Wood Magazine - Issue 2, 2014

»The material is the machine!«

Trä meets Achim Menges

Professor Achim Menges of the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning at Stuttgart University, is the world’s leading light in advanced computational design.

What’s that?
“We investigate different ways of thinking about materials using various computational models. The most interesting opportunity for the next generation of architects is that they can use computers as an interface between the digital virtual sphere and the much more complex physical world. As such, this world in which we construct our built environment can be seen from a different perspective.”

How do you feel about wood as a material?
“I really like wood for all sorts of reasons, but what fascinates me most is the complex anatomy of wood. Unlike all the other materials, wood is not industrially produced to satisfy the demands of the construction sector. Wood is a functional tissue produced by the tree itself. Conduct a computational study of the microstructure in the tissue and you can uncover brand new material behaviours and design possibilities.”

What types of building might that result in?
“One example is the HygroSkin pavilion at the FRAC Centre (see page 7), with its climate sensitive surface structure. In that design, the wood is the sensor, the motor and the controller. In other words, the material is the machine!”

»The material is the machine!«

Achim Menges

Personalities that trä has met

»The world really has to achieve something major this year.«

»If you have an idea, it’s important to be involved with all the details«

»It’s important to be involved in regular housing development.«

“We must use every type of resource in the most effective way possible.”

»Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a wood revolution?«

»Important to encourage an interest in architecture.«

»We have to play our part in creating great architecture«

»BIM is going to break through with today’s young people. They are our future.«

“I’m always working on the best mix of materials”

There’s far too little capacity in the market when it comes to CLT

A new way to save energy

Structure and form or form and structure? That is the question

“We’re constantly striving to come up with new engineering ideas”

“Wood was more exciting than working with concrete.”

»In order to design wooden buildings, you have to be interested in trees.«

»We’re constantly looking for the best combination of form and structure«

»Tall buildings can be built faster and more economically«

We want to help build a cleaner & more attractive city

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Knowledge is turning more people onto wood«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«

“Work more closely with the forest industry”

“We’re going to see more examples of attractive facades”

»Show respect for and challenge the setting.«

»Wood is a democratic material.«

»I choose wood where it is exposed to our human senses.«

»Good architecture ensures better care for older people.«

»We architects have to learn to embrace toxin-free & eco-friendly designs.«

»Architectural, eco-friendly and good value housing.«

»The material is the machine!«

Achim Menges

Personalities that trä has met

»The world really has to achieve something major this year.«

»If you have an idea, it’s important to be involved with all the details«

»It’s important to be involved in regular housing development.«

“We must use every type of resource in the most effective way possible.”

»Doesn’t it feel like we’re in a wood revolution?«

»Important to encourage an interest in architecture.«

»We have to play our part in creating great architecture«

»BIM is going to break through with today’s young people. They are our future.«

“I’m always working on the best mix of materials”

There’s far too little capacity in the market when it comes to CLT

A new way to save energy

Structure and form or form and structure? That is the question

“We’re constantly striving to come up with new engineering ideas”

“Wood was more exciting than working with concrete.”

»In order to design wooden buildings, you have to be interested in trees.«

»We’re constantly looking for the best combination of form and structure«

»Tall buildings can be built faster and more economically«

We want to help build a cleaner & more attractive city

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Knowledge is turning more people onto wood«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«

“Work more closely with the forest industry”

“We’re going to see more examples of attractive facades”

»Show respect for and challenge the setting.«

»Wood is a democratic material.«

»I choose wood where it is exposed to our human senses.«

»Good architecture ensures better care for older people.«

»We architects have to learn to embrace toxin-free & eco-friendly designs.«

»Architectural, eco-friendly and good value housing.«

English heading

»We want to reconnect with the material’s history«

»Sweden could become a leading wood nation«

»Within three years, we’ll be constructing 16-storey buildings in wood«