ADS Air Ainin Leong 376072
Part I
Expression of Interest
Architecture As A Discourse
Personal Project
Bridge Accross Rathdowne Street
This project is a bridge designed for pedestrian and cyclist accross Rathdowne Street. The basic idea is to convey a feeling of being in the woods through the shadows casted within, and hence reminding the users about the beauty of the natural environment, and eventually pull the users closer to the natural environment. The shape of the bridge cover is generated through simplication of tree branches. This design could have been developed further or explored further with the usage of Rhino and Grasshopper. The design process and model making process could have been done in a shorter duration as multiplication of the basic form could be easily done using Grasshopper and be produced using digital fabrication. In addition, the complexity of the pattern could also be increased witht he aid of computational design which in return would produce a more visually interesting pattern. Through this subject, the potential of computational design can be explored to understand its functions and the possibilities that could be didcovered, thus enhancing my learning as an architecture student.
Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall designed in 1987 is one of his most ambitious large-scale project in LA. Gehry’s method of designing usually begins with a very rough sketch of his idea of how his design should look like and how it sits on the site. He experiments his design by making various models and choose the best out of them beofre digitising them. Due to the complexity of the concert hall’s structure, it requires an extraordinary number of parameters to define its geometry and requires unusual precision in the placement, positioning and assembly of constructive elements in order to build it. The constructive viability of the concert hall was developed and studied by Gehry using new technologies. Thus, this building could be said to have epitomized the new possibilities of architectural language introduced through the use of C.A.D./C.A.M. techniques(Marcos 2011). Besides, Gehry is considered one of the pioneers in parametric design. His approach using softwares such as CATIA, certainly brought changes to the way people imagine how buildings look like. With the use of computational technology, the concert hall has contributed to architecture discourse where it completely changed the design process and changed the traditional building norms of that time. Parametric design also enhanced architectural design complexity with the aid of computer programs that generates and manages complex surfaces (Marcos 2011). This subsequently has contributed to the freedom of form. Gehry’s usage of unconventional forms proved that there are many possibilities to building forms which introduce the people to new spatial experience.
Walt Disney Concert Hall Los Angeles Frank Gehry
“I started making shapes that were hard to draw. That led us to the computer and to Catia software which made me realize the possibilities and the level and degree of accuracy you could create in your documents and your relationships because of the software.” Frank Gehry
“We don’t have to worry about whether or not we are fitting in with a paradigm of planned sections and elevations, all the other typical drawings that architects are obliged to use. We can go straight from our computer to the stonemason’s yard, to their computer and we only sort of, negotiate though the prototypes that we make, and what we look at on our screens.” Mark Burry
Computation In Architecture
Generative Design Topological Geometry Topological geometry are geometric forms that are not usually affected by changes in shape or size. Through computationally-based processes of continuous one-toone transformations or elastic deofrmations, such as stretching or twisting, it will still remain unvarying. Transforming and deforming it results in infinite number of forms. Their intrinsic property of one-sidedness have a potential in architecture as the boundaries between the interior and the exterior are blurred, and when translated into architecture, avoids the distinctions og “inside” and “outside”. An interesting sample of the study of topological geometry is the Möbius Strip and studies of how to utilise the möbius into architecture were made. A pure Möbius Strip is analised and modified to allow a person to walk along it and to make habitable space out of it.
Moebius Band modified to create internal space
Moebius seating
Moebius school
Moebius museum
1 A built example of the usage of Mรถbius Strip is the Moebius House designed by Ben van Berkel. The conceptual possibilities of geometries are challenging but the conceptual qualities are often difficult to truly show tectonically. Moebius House on the other hand did show some extent of the usage of topological geometry. I find this method of generating form is intriguing as it provides many possibility that can be further developed into something new and fun. Computation can ease the exploration of more complex form spatial qualities. As shown in the images of mobius school and mobius museum, the space could be utilised to form any spatial arrangement.
2
Although computational design provided great assistance to dsigners, the creativity and personality of the designers themselves is important to give a design a meaning. For example, the context of a site and its relationship to the design will affect the perception of the viewers towards the design and that will also enable the design unique to a site.
