Reconfigurable Molds as Architecture Machines

Abstract

In The ArchiTecTure MAchine (1970), nICholas neGroponte postulates the DevelopMent oF DesIGn MaChInes whereIn the "DesIGn proCess, ConsIDereD as evolutIonary, Can be presenteD to a MaChIne, also ConsIDereD as evolutIonary, anD a Mutual traInInG, resIlIenCe, anD Growth Can be DevelopeD." the book, dedicated to "the first machine that can appreciate the ges ture," argues for developing machines with human like quali ties. this paper aims to develop an alternative trajectory to the "evolutionary" architecture machine, this time not towards anthropomorphism but responsiveness. the aim on one level is the same: to create machines that appreciate the gesture. however our approach is tied to more modest aims and means that bring current thinking on evolutionary processes and the forming of materials together. the reconfigurable mold (rCM) is an architecture machine that produces parts that can be combined to create more complex organizations. the molds are simple analog computers that employ various continuous scales like volume, weight and heat to develop their unique components. parametric alterations are made possible by affecting these measures in the process of fabrication. an underlying material that is instrumental in the molds is rub ber, whose variable elasticity provides unique possibilities for indexing the gesture that remains elusive for industrial pro cesses. Reconfigurable Molds as Architecture MachinesProceedings 287Materials and Craft Inspired By NatureReconfigurable Molds as Architecture Machines FIGure 1. (toP RIght) the RCM-J FIGure 2. (BottoM left) DIffeReNt ReCIPeS FIGure 3. (toP left) RCM-D

Fiber Compositions - Development of wood and textile layered structures as a material strategy for sustainable design

“…Parts-based molds consist of moveable planar parts to change the size or form of the components (Khabazi and Budig 2016;Shaffer 2017). The variation can also be produced by flexible materials like elastic fabrics and polymers controlled by moveable mechanical parts (Khan 2008;Tessmann and Mehdizadeh 2019). Changes in the orientation of tool parts directly affect the overall size and form in a defined solution space.…”

The reconfiguration of tool parameters in clay extruder

“…Parts-based molds consist of moveable planar parts to change the size or form of the components (Khabazi and Budig 2016;Shaffer 2017). The variation can also be produced by flexible materials like elastic fabrics and polymers controlled by moveable mechanical parts (Khan 2008;Tessmann and Mehdizadeh 2019). Changes in the orientation of tool parts directly affect the overall size and form in a defined solution space.…”