In 2012 the leading theme for hyperBODY student projects was the “Internet of things and people”. Projects dealt with increased connectivity between people and technologically augmented “things”: devices, vehicles or building components, altogether constituting vibrant architectural ecosystems.

In the fall semester, hyperBODY MSc1 embarked on a project dealing with the design, fabrication, erection and operation of a complex architectural intervention situated on the edge of Rotterdam, on the former Rotterdamsche Droogdok Maatschappij (RDM), part of the Waalhaven area of the Port of Rotterdam. The site offers ample opportunities to study interaction patterns among its diverse actors, while at the same time encourages new interaction scenarios, enhancement of active participation, radical transformation and augmentation of current spatial organisation on site. The projects will be developed in active involvement of Amsterdam networkLAB, of which Hyperbody is part.

The entire studio process is seen as a design research activity. It starts by individually defining problems and opportunities related to design location. The initial design concept is a hypothesis on how these problems and opportunities can be architecturally resolved. Following the initial concept, prototypes are developed to validate that concept and to prove its feasibility. In an iterative manner, through a cycle of design divergence and convergence, the final project is reached. It is to be seen as a proven theory, ready to be realised and used.

reRDM was an ongoing project consisting of 24 architectural interventions designed by students of TU Delft’s faculty of Architecture (Hyperbody master-1 semester). Each of those interventions start by identifying qualities and challenges found across the present-day RDM area, which stem from its unique culture, spatial qualities, relationship to the rest of Rotterdam and its potential to sustainably grow towards a better future. Consequently, the resulting 24 architectural designs present a vision of a bottom-up development of the RDM, approached as a vibrant ecosystem of people, things and spaces, aspiring to show a playful and exciting alternative to a top-down way of planning the future of the area. In this, latest technologies serve an important role, opening up new means of architectural production, inhabitant participation and creation of unprecedented kinds of architecture.

Students
Jimmy Jingyi, Karolos Michailidis, Ken Chen, Charlotte Guy, Vivien Wu, Andrew Gooden, Wessel van Beerendonk, Kuba Tyc, Wenjia Wang, Nina Verkerk, Jilles van Eibergen Santhagens, Jiun Yu Thomas Steigenga, Marvin Valk, Rudo Koot, Pedram Seddighzadeh Yazdi, Guangkai Liang, Oguzhan Atrek, Jonathan Davidson, Shu Xia, Yun Qin, Mitchel Verkuijlen, Sarah Roberts, Ana Anton, Serban Bodea, Evita Pronk, Jeroen van Lith, Vasiliki Koliaki, Matthew Tanti, Lucas ter Hall, John Yim, Susanne Hofer, Mallika Arora, Léon Spikker, Yuxiao He

Teaching Team
Prof. Kas Oosterhuis, Tomasz Jaskiewicz, Christian Friedrich, Tim Castelijn, Chris Kievid

Site RMD Campus, Rotterdam
http://rerdm.hyperbody.nl/