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MORPHOLOGY STUDIOS 2011-2012

By Haresh Lalvani and Ajmal Aqtash

School of Architecture, Center for Experimental Structures

COSTA TENSEGRITY MEMBRANE STRUCTURE

We continue our experiments in the structural topology of minimal surfaces and combine the well-known Costa surface with the tensegrity principle. A ‘triple-layered’ module of a tensioned Costa surface is made from individual fabric elements that are stitched together in a saddle-shaped array to form a continuously tensioned membrane which holds the discontinuous zig-zag compressive elements in place, and apart from each other, in a co-operative structural action. The structure shows two types of holes in the membrane, the topological holes of the Costa surface and holes between adjacent membrane modules needed for a quicker physical assembly. Topological tensegrity membranes like this one open up new structural possibilities for shaping architecture.

Faculty: Haresh Lalvani+Ajmal Aqtash

Students: Blaine Campbell, Manuel Castaneda, Thorton Dai, Kyle Day, Kerim Eken, EunHae Oh

  • Haresh Lalvani

  • Ajmal Aqtash

    Founded form-ula, a multidisciplinary design practice that seeks to understand the intersection of art, design, and engineering and its collaborative possibilities to produce culturally rich and high performance architecture for…