At the UTFSM in Valparaíso, Chile, architect Verónica Arcos developed a first-year studio centered around the theme of "materiality." 

Courtesy of Taller Materialidad UTFSM 2015

At the UTFSM in Valparaíso, Chile, architect Verónica Arcos developed a first-year studio centered around the theme of "materiality." Based on an application of math and geometry in the study of Mexican architect Félix Candela's work, the workshop sought to "put form in crisis and take it to its maximum expression."

The workshop had both a theoretical and practical focus. First, the architect's biography was explored, which allowed students to grasp Candela's interests and context--such as the basic principles that supported his method of working. The idea was to understand the "laws" (like the ruled surface) that governed Candela's projects, and to then propose new structures that follow the same principles. 
The students developed six projects through physical and digital models, which were then constructed at 1:1 scale in the Parque Universitario del Santuario Quebrada Verde, to the south of the city of Valparaíso. 

Professors

Marion Koch
Raúl Solís
Francisca Rodríguez
Michele Berho
Claudio Fredes
Verónica ArcosStudentsG_1Carlos Alvarez, Ian Campusano, Rodrigo Gallardo, Camila Ayala, Sergia Elortegui, Maite Pé...