the institute for computational design and construction has built an enclosed pavilion, which comprises nothing more than star-like ?particles?. the ?ICD aggregate pavilion 2018? is the result of a decade of research by the institute into the architectural benefits of ?designed granular materials?. the structure is believed to be the first fully enclosed architectural space entirely constructed from designed granules, which lie only in loose frictional contact.

all images and video © ICD university stuttgart
 
 
the pavilion uses two types of designed particles with different behaviors: convex spheres, which can flow; and highly non-convex hexapods and dekapods, which can interlock. the convex spheres are a removable formwork, while the highly non-convex hexapods and dekapods remain as a self-supporting spatial structure. these unbound granular materials have the stable character of a solid material and the rapid reconfigurability of a fluid.
the enclosed pavilion comprises nothing more than star-like ?particles?
 
 
led by karola dierichs and achim menges, the team at ICD university stuttgart made the 120,000 star-shaped particles ? the hexapods and dekapods ? using injection-molded recycled plastic. made in situ, within a space measuring 9 by 10 meters, the pavilion was constructed with the help of a cable-driven parallel robot, which was fixed on four points to the walls of the hall and its supporting beam structure.

the structure measures 3x5x7 meters
 
 
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