Prof. Dr. Karola Dierichs

Architectural Design

Computational Design

Designing Matter

Articles in Edited Volumes

Bonavia, E., Dierichs, K. 2022. »Augmented Spinning.« In The Architectures of Weaving. From Fibers and Yarns to Scaffolds and Skins, edited by Sauer, C., Stoll, M., Fransén Waldhör, E., Schneider, M. Berlin: Jovis, 34-37.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2021. »Emergent enclosures: granular architectures.« In Digital Fabrication in Interior Design: Body, Object, Enclosure, edited by Anderson, J., Weinthal, L. New York: Routledge, 157-174.
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003025931

Dierichs, K., Penner, K. 2013. »Material geometry: developing architectural articulations of interiority based on geometry-inherent surface materiality.« Städelschule Architecture Class. In The Small Book of Interiority, edited by Bettum, J., Savov, A. 14-17.

Articles

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2021. »Designing architectural materials: from granular form to functional granular material.« Bioinspiration & Biomimetics, 16 (6): 065010.
https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/ac2987

Dierichs, K., Kyjánek, O., Loučka, M., Menges, A. 2019. »Construction robotics for designed granular materials: in situ construction with designed granular materials at full architectural scale using a cable-driven parallel robot.« Construction Robotics, 3 (1-4): 41-52.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s41693-019-00024-6

Barés, J., Zhao, Y., Renouf, M., Dierichs, K., Behringer, R. 2017. »Structure of hexapod 3D packings: understanding the global stability from the local organization.« EPJ Web of Conferences, 140: 06021.
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714006021

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2017. »Granular construction: designed particles for macro-scale architectural structures.« Architectural Design, 87 (4): 88-93.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.2200

Zhao, Y., Ding, J., Barés, J., Zheng, H., Dierichs, K., Menges, A., Behringer, R. 2017. »Vibrational collapse of hexapod packings.« EPJ Web of Conferences, 140: 06011.
https://doi.org/10.1051/epjconf/201714006011

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2016. »Towards an aggregate architecture: designed granular systems as programmable matter in architecture.« Granular Matter, 18 (2)
https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-016-0631-3

Zhao, Y., Liu, K., Zheng, M., Barés, J., Dierichs, K., Menges, A., Behringer, R. P. 2016. »Packings of 3D stars: stability and structure.« Granular Matter, 18 (2)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10035-016-0606-4

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2015. »Granular morphologies: programming material behaviour with designed aggregates.« Architectural Design, 85 (5): 86-91.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1959

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2012. »Aggregate structures: Material and Machine Computation of Designed Granular Substances.« Architectural Design, 82 (2): 74-81.
https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1382

Conference Proceedings

Koleva, D., Özdemir, E., Tsiokou, V., Dierichs, K. 2022. »Designing Matter: autonomously shape-changing granular materials in architecture.« Realignments: Toward Critical Computation. Proceedings of the 41th Annual Conference of the Association of Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), ed. Dörfler, K.; Parascho, S.; Scott, J.; Bogosian, B.; Farahi, B.; García del Castillo y López, J. L.; Grant, J.; Noel, V. Presented at ACADIA, 5 November 2021.

Dierichs, K., Wood, D., Correa, D., Menges, A. 2017. »Smart granular materials.« Disciplines & Disruption: Proceedings of the 37th Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), Cambridge, MA 2-4 November, 2017. 222-231.

Rusenova, G., Dierichs, K., Baharlou, E., Menges, A. 2016. »Feedback- and data-driven design for aggregate architectures: analyses of data collections for physical and numerical prototypes of designed granular materials.« In Posthuman Frontiers: Data, Designers, and Cognitive Machines, Proceedings of the 36th Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), Ann Arbor. 62-72.

Angelova, D., Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2015. »Graded light in aggregate structures: modelling the daylight in designed granular systems using online controlled robotic processes.« Real Time: Proceedings of the 33rd eCAADe Conference, ed. Martens, B., Wurzer, G., Grasl, T., Lorenz, W. E., Schaffranek, R. 399-406.

