TRANSFORMABLE AND RESPONSIVE SYSTEM
Chuck Hoberman
theory behind Digital technology was the use of computers in a context of
exposure to technology and engineering discipline. As you can see with his
projects of expandable and transformable structure, technology was always there
as an enabler of what he like to think about. His idea are about mathematics,
geometry and what computer did for him now and didn’t do it for him then, is
that there are complexity with magnetics design and the ability to visualise a
particular units and expand into a larger scale. Hoberman theory was to take
elements that had material thickness otherwise called solid models and figure
out how those would rotate through each other with complex inch points and
rotation. This was done by him writing program to basically say that this is
the thickness that he want and visualise it exactly how he wanted. Most of his work
are based on performative concepts which are inspiration by a simple scissor
like method such as elevator and how this method can transform a small objects such
as toy into a larger scale objects such as buildings (Hoberman 2013 pp.
273-327).
Hoberman methods
are similar to Polymorphism methods of defining an aspect of designs, to allow
regular variables to function (Stevenson 2010). In Metapatch project by Joseph
Kellner and David Newton supervised by Michael Hensel and Achim Menges shows
that simple rectangular wooden elements attached to a larger sheet of timber
can be setup and activate. Four bolts are used to attached rectangular elements
to a larger patch, two of the bolts are permanently fixed creating a diagonal
line, and other two remain adjustable. By stiffening two adjustable bolts
together, it creates a bending force to the patch (Menges 2013, p.169).
This method
is very similar to Hoberman project of toys. This project is focused on the
concept of transformable objects, objects that and change size and shape. His idea
behind the toy project was to expand the shape without changing its original
form. The materials are made of plastic, metal and mechanisms. These mechanisms
can somehow simplify relationship between parts without colliding into
neighbour component. Hoberman uses the scissors like system with 2 straight
lengths where end points are parallel, when the connection points between the
two lengths crosses over the midpoint, it create a changing angle. By angulating
the lengths, when the object fold or unfold the angle that they included, this
create a folding ring that begins to speak of transition in from mechanism to
structure (Hoberman 2013, p.276).
Hoberman Associates along with engineering
firm Buro Happold to form the Adaptive
Building Initiative in 2008, the design was to optimize their configuration in
real time by responding to environmental changes of adaptive buildings in new
age of innovative architecture. Hoberman Adaptive Building Initiative has
produce a new product called “Intelligent Surface” that focuses on locally
responsiveness panels. Hoberman designed each panels to have a unique geometric
patterns of opening. Both the Adaptive Fritting and Tesselate are based on a
making of perforated screen that can change its opacity when you shift different
layers of screen relatively to one another. The function are an arrangement of modules
that rotate around a central pin creating a diversity levels of transparency. As
these patterns align and diverge, the visual effect of geometric patterns of hexagons,
circles squares and triangles are created (Hoberman 2015).
Hoberman theory are very similar to a
method called hypersurface. Hypersurface is define as the reaction of visual,
acoustic and atmospheric device activated by electronic sensors of the building,
not only just the physical moment inside the building but also the
environmental surrounding and meteorological data. A project called FreshH2O Expo, Zeeland, The Netherlands, 1994-97, generally known as
Fresh Water Pavilion, has been based by a concept of liquid. The entire project
has an effect of classic merging of hardware, software and wetware, this was
demonstrated not only by shape and material use but the interior environment as
well. This design was attempt to have the curve connection of the ellipses structure
been ripped, bend and burst by an exterior force of nature and still maintaining
the smoothness to the interior. The interior of the Fresh Water Pavilion are covered
with different sensing devices to create an atmosphere of waves. As you are
walking or running through the mesh, you are creating more wave effect in a
wireframe projection due to the activation of sensors. The sensor also respond
to a different action of people jumping up and down causing a reaction of
pushing away the sound and activating moving lights along the interior. this
building also has a complex computational system to lid up the building inside
out, as you can see below, this is the reason why the interior is so blue
(spuybroek 2013, pp. 108-116).
This observational
analysis of transformative and responsive structures, examines the experience
of Hoberman and relevant source perspective. The research on shifting transformable
and responsive structures, focuses to understand how to realized structure that
can range in shape and size, was rewarded into several clients registered under
the name of Chuck Hoberman. Testing ideas on various scales, from cities and environmental
to materials and physical properties. Collaboration of experimentation using
both digital and calculated technologies. Each project are designed to suite
its specific environment and culture while addressing modern theme of
transformative, responsive and interactive architecture. This new approach has
resulted in projects such as “Metapatch”, illustrate different methods to a façade,
“Toy”, demonstrate Hoberman theory of transformative based on fold and unfold
hinges, “Tesselate”, shows the responsive interaction of a façade and the “FreshH2O Expo” illustrate different sense of movement in the
interior space.
Reference List
Menges. A 2006, ‘Polymorphism’, in M Carpo (ed), The Digital Turn in Architecture 2013,
Wiley, pp.167-180.
Hoberman. C 2013, ‘Expanding Sphere and Iris Dome’, in G
Lynn (ed), Archaeology of the Digital
2013, Sternberg Press, Canadian Centre for Architecture pp.273-327.
Spuybroek. L 1998, ‘Hypersurface’, in M Carpo (ed), The Digital Turn in Architecture 2013,
Wiley, pp.108-124.
Stevenson, A (ed) 2010, Oxford
Dictionary of English,3rd edn, Oxford University Press.
Image Reference List
