Fred Lynn Blob Tectonics

Digital design has led to a revolution in the type of shapes that can be created. Fred Lynn addresses the creation of the Blob. A figure type that prior to digital design and computers to help create structure would have been impossible.

Prior to digital design architects were constricted to an unfortunately few number of shapes and forms. Relying on the Cartesian grid structure and the use of drawing techniques where crazy forms were hard to draw and copy, architecture relied on simple shapes placed together in a complex manner.

The blob changes all this. The blob is a monolithic structure that has a complexity that is much greater then what was producible 15 years ago. It is not always a stable object and doesn't rely on a single point for its support system. Lynn suggests that the blob is like the blobs seen in class B Hollywood horror movies. They become objects without boundaries and control and seem to take over neighboring objects and use the for support. Surrounding objects are critical to giving the blob definition. The strange forms of a blob may feel out of place if left to float alone without surrounding context.

Mr. Lynn also notes that the blob is fairly easy to design in comparison to its construction. Construction of a blob is a fairly new and delicate science, which needs to be individualized every single time. The blobs strange shape take dramatic lengths to make stand up.

Shoei Yoh of Japan has recently run test on structure of blobs to make these strange and expressive objects a reality. His test have worked to simplify and find ways to make blobs more common.

The design and construction of blobs remain a new and exciting architectural field of architecture. Fred Lynn should be commended for shining a light on these new and futuristic designs.