TEXTILE TECTONICS
Experiments in Quasi-Rigid-Flexible Composites

Instructors: Bill Pearson and Marcelo Spina
Semester: Spring 2012

This first collaboration between SCI-Arc ESTm program and North Sails aims to speculate on the future of a extreme lightweight materials in architecture by experimenting in the design and fabrication of quasi-rigid [quasi flexible] objects that blur the threshold between hard and soft, textile and composite. The class will encompass several areas of design: from the digital computation needed to digitally and physically distribute yarn pattern over complex surfaces, all the way thru the construction of necessary intricate mechanisms for laying carbon fibber, aramid and other yarn reinforcements within a resin matrix.

“It has become increasingly rare for any structure built for a performance sport application to be constructed from anything other than composites. And at the high end that means carbon fibre pre-preg composites.”

Bill Pearson

Taking advantage of the advanced manufacturing knowledge and capabilities from North Sails 3DL systems and technology, the class will concentrate on the possibilities offered by composite materials for architecture and design, paying close attention to the role of computation and robotic manufacturing in the fabrication and new modes of [non-mechanical] adhesive assembly in its construction.

SCI-Arc Textile Tectonics In-Kind Sponsors

Textile Tectonics seminar is generously sponsored by

North Sails Twaron

Sustaining sponsorship is provided by

A&P Technology Hexcel

Additional sponsors include

Vectorply Dow Chemical Fiber Glass Industries

Maverix Solutions Chromarat

Saint-Gobain Filtec Precise