4
3
The extraction of the Moebius concept and application of it in the design of the house
The Moebius House
Parametric Design
Parametric Design & Visual Scripting and Culture: Digital Tea House The Digital Tea House is a workshop held at the University of Tokyo aiming to build 3 pavilions for hosting the Japanese tea ceremony through parametric design. This project was not plainly the reconstruction of the traditional tea houses but an attempt to produce new images of a tea house. Using the concept of the traditional tea houses, this workshop proved that digital design process can be a tool to retain architecture convergent with cultural values (Ko & Liotta 2011). Parametric design enabled the participants to extract, edit and abstract the traditional aspects and create possibilities to what a contemporary tea house might look like. Another interesting point that adds to the advantage of implementing present technologies is that the tea house is seen to be intepreted in a contemporary digital manner that can be thought of reviving the tradition of avant-garde (Ko & Liotta 2011). It is interesting to see how traditional architecture, something so rigid and schematic could be interpreted in a modern way but at the same time not loosing its original meaning. For the Gateway Project, it would be very exciting to incorprate the culture of the Wyndham City into the design which besides proving the advancement of computational technology, also represents the culture of the people.
Traditional elements interpreted in a more contemporary and abstract way
Pavilion “Poetry and Parametrics” interior view
Pavilion 130008252010 interior view
Pavilion “Nami-no-Ma” exterior and interior views
ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion Stuttgart
ICD & ITKE Stuttgart University
In 2010, the Institute for Cmputational Design (ICD) and the Institute od Building Structures an Strutural Design (ITKE) of Stuttgart University designed and constructed a temporary research pavilion in the campus. What is unique about this project is that it is a material-oriented computational design, simulation and production process in architecture. This project demonstrates an alternative approach to the scripting culture as the computational generation of form is directly driven and informed by physical behavior and material characteristics. The structure constructed is based entirely on the elasticity and bending behaviour of birch plywood strips.
Above: 3D model showing the computer-generated position of all connecions Right: FEA simulation of the pavilion
Day arial view of the pavilion
Scripting in architecture has enabled designers to explore different aspects of architecture such as forms, materials, construction methology and engineering. As quoted from MESNE (cited in Burry 2011), “where we see interesting work occuring is in the decelopment of interfaces between different software applications that enable designers to further test architectural ideas that bridge across related disciplines such as engineering and construction�. Though scripting is critiqued being a tool that enables designers to clone, thus producing many same underlying models, research done as shown from this project proved that scripting is still able to produce endless possibilities. Hence, for the Wyndham City Gateway Project which asks for an inventive design with significant impact, the use of scripting is irrevocably beneficial.
Night arial view of the pavilion
Close up view of the wooden strips during the day
“Today’s scripters are inventive, however, scripting is a relatively new technique for the exploration of architectural designs and designers are still figuring out new potentials for using scripting as a design tool.” Brady Peters, cited in Burry 2011
Taking the research pavilion as an example, designers may be promted to start developing their own scripts to create truly inventive designs and fully explore the potential of scripting. Perhaps it still need more time until designers fully embraces scripting to develope a scripting culture based on genuine invention and creativity.
Close up view of the wooden strips during the night
Matrix
Input: Overlapping Paterns Ourput: Data Driven Shading The main idea of this experiment is to explore the results of overlapping layers of different colours. As shown in the image above, layers with different colours produce more interesting effect and the overlapped layers resulted in new colours. The output geometry was also changed to see the effect of combined geometry. Not only flat surfaces, solids such as spheres were also used to explore the effect and it resulted in bulkier and blurred image, as shown in the third image on the left. By moving the layers slowly away or towards each other, interesting changes would occur however this combination does not suit the idea I had for the gateway project.
Input: Using Surface Normal Associative Technique: Using Sets
Associative Technique: Curve Attractor Output: Data Driven Rotation Here, the definitions are used produced twisted order of perforation on a surface. Again, the output geometry was changed to see how different shapes will affect the outcome.
