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By Sixteen (Makers) : Bartlett Design Research Folios
By Sixteen (Makers) : Bartlett Design Research Folios
55 02
by sixteen*(makers)
Bartlett Design Research Folios
Project Details
Practice: sixteen*(makers)
Title: 55/02
Function: Shelter
Budget: £50,000
Statement about
the Research Content and Process
Description
55/02 is one of the earliest examples in the UK of a building
entirely designed and fabricated through digital technology,
and is unique in how this process was explored as an evolving
exchange of design and manufacturing relationships. The shelter
responds to Kielder’s manufactured landscape and history, and
to the particular topology of its site at Cock Stoor. It provides
protection from prevailing weather, with seating positions that
look out upon key vistas, in a position that was previously
inaccessible to visitors.
Questions
1. How may the common distinction of design, fabrication
and construction, as discrete phases of activity, be challenged
through digital design and fabrication technologies at
full scale?
2. How may the designer’s ability to see what is being made
and their direct engagement in the process of production
alter the outcome of their intent?
3. How may critical methodologies of digital design and
fabrication processes facilitate an innovative and creative
relationship between design practice and industry?
4. How may notions of site specificity be enhanced through
advanced architectural design?
1 (previous page)
The entirely
prefabricated shelter
‘55/02’ settles into
its new surroundings
(June 2009).
Statements 5
Methods
1:1 manufactured prototypes, including CNC folding, plasma
cutting and semi-automated welding, were central to the research
process. In addition, simultaneous elementary sketches, 2D
and 3D CAD models (Vectorworks, Rhino, Autodesk Inventor),
3D printed scaled models (ZCorp), contextual drawings (Illustrator
and Photoshop), further CNC-manufactured prototypes in steel
plate, and modifications during fabrication (metalwork, finishing)
were used.
Dissemination
Published in a monograph, refereed paper and three book
chapters, featured in a touring exhibition, and presented in six
international keynotes/lectures. It has also been widely reviewed,
including in three book chapters, 11 journal articles and three
online video documentaries.
Statement of Significance
2
Looking north towards
the site at Cock Stoor
prior to installation
(2008)
Introduction / Aims and Objectives 7
Introduction
The competition brief asked for ‘some Blankenburg, Germany, led by Nick
form of shelter for up to four people, with Callicott (formerly of sixteen*(makers)
seating’, and ‘some form of engagement and The Bartlett, UCL). Preproduction
with the Kielder landscape’ for a budget design was completed in May 2008.
of £50,000 on a hypothetical site. Unlike Planning permission was granted on
each of the other five selected projects, 17 December 2008, and production
55/02 won the commission on the basis design and manufacture began at
of a design strategy rather than a Stahlbogen GmbH in February 2009.
predetermined form. The strategy was 55/02 is entirely made from steel, and
twofold: first, it is informed by the real was fully assembled at Stahlbogen’s
location rather than a hypothetical one; factory prior to shipping. Its 21 distinct
second, it is developed as a collaboration elements, sprayed in RAL ‘2002-
between architects sixteen*(makers), Vermilion’, weigh 8.1 tons; its footprint is
led by Bob Sheil, and steel fabrication approximately 15m × 11m. The shelter
specialists Stahlbogen GmbH of was completed on site on 26 May 2009.
[fig. 4 –9]
8 55/02
4
Freehand sketch
3 plan by Emmanuel 5
Looking south-east Vercruysse, Preproduction design
towards Cock Stoor defining dynamic file overlaid on GIS
as access road is laid spatial tactics survey file
(March 2009) (February 2008) (April 2008)
Aims and Objectives 9
5
10 55/02
Aims and Objectives 11
6
Example of planning
drawing. The
representation of
55/02 is approximate
as many of the final
design decisions
had not been made
(October 2008).
12 55/02
7
Section from the
pre-production
drawing set. The
entire scheme was
redrawn again on
several occasions
both prior to and
during production.
