Name: Gustav Fagerström Organization: Kohn Pedersen Fox

Name:
Gustav Fagerström
Organization: Kohn Pedersen Fox/London Metropolitan University
Role:
Junior Architect/MA-student
Contact:
Flat 559 Ben Jonson House Barbican London EC2Y8NH
email: gfagerstrom@kpf.com
telephone: +44(0)7881740706
Experience to date in computational design:
Since the completion of my Part II-diploma in September of 2007 I have
been employed by the London office of Kohn Pedersen Fox. My work at
KPF deals with the development and optimization of the highly complex
cladding system conceived for the Pinnacle tower project. The main tools
for doing so are Generative Components and Microsoft Excel; to some
extent tasks are also performed using Solid Works and Rhinoscript.
Furthermore, I am currently developing my dissertation for the MAprogram Architecture and Digital Design Systems at the London Metropolitan University. During the previous part of the course my work
focused on vertical density and the pertinence of parametric/associative
techniques for the management and optimization of an intricate architectural brief. More specifically this work dealt with two main concepts,
that of creating a highly mixed and diverse program, following a sort of
‘vertical street’-reasoning, and that of developing the structure around
the concept of a tension-compression equilibrium. Generative Components was used to create the entire project and enable a control over the
multiple levels of reciprocal relationships making up the construct.
High-rise mixed use development on Shibaura Island,
Tokyo. Project developed in Generative Components.
Current research ambition and workshop proposal:
The aim of my current design research is the development of a cladding
element dealing with loads, ventilation and light within one performative
rule set. The driving thesis behind this is two-fold: the parametrically
conceived building envelope needs to move towards a more dynamical
responsiveness, something that is already being attempted and achieved
in several contemporary projects. One way for said responsiveness to
evolve would be the creation of singular responses to multiple questions.
In other words my research attempts to find integrated solutions to
multi-performative criteria as a step on the way toward complete building intelligence. Moreover, the fabrication and assembly consequences
would be notable once a single cladding component type can be
produced as a general response to several – or at its furthest step of
evolution, all – performative requirements.
Here as in the preceding work on high-rise structures the work is conceptually based around a tension-compression system, i.e. aiming for a dual
force equilibrium. In this way, one element participates in the global
building mechanics as part of a tensile or compressive load path, while
locally balancing tension and compression. Material reactions to
temperature within tensile and compressive members are the actuators
for opening and closure of the facade. I envision this being achieved
through an iterative process bringing the construct back and forth
between modelling and testing/analysis applications. Therefore my
proposal for the Smart geometry 2008 workshop, should I be chosen to
participate, is exploring a generative process between Generative
Components/ Microsoft Excel for aperture calibration relative to
temperature and Solid Works for spring analysis. I kindly ask you to
consider my application for the standard as well as student categories.
Current work on multi-performative building envelope.
Geometry to be subjected to spring analysis in Solid Works.