Hello everyone,
As you already know, a few days ago we came back from Frankfurt where we held a three-day design workshop at The Städelschule Architectural class directed by Ben van Berkel and Johan Bettum.
We presented our work to the post-graduate students enrolled in first and second year of studies. We started with an introduction to the concepts of Cellular Automata and L-systems and their applications in generative design. Topics such as biomimetics, self-organization, complexity and pattern formation were also discussed during the workshop series. A special edition of our plug-in Rabbit was presented to the students of SAC.
What is the Städelschule?
The Städelschule is a contemporary fine arts academy, that was established in 1817 thanks to the merchant Johann Friedrich Städel. He left his fortune to the citizens of Frankfurt, allowing the founding of a school for talented young students as well as public access to his collection of art. Over the years two different institutions developed: the Städelmuseum and the Städelschule.
In 1987, the contemporary exhibition space Portikus was established, as part of the Städelschule and also gave a significant contribution to the school’s international reputation.
Currently the whole Staedel site is being renovated as part of Das Neue Staedel project:
The Städel Museum is being extended in order to assure additional exhibition space for its ever growing collection:
The Architecture Class of the Städelschule
Situated in an early 20th-century town house next to the main building of the Städelschule, SAC provides a near domestic setting for the social and academic life of its members. Thе two-year, post-graduate Master of Arts program in Advanced Architectural Design is led by its dean, Ben van Berkel, and Johan Bettum– professor of architecture and program director of the Städelschule Architecture Class. SAC provides an intense research setting for the creative exploration of current architectural issues.
Our Workshop
The first-day workshop dedicated to Cellular Automata was held at The Städelschule Aula.
As the extension of The Städel Museum is currently taking place all around we had to move two blocks away for the second part of our workshop, dedicated to L-Systems. It took place into a beautiful hall inside the The Liebieghaus sculpture museum.
The Liebieghaus presently accommodates a sculpture collection of the highest quality and offers an overview of five thousand years of sculpture from Ancient Egypt to Neoclassicism.
Working with the Students
SAC’s First Year Group students are beginning the year with an intense series of tutorials on digital modeling. Earlier this year, the students had their Rhinoscript workshop led by arch+lab. The group is composed of about 20 people from 16 nations.
We introduced them to the concept of L-Systems, showing what Rabbit can do. They did a nice job, producing great results.
Thanks to
We would like to thank Dimiter Kokalanov for his help in taking the photos and for the nice time we spent together.
Last but not least, we would like to mention Anton Savov who is pretty much responsible for us holding a workshop at SAC.
Anton is a great person and a talented young architect with an impressive portfolio, including participation at the Biennale in Venezia and solo exhibitions. We are sure that you’ll hear his name more often in the future.
back into reality in this fairytale!