The Loop by Andrius Laurinaitis

THE LOOP Chen Hu

Andrius Laurinaitis

Yigit Isik

Theodore Spyropoulos Mustafa El Sayed Apostolis Despotidis Chen Hu Andrius Laurinaitis Yigit Isik

Theodore Spyropoulos Studio Design Research Lab Architectural Association of Architecture

2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

9 25 49 61 101 109 145 153 159 175 201 237 245 249 267 277 287 299 325 341

Brief Research Experimentation Behavioral Unit The Loop Logic of Behaviour Particle System Lifting Logic Space Generation CSH Taxonomies Cluster Generation Primitives The Link Elements of System Context and CSH Relationship with Human Light Relationship with Environment Contextual Formations and Scenarios Models Commentary

STUDIO AGENDA

Issues of context, site and infrastructure will be challenged, as our systems will be exploring ideas of latency, adaptation and evolution. The aim is to design systems that have the capacity to evolve contextual parameters through direct engagement and feedback. This open systemic approach will seek to test its viability in multiple site interventions evolving solutions and hyper-specificity through this interaction with environmental and social conditioning. Systemic Ecologies for Living: The studio will explore the generative potential of self-regulating phenomena through the development of protoarchitectural systems. As Gygory Kepes once said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dynamic unity of constancy and change has a fundamental role in our intellectual growth. Our clearest understanding of the nature of these complementary opposites has been reached through grasp of the principle of self-regulating systems.â&#x20AC;? Our systemic approach will seek to evolve research that examines new forms of living and structuring of human environments. Experimenting through explicit models of interactions, observable patterns and proto-animalistic agency, the studio will explore the capacity for design systems to evolve architectural elements with the capacity to self-structure, respond and evolve. Structural morphologies as genotype/phenotype explorations will construct serial structural prototypes. The aim is to generate systemic relations that are adaptiveand time-based. Beyond deterministic methods of structuring space, issues of duration and populations will evolve a new language of assemblies as collective structures. Models will address implementation scenarios that engage singular/collective orders. Time will serve as a critical agent in the outlining of these systems and their ability to be implemented and organised. The studio will look towards an architecture that can be constructed as an adaptive network of stimulus-response environments. These synthetic ecologies will seek to redefine how we live in our urban environments.

THESIS

Development of an architectural framework system that is able to generate substantial amount of variety in the means of novelty in the system to itself, system to environment, and system to inhabitant, while having the abilities of to adaptation, dynamic response, through self assembly, active mobilility and autonomy. We propose architectural strategy that explores a non-generic approach towards the domestic environment. While enabling life-like behaviour, growth and adaptation, system is based on magnetic behaviours observed on a single unit (building block) behaviour, particle force behaviour and geometrical packing and stacking strategies of the sphere. The abstraction of principles of natural magnetic organisation the proposed Unit is able to preform cluster formations such as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;the Loopâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, a set of Cells via internal communication and interaction in-between. The Loop is capable to transform into various configurations in order to play certain roles in the system - structuring, occupancy, performance, lighting. Since the strategy is not finite and has bottomup approach, reconfiguration and transformation in real-time is possible.

ABSTRACT The research is about self-regulated, mobile, self structuring systems that aims to create new possibilities of interaction in between the inhabitant, the environment and the system itself It is influenced by the argument that the revolutionary changes in contemporary society brought about by new communications media and new technological developments drive paradigm shifts in all fields of design practice. We observe these in the means of a demand of the society for mass customization, quality and efficiency from the most products it consumes. We aim to respond these issues with a system, that adopts an ever-transforming dynamically adaptive machinic ecology. Interplay of autonomous behavioural units leads to the emergence of a dynamic landscape through goal oriented communication patterns. The responsive and dynamic interaction may yield new possibilities of interaction in between the inhabitant and its environment.

