Opening Reception: Input_Output: Adaptive Materials And Mediated Environments Symposium And Exhibition

This Friday the Input_Output: Adaptive Materials And Mediated Environments Exhibition at Temple University in Philadelphia.

Input_Output: Adaptive Materials And Mediated Environments Symposium And Exhibition

Francis Bitonti will be participating in this years "Input_Output: Adaptive Materials And Mediated Environments Symposium And Exhibition " at Temple University.

Francis will be presenting two projects, both the MULTI-PEDE CHAIR by FADarch and a collaborative project with Brian Osborn titled OPENHOUSE.

Abstracts:

Multi-Pede Chair::

Francis Bitonti¹

¹ Pratt Institute School or Architecture, Brooklyn NY

Abstract::

This project explores how specific functions and applications can be designed into objects that are infinitely reconfigurable. Multi-Pede chair is an adjustable chair with no mechanical parts. The seat is designed around an electronically activated shape memory polymer (SMP) core. The use of this smart material allows for the elimination of complex mechanical systems while still creating an object that is continuously adjustable. Shape Memory Polymers and other smart materials can potentially bring about a class of objects wherein function is undefined or varied. This project is an exploration into how we can embed specific applications and uses into materials with ambiguous or fluctuating properties.

OPENHOUSE::

Francis Bitonti¹, Brian Osborn²

¹ Pratt Institute School or Architecture, Brooklyn NY

² Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Environmental & Biological Sciences

Abstract::

The project questions the finite state of common material assemblages by proposing a universal building block capable of iterative adaptation based on changes in social behaviors. Adjustment of the architectural form is enabled through the integration of code into building materials. This new construction methodology hybridizes software and hardware toward the creation of a new tectonic. The material assembly is designed to allow for reprogramming such that code becomes a medium for communication between the architecture and the user. Through serial revision the architecture becomes an ecology where organisms relate and respond to each other to create a working environment.

Elementary Cellular Automata Aggregations

RULE (89)

This simple exploration explores the use of elementary cellular automata to aggregate arrays of truncated octahedron. The truncated octahedron was chosen because when packed eight translation vectors are possible from the center of the previously packed octahedron, this is the same number of possible neighborhoods in an elementary cellular automata.

Elementary Cellular Automata

Elementary Cellular Automata Aggregations

Branching Pointset Reconstruction

Computational Tectonics Available Online

Francis Bitonti's paper from the 2009 ACADIA conference is now available the FADarch website at http://www.fadarch.com/loki.html.

Shape Memory Polymer Chair

Multi-Pede Chair: http://www.fadarch.com/multipede.html

Multi-Pede Chair is an adjustable chair with no mechanical parts; the chair is designed around an Electroactive Shape Memory Polymer core. Plug the chair into a standard electrical outlet and watch its material properties transform from solid to elastic, stretch, twist and push your chair into a new configuration. Unplug and watch your new design solidify.

Any configuration is possible; the chair has hundreds of legs that cover its entire body. The legs change material, lengthen, shorten and change their section as they change orientation, at times they are legs and at other times they are seats. We have not designed a chair but hundreds of pieces of a chair. The material is infinitely reconfigurable; we can not rely on one sitting surface or one leg so we must create hundreds.

Learn more about Shape Memory Polymers

DesCours 2009

FADarch is pleased to have been part of this year’s annual DesCours (http://www.descours.us/) event in New Orleans. Francis Bitonti (FADarch) and Brian Osborn (bo-th.com) collaborated to construct a 500sqft robotic canopy titled “openHouse prototype two”

Concept:
openHouse is an illuminated canopy filling the upper portion of a small courtyard. As participants fill the courtyard the space is transformed by a field of kinetic devices. Our objective is to create a fluid public condition which is programmed by habitation and social interaction. Participants control the architecture through the seating. The ceiling is created from a grid of robotic components. The components randomly contract and expand while at rest. When the space is empty only one turns on at a time. As people begin to occupy the seating under the canopy, more components begin flickering on and off. Two people will cause three units to randomly dance around three people will activate four and four people will activate 5 etc…

opening night video


Video of openHouse during construction