B.1_Research Field
Material Performance. The Loom-Hyperbolic by Liebinger and Barkow, in Marrakech, used a native weaving technique to paradigm wooden frame loom installation . The rigid wooden frame was designed using hard geometry in digital design and simulation techniques1. The Loom-Hyperbolic used beautiful organic materials to create a respectful sentiment to the past of Marrakech. In a time of complex forms and compressed timeframes1, the design process and composition was made possible with the ability of computing and algorithm geometry in Rhino and Grasshopper. Liebinger and Barkow’s design concept as well as site information provided a set of rules which the conflicting geometry of rigid wooden frame and soft woven cotton was constructed. The materials provide the basis for the design and their performance has been analysed before selection. The materiality of the concept was overall considered but the natural lightness and openness created with timber and woven thread could not be achieved through another material such as concrete or steel.
The same architecture team Kinetic Wall, in Venice, which has a surface that expands and contracts mimicking the way humans breathe3. The surface is made from a synthetic membrane hiding the motorised nodes behind2. “Kinetic Wall offers an alternative future, an architecture that is materially and spatially dynamic of both natural and synthetic/recycled materials,” Barkow Liebinger, and Liebinger2 The installation relies the materiality to develop their concept and to overall take advantage of each materials properties. Along with aesthetic defined materiality, material performance can have a functional and revolutionary purpose. In engineering low-tech water filtration for a high-impact clean are being developed in low-cost solutions through the use of computation and materials such as 3D printing4. Development of materials spans much further than the clothes we buy and wear. developed an ever-changing rhythmically design,
In our design project, outlined in B6_Proposal, I am eager to introduce materiality and material performance to work conjunctional with the concept and application. A main functional purpose of the design is to sit within the water and remove some of the litter and rubbish which has been discarded via the stormwater. During the research into material performance and material properties, tested in B5_Prototyping, I have been looking to discover a meshing or woven materials that can contract or reactive with water. I have also been testing a materials reaction to heat, to spectate a utopia future of global warming and temperature increases. Water protection of the cables or wire and ultimately the connection points - has also been considered, polluting the water with rusk is not a desired outcome. Material performance is a heavily researched and developed field throughout all industries such as architecNew materials are being developed every day so all the task entails is to find the right one. ture and construction to fashion and material design.
Barkow Leibinger, “B _ L”, Barkowleibinger.com, 2016 <http://www.barkowleibinger.com/archive/view/exhibition_loom_hyperbolic> [accessed 16 March 2016]. Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 DeZeen, “Barkow Leibinger Explores Moving Architecture With Kinetic Wall”, Dezeen, 2014 <http://www.dezeen.com/2014/06/18/kinetic-wall-barkow-leibinger-elements-venice-biennale-2014/> [accessed 16 March 2016]. 4 Engineers with out borders,. 2016. “Engineers With Out Borders”. Engineers With Out Borders. http://www.lpi.usra.edu/education/explore/PlayfulBuilding/5_WaterFilter_June2013.pdf. 1 2 3
B2_Case Study 1.0
“Voussoir Cloud explores the structural paradigm of pure compression coupled with an ultra-light material system.1” Digital designing has given the opportunity to create a more seamless integration that wouldn’t have been possible in manual construction. Iwamoto Scott’s concept envisages a fragmented, warm, textile structure to produce a lifted, highlighted form. The form may be an enclosed pavilion, but a subtraction of segments. To refine the project, computational hanging chain models were used to adjust the profile lines and provide design purity2 . The individual segments are described as petals and although give the impression of a wedge masonry block are made by folding thin wood laminate along curved seams.
The folding nature of the laminate timber provides structural strength and when packed toEach ‘petal’ is slightly different in either the size, edge or position; this
gether acts in compression.
process of decision making on each individual segment was developed in a smaller scale prototyping stage.
Overall the ability to develop individual petals was managed through Rhino modelling through
a series of offsetting, flatting and dimpling effect.
A timber structure could be bent into a curved pavilion on site by using the timber as a flexible, forming material. If bending suddenly, the timber would crack and splinter but when timber is slowly bent, and regulated in hydration in order to avoid the timber splitting under deflection pressure it can hold a shape or form.
Timber grid shell uses this technique and is seen in popular projects by Shigeru Ban Architects and discussed in extensive research by Dr Alberto Pugnale3. The timber grid shell structure is assembled on site over a series of intervals and is used as prop scaffolding. The Voussoir Cloud project visually seems prefabricated, with modular individual segments which have been singularly constructed and are ready for integration upon assembly. Generating the design with computation tools has allowed for seamless integration between individual segments into an overall pavilion design. A structured plan of assemble would be used along with numbering segments thus to ensure no manual alternations are necessary.
