Actuated Matter Workshop / Zurich / July 25-29

The Actuated Matter workshop explores the application of smart materials and their ability to transform space into responsive, adaptive environments. We will develop a speculative model for membrane structures that exhibit properties of sensitivity, resilience, and decay. By physically engaging with the behaviours of active materials, we experiment with the threshold between the electronic and mechanic, the analog and the digital. The workshop follows a do-it-yourself approach and will result in the development of sonic, luminous and moving modules that will populate and activate the environment. This workshop is part of a recent research initiative called “Emotive Environments” and emerges from a collaboration between ZHDK's Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology (http://www.icst.net>), the Interaction Design Institute (http://iad.zhdk.ch>), ETH's Chair for Computer Aided Architectural Design (http://www.caad.arch.ethz.ch>) and London based Loop.pH Design Research Studio (http://loop.ph/).

Participants will work in small groups, each be led by someone with experience in the particular field of research.

The workshop will be complemented by a final presentation and unveiling event, where you are also invited to come see the results, if you cannot attend the workshop.

The workshop is free of charge.
Application forms and more information can be found at: http://blogs.iad.zhdk.ch/emotiveenvironments/actuated-matter/

APPLICATION CLOSES JULY 13