Following a presentation by Cemex Research Group to professors and students at Syracuse University School of Architecture, professors Julie Larsen and Roger Hubeli proposed a project to Cemex.
The proposal was a modern re-interpretation of an ancient technique for decorating columns called fluting.
The material design required, a lightweight, high-strength and ductile material that is able to demonstrate detailed digitally-enhanced patterns and requirements for a large-scale construction process.
The Cemex team, including Davide Zampini, Head of Cemex Research Group, Alexandre Guerini, Product Development & Industrialisation Director for CRG and Professors Hubeli and Larsen, started working on a material that would meet these specific needs. The team believes it is a key example of the importance of collaboration between designers and material engineers.
The cooperation led to designing, molding and execution of the tiles that were drilled and mounted on a wooden frame in order to create the tower that was built around an existing column.
Edited from Press Release by Harleigh Hobbs