#orambra

[beyondperformance]

Orambra's Tensegrity Systems

Orambra's (the Office for Robotic Architectural Media & the Bureau for Responsive Architecture) responsive tensegrity structure has actuated tensile members for control. The structural redundancy of tensegrity structures echo's Rodney Brook's arguments in his publication 'Cambrian Intelligence', and leads to highly adaptive and robust systems.

However, central control (as opposed to a distributed bottom-top approach) reduces this robustness from a cybernetic point of view. In an architectural setting, where components are routinely maintained and replaced, can we afford a central 'brain'? Or shall we choreograph a population of 'smaller brains', in order to increase robustness?

In parallel to Buckminster Fuller's definition of tensegrity structures as 'compressive members in a sea of tension', shall we view tensegrity robots as 'actuators in a sea of network intelligence' ?

[thehumanhabitat]

Actuated Tensegrity Structures:-D

A few years ago I had a look at tensegrity structures and their possible uses in sustainable design. This building technology is still in its infancy but has rapidly become more sophisticated in the past couple of years and I think we're going to see some amazing stuff from it soon. It's based on the compressive and tensile amino acids found in spider webs that give it incredible strength and flexibility. Throw in some computers that control its shape and rigidity and you've got the potential to create buildings that can increase or decrease internal spaces and even shake snow off their roofs - awesome!

ORAMBRA in the U.S. are probably at the forefront of ACT design right now. Think I'll post some more of their stuff soon.