cincinnati OHIO

University of Cincinnati, School of Architecture and Interior Design
critic: Mara MARCU.

suckerPUNCH: Describe your project.

Shinji MIYAJIMA: Ideas were developed from precedent and tectonic studies of radial tensile membrane structures.

Following the terrain and the boundary of the given site, “misbehaved” tessellations of the unit of a radial tensile membrane expand their territory into the forest without interfering with the domain of existing trees and site conditions. The system bypasses two existing trees, which function as anchor points of the overall plan. The synthesis of the zoomable/misbehaved dichotomy is made visible in the tessellation that distorts and skews sub elements to create a dynamic profile with implicit structural stability.

The skylights installed at the eyes of the system substitute and give the illusion of interior light fixtures. During sunny days adjacent trees cast shadows on the translucent ETFE skin, which get projected onto the floor and act as an intermediate filter between nature and interior space. Because of the thin characteristics of textile, users can hear a fresh breeze blowing and feel the atmosphere firsthand. The bridge suspended by the masts that carry the load of the tensed textile membrane underneath allows for expanded circulation, as if the outdoor natural space was to spill into the built artificial habitat.​

sP: What or who influenced this project?
SM: The High Line; Grin Grin; SANAA; Frei Otto; and Schlaich Bergermann.

sP: What were you reading/listening to/watching while developing this project?
SM: Reading: Kengo Kuma’s book, in which he discusses episodes of his career and his projects. Listening to: The Flaming Lips, the National, and FKA Twigs. Watching: Sagan Series, TED Talk lectures, Parks & Recreation.

sP: Whose work is currently on your radar?
SM: Toyo Ito; Sou Fujimoto; SANAA; Preston Scott Cohen; and Craig Dykers.

Additional credits and links:
[issuu.com/shrineislands]