Papers by Alex Worden
It may be difficult for modern man to believe that what is known as handicraft was once the advan... more It may be difficult for modern man to believe that what is known as handicraft was once the advanced manufacturing of the day. These techniques were used to create the first garments and portable shelters. There is much speculation as to their origin. However, the common thread in early enclosures is skin. Whether hides or woven surfaces, this cladding adorned the human form for warmth and then evolved into the first to enclose space and delineate interior from exterior. From these noble beginnings, the built environment of today is a global village of brick, glass, and metal. However, all methods of construction are steeped in these early traditions of fabrication.
Many of the advancements of the world today trace back to the textile techniques of early man. Beyond the realm of handicrafts and pastimes, fiber techniques continue to generate complex concepts and forms. From the punch cards of the jacquard loom to the first read-only memory used in the Apollo space missions, the sheer breadth and variety of these examples express textiles’ deep influence in process and result.
With the increase in digital technologies and the rapid manufacturing of modern autonomous machines, traditional indigenous structures and fabrication techniques can easily be seen as outdated in comparison. However, simply because these digital tools and techniques exist, does not mean that traditional techniques cannot be used in new ways to aid or influence the design, development and fabrication of the built environment. In fact, it should be just the opposite.
Throughout history, designers have seen the benefits of exploring and playing with these early fabrication techniques previously seen as pastimes of folk art. However, by leveraging these handicraft methodologies, it enables a seamless balance of old and new technologies to augment each other, effectively marrying early fabrication techniques with those of the digital era. From fibrous loops to weaving of walls, these fabrication techniques have heavily influenced many facets of the built environment in the 21st century.
Facade Tectonics World Congress 2018, Mar 27, 2018
It may be difficult for modern man to believe that what is known as handicraft was once the advan... more It may be difficult for modern man to believe that what is known as handicraft was once the advanced manufacturing of the day. These techniques were used to create the first garments and portable shelters. There is much speculation as to their origin. However, the common thread in early enclosures is skin. Whether hides or woven surfaces, this cladding adorned the human form for warmth and then evolved into the first to enclose space and delineate interior from exterior. From these noble beginnings, the built environment of today is a global village of brick, glass, and metal. However, all methods of construction are steeped in these early traditions of fabrication. Many of the advancements of the world today trace back to the textile techniques of early man. Beyond the realm of handicrafts and pastimes, fiber techniques continue to generate complex concepts and forms. From the punch cards of the jacquard loom to the first read-only memory used in the Apollo space missions, the sheer breadth and variety of these examples express textiles' deep influence in process and result. With the increase in digital technologies and the rapid manufacturing of modern autonomous machines, traditional indigenous structures and fabrication techniques can easily be seen as outdated in comparison. However, simply because these digital tools and techniques exist, does not mean that traditional techniques cannot be used in new ways to aid or influence the design, development and fabrication of the built environment. In fact, it should be just the opposite. Throughout history, designers have seen the benefits of exploring and playing with these early fabrication techniques previously seen as pastimes of folk art. However, by leveraging these handicraft methodologies, it enables a seamless balance of old and new technologies to augment each other, effectively marrying early fabrication techniques with those of the digital era. From fibrous loops to weaving of walls, these fabrication techniques have heavily influenced many facets of the built environment in the 21st century.
What is a curtainwall? Is the term ‘curtainwall’ purely a metaphor or have tapestries and rugs of... more What is a curtainwall? Is the term ‘curtainwall’ purely a metaphor or have tapestries and rugs of years past transformed themselves into glass, aluminum, and steel? This article breaks down these elements to their component parts then steps back in order to see how this understand can help the development of these enclosures.
Enclos Insight 2.0, Jul 2012
In the second decade of the 21st century, we find ourselves preoccupied with gadgets. We use thes... more In the second decade of the 21st century, we find ourselves preoccupied with gadgets. We use these inventions to connect, communicate, share, and store information through the wired and wireless networks that make up the Internet, now commonly called the Cloud. However, we are unaware of the effects this designation has on our understanding of the Internet as well as the whirlwind of gadgetry it has helped to create. In order to understand the implications of our new environment we need to ask ourselves: What are the effects of our new devices and what impact do our terminologies effect our understanding of a medium?
Books by Alex Worden
This book documents an exploration of emergent and linear modes of defining space, form, and stru... more This book documents an exploration of emergent and linear modes of defining space, form, and structure. The thesis highlights a dialog between analog and digital modeling techniques, in concept and project development. It identifies that analog modeling techniques, coupled with judgment, can be used to develop complex forms. The thesis project employs critical judgment and the textile techniques of crochet as a vehicle generate form.