Input: Overlapping Patterns Associative Technique: Multiple Maths Function Different functions produce different order of perforation on the surface. By overlapping different geometry and functions, interesting patterns were produced. Different sizes of geometry too resulted in different feel: busy or calm.
Input: Using Surface Normal Output: Data Driven Rotation
The above two definitions are to experiment with application of the perforation on a curved surface. It is interesting to see how the results differ from perforation on a flat square surface.
The matrix presented above represents the search outcome for the development of the Gateway Project design. Candidates of solutions were produced for consideration and some were chosen for further development. According to Kalay (2004), this is a design process under the catagory of ‘search’ when the outcome of an action cannot be fully decided in advance. From this design method, it was realised that this method is more productive when done digitally. Not only it provided great amount of possibilities, it also helped to reduce amount of time consumed in search of a favourable design possibility. Through those possibilities, more choices were presented for the best to be chosen and be developed into something promising, thus contributes to the final design outcome. From the above, a few were chosen to be further explored for the Gateway Project. However, it does not necessarily need to be confined into using the same method as how the patterns were formed. Different and more relevant methods will be used to effectively utilise them and the final most satisfying result will be adapted into the final design outcome.
Case Study Project
Restaurant Aoba-Tei Sendai, Japan
Hitoshi Abe + Atelier Hitoshi Abe Perforation, abstraction from nature Input: Boolean Patterning Output: Data Driven Shading
Using the above definitions, by inserting an image of the Zelkova tree into the image sampler. a rough perforation of the tree image is produced.
To reduce the busyness of the image, more perforations have to be taken away. To achieve this, a function component was added into the definition to control the sizes of the circles that need to be perforated. The white part which was originally perforated by smaller circles was omitted The result was a ‘cleaner’ image.
Experimentation was made by adjusting the radius of the circles, inverting the black and white spaces, simplifying and complicating the perforation to get as near as possible to the original facade.
This is the finalised image for the case study. It is very interesting how this is used in the restaurant where light will be shone from the back and the perforated areas will light up to create an effect of being among the trees.
Through this case study, lighting and shadow effect were being experiment with. It was interesting to see how the shadow casted by the model changes with different angles of light and also how the concentration of light affect the shadow produced. When the model is bent, the image of the tree appeared differently. Though not apprehendable, the image still looked interesting and unique. However, eventhough the image of the tree appeared to be interesting in combination with lighting, it would be more visually exciting if the CUT is applied on other more complex forms. In the Aoba Tei Restaurant, the form used is a curved sheet hovering over the customer’s head, hence creating an effect of being under the shadows of the trees. With this experiment, all that was projected was the image of the tree and some interesting patterns of the cuts when the surface was bent. In relation to the gateway project, it was discovered that it is hard for drivers to observe the shadows casted when driving in high speed. Shadows are also affected by day to day condition, which demotes the significance of the gateway project if it is to be based solely on the play of light and shadow projection. From here, it was decided that in accordance to fluidity, lighting was an interesting factor to explore with. Instead of artificial lighting, the gateway project is to aim at natural lighting,
Further Research-Precedent Beekman Tower Architect Frank Gehry Completed 2011 Location New York
Echoing to the theme of computation in architecture, this project used sophisticated computation method to produce the building faรงade. Though it is very typical for Gehry to build physical models, computers models were created through the scanning of physical models. Using Rhino software, the model was able to be refined and perfected to produce intended results. In relation to this subject and the gateway project, this is crucial as computation is less time consuming in producing favourable results. The surfaces of this building would not be able to achieve its current effect without parametric and script writing to analyse them. Digitising of the faรงade allowed designers to have the flexibility to alter the faรงade while still being able to remain within established parameters. During the designing process of this project, several alterations had to be done due to budget constraints. All the various component sizes, angles, and extrusion types could be tracked to a particular unit and hence, they were also tied to the manufacturing process with CNC data through to fabrication and installation. With the uniqueness and scale of the project, it would be difficult to change everything manually without the help of computation.
