Summary:
A new industrial revolution has turned more than a few heads in Barcelona, Spain recently as the public gets an impromptu look at the productive forces fueling new emerging technologies. Technology is not necessarily limited but definitely bound by natural boundaries imposed by Mother Nature and the innovation and creations of human imagination.
News Story:
The Foundation for Architecture and Design (FAD) in Barcelona, Spain, currently has an intellectually stimulating exhibition open to the public. Over 100 projects are showcased; all with a certain ‘emerging technology’ flavor. The public is invited and encouraged to visit this trade show-styled event displaying new technologies. The primary purpose of this exhibition is to encourage the archiving of some 3000 applications all implemented in the country of Spain at the present time. In other words, these projects are not isolated prototypical ideas which may never come to mainstream industry sectors; but, rather actual projects in use in Spanish corporations on a daily basis
The city of Barcelona, the capital city of the autonomous Catalonia region of Spain, has long been a pioneer in architectural design integrating clever, and sometimes quirky, applications has been the norm since the days of Antoni Gaudi. While others consider some of these projects bizarre and borderline absurd, Catalan born artists, designers, and architects may very well consider many of these the new norm --rather than the exception. Over and over again, Spanish, and especially Catalan architectural engineers, and designers have wowed the world with concepts, products, and ideas which only an active human imagination can articulate; and, even fewer can imitate, implement or construct. Gaudi, as an example, was never a stranger to controversy and an architectural genius by most anyone’s measure. Antonio Gaudi has so many times proven himself and his renderings to be of the absolutely peculiar varieties and typically constructed from those native raw materials of the geographic location that he has left his hallmark and footnote to history. His knack for both form and function he derived from Mother Nature herself.
The current FAD exhibition running now until April 28th is, as usual, born of the Catalan spirit and driven by the similar passions that have long fueled the people of this Catalonia region of Spain. Hopes are high that this raw materials exhibition will further ignite and propel this new industrial revolution.
One of the most inviting aspects of this particular event is the price of admission - it is absolutely free. Imagine wandering amongst new designs comprised of unique raw materials; each one screaming for attention.
Now, you have a good idea what is in store for you at FAD 2008. Architecture and design foundation in Barcelona. This architectural event showcases over 100 projects prominently exploiting the best human imaginations can push forward into the world of new technologies. Projects range from basic agricultural development onward to pharmaceuticals and surgical applications for humans. The broad range of ideas now turned product designs reaches from textiles and similar raw materials, including some capable of conducting electricity engineered to quickly re-charge a wireless handset; to woven garments intending to protect humans from environmental harms and hazards. A number of these exhibited projects reach into the building and construction trades in an attempt to create a more environmentally friendly application in practical use such as one using the strength of carbon fiber materials.
Returning to the basics of design -as was Gaudi logic- nature defines a great portion of the form and functionality follows. Similarly, each project in the FAD showcase shares a commonality. Javier Pena explained the link between the various industrial applications and wide ranging raw material exploits is based in a shared commonality known as ‘lightness’. In essence, these raw materials are both setting the stage and performing the act. Secondly, each project is taken directly from actual implementation in an active Spanish company. The here and now, if you will.
Make plans to attend this free event while in Barcelona, Spain.
FAD, Plaça dels Àngels 5-6, Barcelona.
Tel: 93 443 75 20.
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