Construction could change from an industry that extracts, transports, uses, and disposes of materials to a service industry that cares for living materials
—Christoph Küffer , The Material book
Albert Einstein once proposed the "theory of relativity". By assuming that our mindset and actions will be questioned, if we alter the Hypothesis, the corresponding logic will be changed accordingly.
Today about 50% of the world's resources are consumed by the construction industry and account for 35% of the waste produced. People seem to be responding to the consumption of environmental resources.The consideration of periodicity of materials has also become a major consideration in design. The so-called "sustainability" should have moved away from the traditional regulatory-compliant"green building"thinking, through the discourse and practice of DFD (design for deconstruction) , Re-material-ization has become the issue that today's architectural designers concern.
The contemporary thinking about the architectural cycle is still solidified. People are always anxious to see the finished side of things; instead, the "process" of forming is the thing that needs to be discussed the most.
Therefore, the design process of contemporary architecture must include thinking about how to maintain the quality and robustness of materials into the next cycle to continue this circular economy thinking, for surviving in the era of resource depletion.
Finding the possible of re-materialization
Through the research of "physical bonding", we try to bond the hornbeam physically . Since most of the assembly methods of wood (drill,joggling) will directly damage the fiber of the material itself. I searched for an object within my reach as the object to study.
Firstly, we imitated the structure of the people's pavilion and made a two-dimensional minimodel, using the rubber bands as our bonding object, the friction of the wood will interact with the binding force of the rubber band, making the model as a structure form with limited flexibility and disassembly. After the records by video and photo, we can see exactly how they looked after a week of testing.
In the second test, we progressed to the threedimensional composition.In the case the size are different from the previous one, the objects we experiment with must be selected precisely.The experiment was conducted with two different sizes of elastic hooks and it requires two people working together during the experiment to stabilize the structure.
After this experiment, we felt the need to experiment with other material possibilities, new assembly method, and to challenge non-vertical horizontal forms of construction to achieve the level of material "transcendence".
In this experiment, the main purpose was to test the bending of the metal within its elastic limit. I used The highly elastic acrylic tube as the cladding material, and the highly formability white iron wire is the main molding material, manifesting the interplay between white iron wire and the acrylic tube. The aim is to experiment the possibility of joining different materials and geometric compatibility.
According to the strength of steel wire, the strength of steel wire is quite high . Steel wire is mostly heat treated or cold worked to achieve high strength. After wire weaving, steel wire manifest a flexible and bendable material behavior.
In the Test-B, the steel cable provides strong tension to deform the bolts elastically, and the bolts will return to its original shape when the cable is released.
In the Test-C we used Spring steel wire as the rod material. Using its elasticity and the thin geometry of the wire, we experimented with a heat shrinkable sleeve as a physical joint to attach a frictional force on each wire. The friction at these nodes allows the wire to deform within its limits of elasticity.
Test-C
Test-B
Test-A
Mechanical properties
The mechanical properties of a material manifest the relation between the material and its deformation under stress. Strength, hardness, ductility and elasticity are some of the mechanical properties
The common mechanical properties of metals are elasticity, stress, strain and strength, of which there are eight different types of strength depending on the way the force is applied. Therefore, in our search for a suitable material for rods. The tensile strength, yield strength become the criteria to determine the metal or other suitable material.
The criteria of material selection must be easily bend and able to resist strong bending, at the same time not easily achieve the yield point. After screening, the mechanical properties of the highcarbon steel and bamboo match the design requirements.
Fiber
In the selection of materials, we compare each material characteristics of wood and bamboo, like bamboo, the material organisation is composed by long linear fibrae, providing the material high tensile performance, great flexibility and resilience, which cannot be found in wood. Besides that, Asia is the world's bamboo production area, accounting for about 90% of the total, so wood is more often used in the construction industry than bamboo.
