B5 Technique: Prototypes Process Documentation I want to achieve the ability to bend and sense of lightweight by cables and cardboards. The method below explores joints that allow flexing of the frame structure.
Laminate fabrics with the One cell is completed Cut fabrics by tracing the laser cut laser cut frames of card board. piece
Metal cables are laminated in between the cardboards.
Cut fabrics by tracing the laser cut polypropylene.
3 cells overlapped with strips.
Fabric is laminated in between the polypropylene frames.
Their joints are made of pins, simulating bolted joints.
3 cells completed
Cells are overlapped with strips to create a grid.
Here we can see how the layers are overlapped with one another.
3D printed cell in one module. The lofted surface is welded to the frame.
Joints of the modules to allow connection by rods. 3 modules are connected by rods and they are welded. 3D printing allows the creation of dynamic geometry of the openings that is difficult with laser cut method.
Timber frames are connected by lap joints. Thus joints are cut this way for lapping on top of eachother.
The fabric is bolted to the timber frame.
It is supported by a timber , jointed in the same way.
Selection Criteria and Testing
I want to create a shading device by fabrics. The structure is light and flexible and can be suspended by cables.
Light source is in the middle distance from the model.
The model’s ability to shade is tested here. The fabrics effectively reduce the light while the opening allows light in.
Model is moved closer to light source.
Light source is moved close to the model.
This model is successful in creating shading and achieve a strong structure that allows bending and suspension.
Here the model’s ability to bend vertically is tested.
I want to test the shading effect under a different type of connection and material system. This structure is bolted to the ground instead of suspended
In contrast to the previous model, the strips are visible here as compared to the cables which are invisible. Also, the opening is created to twist. The shading effect is more controlled here.
The light source is moved close to the model.
The amount of light getting through the opening is less than the area of the opening due to the twist motion of the fabric and opening.
The model’s ability to flex in the horizontal direction is tested here.
Overall, the model is successful in creating more controlled shading. This model has the ability to flex horizontally by the bolted joints.
3D printed model can create more interesting and dynamic shapes of the openings. Ie, the half moon opening.
However, the mesh of my model has pushed the limited in 3D printing that the machine left some unintended opening of the loft surface that affects the shading effect. Also, the frame also left shading on the ground.
The model’s ability to torque at the joints between 2 rows of cells.
Overall, the model is successful in creating a rigid structure, providing shading, However, it has not produced a flawless model as expected as they are some holes on the loft surface.
Shading in different directions. The frame leaves a bigger influence on the shading.
The model’s ability to flex here is tested. The frame can cope with the motion easily. However, one of the fabric connection has disconnected.
The model’s ability to resist live load is shown. The timber fin is strong to resist the vertical load due to the depth of the frame.
B6 Technique: Proposal
Fig 7. Noise pollution by traffic
Fig 5. Existing bridges at Merri Creek where it joins Yarra River
Fig 6. Sun Path
Fig 8. Existing walkways and cycling paths
I want to use the cells I have created in my technique to create a pattern on a surface that wraps around a bridge structure, with the aim of reducing the noise pollution of the traffic and creating shading if possible (fig. 10, 11). Fig 9. South East Asian Crossing Project, IJP Corporation, Landscape Architects
Fig 10. Noise diffusion by cell developed in patterning technique
Fig 11. Noise reflected on the facetted surface.
7 See http://www.e-architect.co.uk/singapore/singapore-bridge
We can see the noise pollution created by the bridges in fig. 7. I also want to track the sun path for the openings of my cells as a secondary goal. I want to look at the how the bridge (fig. 9) creates a form with the overhead that creates shading. Except that I will focus on using the cells I have developed to apply on a structure like this. Not only does this bridge creates shading, it also creates scenic viewing for pedestrians and cyclists. 7 Maybe it can be something worth looking at also.
B7 Learning Objectives and Outcomes In the course of Part B, I have learnt to develop many design possibilities by exploring different cases of patterning and combining some grasshopper definitions to further develop the possibilities. I have explored deeply into how data works to create more advanced patterns. Data matching was a whole new concept and language to me in learning grasshopper so I have learnt it in an adequate amount. I learnt by experimenting with
definitions and getting help on grasshopper3d forum. I making the iterations, I always step back and think abou how to satisfy the selection criteria of the site so that I could produce something that may be useful for part C So I have learnt to merge computation design(generati design) with composition design methods. I was partly aware of what I am making and partly open up for possibilities. I think computation is to aid the architect to design but not to become the primary driving force. balance should strike between.
I have also learnt to fabricate different prototypes for m
B8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches In this sketch, I have used graph mapper to distort the lofted surfaces created by field lines. The field lines are created by merging several fields together and evaluated. I have used extensively the field in my technique exploration and the graph mapper to create shapes that inform my proposal at the end, a bridge system.
Points on a surface are used as inputs for the image sampler and then circles are drawn at these points and the radius according to the image. What is different here is the radius of the circles are further controlled by replacing the radius with 4 numbers, thus enabling a higher degree of control. I have used this to explore my iterations to create different shading areas with an image of my choosing.