FRONT PAGE
CONTENTS
“Crumpled , f old e d , ro u n d ed s h ow - of f
“ wow” buildings will b e c o m e in cre a s in g ly c ommonplace — but t h ey ’ll n o lo n g e r b e desi gned by the s tars . T h e on ly t ru e s t a rs w i l l be the guy s who des ig n th e p a ram et ric softwar e.” Karrie Jaco b s
CA FO INNOV
SE OR VATION
CASE FOR INNOVATION: ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE
WAT E R CUBE, BE IJING The Water Cube, or Beijing National Aquatic Centre, it is an eye-catching Olympics architecture designed by Australia’s PTW Architects in 2008. $200 million was invested on this project to become China’s elegant and light-weight rectangular box that covered in iridescent bubble wrap. The design of this fabulous architecture associates water as a structural and thematic leitmotif that is important in Chinese mythology. The undefined cluster of foam bubbles in façade symbolizes a condition of nature that is transformed into a condition of culture. ETFE, Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, is the main material used in bubble construction in Water Cube. The 100,000 square meters of translucent EHFE allows the bubble cladding to receive much solar heat, therefore, it makes easier to warm the building. At night, bubbles are lighting by the futuristic LED inside that creates aesthetical feature in this architecture. Overall, the Water Cube is a symbolic architecture that provokes the hope to the limits and potential of parametric design and digital fabrication. This example proved that the complexity can exist within very simple designed form, the cuboid of the Water Cube; therefore, it will encourage us to approach easier to the complexity in design for Wyndham Gateway project. Consideration in materiality, especially ETFE, will also lead us to challenge to much complex, irregular and large-sized design.
SE ED C AT HEDRAL , SHANGHAI The Seed Cathedral was a project developed by Heatherwick Studio. It was a project that attempts to showcase the natural roots of the United Kingdom. Underlying the intension of this cathedral is to advertise the region. Since the region has been famous for collecting different trees and flowers’ seed. Therefore, Heatherwick Studio decided to use the seeds as an inspiration and basic idea for this project, so the outcome would integrate with the nature. Also, they decided to locate the seeds into the rod, so it may encourage people to come closer and look inside. This project showed that little ideas can develop into such a landmark of a region with the respect for the region’s originality. For Wyndham Project, we would be encouraged to use computational technique to develop our ideas (even if it is tiny idea) into something grandeur and extraordinary.
ONCE UPON A TIME... ‘Buildings, prior to the Renaissance, were constructed, not planned’ Before the period of Renaissance, most buildings were constructed by craftsmen without proper plans or design ideas. Only the well-trained and outstanding craftsmen were qualified to construct architectures. However, restrict rules and hierarchy among them existed by the pride provoked from training and specialization, therefore, they were slow in adapting new technologies.
CASE FOR INNOVATION: COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE
‘…architects ceased to be technicians…became designers’ Renaissance architects started to do design with scaled drawings which became the primary medium to communicate with builders. Moreover, it enabled designers to interpret their ideas and design approaches to their clients to help them understanding.
Parametric Modelling Ambitious architectural design has similarity that they often rely on contemporary computational technologies. Parametric design and freeform surface modelling tools enable the creation of complex geometries that challenge present construction methods. The effort of work and the process of geometry translating into shop drawings, producing construction elements and collecting them on site are multiplied by the numerous different parts and the element variations, therefore, complexity in construction goes up extremely high. To handle projects in parametric design, drawings and specs are supported and completed by CNC production code, parts labelling and other special strategies. To manage this various elements and minimization of the variation, documents are normally produced by parametric 3D models which are highly specialized BIM, Building Information Modelling.
BIM BIM (Building Information Modelling) software are invented and developed only for the people work in architecture and construction industry. BIM software has similarities to CAD software as it enables architects to produce 2D and 3D documentations such as plans and sections, however, BIM contains architectural information which CAD doesn’t. For example, when designers draw a wall in CAD, CAD does not categorize it as a wall (it categorizes it as a long rectangle closed by 4 lines), however, BIM can categorize it, therefore, it shortens the time for architects to produce documentations.
CASE FOR INNOVATION: COMPUTATION IN ARCHITECTURE
VORONOI PATTERN
A voronoi diagram is a special kind of decomposition of a metric space determined by distances to a specified discrete set of objects in the space.
Rhinoceros + Grasshopper Number of 3D modelling software and plug-ins such as Rhino and Grasshopper encourage designers to approach to parametric design. It enables to create much more complex, flexible and mathematical design.
