Elegant Fluency - Curtains Competition
The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture
The task was to explore the use of fabrics in contemporary art and architecture—not in the form of rigid tensile structures, nor in the form of cladding or upholstery, but in their more relaxed, natural forms. Beyond its function and architecture, this installation is designed to have a direct effect on its respective location.
The installation unveils the fluency of fabric and its possibility of adaption. The interior is directly defined by outside influences like wind, gravity, light and human interaction, becoming an inspirational space that will enchant the project site.
The naturally fluent material and the variously long fabric elements reveals an unexpected myriad pattern in the inside. This results in a semi-closed space which diffuses natural light and sways elegantly with the wind. The chosen natural fabric with its inherent fluent character makes the inside of the installation a calm and relaxing space, while the natural lighting creates a captivating play of shadow and light.
For architectural purposes, fabric is quite often stretched around structures. This proposal aims to keep it in its most characteristic state: elegant fluency and to show how fabric in its simple shape can create modern and unexpectedly inspirational spaces.
The project's construction is based on a rectangular shape. Perpendicular elements at the corners and in the middle maintain optimal statics. Pieces of fabric are attached to interconnected circular elements which are connected to the main construction by set of perpendicular smaller beams. This approach makes it easy to adapt, as the amount of elements can be varied and adjusted to fit the requirements of different sites - whether they would be indoors or outdoors.
The individual pieces of fabric are modelled in a parametrical fashion, defining the space within the installation. On the outside, the wavelike shape invites people to enter from any side. This elegant and fluent exterior, combined with neutral coloring, blends harmoniously into its surroundings
Architecture and Creative direction: Alia Ramadan
Déri design
http://soa.utexas.edu/events/curtains