This example of façade is very interesting in a way that it looks like as though it is blown by the wind to result in the curves and folding effect and this also coincide with the theme ‘air’ for the gateway project. This effect is to be incorporated into the design for the gateway project. Besides, the façade of the Beekman Tower also evokes rivulets of water, crinkled sheets of aluminium foils, melting ice. At the same time, all these effects were heighten by light and shadow across the surfaces over the course of a day. This provides an interesting change for viewers when viewed at a different time of the day. In relationship to the gateway project, changes through light and shadow are important to create a static sculpture that appears to be constantly changing. This is to be achieved by utilizing and applying the sun path where different angles of sunlight may produce different outcome.
Experimentation
Exploring Form
Since the theme fluidity appears to be interesting to us, to explore fluidity of form, water was experimented with to record the forms when being poured under different condions. For example direction of pouring and strength used in pouring them. It was observed that under normal conditions, the forms of water resulted were never the same twice. This is an interesting theme to explore and it also response to the brief where the Gateway Project has to be exciting and visually interesting for the otherwise boring and straight roads.
Exploring Light
9am during Summer (Estimated)
9am during Winter (Estimated)
3pm during Summer (Estimated)
3pm during Winter (Estimated)
For the planned design, it is aimed to achieve a sense of constant change so that every time when people drive through, the structure will appear different and changing. Such attempt is approached by exploiting the position of sun during the course of the day, both in summer and winter. The experiment is carried out in 2 parts, in which each of them have different fixed and manipulation variables in order to discover the most suitable form and the influence of the perforation on its surface to achieve the proposed changing conditions. The first part of the experiment investigated the effect of sun position on the design via the shadow it casted on the surface. Angle of light source is adjusted in reference to the sun path diagram and the results obtained show that the shadow cast on the surface is longer during summer and vice versa.
First sight while approaching the site (Driving
For the second part of the experiment, photos are taken from one end to another, just as how the drivers and passengers might view the design. Here, the paper length is increased and folded in an ‘S-shape’ manner as possible, hoping that the shadow can be casted on the surface of the design itself instead of on the road. The result, however, still turned out to be less satisfiying as shown in the photos on the left. Second sight as one passing the design
Last view as one pass through the deisgn
1
5
2
6
3
7
4
View from one end to the other.
The paper is modified by cutting it into a long strip of random height and folded more extensively into a number of ‘S’. This time, the results appeared to be up to expectation as given a fixed sun position, the design appears differently from one segment to another due to the shadow effect. Interestingly, the distinction between real perforations and ‘fake perforation’ resulted from shadow cast is barely recognizable. The series of photos show how each segments is different as a car drives along it. In fact, since the sun changes its position, the images seen in the estimated morning might changefor the rest of the day. This has successfully demonstrated the effect of change in the design in relation to the changes of natural phenomenon.
Since the experiment is carried out manually without digital aids, the results obtained might not be as accurate and precise. However, it is still worth acknowledging that a number of parameters has been identified for further exploration in the future. These include the placement of the design on site which could be slightly tilted to provide greater views for the passer-by, the various height of the design to create more visualized effects and the sizes of perforations. Most significantly, it is important to acknowledge the direction of driving so that the curvature of the design could be designed in such a way that allows maximum casting of shadow while offering maximum viewing faces for the drivers. This is because convex faces could be part hidden from direct viewing except for passengers who can turn around for to see it. In short, the experiment has explored with the possibilities of a number of elements which is believed to be able to affect the design for achieving the changing effect proposed. Meanwhile, it also generated a few aspects which should be taken into consideration during the design process. The results produced are then incorporated into Rhino and Grasshopper for designing the prototype which will then be fabricated.
