Hyperbolic Musicaloid (MEDS Gyumri Edition)

Workshop woodworking hyperbolic paraboloid architecture pavilion wood Design Workshop Music Instrument Music Pavillion

Project for MEDS Workshop 2023

In Gyumri, Armenia

Tutors and Authors:

Mo Abdelbary (Egypt)
Mykyta Lytvynenko (Ukraine)

Participants and Co-Authors:

Francesco Puglia (Italy)

Nura Conti (Italy)

Dimitra Vlassaki (Greece)

Julia Ciężar (Poland)

Michał Rychlewski (Poland)

Leoni Lichtblau (Germany)

Nara Asbah (Palestine)

Yara Sbehat (Palestine)

Iva Džaja (Croatia)

Donal McLarnon (Ireland)

Andrea Sisamón Trasobares (Spain)

Sara Navarro (Spain)

Nana Melik-Pashayan (Armenia)

Sude Vural (Turkey)

The Hyperbolic Musicaloid project was conceived with the aim of integrating music, a shared passion and hobby of both tutors, into the MEDS community.

The project's concept revolved around blending design and construction with music. We aimed to grant participants the freedom of self-expression, enabling them to improvise during the workflow.

The project comprises three components: crafting DIY musical instruments, acquiring skills in music production, and designing and constructing a musical stage.

During the workshop, we, the tutors, endeavored to impart fundamental music knowledge, such as a sense of rhythm and the basics of harmony,

through warm-up music exercises.

In the Hyperbolic Musicaloid project, the music and construction parts intersected. The objective was to encourage every participant to engage in each of the activities, allowing them to gain and exchange various skills with one another.

All of this was meant to culminate in a final music performance on our stage. Our primary aim was to foster a close-knit team, akin to a real orchestra!

The stage design was not predetermined by the tutors in advance.

The sole requirement was to utilize the hyperbolic paraboloid shape, known for its remarkable combination of extreme lightness and strength.

Symbolically, our stage idea drew inspiration from two distinctive features of Armenia.

Firstly, we were inspired by the traditional Armenian church architecture, particularly their domes, which have been likened to "crystals growing out from the earth". We aimed to capture this essence in our stage design.

Furthermore, the intricate mesh of the hyperboloid intentionally paid homage to the traditional technique of carpet weaving, deeply rooted in Armenia and particularly prominent in Gyumri.

With this in mind, we initiated our quest for a design option that would harmonize with the project site and the context of Gyumri.

Participants spent the initial days searching for a suitable option and exploring the possibilities of creating a hyperbolic shape by making 1:10 scale models.

After the initial model testings, we visited the site to take measurements and sketch the final stage configuration.

After making the final design decision, we began prefabricating the stage elements in a 1:1 scale and conducted a test assembly in the workspace.

Following this, we disassembled the stage and proceeded to assemble it at the actual site.

While some of the participants were occupied with designing and constructing the structure, others were engaged in experimenting with creating musical instruments, composing music, and working on media production.

Every day, participants switched between the music and construction teams, ensuring that each person had the opportunity to be involved in both aspects of the project.

Drawing from the experience accumulated during the daily musical exercises, our team delivered a final performance on-site, right in front of our stage!