Concept for Fabric Reinforced Concrete 

National Building Museum_Washington DC  (2004-06) & Le Museé des Arts et metier_Paris  (2006)

The invisible forces (of tension and compression) that move through all material structures are in fact curvilinear in nature, contrary to the rectilinear forms they are often contained by. This project examines the ways in which tensile reinforcing might more accurately follow the complex, yet predictable, forms of tensile force-flow as opposed to the overly generalized linear assembly of steel rebar commonly used in these structures. 

The work shown here shows a multi-level column and slab construction in which a pre-tensioned structural fabric is pulled into a form that follows the force-flow within the structure. The concrete (modeled in plaster) is then poured within the fabric form work, allowing the hydrostatic pressure to generate the desired form.

The concept model was displayed at the National Building Museum’s exhibition entitled “Liquid Stone: New Architecture in Concrete” (February 2004-2006) in Washington DC. The work was then included in the curated exhibit “Beton eton ez vous!” at Le Museé des Arts et metier, in Paris. 

This work was also featured in “Liquid Stone: New Architecture in Concrete” (Princeton University Press, 2006).