Dierichs, K., Angelova, D., Menges, A. 2015. »Modelling aggregate behaviour.« Presented at the Design Modelling Symposium, Centre for Information Technology and Architecture, Copenhagen, 01.10.2015. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 5.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-24208-8_1

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2015. »Non-convex designed aggregates as architectural material systems.« Proceedings of the Particle Simulations Conference, ed. Pöschel, T., Mueller, P., Scholz, C. 96-97.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2015. »Simulation of aggregate structures in architecture: distinct-element modeling of synthetic non-convex granulates.« Advances in Architectural Geometry 2014, ed. Block, P., Knippers, J., Mitra, N., Wang, W. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 1-13.

Topic, N., Pöschel, T., Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2015. »Packings of complex shaped particles in cylinders.« Proceedings of the Particle Simulations Conference, ed. Pöschel, T., Mueller, P.. Scholz, C. 53-54.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2013. »Aggregate architecture: simulation models for synthetic non-convex granulates.« In Adaptive Architecture, Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA) Waterloo/Buffalo/Nottingham. 301-310.

Dierichs, K., Schwinn, T., Menges, A. 2013. »Robotic pouring of aggregate structures: responsive motion planning strategies for online robot control of granular pouring processes with synthetic macro-scale particles.« Vienna: Springer, 196-205.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-7091-1465-0_23

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2012. »Aggregate architectures: observing and designing with changeable material systems in architecture.« Change, Architecture, Education, Practices: Proceedings of the International ACSA Conference, ed. Costa, X., Thorne, M. 463–468.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2012. »Functionally graded aggregate structures: digital additive manufacturing with designed granulates.« In Synthetic Digital Ecologies, Proceedings of the 32nd Annual Conference of the Association for Computer Aided Design in Architecture (ACADIA), San Francisco. 295-304.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2012. »Material and machine computation of designed granular matter: rigid-body dynamics simulations as a design tool for robotically-poured aggregate structures consisting of polygonal concave particles.« Digital Physicality – Proceedings of the 30th eCAADe Conference – Volume 2, ed. Achten, H., Pavlicek, J., Hulin, J., Matejdan, D. 711-719.
http://papers.cumincad.org/cgi-bin/works/Show?ecaade2012_60

Dierichs, K., Fleissner, F., Menges, A. 2011. »Interrelation of experiment and simulation in the development of aggregate architectures.« Proceedings of the International Symposion on Algorithmic Design for Architecture and Urban Design (ALGODE).

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2011. »Material und machine computation als Grundlage experimenteller Ästhetik in der Aggregat Architektur.« Kongress-Akten des VIII. Kongress der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Ästhetik 2011, Band 2: Experimentelle Ästhetik, ed. Schwarte, L.
http://www.dgae.de/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Dierichs.pdf

Krieg, O., Dierichs, K., Reichert, S., Schwinn, T., Menges, A. 2011. »Performative architectural morphology finger-Joined plate structures integrating robotic manufacturing, biological principles and location-specific requirements.« Berlin/Heidelberg: Springer, 259-266.
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-23435-4_29

Krieg, O. D., Dierichs, K., Reichert, S., Schwinn, T., Menges, A. 2011. »Performative architectural morphology: robotically manufactured biomimetic finger-joined plate structures.« Respecting Fragile Places, 29th eCAADe Conference Proceedings. eCAADe Conference, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Architecture (Slovenia), 21-24 September 2011. 573-580.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2010. »Material computation in architectural aggregate systems.« In Formation: On Responsive Information and Variations in Architecture, Proceedings of the 30th Conference of the Association For Computer Aided Design In Architecture (ACADIA), New York City. 372-78.

Dierichs, K., Menges, A. 2010. »Natural aggregation processes as models for architectural material systems.« Presented at Design & Nature V: Comparing Design in Nature with Science and Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, 28.06.2010. WIT Press, 17.
https://doi.org/10.2495/DN100031

Others

Dierichs, K. 2020. Granular Architectures: Granular Materials as »Designer Matter« in Architecture. Research Reports Institute for Computational Design and Construction, 2, University of Stuttgart.
https://doi.org/10.18419/opus-10765

Architectural Projects

Dierichs, Karola, Menges, Achim. 2022. ICD Aggregate Column 2017. Hello, Robot. Design zwischen Mensch und Maschine. Architectural Project. Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein, Germany; MAK – Austrian Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art, Vienna, Austria; Design Museum Gent, Ghent, Belgium, Vitra Design Museum, Weil am Rhein. 24 September 2022 - 5 March 2023.
https://www.design-museum.de/de/ausstellungen/detailseiten/hello-robot.html

