Greg Lynn
Encyclopedia
Greg Lynn is owner of the Greg Lynn FORM office, an o. Univ. Professor of architecture
at University of Applied Arts Vienna
, a studio professor at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
, and the Davenport Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Architecture
. He was the winner of the Golden Lion at the 2008 Venice Biennale of Architecture
. In 2010 Lynn was named a Fellow by United States Artists
.
(OH) with degrees in Architecture and Philosophy, and Princeton University
with a Master of Architecture. He is distinguished for his use of computer-aided design
to produce irregular, biomorphic architectural forms, as he proposes that with the use of computers, calculus can be implemented into the generation of architectural expression. Lynn has written extensively on these ideas, first in 1993 as the Editor of an AD Special Issue called “Folding in Architecture”. In 1999, his book “Animate FORM”, funded in part by the Graham Foundation focused on the use of animation and motion graphic software for design. In “Folds, Bodies & Blobs: Collected Essays” is the republished essay from ANY Magazine “Blobs, or Why Tectonics is Square and Topology is Groovy” for which he is credited with coining the term ‘blob architecture’ later to become ‘blobitecture
’ popularized in a weekly Sunday New York Times article “ON LANGUAGE: Defenestration” by the late William Safire
. The recent book “Greg Lynn FORM”, edited by Mark Rappolt, includes contributions by his colleagues, collaborators and critics including Ross Lovegrove
, Jeffrey Kipnis, Chris Bangle
, Sylvia Lavin
, Imaginary Forces, Peter Schröder, Bruce Sterling
and J. G. Ballard
. Along with Hani Rashid, Jesse Reiser and Stan Allen
, he was one of the earliest teachers to explore the use of the digital technology for building design and construction when he was teaching the ‘Paperless Studios’ started while Bernard Tschumi
was Dean at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) from 1992-1999. He was the Professor of Spatial Conception and Exploration at the ETH Zurich Faculty of Architecture
(ETHZ) from 1999-2002.
Lynn's New York Presbyterian Church in Queens, New York, with Douglas Garofalo and Michael McInturf is an early project which used vector-based animation software in its design conception. He was profiled by Time Magazine in their projection of 21st century innovators in the field of architecture and design.
Lynn's latest works begin to explore how to integrate structure and form together as he discovered some biomorphic forms are inherently resistant to load. He often experiments with methods of manufacturing from aerospace, boat building and automobile industries in his installations such as Swarovski Crystal Sails and HSBC Designers Lounge for 2009 Design Miami
, “Bubbles in the Wine” installation at the Grimaldi Forum
in Monaco, 1999 Predator Installation at Wexner Center for the Arts
with Fabian Marcaccio
, and in his industrial design projects like the super formed titanium Alessi Tea and Coffee Towers of 2003 and the Vitra
Ravioli Chair. Working with Panelite his studio invented a hollow plastic brick called the Blobwall and using an upcycling
approach to design and materials is repurposing children’s toys as the building bricks for Toy Furniture and a Fountain at the Hammer Museum
by scanning rotomolded plastic toys, composing them on a computer, cutting them with a 5 axis CNC router and assembling them into welded monolithic objects. The Bloom House includes curvaceous interior elements and windows built in plastics, fiberglass and wood all using this software and CNC controlled machines for its fabrication.
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
at University of Applied Arts Vienna
University of Applied Arts Vienna
The University of Applied Arts Vienna is an institution of higher education in Vienna, the capital of Austria. It has had university status since 1970.-History:...
, a studio professor at the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture
The UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture is a professional school at the University of California, Los Angeles. The school plays a vital role in the cultural and artistic life of the campus and the community. Through the six degree-granting departments, it provides a full range of course...
, and the Davenport Visiting Professor at the Yale School of Architecture
Yale School of Architecture
The Yale School of Architecture is one of the constituent professional schools of Yale University. It is generally considered to be one of the most prestigious architecture schools in the world.- History :...
