Vitra Core
jorge alfredo delgado castro patricio gonzรกlez urquijo jose orozco alcรกntar
vitra core research as a parametric design tool.
TO OUR ALWAYS SUPPORTING TUTOR ARCHITECT ALEJANDRO RODRIGUEZ AND FOR YOUR GUIDENCE AND PATIENCE TO MAKE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE.
introduction site analysis
index research site parameters algorithmic logic iterations urban proposal structure optimization masterplan circulations sustainability renders conclusion
constitution condominiums are in a privileged area of monterrey metropolitan center, the idea is to intervene in the area to create a future icon of monterrey. the main problem is that they are in neglect, and this causes dirt and insecurity in the area, which has great potential for a masterplan.
site analysis
the project was based on the glass fracture research. taking advantage that glass cracks have their own parameters and can create unique and interesting flows in the project.
research the glass can crack in different ways depending on the type of glass, but we’re focusing in one type, and different forms of propagation on it.
to create the algorithm we selected one type of glass: The Soda-Lime Glass, composed of about 75% silica (si02) plus sodium oxide (na20) from soda ash, lime (ca0), and several minor additives. this glass is the one commonly used in windows (2.4 mm)
to start the algorithm we needed to find out three formulas: 1.
The number of cracks depending on the
strength of the impact.
2.
The growth distance of the cracks.
3.
The angle of the propagation.
research
1 number of cracks
to determine the number of cracks we based our algorithm on angel beltran’s mechanics of the glass experiment thesis, where he made several experiments about creating a punctual impact. using the same type of glass that we specified, 2.4 mm and chemically pure, he fractured it with a universal impact machine in a laboratory, obtaining the following results: in most cases the glass broke depending
on the force applied,
the more the strength the number of cracks grew exponentially.
based on the article “the mechanical properties of glass� by professor Richard Lehman, we got the following formula.
Ă“ = failure stress (strength of the material)
C = flaw size in meters
KIC = critical stress intensity factor for mode 1 crack propagation. (has slow values for lough materials)
VALUE = 0.75-1 (we used 0.8) mpa-m05 for glass
2 growth distance of cracks
3 angle of propagation
based on the article “The Fractography and crack patterns of broken glass”, by richard c. brant. we used the three formulas on our grasshopper’s algorithm, to simulate the glass fracture, as shown:
The angle formula is Ó = 2 arctan 1/4 ((ki/kii)+-((sqrt(ki/kii)2)+8)
if we combine both equations we get:
f/a = kic/sqrt ((pi)(c)) f/60 = .8/(sqrt(pi))(sqrt(c)) f/60 = .45(sqrt(c)) (sqrt(c)) = (f/60)/.45
now
that the formula si simplified, we
applied it in the grasshopper algorithm.
we used 3 different kind of impacts.
weight applied = number of cracks
1. using less strength it created less cracks and more polygons of construction. (secondary impact)
2. we discovered that more strength will make more green areas. (primary impact)
3. using less strength it created less cracks and more polygons of construction. (secondary impact)
site parameters
1
2
3
algorithmic logic
3 points were selected inside the site limits to reference the place of impact.
1
2
3
starting from the point selected, radial circles grow with defined distance between each one, radially increasing depending on the strength of the impact.
AFTER EACH CIRCLE THE LINES ARE RANDOMLY REDUCED TO ASSIMILATE THE LIMITED PROPAGATION OF SOME CRACKS.
AFTER EACH RADIAL CIRCLE, THE LINE CHANGES DIRECTION.
ACCORDING TO THE PROPOSED FORMULA, THE CHANGED DIRECTION SHOULD NOT PASS A LIMIT OF 45 DEGREES.
POLYGONS WERE SELECTED ACCORDING TO THEIR AREA.
AN OFFSET IS MADE TO CREATE THE BUILDINGS SIDEWALK.
OTHER POLYGONS WITH LOWER AREA WERE SELECTED FOR DECKS.
building polygons
deck polygons
the building polygons are selected. then the building rises from the shape of the polygon with a series of rotation and sheers on each levels floor so that the buildings shape in whole, asimilates the curves of the broken glass inner body created from the cracks.
Building Set
Building Bases+SIDEWALK
DECKS
WATER MIRRORS
CIRCULATIONS
SITE AREA
iterations
urban proposal
used as the main structural support and inner dividers for the buildings.
structure
inner polygon lines are
optimization
commerce
office
event rooms
residential
VERTICAL CIRCULATIONS:
horizontal CIRCULATIONS:
a slope begins from the central impact out, creating a visual effect to the site buildings as if the hit would’ve been in the middle.
this building height parameter also helps to keep the sun out of the inside yards on the mornings and evenings, and helps making the habitants feel less claustrophobic from being surrounded by buildings.
sustainability
THE CLIMATE IN MONTERREY IS SUBTROPICAL HUMID WITH AN AVERaGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE OF 22 DEGREES CELSIUS. MONTERREY IS KNOWN FOR ITS DRAMATIC CLIMATE CHANGES, ESPECIALLY IN WINTER. DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, TEMPERATURE CAN REACH 34 DEGREES CELSIUS, AND JULY AND AUGUST ARE THE HOTTEST MONTHS.
with this research and with the help of an algorithm in grasshopper we obtained the faces of the buildings that receive the most sun in the critical hours of the day.
this faces are protected by a solid facade containing the same crack algorithm as the site and using the crack lines as light entrance to the building. some polygons where also selected to allow better views to the outside.
renders
the project was created using parametric design tools assimilating the breaking glass cracks and the solar path of the zone, this two created a unique parametric and sustainable design.
the unlimited variation of
conclusion
results in glass shatter is chaotic yet worked incredibly good to create urban proposals on a big scale.
this shatter action in glass causes an elegant aesthetic architectural design.