This set was
developed for both
structural and design
analysis (May 2008).
Aims and Objectives 13
8
3D digital sketch by
Stahlbogen, defining
structural, material
and envelope
strategy (February
2008)
14 55/02
9
Aims and Objectives 15
10
9
1:100 3D print of an
early design iteration 10
on topographical Test piece: the ‘exam’
context. Manufactured set by Stahlbogen to
at The Bartlett’s select staff fabricators
Digital Manufacturing for 55/02 (February
Centre (April 2008) 2009)
16 55/02
55/02’s award-winning design marks its technical and aesthetic artefact, but also
collaborative fabrication and design as evidence of a process that shifts the
methodology, and innovative utilisation of role of the designer from a position that
digital technologies and analogue is remote from production, to one that
processes in both design and fabrication is engaged and influential throughout the
(Ward 2011: Appendix 2.13). The building production process (Sheil and Callicott
is both a demonstrator and a critique of 2011: Appendix 1.3). 55/02 operates
making experimental architecture in the on multiple scales, leading to multiple
digital age, and signifies a uniquely publications, including a 12,000-word
tangible outcome in response to digital monograph and 6,000-word refereed
design research of the late twentieth and paper. [fig. 10 – 12]
early twenty-first centuries: not only as a
Questions
11
12
13
13
Folding geometries
and folding sequences
were calibrated
by the limitations of
the CNC press and
Stahlbogen’s stock of
existing tool heads
(February 2009).
Questions 19
14
14
55/02’s first series
of elements take
shape at Stahlbogen,
Blankenburg, Germany
(February 2009).
20 55/02
15
15
Master welder Klaus
Leineweber operates
Stahlbogen’s
semi-automatic welding
tractor to stitch one
of the longest seams.
All such welds were
left exposed rather
than ground flat to
preserve the shelter’s
manufactured
blueprint (March
2009).
Questions 21
as design rather than production tools. It How may notions of site specificity
operates as a critical design performance be enhanced through advanced
where speculative and reflexive practices architectural design?
more familiar within the domain of the
A threefold approach was utilised: 1) The
studio were tested out in a factory setting.
notion of site specificity for 55/02 was
Subsequently, the difference between
broadened to refer to Kielder’s history as
what is drawn and what is made, and
an industrialised landscape (Sheil 2009:
how both realms are defined by unique
Appendix 1.2) and developed by the
protocols, was brought into focus and
intervention of an unambiguous industrial
defined as a territory for enquiry and an
architecture. Kielder Reservoir was
asset for design development. [fig. 16 – 20]
commissioned to serve the chemical
industries within the surrounding delta,
How may critical methodologies
but has subsequently only supported
of digital design and fabrication
energy and leisure. This agenda is further
processes facilitate an innovative
developed through close proximity to
and creative relationship between
evidence of process and fabrication: for
design practice and industry?
example, semi-automated welding seams
The design and fabrication of 55/02 not on the shelter were left exposed and not
only identified the potential for collaborative ground down as might be expected by an
engagement between design and industry, overt digital aesthetic. 2) Site specificity
but was also concerned with understanding was developed through contextual
the differences of approach within each modelling and survey verification. 55/02
discipline towards the same technology. was configured to address and reflect
55/02 offered an opportunity for these particular nodes of the localised and
two cultures to overlap and define a new distant landscape. 3) The question is
methodology for creative knowledge finally addressed by the overlay of both
transfer. A practical exam (see Figure 10) these strategies. Visitors are engaged
selected two individuals to make and by an ‘alien’ artefact and find that
install the project from start to finish. it is tailored to its location in a bespoke
The evolutionary making of 55/02 defined fashion. [fig.26 – 34]
new protocols of craftsmanship within the
workforce and stood as a demonstrator of
alternative results that might be extracted
by everyday tools within the plant’s
inventory. [fig. 21 – 25]
22 55/02
16
18
Track for the central
sliding screen is laid.
