Design
The resulting form, a series of spiralling 3d structure/surface elements,
offers a dramatic completion to the tower, whilst offering a radical interior
spatiality. The implicit assumption is that its form can be articulated as
a series of variable parameters (not determined at the outset, but intuited),
such that its non-standard character is ‘managed’ as a series
of topological variants (ie the elements obey the same rules but are non-standard
in their expression).
What is also implicit is that the emergent surface/form needs
to be highly performative – structure, insulation and weatherproofing
‘trapped’ within its thickness - an essential recovery of efficiency
within a now complex formal environment (CAD/CAM). ie there is a collapse-back
of distinction in regards to functional performance: structure and surface,
for instance, or insulation and waterproofing merging into composite structure/surface
assemblage (specifically resin-filled aluminium honeycomb).
There is also a need for highly accurate and articulate fabrication
techniques, which implies 5-axis numeric command machining, the structural
box-trusses then assembled from bevelled triangular panels.