For its Fourth edition GSS Beirut 2019 partners again with Beirut Arab University to explore potential applications of robotic fabrication in the construction industry and innovations in material technology. Committing to achieving the UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) and building on the research in advanced architectural design and digital manufacturing, this year Beirut node will explore the possibility of designing with waste materials and manufacturing with flexible molds. The resulting 1:1 architectural interventions will promote for environmentally conscious building approaches that utilize waste materials as a resource rather than a burden on the city’s infrastructure.
In Beirut, the majority of solid wastes end up in sanitary landfills and open dumps. Our duty, as advocates for healthier future built environments, is to implement sustainable waste management strategies. What if the digital era and advanced fabrication strategies create an effective platform for building synergies between waste management and the construction industry?
The IAAC Global Summer Beirut will focus on the ongoing research conducted at the Beirut Arab University – Faculty of Architecture, Design & Built Environment which aims at integrating the UN sustainable development goal innovative #9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure) with sustainable material technologies and advanced robotic fabrication strategies. As participants explore the possibilities of transforming waste materials to resources, the focus will be on its plasticity, resistance and performance; creating by that a dialogue between the material, design, machine and fabrication. Exploring the possibilities created by flexible molds present new design prospects challenging us to think of matter as a participant in determining form.
Participants will be challenged to rethink material construction logics in order to satisfy the need for variation in the realization of complex parametric models. Optimizing subtractive robotic manufacturing, exploring the possibilities of building with flexible molds, and material innovations will be tackled during the course.
PREVIOUS EDITION
IAAC Global Summer School is a full-time two-week course, 1-14 July 2019 that provides practical and theoretical knowledge to its participants. The program is led by expert tutors, combined with lectures by renowned professionals and academics relevant to the topics to be treated during the course. These will be broadcast in the different node-cities, all globally connected. Participants will join a global agenda and an international laboratory at their disposal to test their design hypothesis, understanding how design conclusions derived locally can be tested and evolved globally in the different cities where other teams reside.
For its second edition with BAU and fourth in Beirut, GSS Beirut 2019 is the first academic program in Lebanon to introduce participants to robotic fabrication paralleled with exploring new materials and testing their performances. This year, GSS Beirut 2019 will provide participants with the possibility of the issues tackled in the UN SDG9. Designing with material technology through experiments to test the possibilities of synthesizing waste mixed with construction materials, the program aims at designing and fabricating urban furniture accessories such as outdoor benches or plant pots.
Along the broader theme of GSS 2019, Becoming, and within a design-build framework, participants will be introduced to the fundamental logics of parametric modelling and algorithmic design (Grasshopper and plugins) as well as analysis, performance testing and simulation for machinic operation and digital fabrication (Kuka Prc).
A series of intensive tooling sessions will be held throughout the workshop duration, each relevant to the different project phases, enabling the participants to: Design, Prototype, Test the waste materials and Fabricate. On the last day, participants will join the presentations of the final projects reviewed by a renowned jury panel.
GSS Beirut Coordinator
Rasha graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architectural Engineering from the Beirut Arab University in 2009 and has been a member of the Order of Engineers in Lebanon since. In 2015 she graduated with an MAA from IaaC with the thesis: “In-between Realities – towards a Socially Sustainable Urban Strategy for Beirut City“. She is a PhD candidate in Architecture at Beirut Arab University. Her research focuses on advanced fabrication strategies in architecture. She is a Techwomen affiliate fellow and an IIE alumni.
Dr. Halabi holds the position of Assistant Dean at the Faculty of Architecture – Design and Built Environment since 2016. He achieved his PhD in Architecture and Technology in 2008 from the Superior School of Architecture Barcelona, with the thesis titled: “The Beginnings of CAM Technology in Architecture: The Sagrada Familia”. He has also worked as a consultant for a series of projects in Spain including: the Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi in Barcelona and H20 Pavilion by Zaha Hadid in Zaragoza, Spain.
Dr. Khalifa is an Assistant professor at Faculty of Architecture at Beirut Arab University, Tripoli campus. He holds a PhD in Parametric design and Architecture, from SAS-UNICAM, Italy. He is an instructor of parametric design and Algorithmic generative Architecture.
Dr. Khoury holds a PhD in architectural design with thesis: “Folding: A morpho-sematic model to support the creative phase of the project.” He began his teaching experience as an assistant to undergraduate courses at Sapienza University of Rome, Faculty of Architecture while continuing the practice as a designer. His research focuses on the relations between information technology and architecture.
Ala holds an M.Arch from Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia, Spain. He is a PhD student in architecture design at BAU and an assistant faculty member. He is aproject architect at Said Jazairi Consulting Office since 2013. His research combines computational design and digital fabrication strategies applied in Lebanon.
Architect Elisabetta Carnevale holds a postgraduate degree in Earthen Architecture from CRAterre – ENSA Grenoble, achieved in 2016 with the thesis “Terres Contemporaines. Contemporary earthen architecture in France from 1976 to 2015: why and how”.
She’s been researching about the poured earth technique and its possibilities for design at Amàco research centre (Lyon).
She founded her architecture practice in Barcelona in 2018, exploring contemporary possibilities for earth and other sustainable materials.
IaaC Global Summer School Beirut 2018 will take place at the Fabrication Lab at the Faculty of Architecture, Design and Built Environment at Beirut Arab University, Debbieh, Lebanon.
The Digital Fabrication Lab is the first of its kind in Lebanon representing a decisive turning point in the future of education in the country. A unique and complete technological unit, the 400 sq.m. creative space is currently equipped with the latest technology devices and fabrication tools including a KUKA robot arm of 2.7m reach, CNC milling machines, laser cutters, 3D printers, 3D scanners and traditional hand tools.
IAAC GSS is open to creative and innovative people interested in fields such as architecture, urban planning, digital fabrication, design, etc., searching for a multidisciplinary experience in an international environment. No previous skills are required, although CAD design, programming and digital fabrication skills are welcome. The official language of the course is English. Each participant should bring his/her own computer with the software installed. Further details about the software will be given upon acceptance.
By the end of the course, the participants will have gained theoretical and practical knowledge about advanced design strategies. They will be familiar with parametric software, data visualization and the use of digital machines.
At the end of the course all participants will receive a Global Summer School Diploma. The work of the participants will be fully acknowledged and credited in the final public installation as well as any eventual publication thereafter.
Each participant is responsible for investigating which documents are required for visa application via the embassies in their country of origin. The school will provide a confirmation letter regarding the participation to the course, and will assist where possible the visa process.
Participation fee for Beirut node is 750€. The fee includes all material costs needed for the course. No additional registration fee is required. Flight tickets, accommodation and food are not included in the fee. Special rates for accommodation in Beirut are available. Please contact us for more information.
In order to register for Global Summer School Beirut, participants need to submit the online application form, where they will be asked to upload a letter of intent and a CV. Portfolio is not required. Applications are open until June 2019.
For more information email: [email protected]
