Mass Studies and BIG

Mutated Slabs and Robotic Towers

At an urban scale, the 'mutated slabs' is an exercise of splitting a single block into a set of heterogeneous but formally interrelated buildings. within the rigidity of a residential grid that is typical of korea, the placement of the newly built forms creates an organized irregularity among the typical hilbersheimer apartment blocks. The spaces can be programmed as a sum (or division) of the pieces which leads to a combination of indoor and outdoor conditions, creating and transforming urban districts while also rethinking the mundane cityscape with towers that dynamically change in profile.

• Along the main theme of Promotion and Architecture, four architecture firms proposedto stimulate the lobby of the Gyeonggido Museum of Modern Art with furniture that investigates a possible future master plan of Ansan City. As an architectural exercise of scales, the master plan activates the long and narrow lobby space with a model of Ansan City and its future structures. The ‘model’ can also be used as furniture by visitors, in an exploration almost Hollywood-esque in its multi-venue adventures and synergistic qualities. This multi-layered study in fluctuating scales opens up new possibilities in developing both furniture and urbanism, while promoting Ansan City at the same time.

  Starting with two simple forms – a block and a cylinder – we investigated methods of decompression as a combination of unique forms/spaces/functions that can be reorganized to create systematic heterogeneity. Like a three-dimensional puzzle set, the pieces can stand alone or act collectively to create a large set of diverse forms and their corresponding programs. These forms yield new typologies and new urban identities for this Ansan futurama, defining new spaces within the city and the museum.

  At an urban scale, the Mutated Slabs is an exercise of splitting a single block into a set of heterogeneous but formally interrelated buildings. Within the rigidity of a residential grid that is typical of Korea, the placement of the newly built forms creates an organized irregularity among the typical Hilbersheimer apartment blocks. The Robotic Towers explore new spatial possibilities along the vertical axis, as a combination of parts that shift constantly. The spaces can be programmed as a sum (or division) of the pieces which leads to a combination of indoor and outdoor conditions, creating transforming urban districts while also rethinking the mundane cityscape with towers that dynamically change in profile.

  At the furniture scale, the Mutated Slabs are spread out across the floor and function as benches, desks, among other things, depending on their orientation, organization and combination. Pieces of the Robotic Tower can be stacked with their function determined by their height from the ground. Taking this exploration further to a third scale, we conceived these two forms as a toy, at a museum souvenir scale, as hand-held puzzle blocks.

  Materiality, production and numerous configurations of a multi-use structure are considered at each scale to further project ideas for a new dynamic urban narrative. All three scales seemingly bring about different modes of examining the process of development, but create an interrelation to each other. Whether as a city master plan, museum lobby furnishings, or a souvenir to reflect on both of those spatial experiences, the Mutated Slabs and Robotic Towers are reactions to the various possibilities in Ansan, its venue for creativity and its occupants, who actively participate in the environment presented.

• 
•