key for human survival, as it urges human beings to join the rational and the spiritual worlds, as the only dimension for the naturalization of their culture.

1.2 Carlos Galarza Sculpture and Pottery Workshop and Shapes Laboratory
The sculpture workshop of the College of Architecture is the context of invention. Over there, on the basis of various experiments of modeling, the concepts about the organization of mater-energy in space are becoming interiorized. They are inspired in Nature which is an endless source of efficient patterns and principles, which, beyond time, determine the direction of the evolution of our culture. Creative modeling, by testing various materials, is a strategy used to explore synergy, tensegrity, trim tab and dimaxion principles. These significant concepts to develop a technological perception which idealizes a clear vision of an harmonious combination of culture and nature.

1.3 Interdisciplinary Perception and Morphology
On the basis of the above mentioned context, our concept of efficiency becomes richer due to interdisciplinary perceptions, which allow us to join fields intimately related for the development of a sustainable culture. One of the achievements that we have fulfilled as a “Morphology” Workshop is our contribution consisting of a Matrix for Shape Systematization, which allows an holistic articulation of Nature, Science, Art, Structures and Light-weight Mechanisms.

1.4 Energy Efficiency by means of a Laminar Modelator
The first approach to invention consisted essentially of the study and understanding of natural shapes. Efficiency was found within Archimedean polyedric configurations which was expressed in an integral dynamic tension of minimal effort in order to achieve an optimal structuration. For some time, uncertainty generated a change in the way of thinking, which broke conventional academic paradigms, to establish an order in laminar materials without producing further waste of energy and material.

In this way a new system was born, which due to its remarkable flexibility characteristics is called Morflex.

2. MORFLEX / Active Morphostructural System

2.1 Definition and Structural Morphogenesis
MORFLEX or Flexible Morphology is, basically, an Active Morphostructural System. It consists of the articulation of assembled elements, arranged in order to form two groups which have a tensionally opposed location and function, in such a way that they act complementarily in the structuration of an object. This disposition generates a dialectic tracto-compressive balance which gives the system a high, efficient morphostructural stability, without needing a conventional, internal structure.

The joint articulation of both groups is achieved by means of an assembling with adjustable passing connectors which vary according to scale, proportion and usefulness of the object to be designed. This will depend on the problem and on the technological context, since, from the very beginning, the ideal was to develop the complexity of the connectors from bolts to pneumatic, hydraulic, motorized and robotized mechanisms.

The elements which compose the system may be variable according to the characteristics needed when structuring. It will depend on the function and scale of Morflex, as a Laminar Structural System, where the plates, membranes, among others, generate flexion, compression, and traction efforts and strengths, or as a Compound Structural System where the laminar components of the former are transformed into cables, profiles, connectors, among others, torsion, compression, flexion and traction strengths and efforts prevailing. Both systems are based on an integral dynamic tension.

The Morflex version that we have developed most is the structural laminar one, since besides its easiness of application, it presents an evidence of being a minimal surface system, which works with the maximal performance of materials (active potential energy), having as a principle the laminar tensegrity or opposing complementability (concave – convex).

3. Achievements and future perspective of Morflex / Active Morphostructural System.

Morflex was born to make educational models, but in it we found a potentially efficient system with a diversity of uses, materials, shapes, scales, and social, spatial dimensions and future applications to be discovered.

3.1 Formal Adaptability.
As a tridimensional analogical modeler, Morflex involves the wide spectrum of the development of morphological configurations which go from polyhedral, bifurcated, simply curved, double curved, synclastic and anticlastic, up to double compound curves, as well as the ones derived from topologic patterns such as the bull, the Moebius band and the Klein bottle.

3.2 Functional Adaptability.
Designing by giving preference to shape and structure as integrated components is speaking about morphostructure. This will be the premise for the future mechanisms and structural systems, since it has the energy efficiency principle.

Morflex responds to this paradigm, adapting itself according to scales and materials to a diversity of applications within which educational modules, tridimensional puzzles, dressing accesories, lamps, furniture, scenographies, sculptures and urban light facilities, etc. stand out. It finally derives into architecture and engineering as Laminar and Compound Structural Systems.

3.3 Architecture, engineering and material adaptability.
In the field of architecture and engineering, as a laminar, structural system, we have been producing the following articles: column prototypes, vertical membranes, domes, using various materials such as cardboard, plastic, aluminum and, at present, plates woven with bamboo profiles.

3.4 Specialized and Academic Environments.
In the academic field, thanks to the support of our university, Morflex has managed to be present in specialized research environments; such as Venezuela (2005), Germany (2005), Spain (2005), The Netherlands (2006) and Italy (2007).

3.5 Material Nanotechnological Perspective.
Morflex gives evidence of the energy efficiency explored, beginning with the manipulation of the potential energy of all materials as “integral dynamic tension.” This is an inherent principle of the emerging technologies of the nanodimensional perception, which is the basis for the future invention of new materials.

We know that in the near future, which is a reflection of a society that is beginning to be idealized within a sustainable vision, it will be possible to manufacture morflex plates with a resistance higher than any conventional plates; the key manipulation is in the tracto-compressive molecular order, which is the essential principle that achieves the energetic efficiency of morflex, getting closer to the future of active morphostructures and materials, as a dynamics proper of nature.

3.6 Future Sustainable Development with Morflex – Bamboo, From our ancient Culture.
Inspired in our ancient architecture and the present knowledge of handicraft weaving with vegetable fibers in our country, we have been developing morflex with bamboo woven plates. Bamboo is a natural resource, present in our country and in most of the world. This project will be applied integrally in natural disaster and high risk zones, where planting, harvesting, handcrafting and industrial manufacturing, building, using and recycling, will integrate a sustainable housing and emergency system for the greatest populations of the world who live in extreme poverty.

Besides, the project proposes the possibility of increasingly replacing some applications of wood which causes depredation of natural forests which are so necessary for the evolutionary continuity of our planet.

We consider that this project will be the technological complement for creating other alternatives of architectural specialization like exhibit pavilions and climate regulation membranes, etc.

3.7 Feasibility of developing the Project.
The conditions in which we have been developing our research and prototypes are limited, as well as our economic possibilities. However, it is worthwhile noticing that thanks to those limitations, Morflex, like a creative entity, was born. This is why our studies, persistence and efforts continue.

Our ideal is to develop every possible application in order to raise to a maximum the performance of the Morflex system: from an accessory to an exhibition pavilion, from handicrafts to digital manufacturing, from a carbon fiber plate to a plate woven with bamboo fibers or a nanomorflex plate for space industry.

Another aim is to make out of Morflex a paradigm which may motivate and lead to the study and development of new light-weight systems and mechanisms with simple capacities, but with high potential and efficiency like those of Morflex. Regarding financing, initially we started to see the possibilities of self-financing as a small company. But our ideal is to make Morflex into a transcendental project which may involve higher levels, beginning with the academic entities (universities, technological research institutes) government agencies, to make the system into an integral project which may give solutions to great human needs in the most efficient, sustainable manner, serving besides as a bridge between the development of mankind and the harmonious coexistence with the natural world.