PART OF THE NETWORK

Asymptote Architecture (New York)

Hani Rashid, Lise Anne Couture

Asymptote, Hani Rashid and partner Lise Anne Couture's design, architecture and research practice based in New York, has produced a number of key works in recent years that involve the use of digital tools and technologies in their conception and outcome. Amongst the most important is the 3DTF, a virtual reality trading floor designed for the New York Stock Exchange. This project is the first large scale VR environment commission and used for business purposes. Another project of equal importance is the Guggenheim Virtual Museum, a project commissioned by the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum to incorporate and house their digital and Internet related art collections. The project exists solely on the Internet as a "digitally" accessible museum that uses architecture and other spatial paradigms as its basis for design and experience. Representing the United States at the 2000 Venice Biennale in Architecture, Hani Rashid exhibited four installation pieces each exploring digital technologies and their interface with the built environments, resulting in hybrid works that are at once art, technology and architecture. Most recently Asymptote has completed the construction of HydraPier, a permanent building housing technology and art in Holland near Schipol airport and a new line of office furniture for Knoll International.

www.asymptote.net