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.

covington cairn

Partnership:

The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center and The Center for Great Neighborhoods

Details:

Year: 2025 (ongoing)
Materials: Concrete and waste aggregate 
Computation:
Dimensions:
Team: Miles Sletto, Tyler Swingle



CAIRN is a landmark public sculpture designed as both a visual beacon and a symbol of collective identity for the Covington Central Riverfront (CCR). Drawing from the enduring act of stone stacking as a ritual of place-making, the sculpture rises as a vertical procession of 19 pillars—each representing one of Covington’s unique neighborhoods. These pillars are thoughtfully gathered into five cast elements, each embodying a different historical era and cultural identity of Covington. While distinct in character, these cast elements are carefully stacked in succession—symbolizing how Covington’s layered histories, communities, and identities build upon one another and evoke the collective foundation and shared trajectory of the city.