The designer of the Stretch Urban Campus Connector discusses the way that architects and engineers have gradually come to manipulate the popular construction materials of the past several generations. Mircea Eni points out that many of the mesmerizing and monumental architectural forms that we see today employ your familiar concretes and steels, it's just that contemporary technology has permitted us to reworked them in surprising and innovative ways.
To demonstrate this, a proposal for a walkway was conceived that would link the Columbia College buildings at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Based on the example that thread can become something as intricate as lace, timber can be formed into complex frameworks of unpredictable geometries and undulating surfaces. The Stretch Urban Campus Connector creates an entirely new sort of atmosphere.
Lumber Lattice Walkways
The Stretch Urban Campus Connector Treats Timber Like Thread
Trend Themes
1. Timber-based Architecture - Opportunity to explore and push the boundaries of timber as a versatile construction material, creating innovative and unconventional structures.
2. Complex Geometries - Potential for architects and engineers to design structures with intricate and unpredictable geometries, adding visual interest and uniqueness to urban environments.
3. Revitalization of Familiar Materials - Opportunity to re-imagine and rework traditional construction materials such as timber, concrete, and steel, breathing new life into them through innovative applications.
Industry Implications
1. Construction - Introducing timber-based structures and new construction techniques can revolutionize the industry by offering sustainable and aesthetically pleasing alternatives.
2. Architecture - Architects can seize the opportunity to create visually stunning and distinctive designs by incorporating complex geometries and unconventional materials.
3. Engineering - Engineers can explore and develop new methods of utilizing timber and other materials to construct resilient and structurally sound buildings with unique attributes.