‘Manta’ Installation for SmartGeometry 2012 Conference / Guillermo Bernal, Eric Ameres, Zackery Belanger, Seth Edwards

© Michael Villardi

Drawing from creative minds of Guillermo Bernal, Eric Ameres, Zackery Belanger, and Seth Edwards, and with the support of Smartgeometry, Grimshaw Architects, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute‘s Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center, Manta represents the potential of multidisciplinary design. that required expertise in architecture, fabrication, interactive technology, and acoustics. This combination drove the assembly of the design team, who came together for the first time from disparate careers and backgrounds. The result could only be achieved with a holistic design approach: all team members worked together on all aspects of Manta. More images and the team’s description after the break.

© Michael Villardi

Manta is a surface that changes its form – and therefore acoustic character – in response to multimodal input including sound, stereoscopic vision, multi-touch, and brainwaves. While adaptable acoustics are common, Manta explores new levels of continuity and responsiveness, advancing acoustic systems beyond individual elements and corrective treatment.

© Michael Villardi

Manta is comprised of CNC machined panels and connectors of two thicknesses of high-density polyethylene, and curved forms result from a combination of triangulation and bending stiffness: geometry and material in concert. The result is a controlled morphing that is suspended at a minimum of points.

© Michael Villardi

Manta was designed and fabricated as part of the SmartGeometry 2012 Conference to utilize the rigging infrastructure and acoustically inert environment of ’s Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center.

Design Champions: Zackery Belanger, Guillermo Bernal, Eric Ameres, Seth Edwards
Smartgeometry Collaborators: Olia Fomina, Frederico Fialho, Daniel Hambleton, Christoffer Marsvik, Ana Garcia Puyol, Varvara Toulkeridou, Ben Schneiderman, Sarah Goldfarb, James Wisniewski

Cite: Furuto , Alison. "‘Manta’ Installation for SmartGeometry 2012 Conference / Guillermo Bernal, Eric Ameres, Zackery Belanger, Seth Edwards" 16 Apr 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed 24 May 2013. <http://www.archdaily.com/226518>

7 comments

  3. Thumb up Thumb down +1

    Is this a Grimshaw project ?

    It’s an amazing concept and I want to get in touch with the Manta creators and talk further..

    Reply
  4. Thumb up Thumb down +1

    Grimshaw Architects has been involved in some capacity with Smartgeometry for several years now. Beyond this interest in collaboration between practice, research and academia, having the conference at EMPAC for SG2012 gave them the opportunity to re-establish a relationship with one of their designs, the infrastructure within, and the institution behind it.

    Reply
    • Thumb up Thumb down 0

      Grimshaw Architects also provided support for the Manta project specifically. The initial comment was in regards to an error in the title of this piece, which ArchDaily corrected right away. Our thanks to Grimshaw Architects and ArchDaily.

      Reply
  5. Thumb up Thumb down 0

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