Design4D Blog

Feb 8 / 6:01pm

The Naked Planet

Last week I watched 'The Human Planet' an amazing TV series documenting how the human species is the only animal to have carved out a life in every habitat on earth. The series reminded me of a book that had a big effect on my own design process titled 'The Naked Ape'. Published in 1967 the book was radical in its day for its zoological analysis of humans. It was the first time I had thought of humans as just another animal on the planet with the book describing how much of our 'civilised' life is constructed to relieve our most primeval instincts.

One of the main roles of architects in society is to enable the rapidly growing human population to live in closer proximity, something that is not necessarily 'natural' to our species. So while functionally an architect must come up with clever solutions to draw light and air deeper into denser living environments there is also an element of joy, spirit or soul which much be uplifted to enhance the monotony of life in the concrete jungle.

Filed under // Architecture Design4D design human planet naked ape

Dec 1 / 7:59pm

Achieving Zero Carbon Housing

I was invited today to assist in the UK government's efforts to define 'Zero-carbon' which will set the parameters for future housing design tools. Zero Carbon Housing looks as though it will be defined as a 70% carbon reduction on-site (carbon compliance) and 30% carbon reduction off-site (allowable solutions) in order to reduce the financial impact on the developer. I'm not necessarily against this approach assuming the 30% off-site generation comes from renewable sources. What does concern me is that we are still defining zero-carbon when the deadline of 2016 is rapidly approaching. If solar technology improves in the way computer technology has done then I think the 70-30% debate will be a bit arbitrary. Also the data used assumed that future housing would not all be orientated North-South as our Shell House scheme proposes which raises the question why not?

Zero-carbon housing is a huge challenge but also a great opportunity for architects to show that new construction methods and building typologies will provide cheaper solutions then just bolting on another layer of complexity to keep our existing housing models alive.

Design4D's Shell House scheme

Filed under // Architecture Carbon neutral Design4D Shell House Sustainability design

Nov 11 / 10:48am

Building with paper

Yet another material used by the aerospace industries in the 1940's is slowly being adopted by the construction industry. We are currently looking at using a 100% FSC recycled paper board which when treated with resin and pressed can produce a highly durable kitchen surface or cladding material.

Inhabitat | 9 NOVEMBER 2010
http://pulsene.ws/gDIg

This past weekend, Frank Bölter set sail on the Thames in a boat made of paper for Drift10, a public exhibition of art in London.

Filed under // Architecture Sustainability design materials paper

Nov 4 / 6:32pm

Cause-Centric Emerging Markets

If the recession is going to result in more architects becoming social scientists rather than egotistical artists then maybe we will also see new architectural business models evolving.

FAST COMPANY | 4 NOVEMBER 2010
http://pulsene.ws/fgYS

The annual GoodPurpose Report was released today, spelling out consumer preferences in emerging markets

Filed under // Architecture Business model design social scientists

Nov 3 / 1:45pm

How will architects effect the final frontier?

This article made me think what role architects will play in future space developments and whether this will effect the way architects design? I wonder how often the term 'aesthetics' are used to justify the design decisions of a space station?

NEW SCIENTIST - ONLINE NEWS | 2 NOVEMBER 2010
http://pulsene.ws/ev6J

Filed under // Architecture design space

Nov 1 / 7:46pm

The World's First 3-D Printed Car

After my comments last week about the potential of 3D printing in architecture it appears that as usual the car industry has latched onto the technology already, producing the first 3D printed car!

Why is the construction sector so slow to use modern methods of construction compared to other industries?!

FACEBOOK | 1 JANUARY 1970
http://pulsene.ws/dMBO

The world's first 3-D printed car is also a hybrid!

Filed under // 3D printing Design4D MMC design

Oct 26 / 6:23pm

Carbon Nanotubes Could Create Buildings That Move

On our Creekside Arcade project we proposed solar controlled thermal shutters. With yet another example of nanotechnology and carbon nanotubes it might be possible to achieve this without using mechanical motors!

Inhabitat | 1 JANUARY 1970
http://pulsene.ws/crFS

Decker Yeadon is researching how carbon nanotubes might create building materials that move without motors.

Filed under // Architecture Creekside Arcade design kinetic nanotechnology

Oct 25 / 2:16pm

How On-Demand 3D Printing Could Cut Waste

CloudLAB is an online service connecting 3D printing companies with buyers. I have used one of these machines for prototyping components and it is so useful being able to have a 3d solid model of your on screen design. How long before this technology is upscaled to start constructing buildings?

TREEHUGGER | 23 OCTOBER 2010
http://pulsene.ws/c05B

Image: Tech Clarity

Filed under // 3D printing Architecture design models

Oct 11 / 2:23pm

TDK unveils flexible OLED display at CEATEC

With technologies developing rapidly in flexible OLED displays how long before we have digital contact lenses? To what extent will the virtual world effect the way we integrate with the built environment?

In less than 20 years the Internet and mobile technology has led to significant changes in lifestyle and a reduction in the time periods we expect information to be transferred. How has this effected the built environment and to what extent will future changes in technology effect the way we live, work and play?

GIZMAG EMERGING TECHNOLOGY MAGAZINE | 5 OCTOBER 2010
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/GizmagEmergingTechnologyMagazine/~3/3ChbsWMZJMI/

TDK has been showing off its new OLED film

Filed under // OLED display Technology design

Sep 17 / 2:24pm

Design4D purchase building for conversion into ArtLAB!

Design4D have purchased the freehold of a two storey building in South East London for conversion into their first ArtLAB.

The building is situated opposite Goldsmiths University whom produced the likes of Damien Hirst and Tracey Emin, and adjacent to the £4million refurbished Fordham Park.

The Design4D ArtLAB will enable us to explore new ideas before they reach the commercial marketplace and provide us with an opportunity to engage with the local community.

What have been your favourite exhibitions in the past few years?

Filed under // Architecture Art Design4D design property

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