Artwork titled â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Geometric Death Frequency-141â&#x20AC;&#x2122; by Federico DĂaz in MASS MoCA illustrates our vision of a human-made environment consisting of smaller induvidual units forming the global morphology

BRIEF RESEARCH

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW PARADIGMS

The advancement of technology provided a continuous transformation of the civilization. Progressively increasing rate of advancement has reached a level that everyday there is a new discovery or an invention. Inevitably this fast paced progress had a huge impact on the daily human actions. It was inevitable to see the implications of the advancements in technology on the built environment, as a challenge in the field of architecture. “Revolutionary changes in modern society brought about by new communications media, new technologies, new products, new markets and new methods of production presents challenges for all fields of design practice.” The constant transformation in the daily activity of the people, naturally had significant implications on the needs of the built environment. The new communications, information media and transportation methods brought about a more dynamic, rapidly changing and interconnected activities. “The variety reflected in constant change became an imperative in the development of the modern world.” “The contemporary society evolved to a point where it demands masscustomization, quality and efficiency from most of the products it consumes.” As the architectural space is one form of a design production, that is designed to serve people, the requirements from the built environment has shifted from a more stable and predetermined, into more flexible, adaptable and dynamic characteristics.

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Therefore, the transformations in technology resulted in a shift in the requirements of the built environment need to fulfil. The paradigm shifts have created a basis of crisis in architecture, since the current constructed environment does not incorporate such an adaptable sense of space creation. In current practice, the flexibility of the space has failed to transcend simple reconfigurations in the space or the rearrangement of partitions, therefore continues to fail the needed characteristics of continuous transformations, reconfigurations and mobility; in a nutshell continuous adaptation to the changing human behaviour. However, the mainstream architecture does not tend to show any signs of change in aforementioned regard, as the fabric of the city continues to be occupied with an outdated architecture which fails to respond to the emergent needs of the built environment. “Nevertheless we still build the unnatural buildings of past epochs. Our times demand lighter; more energy-saving, more mobile and more adaptable, in short more natural buildings without disregarding safety and security.” Proceeding the application of such built environments are inevitably futile; since today it is possible to make calculated predictions on the requirements and desires of the future generations. It is imperative for the designers to tackle this problem by innovative and revolutionary methods of design to propose a genuine understanding of the built space as a system that is open to adaptation for continuous change. Brett Steele mentions a different way of looking at architecture:

“a discipline not so much dedicated to the making of the form as it is a field of action, performance and knowledge that is itself always undergoing transformation”.

1. Gane, Victor. “Parametric Design: A Paradigm Shift?” Thesis. Massachusetts Institute of Technology Dept. of Architecture, 2004. Cambridge: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (2004): 3-3. Print.

The key is to design such systems is to seek alternative methods for space creation, in which the goal is not about reaching an end-form by fulfilling predetermined functions, but trying to reach taxonomies that are actuated by the intrinsic behaviours of the system itself.

2. Kwinter Sanford, “Soft Systems”, Culture Lab 1, Brian Boignon (ed.), 1996, New York, pp 212-213.

“Design as an activity should not limit itself solely to descriptive forms but rather use casual and circular relationships to identify generative qualities that will continuously redefine and evolve the design system itself. This is a process of continual formation rather than a state of fixed form.”

3. Roth, Susan. “The State of Design Research” Journal Article. Design Issues 15.2. 1999, pp 18–26. 4. De Pree, Max. “Leadership is an Art”, Bantam Doubleday Dell Publishing, 1989, New York, pp 100.

Such novel systems are the key to respond to the need of a new built environment in which the formations are not prefixed, but governed by a set of rules that enables iterative arrangements of genuine morphology, that may provide the means for new functionality, identification and adaptation.

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ADAPTIVE DYNAMISM AND TIME BASED SIMULATION

actions cause this change. The users start to experiment with this newfound cause and effect relationship, eventually gets promoted to the actuator position, adding another layer to the interaction Utility:

