Humans, who have worked with wood in many different ways for millennia, continue to explore new possibilities today using fractal geometry and sophisticated software. A true high tech material, wood fuses like metal; it is bent and pleated, braided with suppleness and curved gently into ribbed shells in the expert hands of EPFL’s Timber Construction Laboratory (IBOIS), directed by Yves Weinand.

Timber ProjectNew architectural forms in wood

Exhibition project of Archizoom and the IBOIS lab at EPFL.

section. Research and teaching, presented in an in-depth manner in the “Timber Project” exhibit, focus on issues surrounding the tangible realization of complex forms and free-form surfaces.IBOIS aims to provide construction solutions that can be successfully disseminated throughout a construction market, meaning that the realization of non-conventional structures at a reasonable cost must be possible. ������������ �� ��specialized IT tools appears increasingly necessary. Our research focuses on developing and combining software at various different levels, from generating complex shapes to controlling and sizing �������������������������operating computerized numerical control machines (CNCs).

People think of wood as a “traditional material”, which is advantageous for legitimizing advanced research into complex

shapes and free-form surfaces. Taking an interest in complex geometries from a (timber) construction point of view, and not just a morphogenic point of view, can signify taking a critical step back from blob architecture’s “stylized mode” phenomena.

Many recent buildings designed in the formalized mode of Blob Architecture demonstrate a complete lack of awareness or disregard for sustainability issues, either in the choice of construction materials, or ���������� ��������������their energy requirements and the high cost of material handling. In contrast, timber construction has a promising future in the face of global sustainable development challenges.

But these challenges also involve the question of architectural form. How can we incorporate a formal and technological process of innovation into the long-term goals of sustainability? Renewing construction

techniques and formal repertoire related to the use ����������������������the “traditional” values of timber construction, can contribute to encouraging an increase in the use of wood in acontemporary construction.

What is the relationship between “pure” and “applied” (or even “curiosity-driven” and “problem-oriented”) research in the ��������� ������������and architecture? What is the relationship between ����� ����� ������������architectural research and project work as “artistic practice”? IBOIS’ goal as a research center is to be a laboratory where experimentation is practiced in order to achieve the tangible production of new structural forms.

Yves Weinand

The “Timber Project” exhibit presents current research in timber construction, where interdisciplinar sity – in this case, between civil engineering, architecture, mathematics, and computer science – provides a breath of fresh air and a surge of new inspiration. This research, whose timing coincides with current environmental and ecological concerns, is leading to innovative construction solutions that �������� ���������������are economically viable – a new architecture of wood.

Research conducted in EPFL’s Laboratory for Timber Constructions (IBOIS) explores in depth the relationship between engineering sciences and architecture, using wood as a construction material. IBOIS is in the Institute of Civil Engineering in EPFL’s School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and interfaces with architecture via a studio at the Master’s level in the school’s Architecture

rentalcondition

Offer:

Offer enclose (see object list):- 1 “table” presenting 5 researches, variable- 1 table for small models and origami, format 250 x 250 cm- 6 medium prototypes, format 80 x 200 cm- 2 large protoypes, format 400 x 400 cm��������������������������������������������!������������- 4 thesis- Publications by Yves Weinand and IBOIS lab

Global offer:- Adoption of the exhibition (excluding costs for transport, insurance, installations, loan contracts, expenses of the curators)

CHF 14’000.- (€ 10’000)

Responsibilities and obligations:- The title of the exhibition must not be altered.- The curator/producers (Fred Hatt, Yves Weinand and Cyril Veillon) must be mentioned in connection with the communication/PR of the exhibition.- The curator/producers (Fred Hatt, Yves Weinand and Cyril Veillon) must be ����������������������������"��������# ���������$������������%&- Archizoom EPFL must be mentioned as the producer of the exhibition in connection with the communication/PR of the exhibition.- Changes in the disposition of the exhibition must only be made with consent from the curator.��'������������������������������������������������� ��������������� ���������������� ��������������� ���� ��&

TransportTransport doesn’t need a specialised art transport company.

Insurrance value: CHF 200’000.- (€ 145’000)

Requirements for Exhibition Installation:

Space demandca. 200 to 300 square meters (can be adapted to particular conditions)

DevicesOne DVD player with a beamer or a monitor.

Presentation'�����������������*�����������&�+����*������������������������������������!�the curator, for three days.

The crates for transport are used as the stands for the prototypes. No additional stand or table needed.

The exhibition table presenting the researches is lit from inside. The exhibition table needs a plug with 220 volts. The prototypes and models need additional spot lights (not included in the exhibition material, to be provided by the borrower).

Publication7����$������� ������������"�������������������"������������������������Lorette Coen and Professor Yves Weinand. Texts exist in French and English. To be printed by the borrower.

PostcardsArchizoom has issued 4 motifs as postcards. The postcards can be obtained form Archizoom EPFL.

BooksThe borrower might order books by Yves Weinand and the IBOIS lab.

