Reef

A research project and installation by CITA in collaboration with Potsdam University and CIID

Reef is the design of a self-actuated ceiling questioning how adaptive minimum energy structures can contribute re-establishing home in a synergic relationship with nature. Composed by an archipelago of electro-active modules, Reef constantly re-designs its own landscape as its modules change shape according to the exterior. Like a sail, they open and close gradually following the pulse of the wind, materializing the invisible flow of energy that connects the inside with the outside. Like corals, Reef is calcifying over time as the supporting technology is becoming obsolete, transferring its actuation back to the inhabitant as natural airflow is invited to come in.

This first iteration of Reef was designed as a part of the 1:1 research by Design exhibition organised by Institute 4, Royal Danish Academy of Fines Arts, School of Architecture in 2011.

Photography
Mathilde Fuzeau

Support
CITA & the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture, Copenhagen
Metone (wind sensor)

With the precious help of
Kristine Agergaard Jensen, Anca Gabriela Bejenariu, Lucie Benech, Aude Béranger, Liv Elbirk, Vibber Hermansen, Bori Kovacs, Jessica Meek, Paul Nicholas, Matteo Oliverio, Brady Peters, Jacob Riiber, Martin Tamke.

Related Publications

Mossé, A.,
Reef: appropriating electro-active polymers through material tales
in Beim, A, Ramsgard Thomsen, M; “The Role of Material Evidence in Architectural Research - Drawings, Models, Experiments”, Kunstakademiets Arkitektskole Forlag, 2012

Mossé, A.,
"Reef"
in Heinich, N.; 2012, "Digital Utopia – On Dynamic Architectures, Digital Sensuality, and Spaces of Tomorrow", Germany: Academy of the Arts Berlin, pp 114-119

Mossé, A.,
Profile
in Textile Futures: cutting edge research at PhD level, " MATF Catalogue 2012" , London: Central Saint Martins, p.8

Mossé, A. ,
"Reef"
in Shaping reality with electro-active polymers, Annual report 2010, Department of Chemical Engineering. Danmark: Danish Technical University, 2011, p. 21

Mossé, A., Gauthier, D., Kofod, G.,
“Towards Interconnectivity: Appropriation of Minimum Energy Structures in An Architectural Context”
In: Conference Proceedings Ambience 2011, Borås, November 2011

Mossé, A. , Kofod, G. , Ramsgaard Thomsen, M.
"Materializing a responsive interior: designing minimum energy structure based on dielectric elastomers"
Conference Proceedings, Adaptive Architecture, London, 3-5th March 2011