SG2010 Cluster: Inflatable Fabric Envelopes

The goal of the workshop group is to explore the use of inflatable fabric envelopes using the dual membrane principle used in inflatable tube kites where tension resistant membrane and air tight bladders are separated allowing for lightweight, strong structures with a relatively high level of shape control and the ability to use standard sewing techniques for construction. Participants are encouraged to experiment with new uses for those techniques in the architectural and engineering context such as possibly inflatable molds or lightweight structures and build prototypes to test them by combining parametric and computational modeling techniques with digital fabrication and sewing. (No prior experience with sewing necessary)
Axel Kilian studied Architecture at the University of the Arts Berlin and specialized in Design and Computation for a Masters of Science, a Ph.D., and a post-doctorate at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He has been teaching workshops in computational design and design studios and has lectured widely on the topic of generative design at universities, in architectural practices and as a tutor in the smart geometry group workshop series since 2003. From 2007 to 2009 he was an Assistant Professor in Design Informatics at Delft University of Technology. Since 2009 he is an Assistant Professor for Computational Design School of Architecture of Princeton University.
Adam Davis is an Associate in the Foster + Partners Specialist Modelling Group, where he has worked since 2006. His recent research focuses on analyzing and form-finding architecture based on light transmission (visibility and radiation). Adam worked as a web technologist for internet and open source software companies before attending the University of Pennsylvania School of Design, where he received Master of Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture degrees. He teaches parametric and computational design as a scripting technologist (U Penn), workshop tutor (AA D-Lab) and consultant tutor (AA Diploma Unit 2).

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