Crates detail:

Nom Length (cm) Width (cm) Height (cm) Volume (m3) Weight (kg)

Origami 1 193 51 78 0.8 76

Origami 2 270 54 44 0.6 82

Eléments table 1/5 254 125 104 3.3 309

Eléments table 2/5 244 125 99 3.0 285

Eléments table 3/5 260 125 66 2.1 228

Eléments table 4/5 270 125 94 3.2 295

Eléments table 5/5 254 125 94 3.0 286

Tissage du bois 1 185 60 79 0.9 59

Tissage du bois 2 95 36 79 0.3 35

Tissage du bois 3 185 60 82 0.9 59

Tissage du bois 4 450 210 75 7.1 570

=�*�������������!� ������ 160 45 79 0.6 75

Maquettes tours 90 48 95 0.4 38

Géométrie fractale 95 36 79 0.3 31

Pancartes surface table 110 78 52 0.4 105

Pieds de table-visserie 140 24 38 0.1 31

Table 225 15 134 0.5 147

Coque 1/2 360 150 103 5.6 333

Coque 2/2 360 150 103 5.6 351

Total 38.6 3395

pressclipping

PARCOURS

Génération Europan :MUZ, VBNB et Schön Fait

RÉALISATIONS

BNR Cartignies-CanonicaX-TUSANAA

DOSSIER Réhabilitation des HLM : inventer plutôt que rénover

d’a

D’ARCHITECTURES 190 - AVRIL 2010

D’ARCHITECTURES, LE MAGAZINE PROFESSIONNEL DE LA CRÉATION ARCHITECTURALE – FRANCE 10 € - DOM 12 € - NELLE CALÉDONIE, POLYNÉSIE 1200 CFP

PORTUGAL 11,50 € - MAROC 95 MAD - TUNISIE 12,700 TND - LIBAN 26000 LBP - CENTRAFRIQUE, CMR, CI, G, SN 6300 CFA - CANADA 15,95 CAD -

�� ���� ��� �� � �������� ��������

Le bois redevientattractif, vertueux,propre àla modernité.

30 D’ARCHITECTURES 190 - AVRIL 10

Entre tradition et modernité, le bois s’impose en 2010comme le matériau incontournable des chantiers dudéveloppement durable. Matériau de la charpente clas-sique associé à l’image du chalet alpin, ou composantexclusif d’un mode constructif standardisé incontour-nable en Amérique du Nord, le bois était peu à peusorti du domaine de la création architecturale. À l’exception de certains travaux de Renzo Piano oud’œuvres singulières comme celles de Bruce Goff ou deBart Prince aux États-Unis, tenant d’une architectureorganique qui trouva quelques résonances parmi lestentatives régionalistes et néovernaculaires des écolesd’Europe centrale, le bois n’était plus depuis longtempsvecteur de concepts innovants.Mais portée par les défis environnementaux, laconstruction bois s’installe dans l’actualité : au sein desécoles d’architecture européennes, on ne compte plus lesséminaires, workshops, expositions, colloques et confé-rences consacrés à ce matériau millénaire. Des filières derecherche se mettent en place : le bois fait le buzz etredevient attractif, vertueux, propre à la modernité.Jusqu’au 30 mai à Lausanne, Archizoom, le départe-ment d’exposition et de conférences de l’EPFL/Enac,

met en lumière les travaux du laboratoire Ibois quedirige Yves Weinand. En présentant les recherches encours et les travaux d’étudiants, l’exposition s’articuleautour de cinq axes de recherche faisant l’objet dethèses doctorantes ; cinq thèmes : l’origami, le plis-sage, le tressage, l’étonnant bois soudé et les struc-tures issues de la géométrie fractale.Avec l’ambition de sortir du pur fantasme numérique,ces travaux ont pour objet la conception et la réalisa-tion de formes complexes et de surfaces libres dans l’espace. Il s’agit pour le laboratoire de tester les capa-cités de ces structures non conventionnelles à s’intégrerdans un processus constructif et économique réaliste.Le développement d’un répertoire formel innovantpour l’architecture n’est en effet concevable que s’il estinscrit dans une chaîne de production performante.Plus encore que celle de l’acier ou du béton, l’utilisa-tion du bois est conditionnée à la connaissance pré-cise de ses techniques de mise en œuvre. Il est effec-tivement impossible de concevoir avec le bois sans en maîtriser les détails constructifs et les assemblages.Aussi les outils numériques spécialisés développés au sein de l’Ibois, de la génération de formes non

« Timber Project » à Lausanne Nouvelles formes d’architectures en bois par Jean-François Caille

MAGAZINE > EXPOSITION

© E

.C.

