© 2009 Pablo Rica �Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Fabric Forming Component

Compact.Pablo Rica

Compact is a research project about examining the potential of fabric

as a construction technique and developing a modular system, in which

material properties and environmental aspects are involved.

This work was done as part of a Master Degree Thesis in the Institute for

Advanced Architecture Catalonia in Barcelona Spain.

© 2009 Pablo Rica 2Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Solid FabricFabric is a flexible and adaptable material with a soft appearance. In combination with a fill in mate-

rial, the properties change from supple to hard, gaining structural and thermal qualities. The hardened

material turns to have a soft appearance in reverse. This is where the ambiguity and discrepancy from

solid fabric to elastic stone becomes interesting. And in that process of changing condition is where

new possibilities of design arise.

> Physical tests by Pablo Rica. Mould in wood 20x20cm, Lycra fabric and Nylon strings. Filled with clay and sand mixture, sundried

> Detail of Hamam project ‘Muscular Synergy’ by

Josiah Barnes and Pablo Rica

© 2009 Pablo Rica �Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Construction SystemUsing fabric as a construction system has the advantage of its lightness to be transported, unrolled

and filled on site. The assembly of the CNC pre-sewed sacks is a process that can be easy and quickly

executed by non- or semi-professional workers. This low-cost fabrication method uses materials

facile to find and obtain. The reduction of embodied energy, a no-waste production and the possibility

that the structure can be decomposed in the future makes this technique a sustainable construction.

“The Strength of a material is unrelated. A concrete building can be destroyed by an earthquake, while

a paper building can withstand one… Defining a building as permanent or temporary depends not on

the material, but whether the people love it or not. If they love it the building will be permanent.”

Shigeru Ban

> Physical tests by Pablo Rica. Mould in wood 20x20cm, Lycra fabric and Nylon strings. Filled with plaster

© 2009 Pablo Rica �Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Process

2. Transport1. Fabrication 3. Unroll 4. Fill in 5. Hydrate 5. Wait

Fabric Sack Light Sacks Filling Material

Optional

[ ]

> Physical tests by Pablo Rica. Mould sack 20x20cm in Lycra fabric and Nylon strings. Filled with plaster

The sacks can be filled with sand or another material like soil, clay or grass for insulation. Filled with

an additional binder like cement, plaster or the use of bacteria, the structure can be hydrated to get a

final solidification. Developing a cloth brick system involves many parameters, like gravity, unpredict-

ability, high complexity, and should not only respond to technical requirements, but also address the

virtue of beauty.

© 2009 Pablo Rica �Compact - Fabric Forming Component

ComponentThe question of mass customization versus repetition becomes important when you focus on the

digital fabrication of a specific material like fabric. How much can be digitally produced or digitally de-

signed? Which benefits have a customized unit, each element different, against a singular component

with few exceptions? The scale of a component is in relation with the adaptability on the site; small

units are more adaptable than a large scale element.

“After studying different models I decided to work with a single middle size component instead of a

large element like a wall. With the large element you loose the flexibility in the system. On the other

hand, a system based on small components, like a hand size brick, need more time for the erection of

a wall. So I focused on a large brick-like component.”

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, North Tile

Greg Lynn, Blobwall

> Only a few exception tiles are needed, to achieve an

appearance of a singular tile.

www.bouroullec.com

> Dispite the impression of one single element, each

Polyethylen fabricated unit was CNC cutted with and

individual cut.

www.glform.com

www.e-panelite.com

> Wall pattern study

© 2009 Pablo Rica �Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Physical Model II - mattress with quilt-points

fabric sack, �8cm x �2cm, rectangular

filled with dry plaster, 0.�mm wire,

not hardened

Physical Model I - mattress with line stitches

fabric sack, 20cm x �2cm, conical

filled with dry plaster, 0.�mm wire,

hardened with water

Physical Model III - membrane with ribs

fabric sack, �9cm x �7cm,

with sewed ribs, 2-�cm diameter,

filled with dry plaster, hardened with water

Physical Model IV - Ribs

fabric, �2cm x ��cm,

with sewed ribs, �.�-2.�cm diameter,

filled with dry plaster, hardened with water

Physical Model V - Pants Bricks

fabric, 2�cm x ��cm x 20cm

filled with dry plaster and sand, hardened with water

Physical Models

© 2009 Pablo Rica 7Compact - Fabric Forming Component

> Fabric Brick filled with sand and earth

> Fabric Brick filled with dry sand

Brick Modelling and Fabrication

> Digital Modelling

© 2009 Pablo Rica 8Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Vertical Garden

> Grass Brick study: Variation in colour and planting vegetation.

A new added layer on the fabric brings the possibility to improve quality and insulation properties of

the structure. The Brick filled with substrate becomes a vertical vegetation wall, used as a planting

garden, an acoustic fence or as a retaining wall along a highway street.

© 2009 Pablo Rica 9Compact - Fabric Forming Component

Master in Advanced Architecture 2008-2009

Thesis Tutors Belinda Tato & Jose Luis Vallejo [Ecosistema Urbano, Madrid]

Pablo Rica

Graduated as architect from the University for Applied Sciences in Bern Switzerland with honors, he

holds a professional Master Degree in Advanced Architecture, Digital Fabrication and Self-Sufficient

Buildings from the Institute for Advanced Architecture Catalonia in Barcelona Spain.

He has worked as architect and project manager with different architecture offices like UNStudio van

Berkel & Bos and VMX Architects in Amsterdam, and Stump Schibli Architekten in Basel Switzerland.

Two of his independent projects were runner ups for Europan competition 7 and 8. Recently, in col-

laboration with Josiah Barnes, the project called ‘Muscular Synergy’ was selected as second prize in

the Designing Fabrication Competition of Architectural Association AA|Fab in London.

> Exhibition at the Institute for Advanced Architecture Catalonia in Barcelona Spain. July 2009.