The cost of standardization is also a major issue. The solid nature of the processed wood will makes it easy to process, in terms of volume comparison or the material itself. Defects and product stability during the normalization process will be more controllable than the initial state of the bamboo. The outer layer of the skin of the bamboo will be ground off after it is processed into bamboo sticks. Though some of the skin has been removed in the process, it still maintained its great flexibility and bending resistant than wood because it is mainly composed of "bast fiber". Thus, we chose bamboo as one of our rod material.
Tower A Model 1:3
In this operation of structure, the main issue we want to operate is "provisional construction" and we have continued the structural thinking of DFD (Design for Deconstruction), from the selection of materials, method of assembly, form finding, and the quality of embodied materials, as the key points to be considered in the design.
Tower A is the first structure we built, using 2mm bamboo rods and 2mm spring steel wires as the material for smallscale simulation. The objective of this construction is to understand the physical properties of the material, the relationship between the rods and joints, the strain conditions, and try to find the logic of vertical development from its materiality.
From the 1:3 prototype of Tower A, we used Tower A's construction logic as a reference, and changed from 9 directions to 3 directions for the real construction, trying to find the possibility of the vertical construction and face its authenticity. The material was adjusted to 1:1 according to the ratio of Tower A. The size of the bamboo rod was replaced by 2mm and 5mm, and the spring metal rod was replaced by 2mm and 4mm, and the connector was also changed from the heat shrinkable sleeve and strap to the standard customizable solid printing connector.
Column A Model 1:1
Material Joint System
2mm;45cm
1:3
Spring wire
2mm;45cm
Bamboo stick
5mm;120cm
1:1
Spring wire
4mm;120cm
TE Connectivity Raychem
Cable Protection
Electrical tape
3d printer
PLA(Polylactic Acid)
Photosensitive resin
FLEXIBLE TPU
Bamboo stick
Nylon Cable Tie
Nylon Cable Tie
三頭式接頭
Three-headed connector
兩頭式接頭
Two-headed connector
束帶
四頭式接頭+束環
Tower Cocoon Numbering
In this project, we try to find out the possibility of three-dimensional forming of the rod, avoiding the flat and three-dimensional forming as in Tower A. Therefore, we propose the Tower Cocoon, which uses a circle surrounded by bamboo rods as the boundary of the layering. With the binding force of the circle, the size of the circle can be freely set and determine the shape of the tower.
The parametric software Grasshopper was used in the form-finding and attempt to simulate the materiality and possibilities of the rod. Tower Cocoon tries to provide a spatial possibility for the rapid transport and reversibility of the stem construction in the field of temporary architecture.
After constructing TowerA, we take a complete review on the design of joint, and summarize several problems. 1. the vertical intersection is too long, resulting in easy damage from the compression force. 2. the offset width of the joint is too small, so that the joint is easily damaged. 3. the crossed joint is more easily damaged by split molding than by one-piece molding.
After solving the above issues,we create the second version of the connector. besides to the two-headed joint, we have abandoned all the jointing method and replaced it with a flexible and tough light-curing element that is put at each end of the rod, trying to secure it by friction.
Joint_2 Four-headed
束帶
四頭式接頭+束環
四頭式接頭
During the construction cycle of this structure, the rods are all secondary processing products which are standardized, and allowed to be replaced and customized.The connectors, which are the connecting ends, also need to be standardized before they can enter the construction cycle. As mentioned on the previous page, the joint unit must be precise and integrated, so CAM (Computeraided manufacturing) will be our process direction in manufacturing.
After analyzing the advantages and disadvantages, we chose 3D printing as our process tool. First, we experimented different 3D printing processes and materials to compare. The printing process were FDM (Fused deposition modeling) and DLP (Digital light processing), and the materials were PLA, standard UV liquid photopolymer resin, and elastic liquid photopolymer resin.
