This minimal surface achieves a maximum efficiency of material, as it uses the least amount of concrete that is required to allow the structure to exist. I love that this elegant curving form is based on structural, rather than aesthetic, design considerations. This is typical of Musmeci’s work, as he derives structure from the forces acting within the material to achieve a pure form.
DeltaSync is a Dutch firm specializing in floating urbanism. Last spring, the interdisciplinary design consultancy completed a year-long feasibility studyfor the Seasteading Institute, exploring the possibility of building “the first floating city with political autonomy” by 2020. DeltaSync’s design uses foam and steel hexagon-shaped islands that can be joined together like Settlers of Catan tiles to form a variety of urban designs. If your seastead isn’t working out as you had planned, just move a few tiles. The DeltaSync proposal is most noteworthy for its in-depth, 100-plus page report exploring the practical issues, such as ideal community size, operating expenses and income generation, that need to be addressed for such a community to prosper.
