Aaron Lee-Looking Outwards-02

Creator’s name: LMN Architects

Title of the work: Ceiling of a new concert hall at the Voxman School of Music

Year of creation: 2016

Link: https://lmnarchitects.com/project/university-of-iowa-voxman-music-building

Today, architects use scripting or programming to achieve complex yet fascinating geometry by computers which straightly leads to digital fabrication for mockups. The curves of these new shapes are not only proven to be the new aesthetic but also logical to be built in reality.

LMN Architects in Seattle designed the ceiling of a new concert hall at the Voxman School of Music using generative design and construction. Sophisticated algorithms in scripts were necessary in order to perform seamlessly an acoustic reflector, a distributor of light and air and most importantly aesthetically pleasing. Parameters / variables were first defined and generative algorithm calculated the best degree of curves, number of openings of the 946 unique, folded-aluminum composite modules while none are alike.

The further advantage of designing in scripts is that the design can be easily transcribed to fabrication language. In this case, any changes made to parameters could be produced into physical mock up to simulate acoustic level. Iterations of this process proved that the final product was the best option.