Simon Vorhammer refers to himself as an architect, however his abilities embody a lot extra. In 2016, he established Vorhammer Computational Design, a Munich-based collective working throughout completely different scales and typologies on the crossroads of structure, design, and digital fabrication.
Vorhammer gravitated towards understanding normal guidelines slightly than specifics from an early age, which later steered him away from conventional structure after attending TU Munich and ETSAM Madrid. “It was whereas engaged on my diploma thesis that I encountered parametric design,” he says. “I noticed that my ardour lies in creating processes and rule-based designs. This strategy doesn’t conform to typical design classes, a particular scale, and even disciplines, which is strictly what intrigued me. I acknowledged that my area of interest is in merging design with know-how.”
This system was Vorhammer’s profession as soon as he had the chance to craft his first parametric constructing in 2012, the Pavilion for Samsung, positioned in Yeosu, South Korea, for the World Expo. “To today, I’m frequently amazed and grateful that my ardour not solely fuels my work but additionally sustains my livelihood. It’s a uncommon and fulfilling expertise the place my skilled endeavors align seamlessly with my private pursuits,” he provides.
Simon Vorhammer Picture: Janne Kern
Since then, Vorhammer has held revered positions at architectural corporations equivalent to Foster and Companions in London, AR-MA in Sydney, and LAVA, who has a community with workplaces in Sydney, Stuttgart, and Berlin. A number of of his notable tasks embody Optus Stadium in Perth, the Trifolium Pavilion in Sydney, and the design of the Blitz Membership in Munich. Vorhammer has additionally developed digital techniques for manufacturers equivalent to BMW, OT4, and Modulor.
The architect factors out his two years spent at AR-MA underneath Robert Beson and Gabriele Ulacco as a defining time in his profession. “Robert’s and Gabriele’s distinctive strategy instilled in me the braveness to discover my area of interest space and apply first rules in my work,” Vorhammer says. “The expertise of being a part of a small, expert-led staff was enlightening, educating me the worth of collaborative studying whereas nonetheless fostering my particular person progress. This atmosphere was essential in equipping me with the abilities and confidence crucial for my skilled journey.”
What Vorhammer and VCD do as we speak is difficult. The collective’s objective is to comprehend non-standard tasks via the artistic use of know-how. It would sound easy sufficient at first, however the important thing lies in VCD’s proprietary algorithms which can be developed on a person foundation. In an effort to mix technical complexity with aesthetic minimalism, the tasks need to be approached from past what’s been already established. VCD depends on an intensive community of architects, programmers, artists, specialist planners, and manufacturing firms to construct these advanced constructions and freeform geometries. The usage of parametric 3D planning brings all events and experience collectively via the automation of design and manufacturing processes.
In 2018, Vorhammer’s curiosity in digital aesthetics led to the co-founding of Sian Design, a label for parametric jewellery design. Moreover, he collaborates with Prof. Dr. Matthias Beckh underneath the identify beckh & vorhammer (B&V), specializing in tasks that decision for structural and computational design experience. Presently, Vorhammer teaches Parametric Design and Digital Fabrication as an adjunct professor in Germany’s Biberach College of Utilized Sciences and has beforehand been a visitor lecturer at TU Munich and FH Munich, in addition to the College of Sydney in Australia.
In the present day, Simon Vorhammer joins us for Friday 5!
Water Towers of Eire, Kildalton, 2010 Picture: Jamie Younger
1. Water Towers of Eire
As an architect, I’m deeply fascinated by the aesthetic qualities of Irish concrete water towers. My intrigue lies within the interaction of the fabric’s texture and patina with the various geometries employed of their development. These monolithic, rotationally symmetrical varieties usually lengthen upwards, both gently or abruptly. Anchored firmly within the Irish panorama, these towers transcend their useful position as infrastructure components to grow to be real artworks. Their distinct shapes and harmonious integration into the environment render them distinguished landmarks on the Irish horizon. Jamie Younger’s intensive archive, “Water Towers of Eire,” established in 2010, explores the historical past of those constructions and their connection to varied architectural eras and types via pictures, drawings, maps, and narratives.
