AMUSE

Date: September 27, 2017

Time: 6:00PM - 12:00PM

Location: BLOC 220

Speaker: Dr. Negar Kalantar, Texas A&M University, Department of Architecture

Title: Things that Transform

Abstract: Physical transformation is all around us. However designers and engineers mainly focus on the object as an essentially static thing. How can the designer understand transformation itself as a parameter that can be shaped, and crafted? Transformation and motion have a strong bond with geometry because at its core, motion is the spatial transformation of one geometric configuration into another. In any transformation design process, there are two design efforts: the generation of an underlying geometry and the creation of an overlaid pattern. Therefore, knowing geometry is the key to transformable design. In another word, Transformation is where art, architecture, science and math merge. Dr. Kalantar with 17 years of experience in designing transformable structures will speak about her work in the field of Transformable Design ranging from a handheld toy to large structures. Also she will share: the geometric principles to create objects that change their size, shape, and surface; the principles of transformable design, such as underlying geometries and overlaid patterns; design principles of transformable polygons with scissor linkages.