四頭式接頭+束環 交叉式接頭
Joint_3 Three-headed
Joint_4 Crossed
PLA is one of the material for FDM 3d printer, which has lower precision in printing than stereolithography, and it is easier to have uncontrollable conditions.In the test printing of Stereolithography, we found that elastic photopolymer resin and standard UV photopolymer resin have their own characteristics and disadvantages respectively.
Elastic photopolymer resins are quite flexible after curing and it clings to the rod by generating friction, but they are less tough and can be brittle when put excessive force on it. In the other hand, UV resin is harder but not flexible. According to the characteristics of these two materials, we let them show their characteristics separately. The components printed by UV resin are used as the main body of the connector, while the components printed by elastic photopolymer resin are used as the sleeve unit to assist joint in fixing.
Evolved from the small space of countinghouse to the factory model of complete efficiency to today's office cultures. Office culture is a utopian evolution, where people specialize in how to optimize capital and efficiency through space and appliances.In Taiwan's employment environment, to manage and control easily, many offices still have separate offices and cubicle systems with a factory-type culture. In 2020, People are being forced to get used to a new office culture. Working from home, showing the popularity of remote offices, the gradual disappearance of architectural forms, the future office is destined to be more flexible and personalised.
"Multizoned Office" is a new type of office, meaning that in the case of partial openness, the company will provide additional individual office seats for employees to concentrate on, so that employees also have the option to temporarily detach themselves from the workspace, allowing the "Multizoned Office" to regain the sense of security lost in the open office.
The demands of the labor culture of each era are adjusting the way people interact with each other, the way they are managed, and how power is distributed. As we move through the millennium, when mobility and openness are becoming the trend, I believe that dividing up space with a balance between efficiency and rights creates the best performance in the office and provides a flexible and mobile space for employees.
"The tall building artistically considered" written in 1896 by Louis Sullivan indicate that contemporary high-rise buildings have shifted from the technical to the artistic level of thinking. Then I started to study in Seagram building by Mies van der rohe, The plan is symmetric with 8.5m grid structure, separating the exterior facade from the interior. Facing the city, bronze I-beams are used on the exterior facade, and the I-beams serve no stuctural purpose. As decoration, it tries to articulate the building itself through the exterior facade.
Here, I try to liberate the vertical, horizontal interface of the high-rise. The bracing system, which was originally structural, becomes a decoration here, detaches itself from the internal structural system and becomes an external interface, presenting both structural vision and surreal state.
Hotel. A place for people to stay for a period of time. It is a dwelling space with a relatively high mobility. In addition to providing a private space for the guests, after the 20th century hotels gradually began to pay attention to the quality of the public areas, so that the public areas of hotels have gradually become the main part of hotel.My design aims to functionally overlap the public spaces from hotels and the public space from the open office system, including sports spaces, shower spaces (swimming pool) and open social spaces and public shared office spaces.
The lift creates a vertical shift. My plan uses two cores as the main transportation medium of the building, serving each private space of the hotel and the office (e.g., individual seating areas, hotel rooms), and dividing the intersecting space vertically in a threestory unit. With the superposition of functions, the space will not be wasted in today's excess office space and will be able to respond to the high mobility of the company.
Ornamantal Shared Public
PLAN 1F 1:400
PLAN B1F 1:400
PLAN B2F 1:400
PLAN 6F 1:200
PLAN 11F 1:200 GYM + LOUNGE
OFFICE+HOTEL PLAN 12F 1:200
Cooperated with WAA
Context
HOUSE LONESOME 尼泊爾雪巴逢甲小書屋
NEPAL SHERPA CHILDREN HOME
Kathmandu
The deep eaves are designed to provide shelter from the rain and sun, but create a light architectural style.。In the history of Nepalese architecture, as Nepal entered an era influenced by globalization, the status of traditional architecture gradually receded and was replaced by a neo-classical palace architecture of the Rana period and the localized modernist architecture. Thus, the status of complexity and heterogeneity in today's Kathmandu is similar to Taiwan's streetscape.
