ICD Announces Completion of Research Projects by Assistant Professor Sean Ahlquist
The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) recently announced the completion of two design research projects exhibiting the research of Sean Ahlquist, current Assistant Professor of Architecture at Taubman College and doctoral candidate at the University of Stuttgart in the Institute for Computational Design (ICD).
As the news release from ICD states:
These projects exhibit the research of Sean Ahlquist in examining the potential of variegated material constructs to form complex force-active structural and spatial systems, as well as the development of a custom computational design application.
Material Equilibria Installation at ggggallery in Copenhagen
The Material Equilibria Installation examines the intricate relationship between variegation of knitted textiles, as produced via CNC knitting machines, and of non-uniform tensile forces. At a macro scale, the relationship is instrumental in generated a self-organized equilibrium state between textiles in pure tension and bending-active composite rods at the boundary. On a micro scale, the differentiated tensile forces distend the various knitting logics to differentiate the regular hexagonal pattern. The relationships were examined through physical experiments and through a behavior-based modelling environment developed in Processing through the Ahlquist’s on-going research.
Textile Hybrid M1 at La Tour de l’Architect in Monthoiron, France
The Textile Hybrid M1 project implements a similar study of variegated force-active structures, but examines the articulation and calibration of multi-material and multi-scalar assemblies. The multi-scalar system is based upon a logic of interwoven bending-active rods stabilized by the integration of tensile surfaces. Situated at a historically sensitive site, the material system minimizes residual forces imposing upon the context while generating clear spans of up to 8 meters. Simultaneously, the system is articulated into a more localized structure as a series of cells serving to differentiate light transmission through the primary membrane surface. The project includes the research of Julian Lienhard of the Institute for Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) and was developed in cooperation with students of the University of Stuttgart.
Ahlquist is a part of the Cluster in Computational Media and Interactive Systems which connects Architecture with the fields of Material Science, Computer Science, Art & Design and Music. His particular research thread is centered on the topic of material computation, in developing means by which complex material behaviors can be instrumentalized to formulate integrated and variable spatial capacities.
