Materialism

The approach of the design world towards matter has taken a radical turn in the past decade; from a passive, inert entity, it has become a central and generative agent in the design process, a responsive, animated and active entity. Along with concepts of Neo-Materialism, our role as designers changes, and our responsibilities redefined. Materiality turns to be a field of experimentation and discovery, in which architects and designers are called to be active actors in the development of new materials, new material processes and transformations, extend beyond the limits of previously known material expressions.

The practice of material research relies on a scientific approach, combined with parametric digital design tools. Creative and experimental material research results in a new design language, expressed through material-systems which blur boundaries between disciplines and fields of application.

This course intends to introduce the approach of experimental material research, its tools and methods, revolving around the connection matter-geometry-performance. Physical experiments, sampling and modelling are at the core of this course, combined with parametric thinking and digital tools (Rhino Grasshopper).