. He was the winner of the Golden Lion at the 2008 Venice Biennale of Architecture
Venice Biennale of architecture
Mostra di Architettura di Venezia, the Architecture section of the Venice Biennale, was established in 1980, although architecture had been a part of the art biennale since 1968....
. In 2010 Lynn was named a Fellow by United States Artists
United States Artists
United States Artists is an independent nonprofit and nongovernmental philanthropic organization based in Los Angeles, California and dedicated to supporting the work of living American artists by the granting of cash awards, called USA Fellowships...
.
Life and work
Greg Lynn graduated cum laude from Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
(OH) with degrees in Architecture and Philosophy, and Princeton University
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private research university located in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. The school is one of the eight universities of the Ivy League, and is one of the nine Colonial Colleges founded before the American Revolution....
with a Master of Architecture. He is distinguished for his use of computer-aided design
Computer-aided design
Computer-aided design , also known as computer-aided design and drafting , is the use of computer technology for the process of design and design-documentation. Computer Aided Drafting describes the process of drafting with a computer...
to produce irregular, biomorphic architectural forms, as he proposes that with the use of computers, calculus can be implemented into the generation of architectural expression. Lynn has written extensively on these ideas, first in 1993 as the Editor of an AD Special Issue called “Folding in Architecture”. In 1999, his book “Animate FORM”, funded in part by the Graham Foundation focused on the use of animation and motion graphic software for design. In “Folds, Bodies & Blobs: Collected Essays” is the republished essay from ANY Magazine “Blobs, or Why Tectonics is Square and Topology is Groovy” for which he is credited with coining the term ‘blob architecture’ later to become ‘blobitecture
Blobitecture
Blobitecture from blob architecture, blobism or blobismus are terms for a movement in architecture in which buildings have an organic, amoeba-shaped, bulging form...
’ popularized in a weekly Sunday New York Times article “ON LANGUAGE: Defenestration” by the late William Safire
William Safire
William Lewis Safire was an American author, columnist, journalist and presidential speechwriter....
. The recent book “Greg Lynn FORM”, edited by Mark Rappolt, includes contributions by his colleagues, collaborators and critics including Ross Lovegrove
Ross Lovegrove
Ross Lovegrove is an industrial designer, perhaps best known for his work on the Sony Walkman.- Biography :He studied at Manchester Polytechnic , graduating with a First Class BA in Industrial Design in 1980 and then went to the Royal College of Art, London in 1983 where he completed his master of...
, Jeffrey Kipnis, Chris Bangle
Chris Bangle
Christopher Edward "Chris" Bangle is an American automobile designer. Bangle is known best for his work as Chief of Design for BMW Group, where he was responsible for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce motor cars.- Biography :...
, Sylvia Lavin
Sylvia Lavin
Sylvia Lavin is the Chair of the Ph.D. in Architecture program and Professor of Architectural History and Theory at UCLA, where she was Chairperson of the department of Architecture and Urban Design from 1996 to 2006. Lavin is also a frequent visitor at Harvard University¹s GSD and was a Visiting...
, Imaginary Forces, Peter Schröder, Bruce Sterling
Bruce Sterling
Michael Bruce Sterling is an American science fiction author, best known for his novels and his work on the Mirrorshades anthology, which helped define the cyberpunk genre.-Writings:...
and J. G. Ballard
J. G. Ballard
James Graham Ballard was an English novelist, short story writer, and prominent member of the New Wave movement in science fiction...
. Along with Hani Rashid, Jesse Reiser and Stan Allen
Stan Allen
Stan Allen is an American architect, theorist and dean of the at Princeton University. He received a B.A. from Brown University, a B.Arch. from the Cooper Union and an M.Arch. from Princeton University and has worked in the offices of Richard Meier and Rafael Moneo. He was formerly the director,...
