{"id":18198,"date":"2025-02-25T15:07:07","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T20:07:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/?p=18198"},"modified":"2025-10-27T19:51:24","modified_gmt":"2025-10-28T00:51:24","slug":"tilt-lab-sponsors-washington-university-design-studio-exploring-the-architectural-potential-of-tilt-up-concrete","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tilt-up.org\/tilt-uptoday\/2025\/02\/25\/tilt-lab-sponsors-washington-university-design-studio-exploring-the-architectural-potential-of-tilt-up-concrete\/","title":{"rendered":"Tilt Lab Sponsors Washington University Design Studio Exploring the Architectural Potential of Tilt-Up Concrete"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Tilt Lab, the philanthropic partner of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA), is deepening its commitment to innovation in tilt-up concrete construction through its sponsorship of the Tilt-Up Concrete Option Studio SP25 at Washington University in St. Louis. The studio, led by Assistant Professor Pablo Moyano Fern\u00e1ndez, is designed to inspire and challenge architecture students to explore the architectural, environmental, and structural potential of tilt-up concrete technology. The studio\u2019s work will culminate in an exhibition at the 2025 Tilt-Up Convention and Expo in Nashville, Tennessee. This studio presents an excellent opportunity for students to explore creative and practical applications of tilt-up construction while addressing real-world challenges. \u201cThe construction industry in the United States has long relied on materials that are not designed for long-term durability and are typically inadequate to withstand extreme weather conditions,\u201d emphasizes Pablo Moyano Fern\u00e1ndez. \u201cTilt-up concrete provides a more durable and robust alternative for constructing buildings enclosures with minimal maintenance.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Industry-Backed Educational Partnership<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tilt Lab\u2019s sponsorship extends beyond financial support, with its board members Jeffrey Brown (founding principal\/CEO of Powers Brown Architecture and president of Tilt Lab) and David Tomasula (director of design integration for Alberici Constructors Inc.) actively participating in student design reviews. Additionally, Mitch Bloomquist, executive director of Tilt Lab and an alumnus of Washington University, will play a hands-on role in the studio. Having earned his master of architecture from Washington University in 2008, Bloomquist brings both professional expertise and a personal connection to the campus. His participation in desk critiques and reviews ensures that students benefit from his deep understanding of tilt-up construction and its broader architectural potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis partnership underscores Tilt Lab\u2019s commitment to fostering a new generation of architects who can push the boundaries of what tilt-up construction can achieve,\u201d says Bloomquist. \u201cAs a Washington University graduate, I\u2019m thrilled to contribute to a program that blends rigorous design exploration with real-world construction methodologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studio Objectives: Resilience, Innovation, and Craftsmanship<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set in Tornado Alley, the studio focuses on the design of a small building in rural Missouri, where tornadic winds can exceed 250 mph. Students are challenged to explore tilt-up concrete as a means to create resilient, visually compelling enclosures that balance protection with environmental interaction. Through hands-on experimentation and critical design thinking, the studio explores the boundaries of tilt-up construction methodologies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Model making is central to the studio\u2019s process. Students will begin with facade studies to explore how tilt-up techniques can address architectural themes while pushing their creative potential. The studio consists of three interconnected assignments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n