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 Casting Collections From the Inflatable Formwork

Inflatable Formwork

42°27'04.6"N 76°29'01.3"W

Inflatable Concrete Formwork

Ithaca, NY, United States / 2024

Research & Build, Computation + Fabrication

[Architecture | Computation | Fabrication | Material]


Instructor:  II Hwan Kim
Cornell University Department of Architecture | Spring 2024

In concrete construction, formwork consumes a significant portion of resources, often exceeding fifty percent of the entire construction budget. Conventionally, achieving a straight concrete column necessitates over-structured formwork capable of bearing the weight of the concrete without deformation. What if formwork could dynamically appear and vanish, providing temporary support to concrete through controlled air pressure, only to deflate once the material has cured? This concept explores the use of inflatable fabric as formwork, enabling the patterns and shapes to be programmed into the fabric through adjustments in air pressure.

Initial Inflation & Pattern Tests

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Material & Pattern & Inflation Tests

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Exhibition at John Hartell Gallery

Sibley Dome, Cornell

...

More Projects Coming

©Weizi Song 2021

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by means, including photocopying or other electronic or mechanical methods, without prior written permission from the creators.

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