Fabrication of the Voussior Cloud required 2,300 petals to be individual-
ly laser cut and assembled by folding the curve along a score line and then integrating each of the petals much like a simple zip.
Overall, the designers aim to create a sensorial effect by developing an
atmosphere with luminous timber petals and light voids.
The Voussoir Cloud provides a key precedent for my future design and how an overall form can be broken down in module prefabricated elements. Introduction the use of quad coopers raises the idea that materials can be molded and fabricated to suit drone construction, similar to how current construction materials are molded for human installation. For example, the Voussior Cloud if constructed with drones could have been made up of modular petals which allow for drone constrains and errors and self-position like bricks onto another. IwamotoScott,. 2008. “VOUSSOIR CLOUD - Iwamotoscott”. Iwamotoscott.Com. http://www.iwamotoscott.com/VOUSSOIR-CLOUD. IwamotoScott,. 2008. “VOUSSOIR CLOUD - Iwamotoscott”. Iwamotoscott.Com. http://www.iwamotoscott.com/VOUSSOIR-CLOUD. 3 D’Amico, B., A. Kermani, H. Zhang, A. Pugnale, S. Colabella, and S. Pone. 2015. “Timber Gridshells: Numerical Simulation, Design And Con1 2
struction Of A Full Scale Structure”. Structures 3: 227-235. doi:10.1016/j.istruc.2015.05.002.
B1_Iterations
one_kangaroo play
two_addition and subtraction
three_biomimicry and decay
four_form finding
Biomimicry effect was developed through the
‘lunchbox’ tool to demonstrate the ability to decay through construction while remaining beautiful.
Our team’s concept has journeyed away from the idea of a decaying structure but it was interesting to develop the cells and then cull and change perception to find the beauty once again.
To fabricate this structure 1:1 the quantity of used would be huge. The complexity within the a depth of beauty within the structure. The lin
was to overall decrease the density and give t ness.
The bird nest qualities linked into our ini
although it differs slightly now.
The
dire
that
Through the process of adjustment and form finding,
I adjusted the sliders to
increase each of the voronoi cell which completely changed the feel of the structure.
Voussoir Cloud
is a light formed pavilion but the increased bases made the mesh form look heavy, short and have a sense of mass
–
even though it could be the similar scale to walk under.
This was the least complex to develop in grasshooper but demostrates a different form created.
tion
In th
poin
Selection Matrix: 1. can be constructed with wire, membranes and cables 2. demostrates complexity 3. still has orgin to Voussoir Cloud 4. different from one another
f wire and cables
e lines developed
ne weight chosen
the model a light-
itial concept
â&#x20AC;&#x201C;
Voussoir Cloud demonstrates a different iteration and ection. Instead of keeping the form of a structure, all elements t tied to gravity were removed and the model was in mid-exploitan. Once this point was reached I wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t clear on where to go. exposed
he future it could be interesting to reconnection all exploded
nts but practicality of fabrication may not be reached.
B3_Case Study 2.0
Tape is a project by Numen / For Use, which was installed in Federation Square in Melbourne in 2011. Numen / For Use creates material based art installations across Europe, Tape was their first project outside of Europe and below the equator1. Numen’s Tape design fabricate and installed with cranes to sketch across span of
Fed-
eration squaring located six meters above the ground.
The whole project
beside connection points is fabricated using solely sticky tape, a material prototyped with in
I have
B5. Users were able
to crawl through a flexible and moving space, to have a complete sensory experience while lifted off the ground and knowing only tape supporting them. Numen,. 2011. “Numen / For Use » Tape Melbourne”. Numen.Eu. http://www.numen.eu/installations/tape/melbourne/.
1
Reverse-Engineer of Tape
How i reversed-engineered Tape: Dead-ends and Diagrams
After a series of dead ends in the reserve engineering process of making Tape. My successful reserve engineering was developed off the Voussoir Cloud grasshopper and kangaroo definition. Adjusting and scaling the voronoi cell base was the first stage of the process before the lengthening of the lofted tubes. Kangaroo plug in was vital in the development of the overall form; this stage is demonstrated in images three and four. An important stage was to add the tensional strain to contract the mesh, without any contraction in the base of the design. This was achieved by placing the anchor points across a surface at one end of the design. This way I was able to keep them in full expanded while the tubes contracted. Each end of the reserve engineering design was developed singly and then unify together.
B4_Technique Development
a.
c.
d
d.
b.
selection matrix. 1. can be constructed with quadcopters 2. can be constructed with wire, membranes and cables 3. depicts an aerial rubbish collecting structure that will correlate with design concept without damaging the current ecosystem
4. water responsive and dynamic 5. developed using kangaroo software and demonstrates tensional properties
Rubbbish collection in a gravitation manner
provides a pathway for fish during rubbish collection
Reactive organism that can contract or expand responsive to water
interaction with site and perceptive levels
aerial sculpture
interactive play and human interaction experiment
interaction with flooding flood image is a screen grabbed from b.ducan’s merri creek video footage during a flash flooding
Ducan, B. 2011. “Merri Creek Flooding”. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-UtvKE2K0Q.
