Assuming sustainability as a prerequisite for a future building culture, the research project integrates separate approaches emerging in architectural discourse and related fields into a methodology for understanding the architectural potential of vulcanized fiber and developing a prototypical building system.
Vulcanised fibre is a cellulose-based material with a good ecological balance. It is durable, strong and lightweight, offering significant potential for architectural application. The material’s natural deformation creates a distinct aesthetic, improved performance and spatial quality. The project investigates the aesthetic, functional, spatial and constructive potential of vulcanised fibre used as building components in architecture, understanding the characteristics of parts and their implications. This is the basis for a bottom-up method of designing spatial structures. The project combines natural physical phenomena and a hybrid working method of digital and analog techniques, articulating contemporary sustainable architecture.
Project Lead: Karolin Schmidbaur, University of Innsbruck
Researchers: Lukas Allner, Gonzalo Vaillo
Project Partners: Ernst Krüger GmbH & Co KG, Geldern, Germany (Vulcanized Fiber)
Expert Support: Prof. Dr. Thomas Bechtold, Prof. Dr. Tung Pham, Universität Innsbruck, Research Institute of Textile Chemistry und Textile Physics (Material Science, Ecology), Prof. Dr. Matthias Gondan-Rochon, Universität Innsbruck, Institute for Psychology, Department of Quantitative Methods (Psychology), Bollinger + Grohmann ZT, Vienna, Mag. Arch. Moritz Heimrath (Structural Engineering), Gwyllim Jahn, Fologram, Founder (AR Applications), Dr.
Susanne Witzgall, Academy of Fine Arts, Head of cx centre for interdisciplinary studies, Munich (Theory)
Project Start and Duration: 2023-2027
Funding: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) PEEK program (AR 808-GBL)