MATCOM lab







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Director:
Tyler Swingle, Assistant Professor

Research Assistants:
Miles Sletto
Kazi Suhi
Mohit Timalsina


MATCOM lab is a design research laboratory at the University of Cincinnati dedicated to advancing architectural innovation through material design, computational methods, and construction assemblies. Research outcomes leverage inherent material characteristics to reimagine material life cycles and develop innovative construction techniques that promote more sustainable and efficient building solutions. By challenging architectural biases and exploring new design outcomes, the lab pushes the boundaries of conventional practices to uncover novel possibilities. Through industry collaboration and interdisciplinary experimentation, MATCOM lab cultivates forward-thinking strategies that enhance the performance and resilience of the built environment.


balancing branches


Partnership
Fiber Fiction, School of Architecture, University of Texas at Austin


Deatils
Year: 2024
Material: Softwood (yellow pine) and hardwood (
Computation: Galapagos + Rhino/Grasshopper
Dimensions: 
Team: Tyler Swingle






This initial stage of  focuses on creating small-scale prototypes using found hardwood volumes grafted with newly fabricated wooden extensions. Each reclaimed hardwood piece is 3D scanned to capture its geometry, grain, and surface irregularities. These scans inform both the design of custom attachment strategies and the fabrication of joinery tailored to the unique character of each volume. Extensions are physically joined to the original pieces, forming hybrid units. Computational analysis is then used to determine the combined center of mass of each hybrid object, allowing us to test the structural logic of stacking and balancing these grafted forms. This phase serves as a proof of concept for the integration of scanning, digital analysis, and physical assembly.