BlobWall: Lego blocks for adults
Housing materials have been changing over the past few years, but nothing equals the BlobWall. Like Lego blocks, this is a building process that is put together to form whatever shape, size and configuration you might want.
The BlobWall Pavilion is on show at the South California Institute of Architecture (SCI-ARC) in Los Angeles. It is constructed of 500 hollow tri-lobed blob units that interlock like Lego blocks to form the futuristic looking pavilion.
The ideal behind the BlobWall was to create a modular wall building product that would be easy to assemble, and would work like “bricks” in the building process. Using the preformed “bricks” of polymer allows individuals to build the structure easily and quickly.
BlobWall is made from preformed pieces of low-density, impact resistant, recyclable polymer. Like bricks, BlobWall pieces are put together to create an indoor/outdoor wall system.
Greg Lynn, one of Time magazine’s 2008 design 100, developed the idea with his firm Greg Lynn FORM. The firm worked with Panelite to mass produce the robot-cut “bricks” or blob units. The blob units can be manufactured in any color polymer and to any size and shape requirements.
Light coming in or out of the BlobWall, makes the whole structure shine as if glowing. The color of the blob units currently give it a rose red glow. Since the material is opaque the effect is different than light shining through clear glass.
The idea is fascinating. A possible cheap form of housing that could quickly be put up or taken down. Rather than tent villages, you could create Blob villages for temporary housing needs.
Several unanswered questions remain, such as what level of insulation do the walls provide and can other insulation be added? How do doors and windows fit into the structure? What about plumbing and wiring for the structure? In what type of climate can Blob structures be practically used? Are BlobWalls most practical for indoor screens or to change around the indoor environment rather than outdoor living structures
At this moment, the BlobWall is more art than true building material. Sort of like artistic building blocks for adults who want to play with structure and lighting.
Because of it’s artistic quality and unique architectural qualities, the BlobWall will be moving from L.A to the Venice Biennale as part of the 11th International Architecture Exhibition, Out There: Architecture Beyond Building. The BlobWall certainly qualifies as “Out There” architecture.
It will be interesting to see how the BlobWall concept develops and where the idea goes from here.
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