, he was one of the earliest teachers to explore the use of the digital technology for building design and construction when he was teaching the ‘Paperless Studios’ started while Bernard Tschumi
Bernard Tschumi
Bernard Tschumi is an architect, writer, and educator, commonly associated with deconstructivism. Born of French and Swiss parentage, he works and lives in New York and Paris. He studied in Paris and at ETH in Zurich, where he received his degree in architecture in 1969...
was Dean at Columbia Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP) from 1992-1999. He was the Professor of Spatial Conception and Exploration at the ETH Zurich Faculty of Architecture
ETH Zurich Faculty of Architecture
Founded in 1854, the Faculty of Architecture at ETH Zurich is an architecture school of worldwide reputation, providing education in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, urban planning, and urban design...
(ETHZ) from 1999-2002.
Lynn's New York Presbyterian Church in Queens, New York, with Douglas Garofalo and Michael McInturf is an early project which used vector-based animation software in its design conception. He was profiled by Time Magazine in their projection of 21st century innovators in the field of architecture and design.
Lynn's latest works begin to explore how to integrate structure and form together as he discovered some biomorphic forms are inherently resistant to load. He often experiments with methods of manufacturing from aerospace, boat building and automobile industries in his installations such as Swarovski Crystal Sails and HSBC Designers Lounge for 2009 Design Miami
Design Miami
Design Miami/ is an international design show. Design Miami/ is held annually in December in Miami, Florida. Its sister show, Design Miami/ Basel, is held annually in June, in Basel, Switzerland....
, “Bubbles in the Wine” installation at the Grimaldi Forum
Grimaldi Forum
Grimaldi Forum, Monaco is a conference & congress centre located on the seafront of Monaco's eastern beach quartier, Larvotto. Les Ballets de Monte Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra regularly perform here...
in Monaco, 1999 Predator Installation at Wexner Center for the Arts
Wexner Center for the Arts
The Wexner Center for the Arts is The Ohio State University’s multidisciplinary, international laboratory for the exploration and advancement of contemporary art...
with Fabian Marcaccio
Fabian Marcaccio
Fabian Marcaccio is an Argentine born artist living and working in the United States whose trans-genre works including "Paintants" and '"Draftants" have been exhibited worldwide....
, and in his industrial design projects like the super formed titanium Alessi Tea and Coffee Towers of 2003 and the Vitra
Vitra (furniture)
Vitra is a Swiss manufacturer of designer furniture. Vitra is the European manufacturer and retailer of the works of many internationally renowned furniture designers...
Ravioli Chair. Working with Panelite his studio invented a hollow plastic brick called the Blobwall and using an upcycling
Upcycling
Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value....
approach to design and materials is repurposing children’s toys as the building bricks for Toy Furniture and a Fountain at the Hammer Museum
Hammer Museum
The Armand Hammer Museum of Art and Culture Center, or the Hammer Museum as it is more commonly known, is an art museum in the Westwood district of Los Angeles, California...
by scanning rotomolded plastic toys, composing them on a computer, cutting them with a 5 axis CNC router and assembling them into welded monolithic objects. The Bloom House includes curvaceous interior elements and windows built in plastics, fiberglass and wood all using this software and CNC controlled machines for its fabrication.
External links
- Greg Lynn FORM website
- University of Applied Arts, Vienna
- UCLA Department of Architecture
- Yale School of Architecture
- Douglas Garofalo
- Michael McInturf
- Imaginary Forces
- Peter Schröder
- Jesse Reiser
- Spatial Conception and Exploration
- Design Miami
- HSBC Designers Lounge
- Bubbles in the Wine
- Predator Installation
- Tea and Coffee Towers
- Embryological House website
- Icon magazine article
- Index magazine interview
- Studio LYNN Video
- TED Talks: Greg Lynn on calculus in architecture at TEDTED (conference)TED is a global set of conferences owned by the private non-profit Sapling Foundation, formed to disseminate "ideas worth spreading"....
in 2005