Barkow Leibinger’s Amazing ‘Loom-Hyperbolic’ Art Installation is Made from Local, Natural Materials

When <a title="Barkow Leibinger Creates Striking Geometrical Installation in Marrakech Using Local Craft Techniques" href="http://www.barkowleibinger.com/" target="_blank">Barkow Leibinger Architects</a> were commissioned to design an art installation for the <a title="Barkow Leibinger Creates Striking Geometrical Installation in Marrakech Using Local Craft Techniques" href="http://www.marrakechbiennale.org/" target="_blank">2012 Marrakech Biennale</a>, they looked to local traditional crafts for inspiration. Inspired by the archaic yet inventive technique of weaving with a loom, the Berlin-based architects designed a striking geometric piece dubbed "Loom-Hyperbolic" that consists of 3-D volumes woven using only natural, local materials. Located next to the ruins of Mosque Koutoubia, the large-scale installation grows following the pattern of ancient broken columns that still remain on site.

"Loom-Hyperbolic" is a site-specific architectural installation that was designed by foreign architects but inspired by local craftsmanship. 

Created using algorithm-based software programs like Grasshopper and <a title="Barkow Leibinger Creates Striking Geometrical Installation in Marrakech Using Local Craft Techniques" href="http://www.rhino3d.com/" target="_blank">Rhino</a>, the geometric installation is made from structural frames that form 2 dimensional surfaces into 3 dimensional volumes.

The frames are made from locally sourced hand-peeled pine poles. Cotton yarn is stretched over these structures to create a gigantic <a title="Barkow Leibinger Creates Striking Geometrical Installation in Marrakech Using Local Craft Techniques" href="http://inhabitat.com/alvisilkchair-is-an-eco-chair-inspired-by-traditional-looms/" target="_blank">loom</a> comprised of thousands of lines.

Held in place by steel plates and tubes fixed to the grown by heavy local stones, these transparent tent-like structures create a hypnotic visual effect as one walks amidst them.

 Barkow Leibinger's striking installation will be on display until the 3rd of June at the ruins of the <a title="Barkow Leibinger Creates Striking Geometrical Installation in Marrakech Using Local Craft Techniques" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koutoubia_Mosque" target="_blank">Koutoubia Mosque</a>.

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