Adaptive Dynamism One of the main challenges for the architects is how to design environments that manage to relate to this need for spatial dynamism of the built spaces. One of the responses of the designers is to design adaptable, responsive and/or interactive environments, which coexist and redefine themselves with the users. The regulation of the mechanism that dictates the change is the key aspect in the creation of the dynamism: the system can be regulated via a pre-determined action; an independent dynamism, or realtime generation of the action, based on a set of parameters extrapolated from the users within the environment; a responsive dynamism. The potentials and limitations of the two different ways of achieving spatial dynamism can be inferred from a methodical assessment of their effects on the user experience. A selection of the user experience assessment (UXA) constructs are adopted through the evaluation, such as perception, utility and identification, because mainly these constructs are related to the experience of an architectural environment. Perception: A transforming and changing environment leads to constant visual, auditory and tactile stimuli, which are the main senses that enable the perception of an environment. Human body has evolved to respond to the reconfiguration of the elements around themselves, as a basic instinct to sense the threats to their survival, therefore, such an environment provides a not only constant excitement, but also an interest to the anticipated next transformation. Yet the feedback system in an interactive spatial dynamism adds to this excitement, whenever the users comprehend that their

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Functionality is a prominent element of the architecture in differentiating itself from art,, therefore, it is a vital aspect of the user experience to be assessed. It is possible to introduce certain functionality via a change in the environment, because it involves certain level of interaction with the user. Having said that, not being able to control the interaction leads to limitations for the independent spatial dynamism. Ultimately, independent spatial dynamism can possibly serve a specific function, but the function cannot evolve to accommodate new requirements, therefore, the utility of such dynamism is ironically static. On the other hand being the actuator of the mechanism accommodates more potential, because the through this way the mechanism can evolve to accommodate the function that serves the user, whenever the user desires. Systems with a responsive dynamism have more potential to serve various functionalities, because in this case the user can control the action to change it if whenever they want. Therefore, a responsive dynamism relates to the functional needs expected from an active built environment. Identification: People tend to bond with their environment, establish a relationship of belonging with the environment through emotional association. This can only occur if there are distinctive characteristics of that environment, differentiating itself from the others. If designed correctly the users may embrace those characteristics, if they manage to evoke such relation with the user, but a failure can lead to the eventual demise or disuse of that space. Therefore, the identification is the key to adoption of a built environment by its user and hence to achievement of a successful architecture, but how is it possible to tailor an identification to establish such inter-relationship?

One of the most common solutions is to make the user take a part in forming the identity of the space. Through such action the user takes a responsibility to have a level of decision-making position. This is evokes a natural sense of association, hence an adoption. The responsive spatial dynamism has potential to provide such a responsibility with the user, since they are a source in the actuation. When the user realizes that their movement acts as a source to the transformation, they exceed the position of being solely the user and become an active participant in the generation of the identity of the space. Therefore, dynamism through responsive interaction is more likely to achieve a sense of association with the environment, as opposed to the independent dynamism. Designers responded to those requirements by implementing a spatial dynamism, which can enable the built environment to perform action that can relate to the demand for a built environment that adapts to accommodate continuous change and transformation. As a result, two different methods to create such dynamism is adopted; one that is regulated by pre-set information and another that is regulated by a continuous responsive feedback cycle. To conclude it has been inferred that rather than an independent dynamism, which can be interpreted as a “change for the sake of change”, the responsive spatial dynamism is a more suitable response to the emergent requirements of the built environment. Time Time, the fourth dimension, is important part of behavioural processes. Subconsciously, we do understand the significance and unquestionable relation to dynamism, movement, growth, behaviour. But, how it should be treated? How should it be harnessed as a design element? Henri Bergson describes time as a heterogeneous moments of which permeate one another, each moment, however, can be brought into relation with a state of the external world which is contemporaneous with it, and can be separated from the other moments in a consequence of this very process.

“We treat time as a separate element for we can break time down as duration and pure duration. Pure duration - is an internal multiplicity of succession, of fusion of organisation, of heterogeneity, of qualitative discrimination, of of difference in kind it is a virtual and continuous multiplicity that cannot be reduced to numbers.” Both authors agree to the Idea of duration, as an order of succession of segments, images or key points on a line in space. Its elements tend to melt into one another without occupying the same space, that is why they are not present in the same space as a single object. “Space is what enables us to distinguish a number of identical and simultaneous sensations from one another; it is thus a principle of differentiation the than that of qualitative differentiation, and consequently it is a reality with no quality.” The observation of duration of certain behaviours in space, enables identification, the motion or the growth of the object in space and time. When an object is allocated in space, it will travel in motion in a sequential manner. “We generally say that a movement takes place in space, and when we assert that motion is homogeneous and divisible, it is of the space traversed that we are thinking, as if it were interchangeable with the motion itself. Now, if we reflect further, we shall see, that the successive positions of the moving body really do occupy space, but that the process by which it passes from one position to another, process which occupies duration and which has no reality except for a conscious spectator, eludes space.” Motion is the key aspect of how we can understand the parameter of time within the space. Space and time are one of the key resources for which living organisms tend to compete. The Ecosystem is a battleground

