Workshop on Responsive Materials

Zurich University of the Arts

In collaboration with with Loop Design http://loop.ph/

July 25-29 2011

The Actuated Matter workshop explored the application of smart materials and their ability to transform space into responsive, adaptive environments. We developed a speculative model for membrane structures that exhibit properties of sensitivity, resilience, and decay.  By physically engaging with the behaviours of active materials, we experimented with the threshold between the electronic and mechanic, the analog and the digital. The workshop followed a do-it-yourself approach and resulted in the development of  sonic, luminous and moving modules that will populate and activate the environment. This workshop was part of a recent research initiative called “Emotive Environments”.