The experimental ASK ROBO studio is situated at the intersection of mechatronics and architecture. The kinetic, performative aspects of design together with basics of robotics are briefly addressed first, with the review of the relevant precedents and writings. The studio format is set to integrate distant, until recently, disciplines of mechatronic and architecture. Design problem is set to explore conceptual construction of responsive environments in order to improve the quality of life and urban infrastructure. ROBO studio addressing real world problems will broaden design scope through a more speculative exploration of new technologies.
The notion of ARCHITECTRONICS, derived from consideration of kinematics, mechatronics and robotics in architectural design, is not yet fully established. Architectronic practice of design in a networked environment is explored in groups. ASK students work in collaboration with few mechatronic students to produce drawings, computer simulations, animations, and working scale prototype models of selected fragment of their designs. The goal is to bring together students of architecture and engineering to probe the possible application of mechatronics to architectural design practice. Each group of students will benefit from the approach, knowledge and experience of the other: the architectural students providing the functional, social, cultural and aesthetic framework, and the engineering students providing the basic technical knowledge, with the end project resulting from the feedback and learning which result from the process. For modeling use of Inventor, SolidWorks or Rhino with Grasshopper is anticipated, as well as use of Firefly, that enables a direct connection between the Arduino micro-controller and the Rhino/Grasshopper environment. Real-time data flow between the digital and physical worlds is to be explored, deployment of sensors and actuators in the prototypical model expected. The use of remote sensors including exploration of Pachube can be also considered.
The aim of this ROBO studio is to experiment and explore. More detail : project topics are to be published at the later date once the extend of the resources and support is confirmed. Studio might consider the responsive building envelope system with design and modeling of fragment sensored to perform. The situated project should formatively adjust itself acc. to the dynamic criteria derived from human or environment interactions. Examination of contested public infrastructure as the new civic space and its kinetic transformation can be also undertaken.