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of colonisation and competition. In the approach of ours, where the system has a behaviour setting of dynamism, adaptation and organisation, time parameter is inevitable. “In an organism, great or small, it is not merely the nature of the motions of the living substance by which we must interpret the terms of force (according to kinetics), but also the conformation of the organism itself, whose permanence or equilibrium is explained by the interaction or balance of forces, as described in statics.” Having all these ideas in mind, we can try to form the approach towards our system. The simulation processes of the design are inevitable in order to completely understand the behaviours. To utilize characteristics of time: the dynamism, the adaptation and the motion, etc, the digital tools may be of aid. Maya or Processing, which have a fourth dimension - time, lets the designers to dissect the behaviours of the characters of the story in a timeline - to track the positions and relations with each other on a points of timeline. Time itself becomes part of design, and in a sense - a design element.

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Image Bottom Left is an example to independent spatial dynamism. “Museum of Mathematics Entrance | 256 Belt Driven Actuators & Independent Axes.” YouTube. YouTube, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015.<https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=quOzjpmQkOg>. Macron Dynamics recently fulfilled a unique project for the Museum of Mathematics (MoMath) in New York City. The museum was looking to add a special entranceway for visitors entering the museum. Macron Dynamics worked with engineers from Blue Telescope to design an automated system featuring a flowing, wave-like wall structure. The dynamic wall system featured 256 of one of Macron Dynamics’ most popular and economical belt driven linear actuator, the MSA-PSC actuator, moving on an impressive 256 independent axes. Macron Dynamics provided the belt driven actuators, motors and mounting, and control panels for the MoMath’s Dynamic Wall.

Image Top Right illustrates the installation by Veech Media, the system consists of pneumatic chambers that inflate or deflate, creating a transformation in the space “Latent Utopias - Veech X Veech.” Veech X Veech. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2015. <http://veechxveech. com/project/cultural/latent-utopias/>. Image Bottom Right illustrates the Lattice Archipelogics Installation by Servo, the prototypes are linked to motion detectors; if the visitors trigger a responsive change in the environment respective to their movement. “Lattice Archipelogics.” Servo Los Angeles. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2015. <http://www.servo-la.com/index. php?/projects/lattice-archipelogics/>.

1. Gordon Graham, “Philosophy of the Arts: An introduction to Aesthetics” London, Routledge, 2000, p. 150. 2. “The functional qualities of a building are of its essence, and qualify every task to which the architect addresses himself.” Scruton, Roger. “The Aesthetics of Architecture” Princeton University Press, 1979, Princeton, p. 6. 3. Acharya, Larissa. “Flexible Architecture for the Dynamic Societies, Reflection on a Journey from the 20th Century into the Future”. MA. University of Tromso, Spring 2013. *Thesis “Buildings “interact” when they respond to the user’s requirements in automatic or intuitive ways, and when people become participants instead of users.” 4. Bergson, Henri, Keith Pearson, John, Malarkey, and Melissa McMahon. “Time and free will” In Henri Bergson Key writings. New York, Continuum, 2002, 64; 5. Deleuze Gilles “IV”. In bergsonism. New York. Zone Books. 1988.38 6. Bergson, Henri, Keith Pearson, John, Malarkey, and Melissa McMahon. “Time and duration” In Henri Bergson Key writings. New York, Continuum, 2002, 57; 7. Thompson, D, and Lancelot Law Whyte. “Introduction” In On growth and form. A new ed. Cambridge {Eng. The University press, 1942, 16.