Dierichs, K., Menges, A., Arias, C., Al Bahar, B., Bonavia, E., Forestiero, F., Giachini, P., Katz, S., Mballa-Ekobena, A., Yunis, L., Zindroski, J. 2018. ICD Aggregate Pavilion 2018. Architectural Project. Cable Robotics – Ondrej Kyjanek, Martin Loucka, Manufacturing – Wilhelm Weber GmbH & Co. KG. Funded by GETTYLAB and ITASCA Consulting Inc. Since 1 January 2018, Hybrid.
https://www.icd.uni-stuttgart.de/projects/icd-aggregate-pavilion-2018/

Exhibitions

Büsse, M. (curator), de Visscher, E. (curator), Dean, M., Dierichs, D., Eder, M., Eigen, L., Guiducci, L., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Jalkh, H., Kycia, A., Mareis, C., Nyakatura, J. A., Rasehorn, F., Rešetar, I., Ribault, P., Sauer, C., Sauer, I., Schneider, M., Stock, R., Shone, J., Wenig, C. Design Lab #13. Material Legacies. Exhibition. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Museum of Decorative Arts. Kunstgewerbemuseum. Funded by Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity« and Prussian Cultural Heritage Board of Trustees. 3 November 2022 - 26 February 2023.
https://www.smb.museum/en/museums-institutions/kunstgewerbemuseum/exhibitions/detail/design-lab-13/
Highlighted by TAZ, 15.11.2022.

Douny, L. (curator), Krauthausen, K. (curator), Sattler, F. (curator), Thindi, T. (film installation). DAOULA | sheen. West African Wild Silk on Its Way. Exhibition. In cooperation with Séré, A., Sawadogo, S., Dayo, L., Dayo, H., Fofana, A., Sakira, S., Dao, D., Sanogo, B., Séré, M., Konate, A., Ilboudo, M. in Burkina Faso and Bonavia, E., Buch, S., Dierichs, K., Eder, M., Farmer, J., Hathroubi, S., Hengge, R., Hernández Lobato, J. I., Illing-Günther, H., Hassoune, S., Mählmann, J., Panzer, M. M., Rešetar, I., Rosenthal, N., Santos Thomas, C., Sauer, C., Sermonet, J., Shone, J., Schneider, M., Strauß, W. in Germany. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Tieranatomisches Theater. 17 November 2022 - 29 April 2023.
https://tieranatomisches-theater.de/project/ausstellung-ab-17-november-2022daoula-sheenwest-african-wild-silk-on-its-way/

Patents

Dierichs, K., Menges, A., Schwinn, T. 2012. Herstellung Architektonischer Strukturen aus Aggregaten Konkaver Gebilde. DE102012100334A1 filed on 16 January 2012.

Dierichs, K. 2008. Method for producing a shaped body. Verfahren zum Herstellen eines Formkörpers. DE102008049408B4 issued on 14 April 2011.

Talks & Presentations

Bonavia, Elaine, Farmer, Jessica, Douny, Laurence, Krauthausen, Karin, Sattler, Felix, Dierichs, Karola. Weaving with the Data Glove - From the Cocoon into the Computer and Back Again. DAOULA | sheen. West African Wild Silk on Its Way, Tieranatomisches Theater (Veterinary Anatomy Theater), Berlin. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Tieranatomisches Theater, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 16 February 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/10084/weaving-with-the-data-glove-from-the-cocoon-into-the-computer-and-back-again

Dierichs, Karola Designing Matter: Teaching Research and Research Through Teaching. Talk at the See -- Ander(e)s Sehen, weißensee school of art and design berlin, Berlin. 17 May 2023.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/11050/see-anders-e-s-sehen

Dierichs, K. Self-folding Particles as Architectural Construction Materials. Panel Presentation at the INCOSE NWSG International Workshop 2022, Folding in Natural Systems and Design, International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), San Diego. Virtual. 29 January 2022.

