Nature’s canopy

10 : 02 : 2016 V&A Museum : Victoria & Albert Museum : Engineering Season

London – The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) has commissioned a 3D-printed garden installation as part of its first Engineering Season.

  • The Elytra Filament Pavilion is inspired by the structure of the forewing shells of elytra beetles
  • Initial renderings show an undulating canopy of carbon fibre shells that cast geometric shadows
Filament winding robots, The University of Stuttgart, Germany Filament winding robots, The University of Stuttgart, Germany
Render of the Elytra Filament Pavilion by architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann at the V&A, London Render of the Elytra Filament Pavilion by architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann at the V&A, London
Render of the Elytra Filament Pavilion by architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann at the V&A, London Render of the Elytra Filament Pavilion by architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann at the V&A, London

The season’s retrospective of engineer Ove Arup’s work examines the wonders of industrial-era design, but the V&A’s central courtyard will highlight emerging robotic technology.

Engineers and architects Achim Menges and Moritz Dörstelmann, structural engineer Jan Knippers and climate engineer Thomas Auer have created the concept for a 3D-printed pavilion that will take shape from March 2016.

The pavilion will develop over the course of the Engineering Season in response to data on structural behaviour and patterns of habitation captured by sensors in the canopy fibres. 

Visitors will be able to watch as new cells are created by a Kuka robot, common to industrial production lines around the world.

The Big Picture

3D printing using real-time data enables designers to visualise abstract concepts. Brazilian designer Guto Requena’s The Love Project analysed emotional data to translate love stories into 3D objects.

Discover More Daily Signals
Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Daily Signals

Yōjō harnesses vagus nerve technology for everyday wellbeing

Yōjō is a new wellness eco-system using non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS), biofeedback and human coaching to help people calm their bodie...
Health : Wellness : Technology
OpenAI launches agentic AI shopping system

Daily Signals

OpenAI launches agentic AI shopping system

ChatGPT users in America can now shop directly within conversations through OpenAI’s new Instant Checkout feature, available to Pro, Plus and Free ...
Technology : Retail : Agentic AI
Stat: The running boom is powering New York’s economy

Daily Signals

Stat: The running boom is powering New York’s economy

Running is proving to be big business for New York, according to the latest Economic Impact Study from New York Road Runners (NYRR).
Sport : Health : Running
Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Daily Signals

Vacheron Constantin’s La Quête du Temps stars in Louvre exhibition

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin has unveiled La Quête du Temps at the Louvre, a monumental automaton clock to celebrate the brand’s 270...
Luxury : Watches : Retail
Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Daily Signals

Mandarin Oriental to open first golf and wellness resort in Dubai

Mandarin Oriental is expanding its luxury footprint in Dubai with its first dedicated golf resort and branded residences, set to open in 2030.
Travel : Hospitality : Luxury
Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

Daily Signals

Stat: Medical misinformation is a growing concern for US Women

A recent survey by Clue reveals that 82% of US women are concerned about encountering medical misinformation online, with over half (55%) reporting...
Stats : Statistic : Statistics
Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Daily Signals

Netflix’s Famous Last Words signals a new era of digital legacy

Dr Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist and conservationist passed away this week. An interview she recorded for Netflix’s new series Famous Last ...
Technology : Legacy : Longevity
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Daily Signals

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, foresight analyst Seyi Od...
Foresight Friday : Content Creation : Media
Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Daily Signals

Stat: Americans’ trust in media declines to record low

Media : Trust : Consumer Behaviour
London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

Daily Signals

London welcomes the world’s first Museum of Youth Culture

The world’s first permanent museum dedicated to youth culture is set to open in Camden, London, in December 2025.
Youth : Culture : Museum
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN