The Turtle Five with Paramodular at Aedes Network Campus Berlin, 2012

Birch Multiplex, OSB, Steel, Aluminum, 2.77m H x 7.80m L, 2012
Commissioned by Kristin Feireiss and Hans-Jürgen Commerell for the Aedes Network Campus Berlin

Stemming from Luis Berríos-Negrón's Turtle series, The Turtle Five is the first built work of the recently formed Berlin-based group, Paramodular. The Turtle Five serves as a shelving unit, stage, backdrop, sofa, and chair storage, creating a new reading, social, and presentation space for the Campus. As a shelving unit, it has both a static and a mobile module. The shelving geometry of the modules begins with the idea of configuring a recurring distribution of volumes based on the DIN-C paper envelop format. The intention of implementing this modular paper standard is for Aedes to house their collection of books, CDs, and other publications and objects. This implementation was driven by a parametric script that not only considered the proportionally divisible standard of the DIN format, but that also considered an anomaly in the form of the unique face dimension of the ongoing series of 182mmX175mm Aedes exhibition and event catalogues. The shelving units are ultimately organized by three ribbons that aim to provide its users the ability to catalogue and associate distinct subject matters.

The Turtle series was initiated and built in 2005 as Berríos-Negrón's master's thesis. What characterizes Turtle building is its nature as a curatorial infrastructure committed to the development and dissemination of knowledge. Initially conceived as war machines (Deleuze/Guattari), and further as critical vehicles (Wodiczko), the Turtles aspire to operate as interfaces for social and epistemological action.

Concept: Luis Berríos-Negrón
Design: Stephen Form and Miguel Prado-Sánchez
Project Manager: Miguel Prado-Sánchez
Fabrication: Miguel Prado-Sánchez, Luis Tomás-Gallardo, Luis Berríos-Negrón

With door / mobile shelf open for Vitra chair storage

Sofa / step stool turns into temporary stage for conferences

Corner sofa detail

DIN C format script variations

DIN C format script variation detailing the shelf to fit the Aedes 182mmX175mm exhibition catalogue series

Digital view