MA 10 - Advanced Course: Movable Structures
Summer Semester
This elective module focuses on the movable structural systems designed by Spanish architect Emilio Pérez Piñero. Concepts such as change and mobility are analyzed within an architectural context. Mobility, in the sense of a flexible, dynamic, and nomadic space, is a very important aspect of the zeitgeist of the 1960s. The architectural typology of this period is often characterized by large and, in some cases, movable structures that give rise to spaces of the most diverse kinds. Emilio Pérez Piñero was one of the first architects to explore movable structural systems and incorporate them into his designs. Félix Escrig and Santiago Calatrava are considered his successors.
The goal of this elective module is to design and build a mobile structure for temporary use based on the modules developed by Emilio Pérez Piñero and Félix Escrig. In the first phase, the skeleton is constructed, consisting of three to four basic modules. A basic module consists of rods approximately 2.5 m long, connected by a central node. Possible materials include plastic, metal, or wood. Depending on its intended use, the model serves as a support for light and sound installations. The second phase focuses on cladding the model. Various types of textile materials are suitable for this purpose.
Students will work in groups of two or three. A solid understanding of CAD programs, particularly in three-dimensional modeling, is necessary to be able to visualize the artifacts. The elective module is offered as a compact seminar.