Origami and Architecture

Origami has traditionally been an art form practiced at a ‘finger’ scale and with materials appropriate to creating forms with one’s hands. Recent developments in practical applications of origami structures have looked at taking them from this meso scale to the micro scale. In this presentation, we explore potential applications of origami structures at the macro scale useful in architecture and interior design. The presentation will review work already underway in this area, and will discuss potential future applications of building-scale and furniture-scale origami, from the perspective of the practicing architect and engineer.

Topics will address the possibilities and benefits of origami-inspired and actual origami structures from a variety of points-of-view, including:

• new design possibilities
• comparison of origami solutions to convention solutions
• fabrication and component transportation
• structural engineering challenges
• environmental considerations

About Neil Katz

Neil Katz is an architect with Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. He uses a "computational design" approach to design, and has used this methodology in developing geometry (simple and "complex" geometry) and as a way of analyzing and designing in response to many project goals, including environmental and sustainability goals.

"Computational design", aspects of which include algorithmic and parametric design as well as building information modeling (BIM), is as much a way of thinking about design as using and developing tools for design.

Neil has taught at various schools, and is often invited to speak about his work at schools and conferences.