Voussoir Cloud, an architectural installation by American architects IwamotoScott, has opened at the SCI-Arc Gallery in Los Angeles.
The installation is constructed using paper-thin wood laminates, scored with a laser and folded along the curved seam into wedges.
The installation, created in collaboration with engineering firm Buro Happold, opened on 1 August and continues until 14 September.
The photos here were taken by Jud Terry.
The following is from the SCI-Arc Gallery:
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The SCI-Arc Gallery is pleased to present Voussoir Cloud, a site-specific installation by San Francisco based architecture and design practice IwamotoScott in collaboration with Buro Happold.
Voussoir Cloud’s design explores the coupling of potentially conflicting constructional logics – the pure compression of a vault with an ultra-light sheet material. Opening August 8, this installation will be fabricated by IwamotoScott in association with SCI-Arc students.
Voussoirs, the wedge shaped masonry blocks that make up an arch, are redefined in Voussoir Cloud using a system of three-dimensional modules formed by folding paper thin wood laminate along curved seams. The curvature produces a form that relies on the internal surface tension to hold its shape and allows for a structural porosity within the constraints of sheet material.
The resulting dimpled, concave modules pack together; naturally creating vaulted forms with a light porous surface. The form-finding exploration of the whole is thus dependent on the geometric performance of the individual units and their relation to the gallery walls.
Voussoir Cloud intentionally confuses the structural and material strategies. By beginning with a material operation, the design process is focused on calibrating the relationship of digital model to physical result. Working closely with IwamotoScott, SCI-Arc students will assist in the design, construction and installation of the work.
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Posted by Rob Ong
August 8th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Beats the pulp (NPI) out of the blob wall.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Ok, well now we know that architects can take any material make it into a triangular shape (or some other shape) join’em up and display it museum so that it swoops up from the floor and makes a canopy. How many of these have I seen. Boring!
August 8th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Amen Benji.
August 8th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
very beautiful, fragile
August 8th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Amazing light in there!
August 8th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Beautiful interplay of light,color,shape!!
August 8th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
(Yawn.)
August 9th, 2008 at 12:20 am
SCI ARC…The democratic School….
It’s beautiful, but it’s really boring, in fact it’s an old shape from Fuller, Emmerisch
August 9th, 2008 at 7:31 am
cute
August 9th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
use your melon, helen
August 9th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
those shadows are amazing.
the contrast of heavy gesture with light material is great too.
August 10th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Beautiful shape, WRONG LOCATION!
August 11th, 2008 at 4:21 am
Stunningly Beautiful!
August 11th, 2008 at 5:08 am
I would love to see this used in a park. Children would love it.
August 13th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
i’m much more attracted to the exterior than the interior.
August 18th, 2008 at 9:09 am
beautiful!!!
September 1st, 2009 at 2:48 am
Although the interplay of light, shadow and shape are in ded beautiful, this structure is completely useless from a practical view. Yes Artistic Interiors, children would love it. Those paper thin walls would make grwat craft supplies after the kids at the park got a hold of this. It would quickly become the world’s most overpriced oregami in minutes. Park?? What if it rains??? The sections are open on top, where they would hold water. Boring? maybe. Agrevating? You bet. What a waste of time and wood.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 am
T.K.O: what a waste of words (and thought), on your part.