With the situation that i cannot be there and only a few live photos, I started to research the local history of Kathmandu, Nepal, the local architecture, and the challenges of traditional and modern architecture. Then I tried to extract elements from Newar architecture for development.
Thinking
Localization
Symbolic
At a time when traditional architecture is being revived and surrounded by modern reinforce concrete buding, we should interpret those traditional element in a new framework, instead of completely borrowing from traditional architecture.
As there has the rainy season in Kathmandu, single-pitched roofs are commonly used as the main roof form. ①
After discussion, the structure will be mainly steel structure and the roof will be wood structure. The reason why we chose wood as one of the materials in the building is because of its strong dynamic loads that can resist earthquakes very well.
The users were mainly orphans displaced by the earthquake, and "shelter" was the image we wanted to create, so we created a symbolic roof in the shape of a house.
SITE LOCATION : Dharmasthali Ward No.4, Kathmandu AREA : 160.1416 m2
BUDING COVERAGE : 70%
Element #1
Typical Newar house type
A traditional Newar-style building is divided by a central load-bearing wall into two spaces, one facing the interior and one facing the exterior. In this case, I designed a book wall to divide the servant and service spaces replacing the load-bearing wall that we no longer needed, creating an interface between the spaces.
Element #2
public house (pati)
Pati/Sattal is a type of public rest house in the Newar neighborhood of Nepal. It is used by the locals as a community hub, located from neighborhood to neighborhood, where locals rest and socialize, and as an emergency shelter during earthquakes.
From the sketch to plan to the house
(2017 FarEast Architecture New talent Award Nomination)
LONESOME
In this project, the thesis required of casestudy an architect and then develop a forming method to create a building with my own translation in architectural language.
And UNStudio is the architect i chose.
Starting from the development of the form, I found that UNstudio has incorporated the concept of temporality into the form, whether the 24 hours of action can form a cycle then organize volumes into a circular space.
cross-section
Model perspective
Plan
Drawing
The Pavillion design specifies the use of the polypropylene panel as the main material, which is a sandwich material on either side of the panel with a vertical support, resulting in a high degree of rigidity.I try to find a way to break the vertical and horizontal composition of this surface material, also breaking the imagination of people on the material. I use two cutting lines to split the discontinued short part and the continuous long part. If the short part is connected by joints, the unit will be slightly bent from the pressure on the board surface. Through this little bent, I try to assemble an irregular and enveloping space. Through the restrictive force and connectivity of the unit assembly, it generates its supportiveness.
PAVILLION : REEF
LONESOME
polypropylene board（P.P）
In second grade, we have another Pavillion design, using polypropylene board as the main material again. This time I wanted to challenge the materiality of the board surface. The polypropylene board is composed of two layers of plastic plates, and when light penetrates and overlaps with different transparency, it provides an interface that blurs the light like a leaf surface, and the vertical support material also provides support for the surface material like a leaf vein.
PAVILLION : FOLIAGE
HOUSE LONESOME
Original structure system
Wing wall system reinforce original structure. And reduce the small beam, creating core space
DAY BY DAY BOOKSTORE
HOUSE LONESOME
The origin staircase is the core of the building , showing an axial relationship with the main door
This project aimed to renovate an abandoned teacher's dormitory, which limited to the function of a bookstore. The dorm is situated next to an alley leading to a small community, and there is a wall surrounding the building. I tried to liberate this corner space and make it a new public space shared with the community.
Beam Frame Structure and the skin Core
Restaurent
Light Tower Bar
Personal Reading Zone
RE - 實驗性構築組作品集 RE- EXPERIMENTAL TECTONIC STUDIO COLLECTION
HOUSE LONESOME
Re- is the key word that can summarizes this twosemester studio. As a media for exhibiting our Experimental Tectonic projects. We have shrunk the page size to A5, in order to streamline the size of the words and images, and trying to simplify the amount of information contained within a page to clarify the steps of our research .
