'The fourth industrial revolution is underway': Achim Menges launches robot-built pavilion at V&A
by Kim Megson | 20 May 2016
A garden pavilion fabricated by robots has opened to the public in the grounds of the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London.
The Elytra Filament Pavilion is formed of tightly-woven carbon fibre cells, inspired by shells of flying Elytra beetles.
The pavilion has been created by experimental architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann in collaboration with engineers Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer and researchers from the University of Stuttgart.
Robots will gradually expand the pavilion over the next six months by responding to real-time sensory data on the pavilion’s structural behaviour and the patterns of inhabitation in the garden.
Some of the design team are behind the recently launched ‘sea urchin’ pavilion, which has also used advanced robotic technology and biomimicry to create a lightweight but strong structure.
When the Elytra Filament project was announced in February, Menges said: “We aim to offer a glimpse of the transformative power of the fourth industrial revolution currently underway, and the way it again challenges established modes of design, engineering and making.”
The opening of the pavilion officially launches the V&A’s Engineering Season, which will feature a major retrospective on Ove Arup, one of the 20th century's most influential engineers.
Achim Menges V&A Elytra Filament Pavilion biomimicry robots Ove Arup design architecture
The pavilion is located in the grounds of the Victoria and Albert Museum Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The pavilion will gradually be expanded by robots over the next six months Credit: AARO
The robots will respond to real-time sensory data on the pavilion’s structural behaviour and the patterns of inhabitation in the garden Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The design team are exploring how robotics and biomimicry are challenging established modes of design, engineering and making Credit: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
16 May 2016
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FEATURE: Biomimicry – Learning from nature
A garden pavilion fabricated by robots has opened to the public in the grounds of the Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in London. The Elytra Filament Pavilion is formed of tightly-woven carbon fibre cells, inspired by shells of flying Elytra beetles. The pavilion has been created by experimental architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann in collaboration with engineers Jan Knippers and Thomas Auer and researchers from the University of Stuttgart.
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