A major new show titled Anatomy of Structure: The Future of Art + Architecture by global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in collaboration with Princeton University, TU Delft, and Global Robots, takes over the 1300-square-meter Ambika P3 Gallery, presenting an action-packed live robotic construction and other innovations that transform the way we build now and in the future.
Clues to help solve future challenges in design and construction—from embodied carbon to structures inspired by nature—can be found by examining SOM’s history of innovation in engineering, research, sustainability, and the ground-breaking ideas that have shaped some of the world’s most significant structures and works of art. This quest is at the heart of Anatomy of Structure, a major new exhibition that will take a sweeping journey across the multidisciplinary design process at SOM. The show is set to open March 10th, 2020, and will be on view through April 17th at Ambika P3 Gallery, University of Westminster.
Through hand-drawn sketches, sculptures, research models, digital fabrication methods, immersive videos, and a line-up of more than 30 structural models of SOM’s most innovative buildings, including Broadgate Exchange House and The Stratford in London, Karlatornet in Gothenburg, Willis Tower (formerly Sears) in Chicago, and Burj Khalifa in Dubai—the exhibition seeks to establish a dialogue between past and present, ideas that lead to new architecture, and an unexpected approach to realizing artworks.
Organized according to five themes—Research + Future, Efficiency + Economy, Hierarchy + Order, Scale + Form, and Creation + Collaboration—visitors will tower over models of SOM’s tallest skyscrapers, and explore the intersection of art, architecture, structural design. The exhibition also dives into SOM’s recent collaborations with artists, including Janet Echelman, James Carpenter, Jaume Plensa, and Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle.
At the heart of the show is a soaring vault built of glass bricks, assembled live onsite by robots through the course of the exhibition. A joint effort between SOM and Princeton University, USA, in consultation with the TU Delft Glass & Transparency Research Group in the Netherlands, the demonstration marries architecture and digital fabrication to explore the next frontier in building construction.
Challenging conventional materials and construction methods, the exhibition explores a more sustainable future—with applicability today—driven by smarter materials, new efficient structures, and clever uses of automation.
EXHIBITION
Anatomy of Structure: The Future of Art + Architecture
March 10 – April 17, 2020
Monday: Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday – Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Thursday: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Ambika P3
University of Westminster
35 Marylebone Road
London NW1 5LS
PROGRAMMING
In addition to the exhibition, SOM will host a series of related events. See details below. All events will take place at Ambika P3.
Mathematics + Architecture
Thursday, March 12
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Mathematics and architecture have always been closely linked. Through the geometry of topology, shape, proportion, and size, mathematics comprise the essential elements of both the aesthetics and practicality of architecture. Today, we are in a new era in which the mathematics of computational design make possible what has previously been unimaginable; however, this has also permitted excesses that are questionable in the current climate crisis. As a whole, the architectural profession must engage in critical discussions of how and when to use the mathematical and computational power we have at our fingertips.
SOM Consulting Partner Bill Baker, Chris Williams, Molly Claypool, and Pablo Zamorano will discuss Mathematics + Architectureas it relates to their work. A PechaKucha presentation will be followed by the panel discussion.
Speakers:
Bill Baker, SOM
Molly Claypool, The Bartlett School of Architecture
Chris Williams, Chalmers University of Technology
Pablo Zamorano, Heatherwick Studio
Robotics + the Future of Construction
Friday, March 13
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
How are robots changing the way we conceptualize structures and architecture? How will they change the way we build, both in the present day and in the future? What lessons can AEC industries learn from the automotive and aeronautical industries? Panelists representing various industries will discuss these and other questions around the role and impact of robots.
The event will include a presentation describing the design process behind the glass brick vault component of the exhibition, a joint effort between SOM and Princeton University, USA, in consultation with the TU Delft Glass & Transparency Research Group in the Netherlands.
Speakers:
Mark Sarkisian, SOM Structural and Seismic Engineering Partner
Professor Stefana Parascho, Princeton University
Xavier de Kestelier, Hassel
Jeremy Hadall, Intelligent Automation Group, MTC
Glen Rust, Laing O’Rourke
Samantha Walker, SOM
Timber Talks
Thursday, March 19
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
As the urgency to reduce our embodied carbon accelerates, timber still stands as our most vital and yet most underutilized material. Panelists will share insight on the current state of the industry, what is being done now to combat climate change, and what more can be done.
Speakers:
Dmitri Jajich, SOM
Christine Lellig, Wood for Good
Phil Obayda, SOM
Simon Smith, Smith and Wallwork
Peter Wilson, Timber Design Initiative
In Conversation: Janet Echelman + the Engineering of Art
Wednesday, April 15
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
With Dominic Lutyens leading the discussion, Bill Baker and artist Janet Echelman will share insight on past collaborations in art and engineering, which include “Dream Catcher.”
Speakers:
Bill Baker, SOM
Janet Echelman, Artist
Dominic Lutyens, Writer
Embodied Carbon: From Principles to Practice
Thursday, April 16
6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
As we enter the critical decade of ambitious action to deliver net-zero carbon built environments, all stakeholders must come together to accelerate the rapid transformation needed within the industry. Panelists will share insight on how this collective action can be embraced, and on the role and responsibility of architects and engineers in meeting the UK’s net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
Speakers:
Jane Anderson, PE International
Hattie Hartman, The Architects’ Journal
Mina Hasman, SOM
Joanna Jarvinen, Sustainbiity Consultant and BREEAM Assessor
Simon Sturgis, Targeting Zero
Register here.A major new show titled Anatomy of Structure: The Future of Art + Architecture by global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill in collaboration with Princeton University, TU Delft, and Global Robots, takes over the 1300-square-meter Ambika P3 Gallery, presenting an action-packed live robotic construction and other innovations that transform the way we build now and in the future.Speakers:
Jane Anderson, PE International
Hattie Hartman, The Architects’ Journal
Mina Hasman, SOM
Joanna Jarvinen, Sustainbiity Consultant and BREEAM Assessor
Simon Sturgis, Targeting Zero
Register here.
