SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

This year’s Pratt Institute Graduate Architecture & Urban exhibition is showing the result of student work in a course taught by Michael Szivos, SoftLab principal. The work is grouped into clusters, based on the type of project, location, how it was conceived and the semester the work was produced in. The projects from Spring to Fall 20112 we arranged in a three dimensional grid – a large scale installation conceived in Robet H. Siegel gallery with the aim to explore digital fabrication methods while exhibiting their work.

Each project generated a cell, fitting into the grid which was dynamically adjusted into clusters. The whole concept provided a cloud like structure that seamed naturally grown rather than artificially conceived and strictly organized. The underside of the structure was clad with color coded images of the work and it created a landscape of images, explored by visitors like one is exploring the cave. Very porous structure appeared continuous and solid when looked from down under. The porosity allowed the artificial light to actually overcome the barrier and to enter the gallery.

The installation was made of 250 unique cells, each custom laser cut, assembled in gallery and clad with custom coded image. Due to the porous character of the structure and the material, the grid was surprisingly light but still strong enough to take up a large volume. The structure is designed as open – with the ability to grow and change, and in many ways it was a metaphor of an architectural student education – relying of redundancy, complexity, connections and irregularity, but creating a whole.

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

SoftLab, Pratt Institute, GAUD13, Michael Szivos, digital fabrication, image coding, clusters, porous structure, grid structure, hanging installation

 

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