Prototyping as Method: TAKK, salazarsequeromedina, and Ensamble Studio
Architecture firms TAKK, salazarsequeromedina, and Ensamble Studio are prioritizing physical prototyping in their design processes. TAKK's 10K House project showcases the use of local, repurposed materials through manual model-making to investigate construction systems. The ARCA garden, created for Barcelona's MODEL festival, examines urban green spaces. salazarsequeromedina's Monumental Splash, designed for Concéntrico 2025, is a temporary public pool constructed with reused materials around Fuente de Espartero. For the Architectural League Prize 2025, Entramados Materiales utilized second-hand resources. Led by Débora Mesa, Ensamble Studio emphasizes learning through prototypes, as demonstrated by Concrete Tent, which merges physical modeling with digital analysis. In Madrid, Ensamble Factory explores prefabricated components, highlighting fabrication's influence on design.
Key facts
- TAKK, salazarsequeromedina, and Ensamble Studio integrate physical prototyping into their design processes.
- TAKK's 10K House uses standard MDF panels, local sheep's wool, and reused table legs.
- ARCA Portable Garden was developed for the MODEL festival in Barcelona to test portable green spaces.
- Monumental Splash for Concéntrico 2025 transformed Logroño's Fuente de Espartero into a temporary public pool.
- Entramados Materiales was exhibited at the Architectural League Prize 2025, using second-hand materials from Gowanus.
- Sobremesas was designed to be reconfigured after the XIII Bienal Iberoamericana de Arquitectura y Urbanismo in Lima.
- Ensamble Studio's Concrete Tent begins with a hand-molded physical model that generates geometry, later scanned into digital data.
- Ensamble Factory in Madrid serves as both a workspace and fabrication laboratory for prefabricated components.
Entities
Artists
- Mireia Luzárraga
- Débora Mesa
- Daniela Andino
- Elizabeth Añaños
- María Arquero
- Gary Leggett
- Luis Rodríguez
- Emilio Ontiveros
- José Luis Villanueva
- José Hevia
- Josema Cutillas
- Ivan Salinero
- Elizabeth Añanos
- Jose Luis Villanueva
Institutions
- TAKK
- salazarsequeromedina
- Ensamble Studio
- ArchDaily
- Architectural League
- Concéntrico
- Bienal Iberoamericana de Arquitectura y Urbanismo
- MODEL
- MODEL Architecture Festival
- Architectural League Prize
- XIII Ibero-American Biennial of Architecture and Urbanism
Locations
- Barcelona
- Spain
- Logroño
- Madrid
- Lima
- Peru
- Gowanus
- United States
- Fuente de Espartero
- Ensamble Factory