In nature, Tessellated Material Systems (TMS) appear convergently across species and at all length scales. Their evolutionary success is based on the ability to unify mechanically opposing properties in one functional system. While the application of tessellations in Design and Architecture was and is focusing on the geometrical and structural benefits, this practice-based PhD project explores a different Design approach shifting the focus from structure to material. The aim of this research is to develop methods for designing hierarchical materials that lead to multi-functionality allowing for context sensitivity.

Practice

collaborative research
The Boxfish Project

The carapace of the boxfish is a tessellated structure that provides effective protection against predators. We looked at the evolution of the boxfish's carapace during growth and analysed its structural logic to develop a tool for design and construction. This allowed us to produce and test morphologies and structures that nature did not consider. Potentailly to develop hypothesise that shine light on the question why these structures did not evolve and how we can benefit from the boxfish morphology.

Material Legacies
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To understand the structural and functional complexity of natural tessellations, our TMS project team is comprised of resear-
chers from morphology, engineering, material science, and design commonly interested in relating form to
function. In order to create biologically inspired design solutions, design research, parametric design and experimental prototyping were applied. The exhibits show material samples and 3D printed models next to the biological samples
from the Zoological collection of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Museum für Naturkunde Berlin.

Designing Matter 2 
From Tile to Tessellation
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The MoA Design Research Studio »Designing Matter 2« investigated tessellated surfaces as material systems for textile architecture and product design. A tessellated surface is composed of individual units—tiles—which are connected by a joining material. Designing the materiality and the geometry of these individual units and their joints allows to calibrate the functionality of the overall tessellation. Designing matter as an overarching concept denotes the definition of the form and the materiality of the component elements in a material in order achieve a specific functionality. This process allows to utilize and enhance the inherent properties of a given material and ultimately to generate novel ones. Codes — either analogue or digital — are used to implement the design of the material by means of a systematization of its form-function interrelationship.

Design Tool Participation and Tessellation
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A conversation between researcher Silke Hofmann and Felix Rasehorn with guests Dr. Elaine Igeo (RCA London) and Dr. Khashayar Razghandi (MoA / MPI) Moderation: Prof. Dr. Jörg Petruschat and Dr. Mareike Stoll. 

embrace 2
Tessellated Support Structure
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This project builds on findings from the TMS research and is situated in a collaborative design project developed by Silke Hofmann. In her research she is interested in the wearer-garment relationship and participatory design processes. Embrace 2 is situated in the female health spectrum and focuses on aesthetic and ergonomic bra needs of females affected by breast cancer after mastectomy. This directly results in wearable objects that materialize the participating women's needs in individualized garment solutions. Coming from different backgrounds we had individual research goals that benefited from each other’s specific competencies and profession.