plastics seminar

 

The seminar will focus on the hands-on, full-scale construction of a wall assembly using construction-grade plastics as the primary building material. Working individually or in small teams, students will use full-scale tools and materials to build prototype wall sections, approximately 6’x8’x1’, and including one horizontal and one vertical panel joint. The design and construction process will require research into the properties and fabrication methods of a variety of plastic products. The initial construction studies will include models using computer–controlled laser cutting as a scaled investigation of potential fabrication methods.

 

The Wall
Walls are a fundamental architectural component. The focus of our study is intentionally narrow in order to consider in depth the range of physical and conceptual issues involved in the making of a (simple?) building element. In order to build an effective wall, we will look at interrelated issues such as load-bearing, shear resistance, flexibility, fastening, insulation, ventilation, respiration, water infiltration, air infiltration, light transmission, sound transmission and absorption, energy transmission and absorption, image transmission, opacity, translucence, reflectivity, inward view, outward view, weathering and material degradation, maintenance, security, economy, constructability, componenitization, surface tactility, health effects, environmental impact, smell, significance, meaning and visual appearance—firmness, commodity and delight. The objective will be a well-considered and beautiful construction of a (simple?) wall section.

 

Plastic
Plastics are used in many components throughout the construction industry. Following particular creativity in product design for smaller objects—and advances in material technology—architects have developed increasing interest in and creativity with plastic structures, skins and components. Of particular interest is the range of interaction with natural and artificial light, as well as the formal and functional plasticity of the material. In designing and building the wall sections, we will investigate the creative relationship between materials, processes and ideas in architecture.