2023.09 Pneumatica
An era defined by energy scarcity, the abundance of plastic waste, and excess environmentally irresponsible building stock requires global efforts and collective action. Architecturally, existing homogenous concrete interior spaces cannot satisfy the multiple and contrasting needs of their inhabitants.
“Pneumatica” explores how environmental post-construction may exist at the tenant level with inflatable construction–circumnavigating industrial construction paradigms. We aim to develop an intuitive design-to-fabrication workflow for low-pressure inflatable structures. This framework consists of novel means of augmented reality modeling, algorithmic patterning, and a manufacturing process that leverages household tools.
This project consisted of four workshop sessions and a showcase exhibition. In the four separate workshop sessions, artists Oliver Moldow and Fabian Eidner worked with students to design, model, and fabricate a temporary pneumatic event space in Kirkland Gallery. Each session was open to 2-3 participants. In the first session on Sept. 26, students used the AR tool outlined above to design and model an inflatable. In the following three sessions on Sept. 28, they used the same tool to fabricate the design.
The structure occupied on Sept. 29 in an exhibition showcasing the work.
Oliver Moldow and Fabian Eidner are Masters of Science candidates (‘23) at the Institute of Computational Design at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. Currently, they are builders in residence at Autodesk in Boston. Their collective backgrounds include architecture, technology, fabrication, and media.
