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Newsletter 12.2009

Dear Readers,

As always at this time of the year Architonic is working at full speed on its preparations for the fairs which take place in the spring. In the coming year we will be presenting our third Architonic Concept Space, designed by Oskar Zieta and the CAAD faculty of the ETH Zurich, at the most important international trade shows. Our 'Making of' gives you a preview of the design.

As the first furniture fair of the coming year the imm cologne will be opening its doors on 19 January. You can win one of 200 free imm entrance tickets!

Just as every year we have collected the best exhibitors at the imm cologne for you in our Architonic Guide. You will find the Guide at the stands of the manufacturers who are listed and as a download with this Newsletter.

Be inspired!

Your Architonic Team
Zürich | Mailand | Berlin | Barcelona | Kopenhagen | London | Miami

Building with air

Architonic Concept Space III, designed by Oskar Zieta and the CAAD Faculty at ETH Zurich

With Concept Space III Architonic is for the third time now providing a forum for the architectural realisation of innovative technology. As a successor to LAVA and Gramazio & Kohler, the Zurich architect, process designer and furniture producer Oskar Zieta is now continuing the series of Architonic Concept Spaces. The premiere of Concept Space III will be at this year's imm cologne, followed by a tour of the main trade shows during the year 2010.
In our 'Making Of' we would like to provide you with a behind-the-scenes look at the complex development of Concept Space III.

Sketches

With his charming, inflatable stool made of sheet steel Oskar Zieta didn't only impress the international design scene - his little 'Plopp' would also bring him well-earned recognition for his many years of research work at the CAAD faculty of ETH Zurich under Professor Hovestadt. Here the Polish designer collaborated with his colleague Philipp Dohmen in the development of the so-called FiDU (Freie InnenDruck Umformung) technology - a process in which precision-cut sections of sheet steel with welded contours are inflated at high pressure into complex shapes. 2D is converted into 3D. However, what 'Plopp' demonstrates on a small scale has the potential for larger dimensions.

Paper models

The long-term aim is to use FiDU elements in architecture, for example in flexible structural systems or facade sections, because in addition to their excellent static properties - inflating the sheet steel sections provides statically optimised forms - FiDU is in many respects an especially economical process. In contrast to injection moulding, hydroforming or extrusion, all of which require elaborate and costly machines and moulds, all that FiDU needs is a die plate and a robot welder. The two-dimensional sections are easy to transport and can then be inflated on site.

Drafts of the Architonic Concept Space III

This year's Architonic Concept Space III provides Oskar Zieta and his team with a platform for implementing an architectural project with this new technology for the first time. "We now have the opportunity to demonstrate our research results and to acquire the kind of experience which only a full-scale project can offer", says Mr Zieta.
The modular structural system, which consists of a number of identical and stackable geometrical spatial structures, is made up of inflated sections welded together robotically. A well-balanced equilibrium of traction and pressure forces gives the structures maximum stability. By arranging them symmetrically a space is created with a design that features prominent joints and relatively narrow rods, somewhat reminiscent of the structure of a bone, and with a static principle that invites a number of comparisons.

Blown up sheet metal models in smaller scale

Notes for the production

Draft for the imm cologne 2010

"Naturally we also wanted to design an eye-catcher - the purely functional trade fair stand is well past its sell-by date. But in spite of everything the extrovert appearance is above all the result of careful calculations. A fair stand has to be flexible, light and stable, and these specifications lead you very quickly to the triangle, the basic shape with the greatest static stability", explains Oskar Zieta.

to the Oskar Zieta interview

Win free entrance tickets to IMM 2010 in Cologne

It's the claim of the imm cologne that it provides a setting for the furnishing worlds of tomorrow and with 'Pure Village' this traditional furniture fair is indeed exploring new ways of bringing together the entire spectrum of the international furniture and interior design scene. Manufacturers from Germany, Europe and the whole world will be presenting their latest products.

All those who register by 05.01.2010 have the chance with Architonic to win one of 200 free tickets to the imm.

Apply here

Architonic Guide imm cologne 2010

Let us guide you

For the imm cologne we have, as every year, selected for you the most interesting exhibitors and displayed these in our practical Architonic Guide complete with a layout plan and stand number. The Architonic Guide is available at the stands of all the listed manufacturers, or as a download here.