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Minima | Maxima

Minima | Maxima

MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY

Category : GENERAL
By MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY (United States)

What did you create?​

“Minima | Maxima stands at a crossroad of extremes: an ultra-thin shell of just 6mm rises to a height of 43 feet by way of its sprawling, double-curved surfaces. In this whimsical yet durable universe created by MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY, curves win out over angles. Branches, splits and recombinations make columns and beams irrelevant. A “networked’” surface rolls in, on and around itself, transforming into a space that upends preconceived notions of enclosure, threshold and limit, while also providing its own support. Towards the base of the Minima | Maxima, its rolling surfaces begin to softly corrugate, its zig-zag angles gently tuck into a full pleat as they meet the ground platform. The visual transition — from pleated base to smooth and doubly-curved, continuous surface — is subtle, yet its structural effect is significant, allowing it to rise to impressive heights. It bends in all directions, but still manages to stand upright on its own.

This project is the tallest-thinnest freestanding work by MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY, and extends the studio’s research and development efforts to achieve structural integrity through ultra-thin, self-supporting assemblies that find strength in the double curvature of their form. The studio’s innovative “structural stripes” accumulate in different directions to compose and strengthen these complex surfaces.”

https://theverymany.com/projects#/world-expo-17-astana-kz-1/

Why did you make it?​

Minima | Maxima was commissioned for World Expo 2017, an event with a history of architectural and engineering innovations. A response to the theme ‘Future Energies, the pavilion makes the most out of the least material. Is situated prominently on the Expo grounds in Astana, Kazakhstan, where it will continue to live as a permanent structure. There it remains a destination of interest for visitors to the rapidly developing city, an environment that incites curiosity from afar and opportunities for play, discovery and quiet contemplation inside.

How did you make it?

Three layers of flat, aluminum stripes — white and white sandwiching pink — are cross-laminated, supporting one another as they assume curvature and gain height. One layer never exists independently, but contributes to and benefits from the unified whole. The innovation lies in this multi-plication, where aluminum, an isotropic or non-directional structural material takes on anisotropic (directional) structural properties in its patterned, composite form. The system warrants comparison to fiber technology — such as carbon or glass fiber — yet is unique in that unlike fibers, each individual component does not need to be in tension. The assembly requires no mold or temporary scaffolding, and because it is mechanically bonded, the system allows for recomposition and correction during construction.

Fab machines and software used

Cutting machine, 3D Modeling and Design Software

JUDGES, COMMENTS

  • Hiroya Tanaka
    Professor at Keio University, Representative of SFC Social Fabrication Lab

    I admire this entry for its structural beauty that encompasses both polarities of "minimum" which is a traditional aesthetic of design and "maximum" which is a new aesthetic essence seen in digital fabrication recently.

  • Mitchell Joachim
    Co-founder, Terreform ONE
    Professor at NYU

    I absolutely love the signature work of THEVERYMANY as it's instantly recognizable and iconic. It is a kind of beautiful mathematical poetry in a brilliant complicated form that operates at full-scale successfully. The structure seems to almost float effortlessly despite its enormous size. It is an incredible use of fabrication equipment, lightweight materials, and especially the detailed assembly of a super large meta-object. It's both a fabulous extra-spatial model and an exhilarating architecture at the same time. Bravo!

  • Cleo Huet
    Product designer
    Professor at Haute Ecole des Arts du Rhin (HEAR)

    Beyond the form produced, it is the principle of construction that challenged me.
    The developed concept opens up the possibility of building complex shapes on an urban scale.
    The aesthetic relation between modeling in 3 dimentions and the technical development of the constructive principle makes it possible to envisage new potentiel and new forms

  • Julia Cassim
    Professor at KYOTO Design Lab Kyoto Institute of Technology

    Dynamic and ambitious expression of the potential of digital fabrication in both material, technical and structural terms.

  • Shiho Fukuhara
    Artist
    Co-Founder, BCL / CEO, Poiesis Labs

    The material is modern, beautiful and provocatory. I believe Minima|Maxima is interesting in that it opened YouFab to possibilities in larger organizations, where Fab has been used as a base for personal success.