Interdependence

John Casey

Cecil Balmond�s reputation preceded him all the way to the podium. He immediately delved into his past and delivered a project of the scale that most can associate with � a house. This house was an attempt to associate his audience with his projects but also to premise the presentation of his ideas and beliefs by showing the origins of the forms.

It worked. He introduced the basic ideas of structure and then illustrated them. He described how gravity can be overcome by form and arrangements and how stresses can be dealt with by the correct choice of materials.

It was not all easy though and he explained the difficulties associated with attempting to enable the Engineer to achieve the intended form of the Architect. What emerged was a progressive Engineer able to stretch the boundaries and the sometimes narrow visions of his profession.

By this stage the real fascinations and influences on Balmond�s thinkings began to emerge. Balmond had always haboured a view that everything in the world is interdependent.

His view was that Engineering cannot exist independently on it own and it overlaps amongst others with Architecture, Art, Mathematics, Philosophy and the Environment. As a result, Engineering cannot be dealt with as a stand alone subject, it co-exists � and likewise Architecture cannot exist independently, it also co-exists.

With these beliefs, Balmond began to study interdependence. This is where the most profound influence of Balmond�s work emerges - numerical models and mathematical sequences. With these models and equations, it is possible to study the effects that of interdependence.

Computers have changed Balmond�s life. He is no longer restricted by the ability of the mind to calculate equations. He now has the tools to bring forward his ideas. He began studying fractals, which are mathematical equations which appear to be random, but are in fact non-recurring sequences. These sequences are the source of fascination for Balmond. This is what he now uses to create buildings.

When Daniel Liebskind approached Balmond and Arup with his ideas for the competition for a new extension at the V&A; Museum, he had already realised the building form. It consisted of seemingly random walls stacked at angles on top of each other reaching high to the sky. They formed rooms and a spiral route through the building for exhibitions.

This was the project that Balmond was waiting for. He set to work with his team at Arup (which includes a full-time mathematican) and he attempted to define the structure. After much collaboration between Liebskind and Balmond, the shape of the building was modified so that it was defined by a fractal equation. This spiraling fractal allowed the building to take on a life of its own and the seemingly random formation of the angled walls, was defined by the strict unbreakable principals of an equation.

On cue, Balmond displayed a computer demonstration of the origins of the building and convinced everyone present. The apparent random nature had an origin, a pattern and a sequence.

The benefits of this are overwhelming. The building can be altered by changing the parameters of the equation. The computer recalculates and replots � until all are satisfied.

The collaberation of Liebskind and Balmond moved on � the minute details of the tiling which is proposed to cover the outer surface of the building again originated from a mathematical algorithm. The design printed on the tiles and the layout of the patterned tiles on the surface of the building is also defined.

Balmond�s ideas had been proven � on paper at least � the building has not received full funding however the project is well on its way to being built with tender documents currently being prepared.

The interdependence of Engineering and Architecture had been proven. The interdependence of members of a Design Team was demonstrated. In this case the Architect/Engineer relationship is a joint synthesis of ideas and forms with one idea leading to another and on. The result is a collaboration of all involved with all sides contributing to realise the final form and image.

This underlying idea is another of the principles of which Balmond attempts to work. This is just an extension of his theory of interdependence. When you return to the beginning of his lecture � the house he presented � the theme of collaboration and interdependence is as strong as ever.

The footnote of the lecture was when Balmond was questioned about the practically of having a museum without vertical walls and the seeming inability to hang exhibits, he answered that art could now be displayed in a different way, perhaps a tapestry along the wall onto the floor. Again this demonstrated his belief of interdependence - Architecture and Engineering have become Art.

Teaching methods � nothing wrong with the students � it is the way there were being taught the subject � they weren�t interested in the subject

John Casey is a structural engineer and is currently working with Arup Consulting Engineers