Today, digital tools for architecture design and fabrication enable the creation of complex structures. These tools also allow the reuse of found objects and “waste products” in construction, fostering a self-sustaining building culture with a distinctive aesthetic.
This project aims to combine these approaches into a method for designing transformable spatial systems made from industrial waste. Conventional sustainability concepts based on circular economy principles commonly strive for standardization, but complexity offers creative potential. The project aims to innovate by expanding the range of resource types and exploring an advanced computer-based and artistic approach. It focuses on iterative studies with open outcomes.
The project is based on the findings from the team’s PEEK project and is underpinned by experiment. “Making” is understood as a means of understanding and clarifying complex questions. The work is also embedded in an interdisciplinary exchange with experts.
Project Lead: Christoph Kaltenbrunner
Mentors: Mario Carpo, Anja Jonkhans, Clemens Preisinger
Researchers: Zeynep Aksöz, Lukas Allner, Benjamin James, Daniela Kröhnert, Naomi Neururer, Andrea Rossi
Project Partners: Ensamble Studio, Philipp Eversmann (University of Kassel), Hélène Frichot (Building and Planning University of Melbourne), Lydia Kallipoliti (Cooper Union New York), Jakob Lederer (Technical University Vienna), Tobias Nolte (Certain Measures), Jun Sato (University of Tokyo)
Project Start and Duration: 01.09.2022 – 31.08.2026, 48 Months
Funding: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) PEEK program (AR730-G)
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)
The artistic research project Conceptual Joining investigated wood constructions in a series of structural and spatial experiments. The combination of traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge computing techniques resulted in testing a variety of structural configurations and joining methods. Practical experimentation was based on an in-depth understanding of material behavior and joining principles. The outcomes of the project were widely exhibited and published. Conceptual Joining was a 2,5 year research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF in the PEEK program.
Project Lead: Christoph Kaltenbrunner
Mentors: Karin Raith, Anja Jonkhans
Researchers: Lukas Allner, Daniela Kröhnert, Clemens Preisinger, Philipp Reinsberg, Mechthild Weber
Project Start and Duration: 01.07.2017 – 30.06.2021, 48 Months
Funding: Austrian Science Fund (FWF) PEEK
In the digital era, Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a central role in the generative design of texts, images, and other media. Designers must understand how to effectively use these tools to gain advantages in the design process, particularly in bio-inspired design.
This training project offers theoretical and practical insights into using such tools and promotes collaboration between experts and colleagues. An innovative didactic concept emphasizes participation and co-creation to bridge the gap between research and industry.
Participants undergo modules that combine theory and practice, learning to integrate bio-inspired generative design into their workflows effectively.
Project Coordinator: University of Innsbruck
Project Lead Angewandte: Petra Gruber
Project Start and Duration: 01.03.2024 – 31.08.2025, 18 Months
Funding: FFG, Human Potential program, Innovation Camps, call for proposals 2022
Project Information Angewandte
The project ROOTARCH aims at translating growth principles of plant roots to new solutions in architectural design by developing new digital design and production methodologies.
The project takes on the method of bio-inspired design to look at biology for innovation in human design. The proposal stands in the tradition of the arts-based research projects Biornametics, GrAB – Growing as Building, and BIOCOOL, that were carried out at the University of Applied Arts. Tree root systems are multifunctional plant elements that serve as role models for bioinspired solutions in architectural design and engineering. Specifically, structural systems of buildings, anchoring and supply systems, but also novel fiber based material systems, entangled or integrating aggregate substrates, are of interest and hold promise for a more sustainable building practice of the future.
A previous study on tree root systems provides 10 exact 3D models of coarse tree root systems. Algorithmic analysis delivered and topological information together with biological traits and key strategies for root growth. A set of biolab plant growth experiments will add to the biological knowledge as a base for co-designing living architecture proposals and abstracted information transfer to architectural design concepts. Digital simulation and production methods will be applied to explore the design opportunities with complex morphologies in customized and adaptable designs and processes. ROOTARCH aims to take those methods further to develop novel root-inspired solutions for architectural
applications, and confirm the approach to a new, living architecture transferring principles from biology and using co-design and multispecies design with living organisms.
The project is carried out by a consortium consisting of the Departments of Building Construction, Digital Simulation and Digital Production, integrating international experts in the field. In an open workshop additional departments of and students will participate. The outcome of the project will be presented and exhibited and disseminated in publications.
Project Lead: Petra Gruber
Researchers: Camille Breuil, Clemens Preisinger, Damjan Minovski, Andreas Körner
Research Assistants: Rebekka Waters, Dominik Einfalt
Project Partners: Thomas Speck (University of Freiburg, Germany), Anita Roth-Nebelsick (State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart, Germany), Thibaut Houette (Ceebios, France)
Project Start and Duration: 1.1.2025 – 31.12.2025, 12 Months
Funding: INTRA 2024
Project Information Angewandte
Explore the ROOTARCH Guest Lecture Series of the summer semester 2025.
BIOCOOL explores the transfer of morphological principles from biology to form-optimized architectural surfaces for climate control of building envelopes. This transfer is achieved through the generation of ceramic prototypes for laboratory testing as well as outdoor performance testing and conceptual systems integration. The project employs a bio-inspired design methodology to explore the potential for innovation in human design inspired by biological systems.
Project Design: Petra Gruber
Project Lead Angewandte: Bernhard Sommer
Researchers: Sascha Alexandra Zaitseva, Gerald Pfaffl, Malgorzata Sommer-Nawara, Ceren Yönetim
Project Partners: Ulrich Pont (TU Wien)
Project Start and Duration: 01.10.2021 – 30.09.2022, 12 Months
Funding: FFG Austrian Research Promotion Agency