Hybrid Tectonic Systems Workshop

The Hybrid Tectonic Systems Workshop was hosted last month at The School of Architecture, Art and Design, University of Minho in Portugal, and led by Professor Steven Beites of the MSoA and Bruno Figueiredo and Filip Brandão of the EEAD. Four McEwen architecture students participated in the workshop, where they led the wood design incorporating bending and kerfing processes.

The cross-collaborative workshop introduced students to the design potential of hybrid tectonic assemblies, with a focus on timber and 3D printed concrete (3DPC). The participants explored the articulation between structural, formal, and assembly logics, investigating the integration of timber elements with components produced through 3D printing of cement-based mortars.

Through this design-build approach, students explored the integration of these materials to leverage their structural and expressive qualities in pursuit of innovative hybrid systems. 

The workshop was organized by the McEwen School of Architecture, Institute for Northern Housing Innovation, University of Minho School of Architecture, Art and Design, and AC Tech Hub.