16 To the left in this
The first cluster image, Nick Callicott;
of elements are to the right, Bob
assembled and Sheil. The image
reviewed. The welding 17 also shows the roof
tractor can be seen in Roof assembly en assembly in position
the lower foreground route to positioning for testing
(March 2009). test (March 2009) (March 2009).
Questions 23
17
18
24 55/02
19
19
A typical illustration
of how individual
elements were
prepared in CAD for
digital fabrication.
This view has
been generated to
communicate the
context of CAD data
when the project
is talked about
in lectures (January
2010).
Questions 25
20
20
Typical illustration
of how individual
elements were
prepared in CAD for
digital fabrication
(March 2009).
26 55/02
21
21
Nick Callicott inspects
work in progress. On
account of his unique
role as co-designer and
manufacturer of 55/02,
Callicott refined and
altered production
drawings while
simultaneously
managing fabrication.
A significant factor in
its final resolution was
the decision to
assemble 55/02 on the
factory floor in a direct
line of sight from
Callicott’s drawing
position (March 2009).
Questions 27
22
22
Eight weeks from first
fold to first full
assembly (April 2009).
23
Factory colour test.
Vermilion was
selected to offset the
forest’s predominantly
dark features and
acknowledge the
palette of livery
colours for forestry
machinery (April
23 2009).
28 55/02
24
24
Utilising the new
access pathway
generated for 55/02
as a new section of
the Lakeside Way
(May 2009)
Questions 29
25 26
27 28
28
Nick Callicott
29 supervises and leads
on-site assembly with
the same team he
26 chose to fabricate
The ground slab is 55/02 (May 2009).
marked out using 27
factory-prepared Once the primary 29
25 sheet steel jigs, seen elements of 55/02 are Temporary strapping
Organising the here either side of in place, setting-out to adjacent trees was
assembly on site the sliding screen jigs are discarded deployed in assembly
(May 2009) lower rail (May 2009). (May 2009). (May 2009).
30 55/02
30
30
Local contractors
D.G. Walton assist in
offering components
into place (May 2009).
Questions 31
31
31
Stahlbogen’s assembly
and fabrication team,
from left: Reinhard 32 (overleaf)
Schumann, Klaus Looking down on
Leineweber, Nick Cock Stoor from a
Callicott. Redundant forestry access road
setting-out jigs can be in a northern
seen in the foreground elevated position
(May 2009). (May 2009).
32 55/02
Chapter Heading 33
34 55/02
33
Context 35
Context
34
35
Methods 37
Methods
In the first instance, the brief offered the simultaneous elementary sketches, 2D
unusual opportunity to select the project and 3D CAD models, 3D printed scaled
site from a number of options along the models, contextual drawings, further
reservoir perimeter. The site that was prototypes, and modifications during
selected provided the highest degree fabrication. Significantly, 55/02’s design
of raw potential for design intervention, was developed entirely in collaboration
remote from pedestrian or vehicular with Stahlbogen at their factory in
access at the time and distant from any Blankenburg, allowing the final construct
other Kielder Partnership commissions, to develop at 1:1 as a simultaneous design
and a distinct place-making opportunity. and fabrication process (Dunn 2012:
The design and build of 55/02 emerged Appendix 2.3). [fig. 34– 40]
through a series of 1:1 prototypes,
35
Close view from
33 (previous page) 34 north-east nearing
55/02 from the Cluster of roofing completion. 55/02’s
southern shore of elements assembled installation was
Kielder Reservoir and installed completed in three
(January 2010) (May 2009) days (May 2009).
38 55/02
36
Methods 39
37
36 37
Detail one of several Detail two of several
roof connection roof connection
solutions (May 2009) solutions (May 2009)
40 55/02
38
38
View from south- 39
west, within Cock The sliding screen
Stoor plantation in closed position
(May 2009) (May 2009)
Methods 41
39
42 55/02
Dissemination 43
Dissemination
Monograph
R. Sheil (ed.), 55/02: A sixteen*(makers) Project Monograph. Toronto: Riverside
Architectural Press, 2012.
