Estonian Academy of the Arts Design Competition

Companies: Gage/Clemenceau Architects
Project Location: Tallinn, Estonia
Industry: Architecture, Engineering, & Construction

Using automotive design concepts to create innovative architectural forms.
Inspired by the surface modeling and design techniques of automotive designers, Gage/Clemenceau Architects used 3D modeling tools to design their entry for the Estonian Academy of the Arts Design Competition.

Conceptual Design
Gage/Clemenceau Architects use automotive design tactics as a way to develop new techniques for manipulating surfaces in architecture. This project provided an ideal opportunity to apply these advanced surface design techniques and strategies.

Design Iteration
Using software built for automotive design, the team created over 100 different formations and iterations. These unique architectural forms are more robust—and less expected—than those created with software used specifically for architectural design.

Surface Styling
The proposed facade is made from both purely aesthetic fluid ripples and contours, as well as performative scoops, tunnels, and vents that funnel fresh air to all areas of the building from the lobby to the interior courtyard.

Surface-Based Geometry
Instead of relying on rectilinear geometries that typically guide architectural design decisions, the facade of the Estonian Academy of the Arts is wrapped entirely in what the automotive industry refers to as Class-A surfaces that produce maximum aesthetic effect with minimum mathematical description.