The ICD Aggregate Column 2017 is part of the research field of Aggregate Architectures conducted at the ICD, University of Stuttgart. This research area investigates the possibilities of granular materials in architecture. Granular materials are defined as large amounts of elements with only short-range contact forces acting between them. Looking to naturally forming granular systems like sand and gravel, custom-made designed granular materials have been developed. The new particles are produced from recycled plastic in various sizes and shapes depending on what best suits the specific structure being built. For construction, small clusters are dropped onto location by a cable robot. Since no binder is needed for construction, this building technique would be ideal for temporary applications and quick reconfigurations. The ICD Aggregate Column 2017 is made from four-armed tetrahedral particles, and it is designed to be two metres high at a diameter of half a metre. It is part of the travelling exhibition “Hello, Robot. Design between Human and Machine” starting 11.02.2017 at the Vitra Design Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany.

ICD – Institute for Computational Design and Construction

Karola Dierichs, Achim Menges

Cable Robotics
in collaboration with Martin Loucka, Ondrej Kyjanek

Manufacturing
Wilhelm Weber GmbH & Co. KG

Support
Vitra Design Museum, MAK Vienna and Design Museum Gent
Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction
ITASCA Consulting Inc.