Refereed article
R. Sheil, ‘A manufactured architecture in a manufactured landscape’,
Architectural Research Quarterly (2009).
Book chapters
N. Dunn, ‘Introduction: Digital tools and machines for fabrication’, ‘Integration: Case
study plasma-cut shelter’, and ‘Strategies: Case study folding as reconfigurable
and interactive installation’, in Digital Fabrication in Architecture. 2012.
W. Jones (ed.), ‘sixteen*(makers)’, in The Architect’s Sketchbook. 2011.
K. Moskow and R. Linn, ‘55/02’, in Contemporary Follies. 2012.
R. Sheil, ‘sixteen*(makers)’, in Digital Architecture: Passages through Hinterlands
(ed. R. Glynn and S. Shafiei). 2009.
R. Sheil and N. Callicott, ‘The point of production’, and R. Sheil, ‘Ways of seeing,
ways of doing’, in 55/02: A sixteen*(makers) Project Monograph
(ed. R. Sheil). 2012.
Exhibitions
55/02: A Manufactured Architecture in a Manufactured Landscape (Photographs,
models, timelapse animations). Touring exhibition: The Bartlett, UCL (Jan–Feb
2010); The Building Centre, Store Street, London (Feb–Mar 2010); University
of Nottingham School of Architecture (Mar–Apr 2010); Queen’s Hall Hexham,
Northumberland (Feb–Apr 2011).
Exhibited at Royal Academy Summer Show 2009 (‘Shelter 55/02, Factory Files’,
Selective Laser Sintering model) and 2010 (‘NW Projection: 55/02 Kielder
07.03.10 1643hrs’, illuminated print from 3D terrestrial laser scan).
40
Detail of roof canopy,
southern section
(May 2009)
44 55/02
Journal Articles/Reviews/Interviews
Architects’ Journal, Special RIBA Issue (2011); R. Waite, Architects’ Journal (May 2009);
J. Pallister, Architects’ Journal (Aug 2009); W. Jones, A10 (July/Aug 2009);
Architecture and the Built Environment (2011); W. Jones, Blueprint Magazine
(July 2009); N. Spiller, AD Architects of the Near Future (2009);
M. Stacey, Building Design (2009); E. Stathaki, Wallpaper (2009);
M. Ward, Architectural Review Australia (2011); M. Armengaud,
Interview, D’Architectures (2010).
Lectures
‘55/02: A Manufactured Architecture in a Manufactured Landscape’: keynote speaker
at The Queen’s Hall, Hexham, Northumberland, Feb 2011.
Nick Callicott, Design Computation Symposium, Autodesk University Las Vegas,
Nov 2011.
Invited lecture (with Nick Callicott), University of Nottingham School of Architecture,
Mar 2010.
Keynote speaker at Atmosphere Conference, School of Architecture, University of
Manitoba, Winnipeg Canada, Feb 2010.
International lecture series (with Nick Callicott), The Bartlett School of Architecture
UCL, Feb 2010.
Invited lecture, School of Architecture, University of Lincoln, Mar 2009.
Dissemination / Appendix 45
Monograph
pp. 40–87
R. Sheil (ed.), 55/02: A sixteen*(makers) Project Monograph.
Toronto: Riverside Architectural Press, 2012.
Refereed article
pp. 88–109
R. Sheil, ‘A manufactured architecture in a manufactured landscape’,
Architectural Research Quarterly 13.3/4 (2009): 200–219.
