jamieh-LookingOutwards-02

Michael Hansmeyer uses algorithm to generate architecture that is almost impossible to imagine, draft and model by hand. He is inspired by nature and its concept of cell division, which he ties together with architecture. In his TED talk, he talked about how we can fold paper multiple times until we are limited by ourselves and/or the folded material thickness. However, by using the computer to help generate these actions, such actions are possible. His example showed a cube being folded in multiple directions and ways to become a completely different form. He uses code to control the folding, such as ratios, so that he is designing the process instead of the form. This process can then generate an infinite amount of possibilities to the final form. Although the form becomes complex, it can be realized through 3D printing to become a part of architecture. His work Subdivided Columns (2010) was designed with such algorithm to take an abstracted doric column and let it evolve digitally into an elaborate, ornamental column.

What I admire about Hansmeyer is his openmindedness to the many possible end results to an architectural form. I would love to see what other types of rules he can apply to his code (other than folding) that can generate another set of possibilities.