B5_Technique Prototypes
Prototyping materials under tension Evaluation on Material Performance: -The braiding thread prototype provided the model with knotted connection joints with unlike the cable tie structure put less strain on the anchor points
-Cable ties were not able to gain structure tension solo, fishing line was used to pull the structure into tension.
Prototyping â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tapeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Evaluation on Material Performance: -material holds form through the assembly of structure -structure shrinks during construction due to the stickiness of tape -a non-sticky material such as fishing line could be used to reduce the contraction
The Merri Creek site is frequently flooding via the urban storm water run, which runs directly into the creek. The vastly of storm water directed to the creek would result in a powerful flow of water.
After conducting
this experiment with a small portion of water,
I have realized the the connection points to the site will be vital, water is a very powerful force and the design could be easily taken down steam
â&#x20AC;&#x201C; therefore littering into the
creek and becoming a redundant project.
Prototyping response to water: WOOL Evaluation on Material Performance: -Conducted: soaking 100% wool membrane in water for 48 hours before blown dry with hairdry Results: -material held shape when flooded with water -wool contains water in its proporties which were extract through drying process resulting in shrinkage of material
LYRICA
WOOL
ORGANZA
POLYESTER
SYNTHETIC WOOL
Prototyping response to heat: LYRICA, WOOL, ORGANZA, POLYESTER, SYNTHETIC WOOL Evaluation on Material Performance: -Conducted: apply a flame to the material samples to see response to fire. Results: -Wool and Synthetic wool gradually caught on fire and burning slowing before fizzling out -Interesting wool (100%) once flame has burnt out hold forms - will explore more for design -Lyrica and polyester both caught on fire quickly, melted and scoring the material edges -Organza is the fastest to burn completely with the material melting into ash droplets or smoke.
B6: Design Proposal. My initial design concept stemmed from visiting the Merri Creek Site. I started my site visit through the popular, colourful, friendly CERES, which is a community established environmental park for the local residents. Walking through the CERES grounds I felt a vibrant positive and strong eco warrior atmosphere. When I wandered out the gates made of recycled bicycle wheels I came across three paths. Each path is marked with signage to direct pedestrians to take the higher ground level in case of flooding. The lowest dirt path runs along the creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bank. Although the creek trickled water and native plants and scrubs shaded me from the sun, the environment had been damaged by human impact. The creek was littered with stormwater rubbish, the European weeds infiltrated the native plants and the effects of urban runoff and erosion were evident. The journey along the second elevated path was a contrast and different. The walk entails going over a series of constructed bike paths and asphalt, and these act as a barrier being detached from the creek in a natural context with the effects of human activity on the creek below. The Merri Creek site initiated my thinking about an Aboriginal practice of gathering. When a gatherer finds a source of food for example, berries, they will leave the first bunch of berries for reproduction of that resource. The second is left for a friend or neighbour, the third can then be taken for yourself and your village. This method ensures the resource remains sustainable, and everyone will have access to berries because it will have the ability to regrow and fruit. I speculated that if a present day gathering group were to find a bush of berries, they would eat them proceeding to take the first, second and third bunch. Most likely after the berries were eaten they would then cut down the berry bush for firewood and then be annoyed and hungry afterwards about the lack of berries.
A very common attitude towards sustainability in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s society is the disconnection between daily actions of people and the consequences on the natural environment. The aim of my design is to construct a temporary art installation that confronts visitors with how their bad habits or deliberate actions of littering results in polluting the local creeks environment and causes damage to the eco-system.
The flood levels are incorporated into the design to demonstrate the disconnection and perception around the issue of sustainability. When the river is at its highest flood level, no part of the design will be visible; so conceptually this is to represent a mindset of being oblivious or in a state of denial.
The design will consist of an aerial form that uses the research field of material performance through knotting, tensile anchor points and weaving. The structure will ultimately collect the rubbish for removal but will be displaced over a period of time as a visual and practical art installation. When the creek is at its lowest level all three forms will be visible, demonstrating a confronting perspective of full exposure as the form will be left covered in rubbish from the urban run-off. I hope to take this design further with more material development and testing of mesh and woven materials and how materials perform when exposed to water and weather conditions, either contraction and expansion.
My design client is the Moreland City Council, particularly CERES and local schools, as well as the native Merri Creek animals and vegetation whom benefit from the practical use of water filtration. The design will provide an educational element and a classroom conversation starter for local schools about human impact on the environment by providing them will a visual aid for discussion through an artistic and conceptual installation.
