PARAMAGNETICA

p a r a m a g n e t ic a by pro tectonics

Paramagnetica

P aramagnetica Seamless Flow

“What we call failure is not the falling down... but the staying down�

To Architect Alejandro Rodriguez, for keeping the faith.

Index Research 1 Digital Emulation 9 Program 19 Parametric Patterns 21 Renders 23 Interiorities 33

Prologue Circa 2008. a group of geoscientists unveiled the results of an extensive study that revealed magnetic anomalies emitted

by Earth’s tectonics. This mapping of anomalies received the name of World Digital Magnetic Anomaly Map, or WDMAM. People could see for the first time a clear, accurate and complete graphic representation of Earth’s varied geomagnetic activity. Driven by the desire to explore magnetism phenomena as a design guideline, and unexpectedly stumbling upon the WDMAM, this team of individuals were gathering the first sets of information to build the engine that ultimately generated Paramagnetica Resort Complex.

Site Analysis The site given is located in Puerto Juarez, Cancun, it spans nearly 800 meters across and is flanked by the bay on the west, and the Atlantic ocean on the east. here is little to no variation in terrain level due to previous interventions which eliminated most of the naturally occurring mangrove in the area.

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Research

By plotting the coordinates of the site in the WDMAM, interesting facts became visible: the area was littered with pockets of medium to high magnetic activity throughout its whole extension. The following question arose: I there a way to emulate these areas of spiking geomagnetic activity? To address this, it was concluded that the usage of neodymium magnets of varying masses and ferrous powder, which would act as the reacting agent to the magnets was the best course of action to represent the WDMAM mapping in an analog manner.

Analysis of Geomagnetic Field

Geomagnetic Activity

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After the site was plotted on an acrylic base, and the magnets fixed accordingly, the ferrous powder was poured. It depicted a behavior that was synthesized in the following manner: 3

Analog Experiment

its particles react to magnetic activity by morphing into vectors of varying magnitudes and angles.

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Analog Experiment

To better comprehend the tectonic qualities of the analog experiment, a series of models were made utilizing toothpicks, a foam board base and metallic mesh.

The intension of the mesh is to depict the areas where geomagnetic activity oscillated from very low, to low and medium low levels.

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Analog Experiment

Elastic meshes were draped over this model to further explore the tectonic qualities of the experiment results.

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Morphology Core Mechanics Part 1

(refer to sequence on pages 11, 12)

1. A grid is extended over the site 2. Attractors which emulate geomagnetic intensities are plotted accordingly 3. Attractors affect points in the grid generating vectors of different magnitudes and angles 4. Vectors are divided proportionally into different altitudes to depict how the attractors affect the grid points over time 5. The divisions are connected by lines that pass through them. These connections intersect with the initial vectors.

Part 2

(refer to sequence on pages 13, 14, 15, 16)

1A -The connections are progressively lofted horizontally to solidify frame by frame the morphing action caused by the attractor points. Thus depicting the entire morphing sequence.

2A -A second methodology is applied, this time lofting the connections progressively upwards or downdards towards the last surface generated in the morphing sequence.

The resulting surface is used to eliminate excess surfaces that are not below it.

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Digital Emulation

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Grid Magnetic Simulation Vector Division

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Digital Emulation

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Morphology Core Mechanics

Algoritmic Landscape-Elevation

1A Morphing Sequence (longitudinal)

Morphology Core Mechanics

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Algoritmic Landscape-Elevation

2A Morphing Sequence (Transverse)

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Resulting landscape and tectonics overlapped with topographic isocurves depicting the geomagnetic activity in the area.

End Result

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Program

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Hotel

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Hotel

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Comercial Area

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Residential Area Docks/Yacht Club 6 Entrance 7

Green Areas

Main Circulation Sub Circulation

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Parametric patterns are implemented to enhance the project ‘s complexity present in the magnetic movement developed by the algorithmic design. The purpose of the patterns is to create an articulation between the design engine and the intricacy of a final space, dealing with form, lighting, circulations and materials. These patterns are chosen after a complex study of the features mentioned above, which in this case lend to a parametric grid that responds to sunlight to create apertures. These articulations are a very important connection in the project because they unify the different areas of intervention as a whole.

The tectonics qualities of the project are improved and converge to create a more complex algorithmic architecture.

Parametric Patterns

Input Surface Pattern Grid Division Grid Reference Points Output Surface

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Renders

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Renders

Renders

Renders

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Renders

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Interiorities

As a final characteristic of the project, interiorities are implemented as a connection between interior and exterior algorithmic properties. It is fulfilled at the moment the bystander senses the connectivity between the minimal space and its whole.

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