Smartgeometry 2010 was held at  IaaC in Barcelona this year. The workshop was entitled ‘Working Prototypes’

Smartgeometry is a week long, two part event which consists of a workshop and a conference, bringing together practitioners, specialists and students to explore the ever-expanding possibilities of digital fabrication and parametricism. Teams or ‘clusters’ were formed from the 100 participants, each with a different agenda. I was enrolled with the cluster which was exploring Parametric Acoustic Surfaces. See Photos for more details of the other Clusters.

During the four day workshop the ‘Acoustic’ cluster , lead by Brady Peters and Martin Tamke of CITA, designed and produced a 1:1 installation which explored the performance of acoustic panelling.  The participants were able to design their own panels using Generative Components or other digital means. These were constructed using the CNC machine and laser cutter available at IaaC, and collated on a single form. Orange acoustic foam was used to absorb sound and Di-bond and plywood were used to reflect and scatter sound.

The overall form of the ‘Sound Installation’ had been designed to incorporate a façade which focused sound due to its parabolic curvature, a façade which scattered sound, and an enclosed space which isolated the user from the outside environment, performing acoustically as an absorbent or dull space.

The following attachments detail the design process SoundBox01 SoundBox02

Brady Peters also put together a book of this project which can be previewed here