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ON LEARNING

Learning is a process, that has many complexities and problems by itself, starting with the circumstances under which the initial conditions are implied, the methodology, goal, content and others. In today’s world of information, software and gadgets, learning overcomes its traditional understanding and implication, that learning is available for humans or animals. With the development of technology, smart devices and robots, they are able to predict our behaviour, needs and interests. Our constant touch with the devices lets the information to be gathered, examined and new data, that is relevant to specific individual, be shown. Databases now know, what do we want to do at the specific time of day, in what events we might be interested, or suggests a movie that we would like to watch this evening. We are more and more driven by information that is specifically tailored and adapts almost instantly to our needs. And this trend is stepping beyond the personal devices into many fields. However, what it takes for architecture to learn? In this customisable world architecture is still mainly driven by more than a hundred-year-old structural strategy of steel frames. The adaptation to changing requirements and lifestyle philosophies is impossible. So, the new ways of thinking have to be adopted - for architecture to truly learn, it must change generic nature of itself, because of the current strategies within contemporary architecture. Life-Like Behaviour As the Encyclopaedia Britannica describes, “perceptual learning is a process by which the ability of sensory systems to respond to stimulus is improved through experience. Perceptual learning occurs through sensory interaction with the environment as well as through practice in performing specific sensory tasks. The changes that take place in sensory and perceptual systems as a result of perceptual learning occur at the levels of behaviour and physiology. Examples of perceptual learning include developing an ability to distinguish between different odours or musical pitches and

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an ability to discriminate between different shades of colours”. This mental relationship between perceived surroundings and physiology was first translated into technological systems by the neurophysiologist Gray Walter. With the combination of digital and analogue computation he managed to create two tortoises, whose life-like behaviour was influenced and managed by their perceptual systems. Elsie and Elmer were the first robots to show non-linear interaction and behaviour within environment. The combination of photo-cell receivers and indication lights on the robot, under certain circumstances produces remarkable results. The indication lights are switched off when the photo-cell receivers catch a light. But when the robot goes in front of

Fig.1. Dancing tortoise by Walter Grey Walter

a mirror, the loop happens – the receiver catches light of the indication light, then the light is switched off, the receiver gets no light, and the indication light goes back on again, and so on. Since the movement of the robot is connected with the light input, the performance turned into some kind of dance. (fig.). As Grey Walter would put “if it were observed in an animal, might be accepted as evidence of some degree of self-awareness”.

However, in our topic the next robot by Walter, the CORA is much more relevant. With the updated circuitry, which included the CORA module, the module of conditional learning, the new patterns of behaviour started to emerge. With this setup Walter was able to actually teach the robot. With kicking the robot and using whistle, CORA was able to learn when the recorded information threshold was reached, to choose behavioural decisions. In a particular example, the whistle meant obstacle, and after some runs when robot heard the whistle, it changed its path as the obstacle was still there even though it was removed. So, Gray Walter was able to form conditional reflexes within a robot. Later, he said “Until scientific era, what seemed most alive to people was what most looked like a living being. The vitality accorded to an object was a function primarily of its form”1 goes around.

behaviour strategy. That is, under certain conditions a learning behaviour is available until it reaches the limit of constructive capabilities of the building or other preprogrammed limits. Also, most of the time decision making process is highly affected by the interactivity in-between the subject or user, or its needs and the architectural object. One of the simplest examples, however is purely technological and is based within the building, is the micro climate adaptive systems, or other maintenance systems of the building. It gets the necessary information from the building pre-defined conditions and alters the systems to be set under certain parameters, for example change temperature. Naturally, this strategy can be adapted in the architectural behaviour, for example, closing window blinds (this behaviour could be behavioural design element of the facade), but once again it is the pre-programmed linear behaviour, which does not meet the expectations of the learning curve. However, the interactivity within the architecture only scratches the surface of the real issues, mostly serving for aesthetic, entertainment or symbolic purposes. “I shall consider the physical environment as an evolving organism as opposed to a designed artefact. In particular, I shall consider and evolution aided by a specific class of machines. Warren McCulloch calls them ethical robots; in the context of architecture I shall call them architecture machines.’ Nicholas Negroponte2

Fig2. CORA assumes that there is an obstacle and

Architectural Translation Ofcourse, we do have examples of architecture can learn, for example, kinetic architecture. Kinetic, by itself, is moving or dynamic, which is necessary for the concept of learning, however the limits provided by the constructive design imply the linear

