SXSW, created as an exhibition space for the winner and prototypes for the TEX-FAB 2013 SKIN competition, the 11 foot high steel vault has become a sculpture in its own right. Designed by Kory Bieg’s UT, Austin School of Architecture design build studio, the piece was conceived as a completion among students and eventually took form as an amalgamation of their ideas. Designed to be enclosed in a room, the vault- wall interface design became an important parameter along with digital fabrication and the SKIN competition itself. Consisting of a central vault flanked by two cantilevered arms and another cascading vault, the structure follows a diamond pattern with three layers of overlap.
© Kory Bieg
Using metal as primary material, the vault has a primary system forming its seams. This is connected by a secondary system and a tertiary system adds rigidity by creating cells. Easy to assemble, the structure does not require any fasteners and is completely free standing, devoid of any support with no attachments to ground or adjoining rooms despite unsymmetrical nature. High stabilty without coprimise on aesthtics, the design utilizes aggregation, weaving and stacking and hence becomes a study of 3D translation of 2D forms.
Project info:
Architects: OTA+: Kory Bieg (Principal, OTA+ and Assistant Professor, University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture) and UTSOA Design Studio V
Country: United States, Austin
Year: 2014
Photographs: Casey Dunn, Kory Bieg
Anastasia Andreieva is an accomplished Architectural Projects Editor at Arch2O, bringing a unique blend of linguistic expertise and design enthusiasm to the team. Born and raised in Ukraine, she holds a Master’s degree in Languages from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Her deep passion for architecture and visual storytelling led her to transition from translation and editorial roles into the world of design media. With a keen eye for conceptual clarity and narrative structure, Anastasia curates and presents global architectural projects with precision and flair. She is particularly drawn to parametric and digital design, cultural context, and emerging voices in architecture. When I’m not analyzing the latest architectural trends, you’ll probably find me searching for hidden gems in cityscapes or appreciating the beauty of well-crafted spaces. After all, great design—like great connections—can be found in the most unexpected places. Speaking of connections, because architecture isn’t the only thing that brings people together.