Frame and Form

Lately we have been researching flags and how they become (or rather they have always been) experimental laboratory structures and forms. Its small size and temporary characterize them as unique pieces which apply ‘at’ the latest techniques and trends. Designs based on structural geometries manufactured by CNC systems (Computer Numerical Control) are proliferating. The ‘plotting’ parts allows the designer complete control of the production process, being able to design as if it were die. You work an idea, the CAD drawings, you send to people like FACIT and they will ‘print’ your flag.

Following, a number of examples to illustrate this article:

Every year Charles Walker and Martin Self, two professors of the AA (Architectural Association) in London, organize a competition for the design of a pavilion.  Students from the  AADRL (AA Design Resarch Laboratory) compete to design a CNC pavilion. Following, the latest two winning solutions:

[C]space was the winning entry in the first AADRL Pavilion Competition. It is an advanced technology concrete structure that was erected in Bedford Square, London. The AADRL10 exhibition was held from the 22 February – 14 March 2008. The Pavilion opened on 13 March 2008 coinciding with the release of the DRL10 Book. The structure was designed and developed by Alan Dempsey and Alvin Huang with Adams Kara Taylor and members of the AADRL. (via [C]space – DRL10 Pavilion)

The winning entry for summer 2008 AADRL Pavilion Competition was entitled ‘Swoosh‘, created by the Mexican student Valeria García Abarca.

The Serpentine Gallery in London each year invites a team of world renown to design a summer pavilion in Hyde Park Gardens. Teams of architects and structural engineers have made amazing pieces of structural design, then some:

· Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2002 by Toyo Ito with Arup

· Serpentine Gallery Pavilion 2005 by Alvaro Siza and Eduardo Souto de Moura with Cecil Balmond with Arup

About 600 entries from 52 countries were entered in the design competition for the Art Fund Pavilion which will serve as a semi-permanent extension to The Lighthouse museum and gallery. 5 have now been selected to battle for the pavilion design.
Frame and Form presents you its favourite entry within the finalists:

*Breaking NEWS! during the editing for this article Frame and Form has been reported the winner for the competition, here View Tina Manis’ Application in Full.