Prototype 1 This prototype attempts to achieve the organic form informed by the idea of fluidity. It is intended to appear like the form of water being blew by wind. The perforation is intended to have a flowing pattern which is expected to enhance the fluidity of the form. When drivers drive pass it, it is expected that the driver would feel like he is moving together with fluids such as water. Although the membrane is static, the perforated surface will illustrate consistent change as the car is moving and the angle of viewing is changing. The sunlight will further enhance the changing effect by casting shadow on the surface. The strange form of the membrane makes it an eye-catching structure at the site to increase the excitement at the site. However , the material used for this prototype is not suitable as it is hard to produce soft and organic form. It also did not achieve the same effect as the experiment before which was made using white thin paper, which appears to be a bit transparent when shone with light. The materiality should be examined more as the form and effect are different from what was imagined.
The shadow is casted on the surface create interesting pattern can be observed by driver when drive through.
The strange shape of the Getaway will become an eyecatching icon at the site and create discourse among Wyndham community.
When sun light penetrate through the perforation cuts, it makes the membrane glow which creates visual interesting.
Prototype 2
The second prototype composes of three membranes placed overlaying each other in order to illustrate the changes as a driver drives through at high speed. The membranes show different effects as the driver drive through depending on the driving speed, viewing angle and positions in relation to the structure itself. This prototype shows an alternative for attempting the desired goal by manipulating the perforated membrane in a specific arrangement rather than relying solely on sunlight position. As one move along the prototype, some perforation could be seen and some could not due to the blocking by the overlapping sheet. The prototype is interesting and was put in consideration to be further developed to create a sense of water flowing related to the main theme of Getaway project-fluidity therefore when driver drive through they will see the consistent change of water flowing. To achieve this, perforation arrangement should have a sense of fluidity.
Prototype 3
1
2
5
6
9
10
Original position 3
4
7
8
This last prototype demonstrate the movement of separate panels on water. The series of photos shows movement of the panels on water when moved, for example by wind. It is interesting to see the panels floating freely on the water with their arrangement formed randomly depending on its position caused by the movement of the water. As the water moves, the panels will move accordingly, hence providing a sense of freedom and also fluidity.
Conclusion In conclusion, it was decided that the term fluidity is to be dropped. However, the idea of playing with the sun light and haveing changes based on the sun path is to be further utilised and developed. To incorporate that, new forms need to be created to optimise the play with sun light. This is due to the fact that the effect created by the mentioned prototypes proved to be too weak and the ideas and designs explored are hard to be further developed. With the above issues solved and developed fully, it is believed that the final result will achieve the goal set- constantly changing. This goal is held on to due to the fact that it is expected to evoke the curiosity of the Wyndham community, which might subsequently create architectural discourse where people will discuss about the Gateway Project in terms of its design method as well as its design representation. This is important as it not only contribute to the community of Wyndham by creating a sense of excitement and visually interesting spatial urban experience for the current site condition, it also prove the success of the design, an important reward for an architect. Besides, since Wyndham city is known for its sculptural art, this proposal will become another turning point for the city’s achievement in art. This is due to the application of computaional design approach for the project where the outcome indicating that the Wyndhm community has ushered into a more technologically advance generation.
Learning Outcome When this subject is first introduced, it inevitably placed us in an active engagement with computational design, both in theories and practical work. Traditional paper-based design process is considered obsolete while digital computational design is argued to be a more promising approach for contemporary architectural practice. Through this course, the various advantages of computational design is understood. For instance, more complex geometries can be created, greater manipulation over the design is enabled, and repetitive work can be avoided while the consumption of time and resources is reduced. Through the researches on precedents of computational design, we gradually understood the capability of computational design and a hint of its development in the future. Apart of the theoretical aspect, we were given opportunities to develop practical skills using softwares such as Rhino together with visual scripting-Grasshopper. Computational design also provides a platform for exploring the unlimited possibilities never thought before and allows us to engage more with the learning of Grasshopper. By fabricating one of the CUT projects in the case studies, it is impressive to see how beautifully the prototype is produced when compared to previoius hand made models. Gradually, we are exposed to the whole process of computational design, from utilising the softwares to fabricating a design and assembling it to build a model. On top of that, the expression of interest is a new knowledge gained as it informs what it is like to be competing for projects in the real world. It prepares us for any future invovement that we might be in. However, the design process turned out to be the complete opposite. This was because we’ve encountered enormous amount of technical problems due to insufficient understanding on the algorithm behind the software. Nevertheless, it is also via such mistakes made that we learned and started to fathom the foundational computational principles behind digital geometry, data structures, and programming. In addtition, it is also found that though computational design is interesting and its outcome promising, it is still a difficult process for designers who are used to the traditional method of paper-based design. With pen and paper, it may be easier to express their ideas and creativity while computational design may be restricting and confusing espectially for beginners. As different people has different learning speed, this subject proved to be very challenging especially when one has to handle a few subjects which are equally demanding, In conclusion, the learning so far has been really interesting and challenging as well. The outcome promised by digital architectural design has indeed stimulated a sense of curiosity for further exploration on such approach in the near future. It is undeniable that this course has provided a valuable opportunity for such interesting approach which will definitely be explored with greater time commitment and practices.
