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View of the World Center in the context of Lower Manhattan.

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Close-up of the building envelope and the vertical circulation channels

Finding Exotic Form: An Evolution of Form Finding as a Design Methoc

Michael Hensel, of OCEAN NORTH, argues the need for an alternative form-finding technique that can incorporate dynamics and extend the form-finding process beyond construction to in situ form adaptation. He presents his case for an expanded form-finding tool-set in relation to a design study for the World Center for Human Concerns, which is based on the notion of ‘parasite buildings’ that are wrapped around existing buildings. In this case the required structural and circulatory independence from the host building is resolved by the building skin of the wrapped structure.

‘Nothing retains its own form’

— Pythagoras

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View of the World Center from West Broadway.

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View of the World Center from the junction of 12th Avenue and Canal Street.

Material Dynamic: Form Adaptation and Feedback

Form finding is a design method that deploys and instrumentalises the self-organisation of material systems ...

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