Alexis Rochas, I/O: Still Robot

Friday, January 22, 7–9pm: Opening reception Friday, February 5, 7pm: Exhibition discussion with Alexis Rochas and Eric Owen Moss The Southern California Institute of Architecture announces the first exhibition of 2010: Still Robot by Alexis Rochas, I/O, on view at the SCI-Arc Gallery from January 22 through March 7. Still Robot is a 1,000 square-foot case study introducing the OCTA.BOT system, the proprietary technology of I/O, which is comprised of eight swivel joints, and introduces the unique universal building system of freely rotating elements that expands on space-frame technology. A member of SCI-Arc’s faculty, Rochas is well-known for his recent SYNTHe project, an adaptable synthetic environment managing air pollution and storm water runoff that was recognized as one of the first large-scale rooftop vegetable gardens in Los Angeles. I/O’s practice focuses on the development of dynamic architectural methodologies integrating design, technology and advanced fabrication techniques. OCTA.BOT builds upon the technology that Alexander Graham Bell first introduced in 1900, the space-frame structural system, which has evolved into applications from nautical and aeronautical engineering to automobile frames, and has been used since by Buckminster Fuller and I.M. Pei, among other architects. The system is often used as an architectural technique for the execution of large span roofs. While theoretically the space-frame has a great range of structural and formal versatility, most often it’s based on regular geometric patterns which present inherent limitations. The OCTA.BOT system seeks to expand the application of lightweight space-frame structures into the everyday realm by streamlining the design and assembly process into a simple, versatile, customizable building system that has an unlimited formal vocabulary while eliciting economies in material resources, energy expenditure and assembly time. About OCTA.BOT OCTA.BOT name refers to the eight members converging at a double grid node and the system’s ability to resolve complex node encounters by deriving angular information from unit length expressions. All trigonometric functions are resolved by a set of three-dimensional swivel joints, where each joint is able to rotate spherically about a common work point. The .BOT suffix lays out a broad family of assembly nodes including the HEXA.BOT for the creation of Diagrid structures and formworks and the DODECA.BOT for the creation of three-dimensional lattices. The OCTA.BOT structure is composed of universal fittings housing eight swivel joints allowing for each strut to rotate freely about a common work point. The swivel joint allows for intricate strut length variations in space-frame applications, enabling the structure to conform single or double curvature, surface inflection or change of direction while retaining a singular constructive principle. The system allows for a kinetic assembly process where the structural elements lock in place as the structure compilation develops. During assembly each strut length is rotated in place and connected to subsequent fittings by a twist-on connection. The combination of strut lengths automatically determines the complex angles of the assembly and renders a self-locking rigid connection. All OCTA.BOT fittings are reusable, allowing for structure dismantling and reconfiguration. About Alexis Rochas, I/O Alexis Rochas is the founder of I/O, a Los Angeles based practice focusing on the development of dynamic architectural methodologies integrating design, technology and advanced fabrication techniques. His recent work includes SYNTHe, an adaptable synthetic environment managing air pollution and storm water runoff; the sPARK network, a resource generation infrastructure for the City of New Orleans; and the AEROMADS project, which outlines an architectural system that combines air pressure and high-strength intelligent fabrics as a tectonic solution for the creation of minimal mass, self-sustaining structures. His work has been exhibited at Beyond Media (2009), Florence, Italy; SFWF (2008); MAK Applied Arts, Austria (2006); Wattis Institute (2006); A+D Museum NextGen (2006), Spot on Schools 2005, Florence, Italy; 2005 INDEX Awards, Copenhagen, Denmark; MAK Center for Art and Architecture (2005); TELIC(2005); Watts Towers Arts Center (2005); Sundown: Baroque Geode (2004); Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain, Paris, France (2002) in collaboration with Lebbeus Woods; and at the Bienal de Buenos Aires. His work has been published in a number of architectural journals including Monocle, I.D, Icon, 2G Dossier, Metropolis, Surface, Architectural Record, Domus and Frame magazine. A member of SCI-Arc's design faculty since 2003, Rochas has headed projects through the Community Design Program, including the FAB Arts Market Temporal Gallery, LINC Housing community grounds prototyping, SCI-Arc's Lecture Hall Acoustical Treatment, and the LAMP Community's Sun Shelter Pavilion. Since 2006, Rochas has coordinated the Making and Meaning program, SCI-Arc’s foundation program in Architecture. He is the recipient of the 2004 City of Los Angeles Design Award, the 2002 New York Society of Architects M.W. Del Gaudio Award for Excellence in Total Design, and the 1996 Award for Excellence in Design from the Architecture department of the University of Buenos Aires.