Part II
Project Proposal
Sun Pole
With the impression of a sun flower field and the play of sunlight in mind, my group has decided to come out with a design that behaves similarly to the sunflower, which means our design will move according to the sunpath. Subsequently, we came out with a twisted form from a rectangular strip. The reason why a twisted form is chosen over a normal strip is that it allows a viewer to be able to get a glimpse of the different surfaces at one point. In addtiiton, the twisted form makes it interesting as viewer will find it hard to trace which side of the rectangular ends at which side of the form as a whole. In response to the competition criteria of having an exciting, iconic and eye-catching installment, we believe that our design - Sun Pole- will achieve what was wished for Wyndham City.
Site Plan
The key perspective view and view from a car shows the scale of the poles. The shortest being 10m tall, followed by 15m tall poles and the tallest 20m tall. The hierarchy in terms of its size is to prevent collision between the poles when it moves throughout the day. In addition to that, the increasing in height is to create layering effect where drivers can see clearly diferent rows of the structure. It is purposely designed to be in a larger scale to boost its iconic effect and stimulate an overwhelming sense to the drivers. Besides, drivers are driving in fast speed, ,it will be more eye catching if the scale is bigger, which makes the poles more appealing and obvious to the drivers. The repetition of the poles along the site is to boost the iconic effect as a whole. It is also to create an effect similar to the sunflower field. Because of the largescale of the design, it is decided that it would be uneconomical to cover the whole site with the poles. Since the poles are getting taller each row, the ultimate height would be too tall and seems structurally unsound and unecessary fot the scale of this project.
Sun Path Diagram 2pm
7am
9am
5pm
12pm
Reactions of the poles throughout summer days.
2pm
8am
10am
4pm
12pm
Reactions of the poles throughout winter days.
Movement Summer
Winter
8am 8am
10am 10am
12pm 12pm
2pm 2pm
5pm 4pm Along route to CBD
Summer
Winter
8am 8am
10am 11am
12pm 12pm
2pm 2pm
6pm 4pm Along route from CBD
As shown in the series of drawings, the poles react according to the sun path throughout the day and also the positions of the poles themselves. As observed in the drawings, poles react differently at different positions. This is due to the angle of the sun at the particular time which will affect the sunlight received by the poles. For instance, if half of the poles are able to receive and the other hald are not able to, the latter will not have much movement and vice versa. As a whole, the poles will appear to be creating patterns throughout the day. Drivers will be able to experience different atmospheric effect created by the arrangement of the poles. For example, at around 12pm to 1pm, the overhang part will appear hovering above the road. Drivers will be able to feel as though they are drving through a sheltered area. At other times of the day when the overhang part will not be facing the road, they appear only as a majestic iconic landmark. The movement during summer and winter will also be different due to different sun angle. This in return create more interesting observation for the viewers. Their curiousity will be evoked by wondering: what time it is it? why does the momvement differ from the last season? how was it before? Through the dynamism achieved by following the sun path, drivers will find the design to seem like it is ever changing, thus makes the journey through the freeway more interesting and enjoyable. Perhaps it can lighten up the hearts of the people driving to work on Monday mornings. However, the movement of the poles will be restricted during a cloudy or rainy day where the strength of the sunlight is limited. Nevertheless, it will be even more unpredictable and keep people wondering how much will the poles be affected and to what extend it will react on that day.
