How is it possible that a 50 foot tower was installed with a small team in just 6 hours? Well, the answer to that lies in the material. Expanded polystyrene, known as EPS foam, is the star of this architectural feat. “Periscope” was designed by Brandon Clifford and Wes McGee of Matter Design Studio and won the 10UP! National Architecture Competition in 2010. Cut and created with custom robotic hotwire equipment (see video below), the labor-saving, lightweight EPS used is 90% air, contains no CFCs and is recyclable and reusable. So the better question is what can’t EPS do!? The possibilities are truly endless.
Periscope EPS Tower by Brandon Clifford & Wes McGee of Matter Design. Winner of the 2010 10UP! National Architecture Competition. Photos used with permission
For more information and to see more projects by Matter Design, visit matterdesignstudio.com.
Robotic Foam Swarf Cut from matter design on Vimeo:
Inspired to build your own EPS creation? Check out ICA’s EPS products. And for more EPS project ideas, visit our Photo Gallery.
*References:
· http://www.matterdesignstudio.com/projects/periscope-foam-tower/
· http://www.bustler.net/index.php/article/periscope/
· http://www.archdaily.com/69081/periscope-matter-design/
· http://www.fabricate2011.org/speaker-wes-mcgee-of-matter-design-taubman-college-university-of-michigan/
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