MSDMT CAPSTONE
GRADUATE STUDIO
MSDMT 700 - FALL 2024PROFESSOR
Sean AhlquistThis course is the culmination of the academic course of study. Participants are expected to apply new skills and knowledge towards advancing the discipline through their projects. Intensive and research-based, participants will be required to document their research and project-based work in partial fulfillment of their degree. Outside expert discussion is integrated into the MS Capstone through one or a series of colloquia presentations and public exhibitions by participants.
In this capstone studio, students synthesize computational, material, and design innovations to propose new directions in architectural discourse. While recent lines of inquiry—such as programmable surfaces, biomimetic design, and interactive textiles—illustrate the studio’s breadth, they also demand critical examination of feasibility, sustainability, and ethical implications. By documenting both process and outcomes, participants confront the gaps between conceptual ambitions and real-world constraints, building a body of research that both advances and interrogates emerging practices. Engagement with visiting experts situates each project in the broader disciplinary conversation, challenging students to refine assumptions and deliver rigorously substantiated contributions to the field.
STUDENTS
Archit Goyal, Daniel Merupu, Jutang Gao
PROFESSOR
Sean Alqiust
This research project explores the integration of air-driven thermoplastic textile composites (TTCs) to create dynamic, sensorial spaces inspired by natural systems. The project draws from biomimicry, particularly the responsive behavior of the Mimosa pudica plant, the soothing sounds of a bamboo forest, and the lightweight structures of insect wings. By combining CNC knitting, 3D printing, and pneumatic actuation, the project creates a system capable of responsive, kinetic behavior with a focus on ambient sound and lightweight form. Through a series of material experiments and design iterations, the project advances the development of TTCs, addressing challenges like consistent adhesion, dynamic porosity, and material brittleness, ultimately achieving an innovative, sensorial, and experiential space.
STUDENTS
Ilkyaz Sarimehmetoglu, Biyang Yan
PROFESSOR
Sean Alqiust
Textile Jukebox merges digital fabrication, textile design, and pneumatic systems to create programmable surfaces for sensory augmentation. By integrating CNC-knitted textiles with silicone bladders, it enables dynamic haptic interactions through programmed inflation. A library of silicone bladders with varied geometries allows controlled deformation, minimizing material waste via reusable molds. The multi-manifold pneumatic system supports independent actuation, producing breathing behaviors and sequential inflations. These programmed responses transform textiles into active, responsive components in architecture and design. Textile Jukebox redefines textiles as dynamic systems, enriching environments through movement, interaction, and tactile engagement.