Structure & Materials PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
1
lightweight steel truss of the four surfaces
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
2
steel trusses joined together to form the skeleton of the pole
3
4
5
6
Structural configuration of the poles and proposed materials.
e
a
b
e d
c
a
d
b
a, b, e = copper c = solar panel d = mirror d
e
e a
d
c
c
Prototype of real life material composition.
Weathering of the copper surfaces. Solar panel is the most crucial material for this design as it allows the poles to act as solar tracker which enables it to have the sunflower characteristic. With power generated by the solar panels during the day, it could be used to provide electricity to the lights required to light up the poles at night, thus saving energy for the municipality. Mirror is used to allow drivers to catch a glimpse of their distorted self, thus enhancing the excitement the design offers to the drivers. The mirror used is not normal mirror but it is in fact polished stainless steel that appear to be mirror-like. Copper was chosen for the other two surfaces to incorporate weathering effect to the design. It is envisioned that in 10 years time, when the mirror surface gets filthy, the solar panels not functioning anymore and the copper surface which by then has turned greenish in colour, the poles will stay still at its final position before their rotating mechnism fail them. It will appear to the people as ruins. thus offering a whole new aesthetics of the old to the people and reminding them how much the city have grown throughout the years.
View of the weathered poles.
Detail of Joinery
Panels attached to the truss structure with dierent materials at each sides steel truss system forming lightweight pole in twisted form chieved by computational architecture concrete footing underneath Structural detail as a whole.
The mechanism that enable the poles to move is via a spherical pivot at the bottom of each poles. Supporting the pivot and the pole is a pile concrete footing that will transfer load straight into the foundation. In addition to that, a sensor is to be installed to the pole as this enables the solar panels to sense the sunlight and track its position throughout the day.
joint connecting pivoting steel to truss chord pivoting steel spherical rolling joint
truss system truss chord lightweight structure bolted to steel plate steel plate welded to concrete footing
Detail of pivot and footing connection with the structure.
Connection between steel structure and spherical rolling
Physical Model 1
4
2
5
3
6
Model making process.
Conclusion In conclusion, not only does this design will provde a whole new experience to the drivers, it also is able to save up some energy for the municipality. For people using the freeway frequently to work and return home, this design is an interesting one as drivers are able to notice the changes that occured to poles, thus making their journey more interesting and less tiring. Simply by exploiting solar energy technology, an innovative design is developed as both a rotating iconic structure and also a self sustainable (in terms of energy) structure. Its scale itself will also challenge the technology available to build in in the real world. The various materials provide a more interesting visual effect which will lighten up the feeling of people going to work in the CBD everyday. With different positions of the poles at different times of the day, drivers will find it interesting to see different sides of the poles as they rotate. It is believed that this design would be a part of the community of Wyndham City as it provides a whole new experience to the people and its scale and iconic structure will be able to represent the municipality and grow together with the community.
Part III
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Personal Background and Learning Objectives Before undertaking this subject, I have never heard of parametric design and when I first searched about it, it seemed very interesting and exciting for a third year student like me. It is finally time to learn new and advance skills, and I can do something better with the help of computational design. Hence, I was seeking to learn more about parametric design and wished to design something organic with certain complexity to it. This was something that I was avoiding for the past two years due to lack of skills to developed complex and organic design. Through this subject, the learning of new thoughts about architecture and designing was also anticipated. There are so many great architects out there, the older and the younger generation. Certainly their thoughts and methods will be different due to the different generations they were brought up in. I was seeking to understand how architecture and designing are perceived by them and what approach do they take to design something meaningful for the people. Furthermore, I also wished to fully understand the differences between designing with pen and paper and computational design. Although I agree with the fact that the importance of computational design is inevitable today and its vitality as the current trend, I still wished to decide for myself which method is the best for me. At the same time, with this opportunity, I was hoping that I could develope more skills in computational design as my knowledge of it increases and that it would benefit my future work as a student and also as a professional.
