Public Lecture - Nicholas Goldsmith
From Mass to Membrane
If we look at a historical evolution of architecture from the massive pyramids of Egypt, to the framed structures of Greek/Roman construction, to the lighter Gothic vaulting, to eventually Modern architecture of the 20th century, we see a continuous almost linear progression from solid mass constructions to framed buildings of glass and steel. Today we are in the early steps of moving from glass and steel structures to diaphanous skins of membrane and foil structures. These new materials incorporate inherent technologies and the aim is to understand how these technologies will affect our spatial experiences and in the process explore lightness as a visual, physical and sustainable approach. Mass to Membrane is our human architectural journey; can we use less material, be more sustainable, and help reduce our carbon footprint on the planet we call earth? Can this linear progression become one of the keys in a more sustainable tomorrow?
Special Film Screening
Frei Otto: Spanning the Future –The Evolution of Tensile Membrane Architecture
A film by Simon K. Chiu, Michael Paglia and Joshua V. Hassel.
Article in The Age
An article appeared recently in the Melbourne Age which covers an interview with Peter Lim (main conference organizer) and discussing the impact and visions of Frei Otto.
Click HERE for the link.