RUCHING PAVILION is project that explores the action of folding, manipulating and defining fabrics to create complex forms and shapes, that can later be translated into architecture interventions.

EXPERIMENTS
The group run a series of experiments, using different types of fabric, and different patterns of stitching in order to explore the possibilities of ruching. The target goal was to be able to make structural ruched elements, so methods of hardening were later implemented into the procedure.

DESIGN PROPOSAL
The final proposal Plaza Commercial, in El Born district in Barcelona consists of a composition of various ruching typologies, that provide different functionalities. The pockets created within the final “carpet” are used as planters were as the steep vertical parts of the ruch are forming seating areas. The different patterns allow for varying seating formations such as amphitheatrical, linear etc.

FABRICATION
Apart from the fabric ruching experiments, the students explored fabric hardening techniques as well as plaster molding and casting using the ruched geometries as molds.  The goal was to come up with the optimum on-site 1:1 scale fabrication technique.

RUCHING PAVILION is a project by the Institute for advanced architecture of Catalonia, developed in the CIEE Global Architecture & Design Spring 2019 program by:

Students: Erin Bobby, Alexa Bartenfelder, Senna Thoomas, Harry Worsham
Future Cities Design Studio Faculty: Rodrigo Aguirre
Science, Engineering and Techonology Workshop Faculty: Ricardo Mayor
Faculty Assistant: Nikoleta Mougkasi