© F

red

Hatt

D’ARCHITECTURES 190 - AVRIL 10 31

standard au contrôle et au dimensionnement des élé-ments finis, en passant par la machine à commandenumérique, doivent-ils être interactifs.C’est dans la tentative d’associer un matériau deconstruction traditionnel à des formes géométriquescomplexes que réside la singularité de ces recherches.Les formes non conventionnelles sont en effet sou-vent associées à des matériaux high-tech, dont lescapacités environnementales sont parfois médiocres.Plus socialement acceptable en raison de son statut dematériau durable, le bois apporte sans conteste unelégitimité à ces formes nouvelles.L’exposition, qui propose des prototypes à l’échelle 1et des maquettes d’études en cours, permet uneapproche synthétique des qualités émotionnelles etpoétiques du matériau bois, de ses potentielsconstructifs et architecturaux et de ses capacités àrépondre à des défis d’ingénierie structurelle. Lesrecherches menées au sein de l’Ibois, en associantarchitectes et ingénieurs civils, parviennent ainsi àrenouveler l’usage du bois dans la constructioncontemporaine, tout en l’inscrivant dans une pers-pective de longue durée. � >

La conception des tables de présentation de l’exposition bénéficiedes plus récentes techniques de façonnage du bois. L’effet de typographie lumineuse est obtenu par le découpage au laserde plusieurs couches d’une feuille de contreplaqué mince à l’aide d’une machine à commande numérique. La couche de surface, laissée intacte, devient alors translucide.

© F

red

Hatt

© F

red

Hatt

������������ �����

������������������ ������������ ���������� ���������� ���������� �������� �������

�������� �!�"��#$� %&��'&�&�(�����)��*+�����"�,�---�.�� ���*+

The IBOIS, the laboratory for timber construction of the EPFL, is directed by Professor Weinand, engineer and architect, since October 2004. The laboratory undertakes research and teaching within the framework of the civil engineering section of the ENAC.

The history of construction and more particularly the history of the treaties of construction show that wood primarily has been implemented in a tradition strongly related to the traditional frame construction. Today, the spirit of the country cottage still dominates the image of timber constructions. The appearance of new products derived from wood does not involve unfortunately on the whole the complementary creation of other constructive wood systems. However, wood - more than steel or concrete - is without ‘detour’ related to the precise comprehension of the shaping of the bearing structure of a construction. In other words: it is impossible to conceive out of wood without holding account of its constructive detail. The engineers interested by wood thus are naturally confronted with the constructive aspects at ���������������������������������������������� �� ������&�'�������������������������of the wood manufacturer. Thus wood offers an interdisciplinary situation requiring the association of the engineer, the architect and the contractor. The practice of the architects and civil engineers of the IBOIS constitutes a positive precondition for a laboratory specialized in the teaching and research of timber ����� ���&�'����������� ��������������������� ���������� ������������������>���to work on the possible role of wood in construction in association, or in controlled contrast with other major materials.

Archizoom, ENAC’s permanent exhibition gallery, is dedicated to themed public exhibitions of research and projects accompanied by seminar series, with the goal of illustrating the multidisciplinary aspects of architecture.7� ���� ����� ���� ��� ��� ���� ����� ��� ������� ��� ���������� �� ������ ��������a phenomenon enhanced by the mediatisation of architecture over the last decades. It is the responsibility of Archizoom to “manage the showcase”, so as to build a consistent image and strong identity within and outside the context of the EPFL.

EPFL is one of the two Ecoles Polytechniques fédérales in Switzerland. Like its sister institution, ETHZ, it has three missions: educati on, research and techno-logy transfer at the highest international level. Associated with several specia-lised research institutes, the two EPFs form the EPF domain, which is directly dependent on the Federal Department of Home Affairs.

EPFL, in its idyllic location on the shores of Lake Geneva, brings together a campus of more than 10,000 people. By its novel structure, the school stimu-lates collaboration between students, professors, researchers and entrepre-neurs. These daily interactions give rise to new and groundbreaking work in science, technology and architecture.

An exhibit in wood construction by ARCHIZOOM and EPFL’s IBOIS LabDirector of IBOIS laboratory: Professor Yves WeinandDirector of Archizoom: Cyril VeillonCurator and exhibit design: Fred Hatt, *tangram, Lausanne

J ����� � ��������K�+���J���>��Q���U�����=������Q�������X�������[�������Technical consultant: François Perrin\����� ���K�]��������^������X���_������`�����\������J �������J�����\���������� Model shop EPFL (Mitch Heynick, Antoine Gagliardi, Pascal Diserens, Laurent Emmenegger)Administration and public relations: Pascale LuckTexts: Lorette Coen and Yves Weinand / Translation: Mary Parlange, Isabelle Taudière, Sarah Frei, Ros Schwarz

contactCyril VeillonDirector Archizoom EPFL

ARCHIZOOMEPFL-ENACEspace d’expositionSG 1231, Station 15CH-1015 Lausanne

����&������{��$& �'|���K�!�}��#~%�������������]�"�K�!�}��#~%�����������~�����K���� ��>���&��$& �

Prof. Dr. Yves Weinand

EPFL-ENAC IIC IBOISGC H2 711 (bâtiment GC)Station 18CH-1015 Lausanne

���&�����{��$& �'|���K�!�}��#~%�������������]�"�K�!�}��#~%������������}����K�������&��$& �