Intigo #5 by Veronika Beckh Picture: Peter Hübbe
For the delivery of our second son, Leonard, I gifted my accomplice a glass object created by Veronika Beckh from her ‘Intingo’ collection. I’m fascinated by Beckh’s distinctive approach, the place spherical bubbles are skillfully embedded into scorching glass, creating layered results. The way in which gentle fractures upon these glass surfaces, casting radiant streaks, is mesmerizing. The distorted, ever-changing shapes and views inside the glass are notably fascinating.
Picture: Ted Sandeen
3. BMW R80 G/S
I’d like to personal an outdated BMW R80 G/S. The attract of this bike stems from its distinctive mix of design and engineering. Its air-cooled, flat-twin boxer engine, the cornerstone of its ‘rubber cow’ trip high quality (affectionately termed “Gummikuh”), is especially interesting. This engine design not solely defines the bike’s traditional silhouette but additionally ensures a novel steadiness and stability that’s exhausting to search out in trendy bikes. I feel the Gummikuh’s repute for quirkiness and character, rooted in its mechanical design, is a major a part of its allure.
4. Playa de Cofete (Fuerte Ventura)
In winter 2019, I stumbled upon Playa de Cofete, Fuerteventura. What fascinated me was the solitude, the uncooked fantastic thing about the panorama framed by mountains, and the mysterious aura surrounding “Villa Winter.” The seashore’s simplicity and the sense of being removed from the same old vacationer spots left a long-lasting impression, making it a novel and quietly enchanting discovery. The reminiscence of that day has since etched itself into my visible consciousness.
Picture: Jamey Stillings / Hidden Mind Media
In 2016, whereas touring via Patagonia, a fellow traveler really useful the “Hidden Mind” podcast. With evenings free from typical facilities, I made a decision to present it a shot. Shankar Vedantam’s discussions on human habits grew to become an surprising however welcome addition to my journey. The podcast’s exploration of the complexities of the thoughts supplied a thought-provoking distinction to the easy routines of backpacking. Moderately than a grand discovery, it grew to become a low-key but enriching companion, providing a special perspective throughout downtime between hikes. Since that journey, it has solidified its place as my favourite podcast and a dependable supply of insights.
Work by Simon Vorhammer:
Picture: Simon Vorhammer
Inside design for a dance music membership within the former congress corridor of the Deutsches Museum in Munich in collaboration with Studio Knack. Our activity was the conclusion of a imaginative and prescient of a novel spatial and acoustic expertise. The general spatial idea needed to fulfill excessive design aspirations in addition to acoustic challenges. The 600 sq. meters are divided into two otherwise sized dance flooring and one bar room. On the primary dance flooring, ‘Blitz’, which is 35m lengthy and 8m large, the dominating factor is the technical-functional aesthetics created by the mix of metal and wooden.
Picture: Simon Vorhammer
Formfeld Wall Panels are digitally designed surfaces on high-quality pure supplies. Their reduction patterns are the results of a mathematical framework. Their sound-diffusing and sound-absorbing properties contribute to balanced indoor acoustics. Formfeld Wall Panels are custom-made via expert craftsmanship. Specifically developed pc algorithms create intricate designs, that are then produced with industrial precision utilizing machine-controlled CNC milling. They are often designed and produced in practically limitless sizes. The pre-fabricated Formfeld 1 wall panels can be found in 4 completely different codecs and supplies. They are often built-in into any house as standalone particular person panels or as a set held on the wall. Customized wall panel configurations to suit particular venture necessities are additionally attainable.
Picture: Simon Vorhammer
This Formfeld Construction encompasses a gradual geometric transition from a plain floor to three-dimensional pockets. Every pocket’s place and form align with an undulating grasp design, which fades in the direction of the perimeters of the wall. This design has been utilized in varied areas, together with the Adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Pollmeier Massivholz, and FDC in Dubai.
Picture: Simon Vorhammer
Emi Cocktail Ring
Fascinated by mathematical constructions and minimalist design, Antonia Frey-Vorhammer and Simon Vorhammer mix digital and analogue strategies to create their jewellery. Crafted from 750 gold and marketed underneath the Sian Design label, their collections are impressed by nature and mix simplicity with advanced geometry. Primary shapes and clean surfaces merge seamlessly into doubly curved surfaces and grid constructions that can’t be achieved by conventional strategies. Each bit is first assembled from wax elements fashioned by way of 3D printing. This constructive form serves as the idea for a plaster forged into which molten valuable steel is poured. Meticulous transforming by hand endows every bit with a energetic floor.