Book chapters
pp. 56–67
N. Callicott and R. Sheil, ‘The Point of production’, in 55/02: A sixteen*(makers) Project
Monograph (ed. R. Sheil). Toronto: Riverside Architectural Press, 2012: 43–65.
pp. 68–85
R. Sheil, ‘Ways of seeing, ways of doing’, in 55/02: A sixteen*(makers) Project Monograph
(ed. R. Sheil). Toronto: Riverside Architectural Press, 2012: 67–101.
pp. 110–115
Sheil, ‘sixteen*(makers)’, in Digital Architecture: Passages through Hinterlands
(ed. R. Glynn and S. Shafiei). London, 2009: 97–101.
46 55/02
Award
pp. 118–120
RIBA Regional (NE) Award for Design, 2011.
Book chapters
pp. 121–124
W. Jones (ed.), ‘sixteen*(makers)’, in The Architects’ Sketchbooks. Thames & Hudson, 2011.
302–305.
pp. 125–126
N. Dunn, ‘Introduction: Digital tools and machines for fabrication’, ‘Integration: Case study
plasma-cut shelter’ and ‘Strategies: Case study folding as reconfigurable and interactive
installation’, in Digital Fabrication in Architecture. Laurence King, 2012. 24, 93.
pp. 127–133
K. Moskow and R. Linn, ‘55/02’, in Contemporary Follies. New York: Monacelli Press, 2012.
68–71.
Journal Articles
p. 134
R. Waite, ‘First Look: Adjaye and others design new Kielder shelters’, Architects’ Journal
(7 May 2009).
p. 135
W. Jones, ‘Unconventional shelter’, A10 (July/Aug 2009): 55.
pp. 136–139
W. Jones, ‘Shelter 55/02 Kielder Park’, Blueprint Magazine (July 2009): 54–57.
pp. 140–147
J. Pallister, ‘Telling Stories’, Architects’ Journal (27 Aug 2009): 22–29.
p. 148
N. Spiller, ‘Mathematics of the ideal pavilion’, in Architectures of the Near Future (ed. N. Clear),
Architectural Design 79.5 (2009): 124–125.
Appendix 47
p. 149
E. Stathaki, ‘Refuge collection’, Wallpaper Magazine (Sept 2009): 63.
pp. 150–151
M. Stacey, ‘Folding into the landscape’, Solutions: Tectonics/Steel, Building Design 1880
(14 Aug 2009): 16–17.
pp. 152–158
M. Armengaud, ‘Abbattre son jeu’, D’Architectures 190 (April 2010): 14–20.
[An interview with Bob Sheil on the design and manufacture of 55/02.]
pp. 159–162
M. Ward, ‘From homo faber to homo fabber’, Architectural Review Australia 119
(April/May 2011): 22–24.
pp. 163–167
‘55/02 Kielder Forest’, Architecture and the Built Environment 13 (Spring 2011): 15.
pp. 168–171
Architects’ Journal Special RIBA Awards Issue 2011 (16 June 2011): 42.
Featuring 55/02 by sixteen*(makers).
p. 176
M. Wainwright and C. Thomond, ‘Kielder art trail’, The Guardian Online (21 Oct 2009):
www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/audioslideshow/2009/oct/21/kielder-art-trail
pp. 177–179
M. Wainwright, ‘Kielder visitors take shelter in art’, The Guardian Online (21 Oct 2009):
www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/oct/21/kielder-reservoir-art-sculpture-shelters
pp. 180–182
‘Bartlett architects explore relationship between nature and artifice’, UCL News (25 Jan 2010):
www.ucl.ac.uk/news/news-articles/1001/10012501
p. 183
J. Glancy, ‘RIBA awards 2011: The winners — in pictures’, The Guardian Online (19 May 2011):
www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/gallery/2011/may/19/riba-international-awards-2011-
winners?INTCMP=SRCH
48 55/02
ISSN 2753-9822
Founding Editor:
Yeoryia Manolopoulou
Editors:
Yeoryia Manolopoulou,
Peg Rawes, Luis Rego
Graphic Design:
objectif
Typesetting:
Axel Feldmann, Siaron Hughes,
Alan Hayward
Proofreading:
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Bartlett Design Research Folios