SPAN lecture on the Austrian Pavilion @ die Angewandte, Vienna

Topology is the main driving force of the design of the Austrian pavilion, a major area of mathematics concerned with spatial properties that are preserved under continuous deformations of objects, for example deformations that involve stretching, but no tearing or gluing. It emerged through the development of concepts from geometry and set theory, such as space, dimension, and transformation.

The main qualities for the project formed the mainframe of the topological surface. The software output consisted of an extensive array of subtly varying surface conditions. According to their performative behavior the population of over one hundred individual entities where scrutinized for their fitness according to different criteria, such as the potential to fulfill the program, the performance as structural entity and the affect generated by its appearance. This process reduced potential candidates to a very small number. Finally this candidates ran trough a series of algorithms (various remeshings, subdivisions, optimizing the size of the spatial pockets etc.) which eliminated all candidates but one. 

This technique can be described as an evolutionary process driven by a series of intensive forces, such as the specific compartmentisation of the pouches, the loadbearing qualities of curvilinear conditions and the allover sensual experience of the space. The numerous explorations and investigations of SPAN into the nature of topological bodies, throughout the recent years, served as basis for the design process. One of the results of these investigations was a series of models only dedicated to seamless, continuous circulations within architectural bodies and apertures in complex curved geometries. These two fundamental architectural conditions, opening and circulation, are discussed in the project of the Austrian Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010 in an alternative way. 

The lecture describes the design process of the Austrian Pavilion for the Shanghai Expo 2010, as well as the construction method. The lecture depicts the advanced fabrication methods involved in the construction of the Project, such as the use of simulation softwares, building information modeling and CNC fabrication.