Ambitious Intelligent Membrane Architecture

Diploma Thesis from the year 2009 in the subject Urban and Regional Planning, grade: 1,0, University of Stuttgart (Institute of Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design / Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Architectural Design), course: Architecture and Urban Planning, language: English, abstract: Within the framework of my studies and design work at the Institute for Lightweight Construction and Conceptual Design of Stuttgart University, I had been advised to terminate my studies in the field of lightweight construction and textile construction at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston. The findings from the design work showed that there is functional and aesthetical potential in the use of future textile materials for construction purposes. The so-called 'intelligent membranes', for example, can show new ways in the fields of construction, power supply and communication. The main focus of the stay was the research and summarization of current development statuses of potential technologies, the elaboration of fields of application in architecture as well as drawing a connection to a realistic design project. Prof. supervised and advised me kindly as a visiting student at the Department of Architecture. A convenient introduction at the Department was possible through a highly practical orientation, an open culture of discussion about actual main topics and the unconventional cross-linking. The highly qualified comments on methodological proceeding, the exchange with connected projects and the constant debate about the gained findings, supported and stimulated the development of the project. The interdisciplinary working Institutes at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) additionally enabled a wide ranged presentation of the project and enriched it with discussions and criticisms through the Department of Material Science and the MediaLab. The numerous meetings, constant discussions and the high-qualified criticism of Prof. were supportive for the project and additionally motivated to ponder, to proceed and review the work.