Background image by Jung Joon Yun, AA DIP16

This lecture introduced notions of digital and physical prototyping as techniques and effects as an introduction to a five day workshop exploring parametric principles and Islamic patterns. Examples from contemporary built architecture suggested how this field is expanding into practice, and the experimental work of Krets as well as selected student projects from AA Dip16 provided in depth ideas of different approaches. As the curriculum at Virginia Commonwealth University in Doha covers interior design, fashion and graphic design, a particular focus was given on small scale and installation work.

Networks and Environments

Krets projects PARCEL and SplineGraft are featured in Networks and Environments, a monograph on Servo published by DAMIDI Architecture Publishing CO, Korea.

damdi.co.kr/dd27.html

Krets projects PARCEL and SplineGraft are featured in Hatch: The New Architectural Generation.

“Hatch” showcases 114 architects who will define the physical fabric of our cities for the next 30 years, as well as the theoretical and interpretive background of architectural practice worldwide. These are practitioners for whom the old categories do not hold, and for whom modernism is no longer the orthodoxy. As the role of architects in cities changes, young practitioners pursue a range of work as writers, critics, curators, teachers, fashion designers, computer programmers, club promoters, materials experts, engineers, installation artists, developers and builders. Critically selected, the work of each architect, writer and photographer in “Hatch” is examined in detail to uncover the approaches that will reach their full fruition in the coming years and decades. In this work, 800 photographs and drawings of projects give more than just eye candy. With this book you can decide for yourself how good these young stars are.

Hatch: The New Architectural Generation, Kieran Long, Laurence King Publishing, 2008

SplineGraft featured in Swedish journal Arkitekten, 2006 (in Swedish).

Splinegraft featured in Spanish journal Pasajes Construcción, 2007

Overview of personal practice in research, teaching and practice, featuring the Krets projects SplineGraft and PARCEL as well as design project Show Unit in article in Skapande Människa 10-year anniversary publication.

SplineGraft featured in Korean Space journal, 2006

SplineGraft featured in German Form journal, 2006

SplineGraft structural rack

The SplineGraft project sets up a reactive environment in which sound dampening panels are continuously reshaped by a network of actuating devices, triggered by user movement. The panels are grafted into an existing environment, supported by structural racks allowing a range of different configurations. SplineGraft can be set in different overall shapes independent of its behavior. The different parts are grafted onto each other; the profiled polyurethane panels are articulated by the configuration of the structural racks. The texture of this primary form is reshaped in real time by the control system integrated in the structural racks; a continuous form finding process with emergent patterning effects. In return, the spline ridges of the panels disperse these transformations horizontally.

Structure
The supporting structural racks are assembled from cnc-milled clear acrylic units, each integrating the actuating mechanisms, milled tracks for cabling and etched nickel brass conduits for inter-unit connectivity. The angle between each structural component can be set in five different positions, allowing the rack to be set at a convex or concave configuration, while maintaining conductive links between each part. Each rack of five units is controlled by a micro controller, steering the integrated actuators in the form of dual shape memory alloy wires. The central intelligence of each rack communicates with neighboring racks through radio.

SplineGraft behavior
The behaviour of the SplineGraft is controlled by a genetic algorithm; a computer program that simulates and compresses the geologically slow processes of natural selection to nanoseconds of computational time, in order to evolve solutions to specific problems. The Spline Graft algorithm is in this way trying to emit patterns of movement which stimulate occupation of the space it has been grafted in to. The matching of sensor readings and motor reactions in an apparently intentional way by the Spline Graft, transforms architecture into a cybernetic agent involved in the making and production of space.

Simulated SplineGraft panel

SplineGraft materials
CNC-milled acrylic structural components with integrated wiring, machined polyurethane foam, etched nickel brass conductors, IR Movement Sensor, custom made PCB Cards, AVR Atmega8 Microcontrollers, Radio Modules, diverse electronic components, Flexinol® shape memory alloy actuators with protective Teflon tubes.

Credits
SplineGraft was developed by Krets partners Pablo Miranda and Jonas Runberger.
Electronic hardware developed in collaboration with Åsmund Gamlesæter.
Supporting development Team: Nick Flygt, Emma Sander, Sanna Söderhäll and Sandra Westin.
The SplineGraft project development was supported by AKAD, Vitra Design Stiftung and the Helge Ax:son Johnson Foundation.

Open House exhibition catalogue

SplineGraft featured in Open House Exhibition Catalogue, in the article New spaces – new materials written by Christiane Sauer principle of Formade, 2006

New spaces – new materials in Open House – architecture and technology for intelligent living exhibition catalogue ENTRY 2006
for Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein 2006