analysis (inclusive Material Science lab testing) of the potentials of hybrid and composite materials & customized productions that cannot be categorized under the traditional taxonomy (i.e. wood-foam, metal foam, foam ceramics, stimuli-responsive fabrics, etc.). 7. Analyze one step manufacturing (i.e. injection-molded polymer ABS) versus processing by simultaneous stages (i.e. 3D knitting: manufacture of fabric, production of garment, cutting, sewing and finishing all at once). THEMATIC OUTLINE The seminar follows a tripartite structure initiated by an introduction to material flows and visualization processes. The second part addresses most material families with an emphasis on polymerization processes particularly. The last segment centers on bio-synthetic processing and compatibilities.
PROGRAM: ORGANO-SYNTHETIC PROCESSES SECTION I Week 1 Introduction- Matter by Visualization Material Classifications & Properties Week 2 Material Lab Introduction Required Readings: Fernandez, John Basalla, George Material Architecture, Chapter 3: pages 86-103, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006 The evolution of Technology, pages 91-102, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1998 Hurley, David About Making, Perspecta: The Yale Architectural Journal, Vol. 19, pages 83-86 Week 3 Materials: Flows Ashby, M.F. Material and Design: The Art and Science of Material Selection,Chapter 7: A Structure for Material Selection, pages 117-140; Oxford-Butterworthh- Heinemann, 2002 Kennedy, Sheila KVA: Material Misuse: pages 12-21, London, AA publications, 2001. Fernandez, John Callister, William Material Architecture, Chapter 3: pages 75-85;103-108, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006 Materials Science and Engineering: An Introduction: Economic Environmental & Societal Issues in material Science & Engineering. pages 765-797, Wiley-Liss, NY, 2002 Week 4 High Performance Fibers Fernandez, John Material Architecture, Chapter 5 Material Assemblies: pages 277-296, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006
McQuaid, Matilda Designing for High Performance Textiles: A Transformed Architecture, pages 103-135, Princeton Architectural Press, NY, 2005. Suggested Reading: Addington, Michelle Schodek, Daniel & Smart Materials and Technologies, Chapter 7.2 Fiber Optic Systems pages 175-180, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2005 Week 5 High Performance Composites Bio-Synthetic Ball, Phillip Made to Measure, Chapter Four: Only Natural Biomaterials, pages 163-190 Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1997 Stattmann, Nicola Ultra Light - Super Strong: A New Generation of Design Materials: Nature- Tech, pages 34-43, Birkhauser, Frankfurt, 2003 Week 6 Polymers/Polymerization Process Fernandez, John Addington, Michelle Schodek, Daniel Friedrich, Klaus Material Architecture, Chapter 3.2 Polymers: pages 153-170, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006 & Smart Materials and Technologies, Chapter 4: types and characteristics of smart materials, Polymers pages 142-155, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2005 Polymer Composites : From Nano- to Macro-Scale: Nanocomposites Structures & Properties. Springer, NY, 2005. Week 7 Student presentation: MATERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH Proposal BIO-SYNTHETIC & SYNTHETIC MATERIAL PROCESSES SECTION II
Week 8 Synthetic Polymers- Thermoplastics Synthetic Polymers- Thermosets Fernandez, John Material Architecture, Chapter 3.2 Thermosets & Thermoplastics: pages 171-181, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006 Stevens, E Week 9 Green Plastics: An introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics, Chapter 6 & 7: Biopolymers, The Reemergence of Bioplastics, pages 83-130, Princeton University Press, Princeton, 2002 Bio/Synthetic Polymers- Elastomers Fernandez, John Material Architecture, Chapter 3.2 Elastomers: pages 182-194, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2006 Mori, Toshiko: Immaterial, Ultramaterial: A new approach to rubber & Surface, Pages: 5-7; 23-27, Cambridge Mass. Harvard Design School Press, 2002 Callister, William Materials Science and Engineering: Chapter 15.2 pages 506-513, Wiley-Liss, NY, 2002 Week 10 Reactive Materials Reactive Polymers Addington, Michelle Schodek, Daniel Callister, William & Smart Materials and Technologies, Chapter 4: types and characteristics of smart materials, Polymers pages 142-155, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2005 Materials Science and Engineering: Chapter 15.2 pages 506-513, Wiley-Liss, NY, 2002 Week 10 MEMS Bio-Climatic Material Intelligence Final Submission Material Research Addington, Michelle Schodek, Daniel & Smart Materials and Technologies, Chapter 4: types and characteristics of smart materials, Polymers pages 142-155, Architectural Press, Burlington, MA, 2005
Week 11 Student presentation: MATERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH paper/presentation Group A Week 12 Student presentation: MATERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH paper/presentation Group B BIOCOMPATIBILITY STRATEGIES SECTION III Week 13 Bio-Materials I Ball, Phillip Made to Measure, Chapter Four: Only Natural Biomaterials, pages 163-190 Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 1997 Week 14 Bio-Compatibility Strategies I Stevens, E.S. Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics: Bio-Polymers, Chapter 6, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2002 Week 15 Bio-Compatibility Strategies II Stevens, E.S. Brockman, John Green Plastics: An Introduction to the New Science of Biodegradable Plastics, Chapter 5: Plastics Degradation, Princeton University Press, Princeton, NJ, 2002 The Next Fifty Years: Science in the First Half of the Twentieth Century; Essay: What is Life? By Stuart Kauffman, p.126-141.vintage Books, NY, NY, 2002. Week 16 FINAL review
GRADING PART 1: MATERIAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH PAPER (25% GRADING) PART 2: READING/ PARTICIPATION (25% GRADING) PART 3: FINAL review (50% GRADING)