Due to economical necessity, architecture of the 20th century consists of repetition of similar parts. Consequentially, distinguished borders between different elements are inevitable. But distinguished border situations often entrain disadvantageous behavior like stress concentrations and tend to fail in exactly those areas. In comparison, natural systems evolved principles of differentiation and convergence in shape and materiality within different hierarchical length scales to enhance performance and multi-functionality of its system. New developments in computational design opened up possibilities to construct and simulate those processes within an early state of the design process. Novel CNC-based fabrication techniques allow rethinking established construction logics and their systems of order and widen up the freedom in geometric variety.
The goal of the workshop is the exploration and design of transitional material systems similar to natural systems. More specifically, the focus lies on the experimental exploration of digital and physical gradient systems showing transitions in various forms likes transparency, between different geometries, functionality, or different materials. Concepts and techniques of computational design are going to be introduced and should be utilized during the design process.