Poreux: A Voronoi Skyscraper Poreux is a proposed project for Docklands waterfront in Melbourne. A voronoi pattern is used as the basis of the design concept as an attempt to evenly distribute density of programs and population vertically and horizontally, diffusing the hierarchical organization inherent in a city iron grid to encourage every network reaching its potential. This fabulous computation technique allows to design this beautiful and futuristic architecture.
CASE FOR INNOVATION: PARAMETRIC DESIGN
FLUX EXHIBITION The Flux Exhibition was a design exhibition organised and hosted by the students of California College of the Arts in 2009. The description of the exhibition was expressed as an exploration of contemporary architecture and design that forms a connection with new design strategies based in parametric modelling, digital material fabrication and scripting. An innovative exhibition has been designed in which advanced software and generative design methods create an engaging and beautiful structure upon which document briefs merge with the offset planes consisting of design works from professions like architects and designers. By utilizing the computational techniques and digital fabrication tools, this unique and spatial experience in Architecture was able to be constructed. For Wyndham project, the use of software, especially rhino and grasshopper scripting, will encourage us to design something looks more flexible and repetitive that would provide opportunities to architecture to give a sense of movement and also to provoke beautiful light effects.
GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION The image shown below is the final grasshopper definition that enabled designers to create these aesthetic but complex Flux Exhbition panel. It is fairly surprised that those connections of inputs and outputs actually visualise the shape of the exhibition panel. The complexity of using grasshopper would be the most tough obstacle to be overcome for the best Wyndham City project outcome
RESEARCH PROJECT
CUT
RESEARCH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP
Rotation definition for outputs enables the matrix to be spread or squeeze along XYZ vector axis. Most rotation defintion outcomes visualise the sense of movement.
Throughout numerous experiments with grasshopper function and CUT definitions, we were able to create matrix points in different figures and shapes such as matrix in sphere (below).
M AT R IX We were asked to generate numerous matrix with given CUT grasshopper definitions. There were three different categories: inputs, associations and outputs. By combining each definition, we were able to create number of matrix in various patterns and shapes. And, various patterns and shapes of matrix created something more interesting that they visualised features such as movement, hierarchy and more.
The 4 matrix above are made up of same 3 definitions. The difference in extrusion length and density between points enable us to create various and dynamic shapes.
Matrix below visualises the hierarchy with irregular differences in extrusion length.
RESEARCH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP: CASE STUDY
Airspace Tokyo, Japan Airspace Tokyo by Faulder’s Studio is four multi-family dwelling units located in the Kitamagome Ota-ku district in Japan. The extraordinary façade was designed by Thom Faulders, and then developed in collaboration with digital technologists to make it exist in real life. The façade design was inspired by the abundant vegetation that previously existed site; the façade comprises 4 different overlapping organic patterns. Each screen has an air gap of 15cm in-between; however, the thickness of the screen is visually enlarged by the effect of the compressed patterns making the screen a dynamic buffer of shadows and oddly framed views.
Voronoi Pattern The pattern used in faรงade skins of the Airspace Tokyo is the voronoi pattern which I explained briefly in week 2 journal. As it was mentioned in previous page, design of the faรงade was inspired by the abundant vegetation that existed in the site before construction. The use of voronoi pattern on the skin enabled designers to express respect towards the nature. Also, pattern encourages people to bring up the image of sense of movement. Light and shadows generated through the holes from voronoi pattern amplifies the visual rhythm of this architecture.
RESEARCH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP: CASE STUDY: REVERSE-ENGINEER
REVERSE-ENGINEER In grasshopper plug-in, there are functions which enable to create 2D/3D voronoi pattern. However, it was tough for scripting beginner to create voronoi without information and assistants. Through watching numerous videos on YouTube, I was able to create very simple voronoi onto 3D surface. The holes generated by voronoi pattern were variable depending on points. Difference in number and density of the points had enormous effects on pattern and size. By giving or non-giving fillet radius to the voronoi, I was able to create voronoi in same pattern and regularity but in different atmosphere.
RESEARCH PROJECT
CUT: FABRICATE
PROCESS Rhino file with well-organised layers, then Get Materials (Plywood 3mm thick), then
RESEARCH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP: FABRICATE
Laser Cut.
Double-layered Skin By using two different voronoi patterns on two different flat surfaces, I was able to create ver y similar skin which reminds me of the case study, Airspace Tokyo. The outcome, physical voronoi model’ was successfully fabricated through laser cutting. Refers to the case study, façade of Airspace Tokyo creates some features such as a sense of movement, and generates great shadows by playing with lights. Physical model also succeed to create all the effects mentioned: photos are prepared in next page.
RESEARCH PROJECT: CUT: DEVELOP: FABRICATE
FABRICATED MODEL
Double-skinned voronoi creates fabulous shadow through intense light.
ENDING