DuPont science helped bring a vision of the building envelope of the future to life at the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
At first glance, passers-by on New York City's "Museum Mile" probably didn't know what to make of the colorful structure in the courtyard of the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
DuPont science helped bring a vision of the building envelope of the future to life at the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum
At first glance, passers-by on New York City's "Museum Mile" probably didn't know what to make of the colorful structure in the courtyard of the Smithsonian Institution's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum.
Was it a piece of abstract art? The work of someone run amok with a giant-size roll of plastic wrap?
Actually, the pavilion constructed of polyester film gaily wrapped around an aluminum frame was the museum's new architectural exhibition featuring DuPont products and technology.
The Solos: SmartWrap exhibition, which was sponsored by DuPont and ran from August 5 to October 10, used a 16-foot-square by 24-foot-high prototype architectural structure to showcase a printed building façade that can be mass customized.
Designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm of KieranTimberlake, SmartWrap is a micro-thin, advanced composite that replaces the traditional bricks, mortar and other material long used to make conventional walls. Technology for shelter, insulation, lighting and other functions is printed onto and adhered directly to the composite, which can be erected in a fraction of normal building time.
"In a way, SmartWrap is like the Holy Grail of architecture," says architect Stephen Kieran. "For years, we've believed that to achieve higher quality in construction, we need to spend more time and more money. SmartWrap proves that doesn't have to be the case."
Made of several layers that are roll-coated onto a single composite film, SmartWrap incorporates existing and emerging technologies in heating and cooling, visual display, lighting and energy collection.
Several DuPont products play leading roles in the composite. They include:
"Helping architects and designers bring their visions to life is part of what DuPont does," says Diane Gulyas, group vice president – DuPont Electronic & Communication Technologies. "We are a science company committed to making life better, safer and easier. For decades, our inventions – such as DuPont™ SentryGlas® interlayers for laminated safety glass, DuPont™ Tyvek® protective material and DuPont™ Corian® solid surfaces – have been providing architects and designers with the tools to make their dreams a reality. Our brands provide innovation, efficiency and style to homes, workplaces and public spaces around the world."
Architect James Timberlake says he believes a version of SmartWrap may be available commercially within about five years. "Today, buildings are still being designed using the same materials and processes that were used thousands of years ago," he says. "We believe we can do better. SmartWrap offers a glimpse of the building envelope of the future."
For more information on Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum go to http://ndm.si.edu/. To watch an online video on the making of the SmartWrap exhibition, go to DuPont.com and enter DuPont.com QuickWord: SmartWrap.
© 1997– KieranTimberlake
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