Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": 3-D printed structurally- and environmentally-differentiated skin demonstrating the polyjet matrix technology.

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    Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 1st prize 2008 North America: Neri Oxman (right) and John Anastasios Hart.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Mechanically shaped carbon nanotube rib for varying the structural cross section in micro scale.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Open-cells skin prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Closed-cells skin prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Curvature range in prototype.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Mold prototype for porous skin.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Composite porous mock-up.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Microstructural organizations.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Performance control mechanisms.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Growth control mechanisms.

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    Project entry 2008 North America - "Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins, Cambridge, USA": Holcim Awards "Next Generation" 1st prize 2008 North America: Neri Oxman (right) and John Anastasios Hart.

  • Next generation Next Generation 1st prize 2008–2009 North America

Microstructure research for building skins seeks to develop a sustainable skin which offers construction without joints, as well as load-bearing, ventilation, thermal and noise insulation, and changing light penetration capacities. Both high-tech and traditional building materials are involved in this interdisciplinary project combining design, materials science and engineering.

By Neri Oxman - Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge, MA, USA and

Ideas: Embodied Carbon , Circular Design

Microstructure research for building skins seeks to develop a sustainable skin which offers construction without joints, as well as load-bearing, ventilation, thermal and noise insulation, and changing light penetration capacities.

Both high-tech and traditional building materials are involved in this interdisciplinary project combining design, materials science and engineering.

Construction in vivo - Microstructure research for building skins

Project authors

  • Neri Oxman

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

    USA

  • John Anastasios Hart

    University of Michigan

    USA

Project updates

October 16, 2008 | Winners for North America announced | Montréal, QC, Canada

Top sustainable construction projects in North America honored

Holcim Awards ceremony for North America 2008 - Montreal, Canada

The winners of the second North American Holcim Awards competition for Sustainable Construction projects were announced at a ceremony in Montreal. Total prize money of USD 270,000 was presented to nine projects from Canada and the United States that showcase the latest approaches to address critical topics including housing affordability, employment, renewable energy, and water efficiency.

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July 01, 2008 | Regional Jury Report – North America | Cambridge, MA, USA

“A visionary and novel idea” – Holcim Awards Jury

This project deals with new construction materials. The visionary and novel idea consists of developing a building skin that offers construction without joints and assembly and is also able to accommodate different functionalities such as load bearing capacity, natural ventilation through osmosis, thermal and noise insulation and changing light penetration wherever and whenever requested. What might sound like a miracle shall be achieved by a hierarchical combination of carbon nanotubes, polymers and traditional building materials such as steel, wood and glass. 

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February 29, 2008 | Project Entry & Details | Cambridge, MA, USA

Project Entry 2008 for North America

Microstructure research for building skins seeks to develop a sustainable skin which offers construction without joints, as well as load-bearing, ventilation, thermal and noise insulation, and changing light penetration capacities. Both high-tech and traditional building materials are involved in this interdisciplinary project combining design, materials science and engineering.

Read full article

Related information

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Location

pin Cambridge, MA, USA

Cambridge, MA, USA