AA 07/08 – Brief

TUTORS : Claudia Pasquero & Marco Poletto – ecoLogicStudio

ecoMachines Ver 1.0

The unit will work on the invention and construction of eco-machines. Eco-machinic prototypes will differ both from traditional architectural models and from industrial design prototypes: on one side they refuse a purely representational role but rather derive their material definition from a form of direct engagement with the surrounding environment. On the other hand they seek for progressive refinement through an open process where both performances and targets co-evolve and differentiate. Eco-machines will be therefore both performance oriented while remaining programmatically opportunistic, intensely site specific while still typologically undefined. They will feature a combination of material prototypes (developed through direct testing) and a strategic manual (developed though on site observation, abstract diagramming and systemic evaluation).

Historic processes
The UNIT will start its investigation with specific observations on local cultures where a critical point of development has been recently reached, and a sudden social, economic or environmental mutation is emerging; we are going to investigate complex local systems currently pushed away from their equilibrium by an enlargement of their network of territorial and global connections. The focus will be on local systems with a certain degree of ‘tradition’, i.e. systems with a consistent history of economic, energetic and cultural flows, and related processes. The Mediterranean basin will constitute the geographical focus; the interest lies in the recent turmoil generated by the extension of the European Union network. Traditionally rich and consolidated local networks lacking energy for innovation are now being transformed by the flow of knowledge and capital coming from the northern headquarters; we will develop our eco-machines as new models of global collaboration and as catalysts for local systemic development.

Hands On
The unit working format will combine an extended digital platform with intensive hands-on workshop based experiences. The digital platform will allow development of abstract diagramming skills, performance testing and scenario modeling; moreover the unit will implement a blog and exploit go to meeting technologies for remote tutorial (for example with Dr Eyal Nir-Paracloud) and prototyping sessions with the unit’s industrial partners (from the TWDC2008 network). The hands-on component will involve taking part to three intensive prototyping events: the field trip in the first term, an installation in Istanbul on the second and a workshop/prototyping event during Easter in Turin (the unit will be affiliated to the Turin World Design Capital 2008 network).

Tutors Bio

Marco Poletto
Graduated with honours from Turin Polytechnic in 1999. Studied at the AA master course in environment and energy, and worked at Battle McCarthy as environmental designer. In 2002 he directed a research group on a six months project in Caracas, working on the subject of urban ecology in the informal city. Marco has been design tutor of the MA on sustainable design at the UEL London and is currently Unit Master of Inter10 at the Architectural Association School of Architecture London and Unit Tutor of Diploma8 at the London Metropolitan University; he co-directed the Fibrous Structures Workshop (AA/ITU exchange workshop). His recent publications include articles for the books “Space Craft: developments in architectural computing” – RIBA Publishing, and “Environmental tectonics” – AA Publishing as well as for various international magazines including “World Architecture – China” and the “AArchitecture – London”.

Claudia Pasquero
Graduated from Turin Polytechnic in 2000, and consequently completed the AA EE Master Programme, she is co-founder of ecoLogicStudio. She has working experience as architect in international offices such as Ushida Findlay Partnership and Erick Van Egerat Architects. She took part to the London and Venice Architectural Biennale with an installation called STEM and is codirecotr of Fibrous Structures Project. Claudia has been teaching and lecturing internationally including East London University, Turin Polytechnic, The Kingston University (London), UDLA (Puebla, Mexico City), IAAC (Barcelona), ITU (Istanbul), Bilgi University (Istanbul) and others; she is currently Unit Master of Inter10 at the Architectural Association School of Architecture London.