Scaling Nature (1): Fibers, Muscles & Bones

Supervision: Prof. Christiane Sauer, Agata Kycia, Dr. Mason Dean, Dr. Lorenzo Guiducci, Dr. John Nyakatura, Dr. Khashayar Razghandi, Iva Rešetar and Dr. Mareike Stoll

Cooperation partners: Exzellenzclusters »Matters of Activity. Image Space Material«, Max-Planck-Instituts für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung Golm

Students: Serafina Baucken, Lisa Braun, Antonia Dönitz, Eva Eckert, Martha Maria Panzer, Maria Paula Barbosa Posada, Jasmin Sermonet, Carlotta Scholz, Luise Schumacher, Josefine Shone, Vaia Tatopoulou, Clara Santos Thomas, Freia Antonia Weiß, Anna Nobuko Schmökel

Fibers, Muscles, Bones was dedicated to the following question: How do natural components perform as actors (muscles), tensile elements (tendons) or structural scaffolds (bones)? Looking specifically into the world of fish bones, the musculoskeletal composition of animal movements and plant structures and by scaling these findings, this MoA design studio developed new translations for construction, geometry and materiality and thus generated novel concepts for active surfaces, that could be used for applications in a spatial context.

In close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, especially with the Department of Biomaterials, the course investigated the dynamic interplay of fibrous elements in natural systems and transferred them into principles for differential surfaces. Over the course of the semester, various members of the Cluster “Matters of Activity” provided scientific lectures, tutorials, and continuous input, namely Dr. Mason Dean, Dr. Lorenzo Guiducci, Dr. John Nyakatura, Dr. Khashayar Razghandi, Iva Rešetar and Dr. Mareike Stoll.