Dierichs, K. Shape-changing Particles in Designed Granular Materials. Talk at the CurvoBio 2022 Workshop, Harnack House, Berlin. 26 August 2022.
https://www.curvobio.com/upcomming-events

Bonavia, E., Mballa-Ekobena, A., Farmer, J., Douny, L., Rosenthal, N., Stoll, M., Wenig, C., Dierichs, K. Augmented Spinning: Haptic Construction of a Filament-based Architectural Material System. Talk at the 25th Annual DRHA Conference »Digital Matters: Designing/Performing Agency for the Anthropocene«, Scene, Atmosphere & Architecture. Heilig-Geist-Kapelle, Berlin. Organized by the Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity. Image Space Material«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, in cooperation with the Cluster of Excellence EXC 2020 »Temporal Communities: Doing Literature in a Global Perspective«, Freie Universität Berlin, and the practice-based research project »Viral Theatres«. Hybrid. 5 September 2021.
https://www.drha.uk/2021/program-2/#h.hsg54n4r2ivu

Dierichs, K. Designing Matter: Granular Architectures. Lecture at the »hallo biologie # 1«, CyPhyLab Lecture Series, CyPhyLab, Technische Universität Berlin. Virtual. 9 June 2021.
https://www.architektur.tu-berlin.de/fileadmin/i41/Aktuelles/SoSe2021_FG_Werner_hallo_biologie_v4.pdf

Dierichs, K. Programming Matter: Designed Granular Materials for Architectural Construction. Erlangen. 18 September 2019.
http://www.mss.cbi.fau.de/content/uploads/msssem_129_Dierichs-1.pdf

Invited Moderation/ Comment

Clark, N., Weaver, J. C., Dierichs, K., Perraudin, L. Earthly Matter. Deep Material Futures Exploring the Different Temporalities of Active Matter, silent green Kulturquartier, Berlin. Hybrid. 16 November 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9051/deep-material-futures

Cubasch, A., Petruschat, J., Eigen, L., Rasehorn, F., Nyakatura, J. A., Dierichs, K. Tessellated Material Systems. Material Legacies, Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin. 8 December 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/9518/round-table-tesselated-material-systems

Events & Workshops

Dierichs, K. (organizer), Lindenberg, K. (lecturer) MoA Colloquium 2: Methods of Computational Design in the Context of Materialization. weißensee school of art and design berlin. Hybrid. 8 February 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/7404/methods-of-computational-design-in-the-context-of-materialization

Lienhard, J. (lecturer), Dierichs, K. (organizer) MoA Colloquium 3: Multiple Equilibria. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Hybrid. 10 June 2022.

Menges, A. (lecturer), Dierichs, K., Ott, C. (organizers). Talking Matters: Computational Material Culture in Architecture. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 12 July 2022.

Dierichs, K. (organizer), Knippers, J. (lecturer) MoA Colloquium 1: Integrative Computational Design for Architecture. weißensee school of art and design berlin. Hybrid. 1 July 2021.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/5881/integrative-computational-design-for-architecture

Dörfler, K., Rust, R. (lecturers), Dierichs, K., Ott, C. (organizers). Talking Matters: Human-in-the-Loop – How Human-Machine Collaboration Could Shape the Future of Digital Design and Fabrication. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Virtual. 18 May 2021.

Stock, R., Dierichs, K., Bonavia, E., Zachow, S., Rodriguez, L., Le Calvé, M., Gholami, M. F., Kim, Y. Workshop »Sounding Invisible Boundaries. Experiments in Haptic Thinking«. Cluster of Excellence »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Hybrid. 2 June 2021.

Teaching & Courses

Dierichs, K., Wegener, F. MoA Graduate School Workshop: Matter - Research Modules for the Creation, Cognition and Perception of Matter through Design, Materials Science and Cultural Science. Workshop, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. 6 February 2023 - 10 February 2023.

Dierichs, K., Eder, M., Schilling, A. Syntopic Architectures 1 - The Forest. Course within the Master’s Program “Open Design”, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin. 20 June 2022 - 29 June 2022.

Dierichs, K., Eder, M., Schäffner, W. BUA Next Grand Challenge. Scientific coaching for young persons., Humboldt Labor, Humboldt Forum, Berlin. 1 October 2022.