Learning Progress Learning how to utilise both grasshopper and rhino at the same time is tough and it requires a lot of dedication and commitment of both time and attention. However, interesting skills and valuable knowledge are learned and even if it was not a hundred percent of them learnt, it was fulfilling. A few methods of designing and fabrication were introduced and it made it added in excitement to my learning. For example, the usage of computational design and digital fabrication made the model making process easier and more visually compelling. Through every week’s discussion with tutors, I slowly understood more about designing and the importance to think deeper when designing such as the context, the meaning a design brings to the perople who view and experience it and what I want to achieve by designing for the community. Such aspects not only will aid me in achieving a well thought design and also fulfill my pride as a designer. Due to the fact that the tuutorial videos provided were only basics, I learned well on doing independent learning by searching videos relating to what I wanted to achieve and also by seeking help from forums with people advanced in using grasshopper. Not only that I learned more about grasshopper through self learning, I also found useful resources which I can refer to again in the future.
Learning Outcomes As a conclusion for this subject, I am exposed to various problems that have to be dealt with in the professional design process. As a third year student, I am required to step in closer to the way professional world functions. For example, the expression of interest proved to be an effective preparation for the real world, though there are still aspects that were omitted such as budget restrictions, which has given us more freedom to our creativity. Given that said, it was still a tough process with the learning of new softwares and struggles with expressing our ideas and thoughts through a well thought design. In addition to the difficulties in dealing with technical problems and time management, it was also learned that there are many kinds of fabrication methods that are sometimes suitable only for certain designs. For instance, solid and complex forms are more suitable to be produced through 3D printing (an example will be our design- Sun Pole), sheet like forms can be easily produced through laser cutting. Unfortunately, as students, we have to plan our budget accordingly as these fabrication methods are not easily affordable. Mistakes should be avoided and digital models should be rechecked as many times as possibles to reduce the possibility of mistakes. Furthermore, knowledge gained in the past will always be useful. For our Sun Pole, we made the physical model through the origami method where we had to convert the digital model into strips so that they could be joined together by tabs when printed out. Unfortunately, the outcome was not as great as expected. A reason for that may be the choice of materials used. Through this, I learned more about choosing the right materials for model making.
Future Work In the future, I would want to challenge my design skills by the further learning of grasshopper and rhino. Eventhough grasshopper is still tough but I cannot deny its capability in producing designs that are more sophisticated. However, I would not disregard traditional papaer-based designing as I think it is basic and crucial for architects regardless which generation we are from. I am also anticipating how far scripting would be utilised in built architecture. It would be a great spatial experience for the people if more complex geometries could be realised into an actual built form. Finally, I think it is also crucial to not judge myself through my ability to design with softwares as in the end, what is important is my ability to design something that is meaningful to the people and something that is wanted by the people instead of designing for the sake of my self satisfaction. I think what I have understood by doing the expression of interest is that I have to have thoughts for the peole while designing, so that I would never go astray in my own thoughts.
References Achimmenges 2012, Achimmenges.net, Stuttgart, viewed 29 March 2012, <http:// www.achimmenges.net/?p=4443>. Burry, M 2011, Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming, Wiley, Chichester, pp. 8 - 71. Kalay, YE 2004, Architecture’s New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design, MIT Press, Cambridge, pp. 5 - 25. Ko, K & Liotta SJ 2011, Decoding Culture Parametrically: Digital Tea House Case Studies, Tokyo University, Tokyo, viewed 29 March 2012, < http://multi-science. metapress.com.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/content/015r08475379007t/fulltext.pdf>. Marcos, CL 2011, New materiality: Digital fabrication and open form, International conference on Innovative Methods in Product Design, Venice, viewed 29 March 2012, < http://www.improve2011.it/Full_Paper/41.pdf>. Williams, R 2005, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in M Rampley (ed.), Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, pp. 102 - 16.