Berlin Zoo 2018

University of Kentucky
College of Design
School of Architecture

ARC 499: Berlin Summer Program Design Elective

Course Description

Berlin Zoo explores the use of the systematic processes of digital design and fabrication directed towards the development of large scale interactive objects or a “micro-architecture.” These objects consider the relationship to human scale and proportion, materiality, and method of fabrication and assembly, in this case flattened templates that fold into the final product. Inspired by observations from a visit to the Berlin Zoological Garden, the final geometries are abstractions of animal forms gathered in repose in Tiergarten.

We begin the course with an analytic exercise in order to extract concepts of spatial interactivity followed by a study of the patterns and materials that make up the tectonic fabric of Berlin. These act as the motivating driver for a series of material constructs that consider new relationships between digital design and assembly processes to examine how physical form can engage the public realm. The resulting architectonic characters are then reintroduced into the city as social activators for rest and play.

Emphasis on making is explored in this design elective and extensive use of the local toy and material supply stores is utilized for final presentation models.

Teaching Assistant
Samantha Neat

Students
Ellen Filiatreau, Philip Hummel, Jose Luster, Joe Metzger, Allie Peterson, Logan Smith, Lucas Wheeler

Image Gallery
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