Oliver Irving Moldow

about

Oliver Moldow is an interdisciplinary researcher at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He received his Master's of Science ITECH at the University of Stuttgart in Germany. He has collaborated with and received support from the Material Programming Group ICD, Programmable Mud MIT, the Harvard GSD, Autodesk (Builder in Residence 2023), Zaha Hadid Architects, and the Norman Foster Foundation (NFF Energy Scholar 2022).

Previously, he received his Bachelors from UC Berkeley in Design Across Scale (a degree spanning architecture, engineering, and industrial design advised by Nicholas de Monchaux). During which, he printed spanning structures with the Flexible Structures Lab, implemented the Bottery with Emerging Objects, and constructed data-driven sculptures with UC Berkeley Art Practice for use in The Catherine Clark Gallery and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.

Show: All Research Professional

HygroShell
01–10–23

Status:
Built

Utilizing novel computational methods to access timber’s inherent shape-changing properties, HygroShell showcases the design, engineering, and robotic production of a full-scale, long-spanning, lightweight shell made from flat-packed components curved in situ. Each component contains architectural, structural, and kinetic faculties embedded into its flat state, actuating on site to produce a curved, shingle-clad, interlocked geometry.

HygroShell was deployed at the University of Stuttgart and the Chicago Architecture Biennial 2023.

ITECH 21/22 Studio led by Dylan Wood, Axel Körner, Kenryo Takahashi, and Laura Kiesewetter

Images: ICD/ITKE

Pneu History: Recompleting the National Monument of Scotland
06–07–21

Status:
In Progress

Rendered originally as three pneumatic follies to re-complete the monument for 2021 Architecture Fringe, “(Un)learning,” Pneu History has had lives at the University of Stuttgart, KoozArch, the University of Cambridge’s Specters of Time and Space Conference, Princeton School of Architecture’s Pidgin 30 journal, Yale School of Architecture’s Paprika Volume 9, and ACADIA/CAADRIA 2023 (particle spring simulator).

Solar Gate
01–15–23

Status:
Built

Through a combination of printed hygromorphic shading elements and an intelligent control system, the Solar Gate, integrated into the livMatS Biomimetic Shell, passively adapts to daily and seasonal weather cycles. The project consists of parallel developments in hygroscopic bio-based plastic filaments, the design and manufacturing of site-responsive motion, and the control and monitoring of climate-responsive facades.

Images: Roland Halbe, Conné van d’Grachten

Veil Craft
07–15–21

Status:
Built

Figure’s “Veil Craft” is the inaugural installation hosted by Materials & Applications at the Craft Contemporary Museum in Los Angelos. It is also a recipient of the 2020 Graham Foundation grant.

Hydra Health
08–15–22

Status:
Built

Figure’s Hydra Health is a hospital wellness studio, serving the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center within the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Campus. Hydra Health is a 1600 square foot consumer health convenience store and wellness oasis for patients, staff, and visitors.

Collaborators and Clients:

NealFeay, Zaha Hadid Architects, Autodesk, Colorado Health Foundation, Emerging Objects, UC Berkeley Art Practice