Crochet lends itself to this investigation because it is a serial process of fabrication that allows for the introduction of specific non-linear modifications. The resulting emergent forms produced by this mode of working can be precisely described by digital modeling techniques. These analog crochet models are translated into the digital through the employment of advanced digital modeling tools. This translation enables the visualization, development, testing, and execution of an architectural space, form, and structure.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05102011-225915/unrestricted/Worden_AG_T_2011.pdf
Conference Presentations by Alex Worden
How to: W57 was presented at the New York City College of Technology in conjunction with NSF in A... more How to: W57 was presented at the New York City College of Technology in conjunction with NSF in April 2014.
The presentation focused on the initial design and the development of the building and the slope wall facade of Bjarke Ingels Group's West 57th residential tower in Manhattan.
Presented on behalf of Enclos with Bjarke Ingels Group
Brooklyn, New York
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Papers by Alex Worden
Many of the advancements of the world today trace back to the textile techniques of early man. Beyond the realm of handicrafts and pastimes, fiber techniques continue to generate complex concepts and forms. From the punch cards of the jacquard loom to the first read-only memory used in the Apollo space missions, the sheer breadth and variety of these examples express textiles’ deep influence in process and result.
With the increase in digital technologies and the rapid manufacturing of modern autonomous machines, traditional indigenous structures and fabrication techniques can easily be seen as outdated in comparison. However, simply because these digital tools and techniques exist, does not mean that traditional techniques cannot be used in new ways to aid or influence the design, development and fabrication of the built environment. In fact, it should be just the opposite.
Throughout history, designers have seen the benefits of exploring and playing with these early fabrication techniques previously seen as pastimes of folk art. However, by leveraging these handicraft methodologies, it enables a seamless balance of old and new technologies to augment each other, effectively marrying early fabrication techniques with those of the digital era. From fibrous loops to weaving of walls, these fabrication techniques have heavily influenced many facets of the built environment in the 21st century.
Books by Alex Worden
Crochet lends itself to this investigation because it is a serial process of fabrication that allows for the introduction of specific non-linear modifications. The resulting emergent forms produced by this mode of working can be precisely described by digital modeling techniques. These analog crochet models are translated into the digital through the employment of advanced digital modeling tools. This translation enables the visualization, development, testing, and execution of an architectural space, form, and structure.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05102011-225915/unrestricted/Worden_AG_T_2011.pdf
Conference Presentations by Alex Worden
The presentation focused on the initial design and the development of the building and the slope wall facade of Bjarke Ingels Group's West 57th residential tower in Manhattan.
Presented on behalf of Enclos with Bjarke Ingels Group
Brooklyn, New York
Many of the advancements of the world today trace back to the textile techniques of early man. Beyond the realm of handicrafts and pastimes, fiber techniques continue to generate complex concepts and forms. From the punch cards of the jacquard loom to the first read-only memory used in the Apollo space missions, the sheer breadth and variety of these examples express textiles’ deep influence in process and result.
With the increase in digital technologies and the rapid manufacturing of modern autonomous machines, traditional indigenous structures and fabrication techniques can easily be seen as outdated in comparison. However, simply because these digital tools and techniques exist, does not mean that traditional techniques cannot be used in new ways to aid or influence the design, development and fabrication of the built environment. In fact, it should be just the opposite.
Throughout history, designers have seen the benefits of exploring and playing with these early fabrication techniques previously seen as pastimes of folk art. However, by leveraging these handicraft methodologies, it enables a seamless balance of old and new technologies to augment each other, effectively marrying early fabrication techniques with those of the digital era. From fibrous loops to weaving of walls, these fabrication techniques have heavily influenced many facets of the built environment in the 21st century.
Crochet lends itself to this investigation because it is a serial process of fabrication that allows for the introduction of specific non-linear modifications. The resulting emergent forms produced by this mode of working can be precisely described by digital modeling techniques. These analog crochet models are translated into the digital through the employment of advanced digital modeling tools. This translation enables the visualization, development, testing, and execution of an architectural space, form, and structure.
http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-05102011-225915/unrestricted/Worden_AG_T_2011.pdf
The presentation focused on the initial design and the development of the building and the slope wall facade of Bjarke Ingels Group's West 57th residential tower in Manhattan.
Presented on behalf of Enclos with Bjarke Ingels Group
Brooklyn, New York