Material Ecology is an exhibition hosted by the Schindler House to showcase Neri Oxman's work. Material Ecology, coined by Neri Oxman, describes techniques and objects that are informed by and directly engage with the structures, systems, and aesthetics of nature. The Schindler House pushed new ways of building during its time. Bio-architecture pushes those boundaries in similar ways through the use of innovative materials to build complex structures.
The design of the concept was influenced by the interwoven organic matter of Neri Oxman's work. Exploring the relationship between man made material and the natural environment to grow rather than assemble.
The design of the typeface is influenced by both the concept of the Schindler house through the idea of thick and thin, and by the organic structures of Neri Oxman's work.
The graphic elements were created using Processing, in which a growth program was coded in order to simulate a digital organic growth structure.
Various digital growth structures were simulated to emphasize the concept of growing rather than assembling.
The main website of the exhibition showcases the breath of Neri Oxman's work. The user hovers and pushes around the digital space in order to navigate the page.
Each exhibition at the Schindler House is revealed and informed through an annual newspaper. The newspaper shows all the work that will be showcased at the exhibition. The use of newspaper is to reflect the industrial yet natural use of material throughout the architecture of the Schindler House.
The installation is an interactive physical wall structure that represents the organic forms within nature. The display senses each visitor as they approach the structure and displays information regarding the exhibition. It threads through the Schindler house from interior to exterior breaking the threshold of the spaces and allowing visual activation through user interaction.
As visitors approach the installation, the natural growth element starts to increase and grow as they walk along the structure. With each passing movement, the installation tells the story and ideas behind Neri Oxman's Bio-Architectural designs.