Dierichs, K., Farmer, J., Eder, M., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Jalkh, H., Lienhard, J., Liu, D., Margariti, J., Schilling, A. Minimal Machines 2 - Hygroscopic Hemp. MoA Design Research Studio, weißensee school of art and design berlin. 4 April 2022 - 8 July 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/11038/minimal-machines-2

Dierichs, K., Bonavia, E., Douny, L., Eder, M., Farmer, J., Rosenthal, N., Stoll, M., Wenig, C. Minimal Machines 1 - Augmented Spinning. MoA Design Research Studio, weißensee school of art and design berlin. 6 April 2021 - 13 July 2021.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/posts/7360

Dierichs, K., Eder, M., Stoll, M., Fratzl, P., Wegener, F. MoA Graduate School Workshop: Teaching Modules for Materials Science, Design and Cultural Science. Workshop, Doctoral Program »Matters of Activity«, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin. 29 November 2021 - 10 December 2021.

Dierichs, K., Farmer, J., Rasehorn, F., Stoll, M., Bonavia, E., Dean, M., Eder, M., Hehemeyer-Cürten, J., Wenig, C., Yang, B., Nyakatura, J. A. Designing Matter 2 - From Tile to Tesselation. Seminar, MoA Design Research Studio, weißensee school of art and design berlin, HU Berlin, MPI of Colloids and Interfaces. 18 October 2021 - 15 February 2022.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/7442/designing-matter-2-from-tile-to-tesselation

Dierichs, K., Farmer, J., Bonavia, E., Mballa-Ekobena, A., Douny, L., Eder, M., Rosenthal, N., Stoll, M. Designing Matter 1 - From Filament to Fabric. MoA Design Research Studio, weißensee school of art and design berlin. 5 October 2020 - 26 March 2021.
https://www.matters-of-activity.de/en/activities/3454/designing-matter-1-from-filament-to-fabric

Dierichs, K., Sauer, C., Eder, M., Guiducci, L., Razghandi, K., Fransén Waldhör, E., Schneider, M., Stoll, M. Scaling Nature (3) - Growth. MoA Design Research Studio, weißensee school of art and design berlin. 14 April 2020 - 17 July 2020.
https://www.kh-berlin.de/projekt-detail/Project/detail/scaling-nature-3-growth-i-moa-design-research-studio-3216.html

External Grants, Fellowships, Scholarships & Residencies

Hochschule für Nachhaltige Entwicklung Eberswalde, Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Landeskompetenzzentrum Forst Eberswalde, Max-Planck-Institut für Kolloid- und Grenzflächenforschung, Fraunhofer-Institut für Fabrikbetrieb- und automatisierung 2023. ADAPTives Waldressourcen-Management für eine zukunftsfähige Holzwirtschaft in der Region Brandenburg – Berlin (ADAPT-Wald-Holz). BMBF, Project funding.

Dierichs, K., Rusenova, G. 2020. Programme for Project-Related Personal Exchange (PPP). DAAD, Academic Exchange.

Dierichs, K. 2020. Terra Incognita, University of Stuttgart. DFG, Project funding.
https://www.icd.uni-stuttgart.de/research/research-projects/autonomous-granular-materials-in-architecture-agma/

Hosting of Guest Researchers at the Cluster

Skoury, L., Rosenthal, N., Dean, M., Eder, M., Dierichs, K. Agent-based frameworks for fibrous and tessellated material systems. Hosting Lior Skoury. from Institute for Computational Design and Construction, University of Stuttgart. 1 June 2022 - 31 August 2022.

Review Activities & Expertises

Dierichs, K. Since 2018. Robots in Architecture Art and Design Conference, Zurich, CH. Member of Papers Committee.

Dierichs, K. 2015 - 2016. Guest Reviewer. Granular Matter, Springer Nature, Special Edition Jamming-based Aleatory Architectures.
https://link.springer.com/journal/10035/topicalCollection/AC_6cbb887e279bd57be290539c086c5430

Memberships

Dierichs, K. Since 2022. DiGiTal. Member of Scientific Comittee.
https://www.tu.berlin/gleichstellung/digital/ueber-digital/organisationsstruktur

Press Articles

Herwig, O. 2022. »Karola Dierichs: Architektin, Forscherin, Hochschullehrerin.« MD Interior I Design I Architecture, 27 September 2022.
https://www.md-mag.com/menschen/architekten/karola-dierichs/