To continue the vital conservation on environmental conservation, protection and sustainability
in the local area, and cause the reaction of active thought and attention required to develop human change towards environmental damage.
concrete viewing platform
- highest point looking back at site
site along the creekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge
- lowest point
I want my design to develop from a significant concept of caring for the environment which is something that means a lot to me, but also depicts an important current societal issue of environmental destruction. My design will demonstrate a conflicting concept of subtlety and confrontation by using the site theatrically to illustrate perceptions, past and present, towards sustainability.
Phillips Reserve Brunswick East, 3057
context analysis
zoning
circulation of humans
street plan
flood plain and vegetation
aerial plan
Stamen Maps,. 2016. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stamen Mapsâ&#x20AC;?. Maps.Stamen.Com. http://maps.stamen.com/#toner/12/37.7706/-122.3782.
“Merri Creeks natural geomorphology has been extensively disturbed since European settlement. Opportunities for preservation of the stream geomorphology and the protection of some of the natural interactive processes between the stream and its floodplain have been largely lost1.” Site Opportunities: - Designing within floodplain gives the opportunity for material reactive performance - Pre-existing lookout or pause in the bike trail - Close proximity to to CERES environmental park - Close to local schools to introduce the design as an educational and conservation tool - Within the Moreland council; a council which has strong connection to environmental projects, promoting sustainability and community involvement including education. - Current, future and active environmental planning strategies to conserve and renew the Merri Creek. Including revegetation, reducing urban run-off damage, conversing the cultural heritage and Biosystems. - Rubbish Depot next to site Site Challenges: - Green corridor reduction on edges due to increased urbanisation - Damage to the environmental site via urban stormwater: erosion, soil pollution. - Wetlands making the soil type too responsive to found a structure – promotes the opportunity of aerial structures. - Vantage point; site is closed off to majority of human traffic - Connection of design across the creek: anchoring points is a design challenge whether assisted by trees or the old blue stone quarry prop. - The design impacting on the current eco-system of the site: will a wire structure harm the wild life during installation, or when it is fixed in position. - How can the fish, birds and inspects more through the design unharmed? Especially platypus which are very endangered in the Merri Creek area. Site Research to Consider: - Endangered animals on site1 - History of the Merri Creek area: respecting the native land owners - Wurundjeri2 - Connectivity of visitors to the design3 - Merri Creek Environment Strategy Plan4 - Flood levels - Rubbish collection data CESAR,. 2016. “Latest News » Cesar Australia”. Cesaraustralia.Com. http://www.cesaraustralia.com/latest-news/all/platypus-found-entangled-in-merri-creek. The Aboriginal History of Yarra,. 2016. “Pollution - The Aboriginal History Of Yarra”.Aboriginalhistoryofyarra.Com.Au. http://aboriginalhistoryofyarra.com.au/11-pollution/. Moreland City Council,. 2016. “Walking Trails And Bike Paths”. Moreland City Council. http://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/parks-pools-sport/discover-our-creek-trails.html. 4 Faithfull, Tony. 2016. “Merri Creek And Environs Strategy Chapter 2.6 - Mahoneys Road To Yarra River”. Mcmc.Org.Au. http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&id=279:mces26&catid=32:mces&Itemid=341. 1 2 3
Concept Development.
The overall process of Part B has been able to assisted in the development of the proposal for Merri Creek. Learning, trying and strengthening my knowledge in computational design through both case studyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s has taught me the constrains and benefits of using Grasshopper and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plug ins such as Kangaroo and Lunchbox. At times I found the process held back my designing, as my vision of design may be easy to draw on paper but finding the correct tools, definitions and plug in took time and research. I believe computational geometry and design is a steep learning curve. New add onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, skills and knowledge in the field of computerution design is being updated and developed every day, the process of computational design in forever adaptive. A major benefit of computational design is that it is a quicker step to fabrication. Learning tools such as Kangaroo give you the ability to stimulate an outcome prior to fabrication. To produce a variety of possibilities I looked at a lot of premade definitions and used segments from other material fields to deepen the varsity of my design scope. Over time I hope to developed a stronger personal repertoire with the programming, as at present I rely heavily on hand-drawing sketches and diagrams, which I then aim to program. Prototyping different material performance and their reaction to water and heat was very beneficial in my design concept development.
Our design is very focused on how humans are impacting on the natural environment. Testing a materials performance against climate change consequences such as temperature, bushfire and flash flooding increasing was an interesting experiment that could be taken further in analysis and development. I found that reserve engineering the case study Tape into computation geometry is more difficult than the final design led me to believe. Initially I thought Tape could have consistent of a simple lofted tube with the addition of tension stimulation. Although when developing the form, it was much more complex in the data structure and geometry. It would be very interesting to see their design definition for the project.
B7_Learning Objectives
Appendix: Algorithmic Sketchbook