“Thor” is a permanent spatial installation located in Middle East Technical University, Faculty of Architecture Building, Ankara, Türkiye. The project has been initialized as a proposal to the Faculty of Architecture on September 2006 and realized on December 2007. The conceptualization and design phase was completed through a generative algorithm, capable of calculating the data required for manufacturing, and the realization process governed both computer-aided manufacturing techniques and hands-on production involving the designers themselves.

The installation is located in the Faculty of Architecture Building, which was designed by Behruz Çinici and Altug Çinici in 1956. The building is regarded as the one of the most important buildings of Turkish Modern Architecture. Göbektasi, located in the southern part, is one of the most characteristic spaces in the building. By the 11 ½ meters high wooden ceiling with glazing all around, the space is illuminated with natural lighting throughout the day. Göbektasi is a communal space in the building both for students and faculty members, for it is connected to studios and classrooms in both storeys. The space is used for various events like exhibitions, jury meetings or social gatherings in the faculty.

The algorithm is capable of generating a two or three-dimensional shape by using a point cloud. Any form can be redefined through a set of points in three-dimensional space and the algorithm produces a document that consists of the position and length of each string in the system; and the position, color and angle of discs. By using the transformational value of each disc, the perforation scheme of the panels and the connection detail of discs and strings can be directly manufactured by file-to-factory processes, specific to the initial form.

The connection details are manufactured by rapid-prototyping techniques, allowing customization of all parts. Each connection detail is specific to its location which is determined by a parametric model. The curvature of the surface defines the amount of rotation for each disc by altering the position of in and out locations of the string. Although each connection detail is manufactured specifically, the original torus shape can only be re-attained in a theoretical instance, for each string turns around itself and deforms the overall shape.

The final form of the installation was decided as a torus. For being a simple geometric figure and governing double curvature on its surface, torus was a perfect match for testing the effectiveness of the algorithm and the manufacturing process. Additionally, contrary to the environment, which is mainly composed of planar concrete walls and rectangular geometric elements, “Thor” is a colored curvilinear object, which strengthens both its own existence and the tectonic quality of the building through dissimilarity with its surrounding.

The intersection point of strings and the object are recorded on a separate document for production phase. Each string passes through Thor from two points, however towards the outer edge of the Thor, the increasing amount of curvature yields to a single intersection point, resulting to a single disc on some strings. The discs are made from polycarbonate and consist of three colors: orange, red and blue. The color pattern was designed to interpret different cross-sections of the Thor. The upper platform, 4 meters by 4 meters, was constructed from aluminum profiles and panels, which houses each string and the connection details with the wooden ceiling. The production phase has taken 3 weeks.

Following the production of all parts, the installation process took 3 days. By using pulley systems welded to the ceiling through 4 connections, the platform was raised to 2 ½ meters for placing the strings, which was then followed by the final pulling and positioning of the platform at +11.00 meters.

Thor consists of 475 strings and 943 colored discs-196 orange, 493 red and 254 blue-and the total length of the strings is 3190.24 meters long each ranging from 586cm to 736cm. It weighs 67kgs with approximate dimensions of 4m x 4m x 8m.

Thor was opened on December 10 th, 2007. It is open to public and can be visited on weekdays between 0830 and 1800.

Designers and Producers:
Refik Burak Atatur Product Designer
Gokhan Kinayoglu Architect