THE ELASTIC GAZE
From Active Matter to Responsive Architecture
Project as part of the practise-based doctorate program at TU Berlin (PEP) and the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity
supervised by:
Prof. Dr. Ignacio Borrego, TU Berlin
Prof. Christiane Sauer, weißensee school of art and design berlin
Project as part of the practise-based doctorate program at TU Berlin (PEP) and the Cluster of Excellence Matters of Activity
supervised by:
Prof. Dr. Ignacio Borrego, TU Berlin
Prof. Christiane Sauer, weißensee school of art and design berlin
THE ELASTIC GAZE is a practice-based PhD project investigating material programming, elasticity, and environmentally responsive textile architecture. The research develops a multi-scalar design methodology for self-forming textile systems by integrating shape memory alloys (SMAs) as thermally activated actuators within elastic textile composites.
Through physical prototyping, computational design, and material experimentation, the project explores how adaptive material behavior can contribute to more integrated, low-energy approaches to climatic regulation in architecture. Rather than relying on complex mechanical systems, the research investigates how material intelligence can generate autonomous movement and environmental responsiveness.
Central to the project is the development of a computational design-to-fabrication framework that translates material behavior across scales, from smart materials to architectural envelopes. The research examines the reciprocal relationship between material properties, textile morphology, and architectural performance, positioning elasticity as a design principle rather than merely a mechanical property.
Supervised by Prof. Ignacio Borrego and Prof. Christiane Sauer, the project combines methods from architecture, textile design, material science, and bioinspired design. The developed systems have been validated through full-scale adaptive solar shading prototypes within the research projects ADAPTEXand ADAPTEX Klima+, including installations in Brandenburg, Germany, and Muscat, Oman.
Through physical prototyping, computational design, and material experimentation, the project explores how adaptive material behavior can contribute to more integrated, low-energy approaches to climatic regulation in architecture. Rather than relying on complex mechanical systems, the research investigates how material intelligence can generate autonomous movement and environmental responsiveness.
Central to the project is the development of a computational design-to-fabrication framework that translates material behavior across scales, from smart materials to architectural envelopes. The research examines the reciprocal relationship between material properties, textile morphology, and architectural performance, positioning elasticity as a design principle rather than merely a mechanical property.
Supervised by Prof. Ignacio Borrego and Prof. Christiane Sauer, the project combines methods from architecture, textile design, material science, and bioinspired design. The developed systems have been validated through full-scale adaptive solar shading prototypes within the research projects ADAPTEXand ADAPTEX Klima+, including installations in Brandenburg, Germany, and Muscat, Oman.
Thermographical analysis reveals the geometrical features of the system. Self shading and paralactic effects have great impact on surface temperatures in direct solar radiation.
Exploring adaptive shape behaviour through structural softness of textiles
The research develops a material-driven design framework that links the intrinsic behavior of programmable materials with architectural performance across multiple scales. By investigating the reciprocal relationship between textile morphology, material properties, and environmental stimuli, it establishes elasticity as an active design parameter rather than a purely mechanical property.
Through computational modelling, physical prototyping, and full-scale implementation, the project demonstrates how elastic instabilities—including bending, buckling, and snapping—can be intentionally integrated into textile architectures to produce adaptive, energy-autonomous building envelopes. Instead of relying on complex mechanical systems, responsiveness emerges from the interaction between material activity, geometry and climatic conditions.
The resulting design methodology enables architects to work with material behavior as a design driver. By integrating smart materials, textile construction, and digital fabrication within a common framework, the research contributes to a broader understanding of adaptive architecture in which materials are conceived as active agents in shaping spatial and environmental performance.
Through computational modelling, physical prototyping, and full-scale implementation, the project demonstrates how elastic instabilities—including bending, buckling, and snapping—can be intentionally integrated into textile architectures to produce adaptive, energy-autonomous building envelopes. Instead of relying on complex mechanical systems, responsiveness emerges from the interaction between material activity, geometry and climatic conditions.
The resulting design methodology enables architects to work with material behavior as a design driver. By integrating smart materials, textile construction, and digital fabrication within a common framework, the research contributes to a broader understanding of adaptive architecture in which materials are conceived as active agents in shaping spatial and environmental performance.