Parametric Matter

Blaney, Adam and Ozkan, Dilan and Pelit, Emel and Braga, Mariana Fonseca and Hardy, John G. and Ashton, Mark (2023) Parametric Matter. In: Hybrids and Haecceities - Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA 2022 :. Hybrids and Haecceities - Proceedings of the 42nd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture, ACADIA 2022 . ACADIA/ Riverside Architectural Press, USA, pp. 208-223. ISBN 9798986080581

Abstract

This paper discusses an ongoing interdisciplinary research project that develops a design and fabrication approach termed; tunable environments. This is an explorative approach, which enables updates from a digital parametric interface to be ‘pushed' into a 2D, 18 x 18 cm material sample, by modulating stimuli, so multiple properties can be updated/tuned at high resolutions. Our prototype explores how iterative updates can be achieved, which can be temporarily frozen in time. This opens up the idea of creating Parametric Matter/circular materials, which could reduce waste that can be attributed to typical linear processes. Additionally, highly bespoke, ‘time-based’ structures could be achieved. However, new implications for design and fabrication arise based on: time-lag of materials, a legacy of interactions, resetting materials as well as challenges of determining associations and desirable material properties.