MinimalSurfaceGeometryand theGreenParadigm

Sulan Kolatan introduces twoprojects by Kol/Mac – INVERSAbraneand MUTEN Galataport – that createa new biological or green paradigmthrough minimal surface geometry,reinterpreting and reinventing thenotion of urban ecology, as definedtopologically.

The interface between topology and urban ecologyconstitutes a productive inquiry in Kol/Mac’s currentwork. Unlike traditional urban-design approaches, urbanecology does not distinguish between various urbantypologies, but instead emphasises the continuity ofurban surface and its systemic performances. It looks atthe city as a vast contact surface configured by amultitude of contiguous patches. One could argue that itviews the world topologically. Furthermore, it evaluatesthe performance of this surface with regard to materiality,density, capacity, colour and form, thus linking the qualityof urban ecology to the specific qualities present in thesecategories. Taking this into account, Kol/Mac’s designmethods are built on linking computationally generated(smart) form with condition-based high performance.

INVERSAbrane1 and MUTEN Galataport, two Kol/Macprojects of very different scales, are representative of thisapproach. Both deploy a combination of artificialintelligence and minimal surface geometry to createexcessive and often complex contact surfaces in responseto generic and specific conditions. The goal is to enhancethe surfaces’ contact with air, sun and water throughcharacteristics such as an economy of the material-to-strength ratio, a maximisation of the surface-to-volumeratio, the inversability of the exterior surface and thecomplexity of surface curvature/incline that adhere tothese geometries. Whether as a building membrane or asurban landscape, the flat, smooth, impervious and oftendark qualities of existing urban surfaces create apathological environmental effect on contact with theelements. In comparison, Kol/Mac’s proposed surfaces aredesigned to collect and slow the speed of rainwater,absorb sun energy through maximum exposure, andcirculate a maximum volume of air in order to clean it oncontact. Structurally, the minimal surface is highlyeconomical in that it affords strength through curvatureand form instead of thickness of material (see, forexample, Arup’s evaluations of sample cells).

Kol/Mac, INVERSAbrane, 2006–07Prototype study in ‘flesh’.

Animation stills. Building with a generic curtain wall (firstrow, left) and with a sample INVERSAbrane (first row,right); Rainwater recycling (second row, left and right) andfresh-air supply (third row, left); Heads Up Displaytechnology in glass indicates levels of air pollution beforecleaning and clean air supply (third row, right); Solarenergy absorption across surface during a 24-hour cycle(fourth row, left); Air supply valve (fourth row, right); andAir and water handling details (fifth row).

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Kol/Mac, INVERSAbrane, 2006–07Connection studies: transitions between minimal surface geometry and flat surfaces at 0 and 90 degrees. Leftand middle: Window and slab connections (Generation 02). Right: Window connection (Generation 01).

Solar output studies: quantification of solar energy capacity in relation to variable minimal surface geometry.The capacity of a same-size conventional/flat exterior panel is shown below for comparison.

Glass studies: elevation, section and perspectival section with floor plates.

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INVERSAbraneINVERSAbrane focuses on going beyond the current ‘green’curtain-wall standard through the strategic linking of advancedgeometry, material and structural engineering, digital fabricationtechnologies and emerging expertise in ecology and biomedia. Itis an exterior membrane and infrastructure, and its performance isbased on excess surface, which maximises contact with theenvironment and creates a unique opportunity for eco-systemicexchanges between building and city. Air, water and light arerecycled through it and used as sources of energy, and themembrane’s capacity to invert links exterior and interior into amutually enhancing feedback system to produce greater safetyand comfort for both environments.

Rather than adopt a more common approach to safety basedsolely on bracing against a potential danger or reducing ‘negativeeffects’, INVERSAbrane aims to follow the kind of thinking thatdrives the design of racing cars and extreme-sports equipment.Here, increased safety allows for higher performance, and greaterrange and elevation of accepted standards. INVERSAbrane isextremely safe. It aims to enhance life rather than to merelypreserve and increase performance in order to transform.

INVERSAbrane is seen as part of a natural evolution, one thatconnects the most fundamental design technologies with themost leading edge. With the increasing naturalisation ofINVERSAbrane, two successive scenarios are projected. In thenear term, INVERSAbrane is a high-performance building exterior,one that works like a racing car exterior or a firefighter’s suit, andless like a common wall. In the longer term, INVERSAbrane is aliving membrane, one that works more like a tree bark or ananimal’s skin. INVERSAbrane is a project in progress.

Structural studies on INVERSAbrane by Arup’s AdvancedGeometry Unit (AGU), London. Lateral displacementacross the minimal surface of a sample cell.

Fenestration studies. Top: framing of windows with multiple-scalemembrane cells. Bottom: clustering of cells and windows.

Prototype 1.0 (Generation 03; MoMA version,exhibited at ‘SAFE: Design Takes On Risk’, 2005.

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MUTEN GalataportThe MUTEN Galataport proposal considers the entireurban surface as a continuum. There are no discreteseparations between horizontal, vertical and inclinedsurfaces. Minimal surface geometry and surface topologyare favoured over building typology. In order to testranges of topology with regard to their capacity to affectthe flow of water and wind as well as the absorption ofsolar energy, simulations are performed and the variationsare organised according to a catalogue of similarities. Eachvariation constitutes a cell combining building, nature andinfrastructure to varying degrees, sizes and shapes.

The parameters in this case include water as a heavilyfavoured programmatic element. As the remediation andclean-up of the Golden Horn, an inlet of the Bosphorusdividing the city of Istanbul and forming a naturalharbour, is progressing, Kol/Mac is envisioningcommercial, leisure and infrastructural uses that bringback historic activities to enliven the site and mix in newways. The undercroft is partly permeated by seawater andpartly by rainwater (two separate systems). While thecoral-like complex surface creates an ideal habitat for sealife, and thus for activities ranging from urban aqua-farming to scuba diving, a separate system of scoops andchambers collects, filters and stores fresh rainwater in avast underwater cistern. 4

Note1. INVERSAbrane is sponsored by Dupont Corian, Dupont Kevlar,Autodesk, Evans&Paul and BioGraphic Technologies, Inc.

Text © 2008 John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Images © Sulan Kolatanand William MacDonald

Kol/Mac, MUTEN Galataport, GoldenHorn, Istanbul, Turkey, 2006Galataport perspectives. Top tobottom: view from street; one of themarinas; the building-to-landscapetransition through minimal surfacegeometry; above/undergroundtransitions at sea level.

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Overall view. The existing urbanpatch consisting of a large concreteplatform with warehouses is replacedby an urbanscape of minimal surfacegeometry. Due to its complexgeometry, this new patch createspreviously absent beneficialexchanges between its total urbansurface and its environment.

Variable building/landscape celltopologies.These indicate a samplerange generated by linking artificalintelligence software with minimalsurface geometry. The underlyingtopological system is thus capableof adaptation to specific conditions.The limited range shown heredisplays the capacity of this designmethod to generate a wide array ofimplied typologies, from high-riseto institutional, to large spaces ofassembly such as exhibition andconcert halls, as well as arenasand malls.