Supporting Nicholas Negroponte, cybernetician Gordon Pask introduced the idea, that architects first and foremost are system designers who have been forced to take an increasing interest in the organisational system properties of development and control. 3 One of the strongest contributions in the field of architecture as a behavioural system were made in the Architectural Association School of Architecture. A project, led by John Frazer, the Universal Constructor (1996), explored the relationship in-between hierarchical cellular automata linked to genetic algorithms, where the processor

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Fig3. The Universal Constructor, Working Model. John Frazer

configuration worked closely with the model structure. The final working prototype was a predictive computer model with interactive input from exhibition visitors through the manual switches and web-based interactions. Also it is important to mention Cedric Price, who together with Gordon Pask, designed time-based architectural machine, which would evolve every day according to needs. Through the recent years, the Design Research Laboratory in Architectural Association, lead by Theodore Spyropoulos, is working on Behavioural Complexity agenda. As he states in his publication “Adaptive Ecologies”, “A synthesis of material and computational interaction construct a generative organisation of space and structure that explores a behaviour based model of lining through patterns found in nature. System to system interactions identified through simple rule based protocols can collectively exhibit complex non-linear behaviour.”4 A project, in my opinion, that best reflects the architecture with the capability to learn and supports the statement is

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“Hypercell” by Pavlina Vardoulaki, Ahmed Shokir, Coşku Çınkılıç, Houzhe Xu (tutor Theodore Spyropoulos). It is architectural voxel based self-assembly system, that enables architecture to become living and evolving structure. Most importantly the organisational system properties of development, communication and control, allow that structure to adapt, optimise and re-assemble. The computational rulesets within the system enables the recalculation of the units necessary to support structure in the real time. As it is evident in the Figures 4, the clusters of units form the structure, then after the calculations units could be added to support or, most importantly, removed if they are not needed, with predefined strategies of removal, and be reconfigured into optimal structure. In conclusion, learning is one of the keywords defining our time we are living on, but we are specifically interested in perceptual learning, that is the increasing ability to respond to various stimulus through the experience. Even though learning patterns and interactive strategies are visible in the architecture, most of the

time they are limited by generic design, structural capabilities or the input of the user is required. In a way mostly serving aesthetic, entertainment or symbolic purposes. For architecture to truly learn, it has to get rid of generic strategies, inability to adapt. Architecture has to change its nature into participatory and evolving. The breakthrough in the responsive and autonomous systems began in 1964, when neurophysiologist Walter Gray created his famous tortoises, Elmer and Elsa. They had traces of self-awareness in their behaviour. Next model, updated with the CORA module, enabled robot to harness the conditional learning principles. Even though it was a very simple technique of conditions, this was the breakthrough and a major step into understanding of learning behaviour. With the support of Nicholas Negroponte’s idea, who considered all the physical environment as an evolving organism and introduced the term architectural machines, John Frazer introduced the Universal Constructor project, where the cellular automata behaviour was linked to genetic algorithms, which was the predictive system with the interactive input from the exhibition visitors. Furthermore, these ideas were pushed forward in the Architectural Association School of Architecture. The Design Research Laboratory, led by Theodore Spyropoulos is heavily focused on behavioural complexity. One of the projects, “Hypercell”, could be called as a fine example of architecture, that learns. Within the projects behavioural system, communication and controls actually enables architecture to evolve together with its structure. It is possible for architecture to truly learn, adapt and evolve in this fast changing world, however we must start to think in a new way, that architecture is much more than steel, bricks and glass. It is a behaviour.

Fig4. “HyperCell”. Image series of structural reevaluation and adaptation

1 Walter Gray Walter, Living Brain (W. W. Norton & Company, 1963) 2Nicholas Negroponte. The Architecture Machine: Toward a More Human Environment (Cambridge, MIT Press, 1970) 3 Gordon Pask. The Architectural Relevance of Cybernetics, Architectural Design (September 1969), 494 4Theodore Spyropoulos. Adaptive Ecologies (AA Publications, London, 2013) p 14.

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GENERATIVE PROCESS

The coming of the information age had a significant impact on every aspect of the human activity, transforming it to become more interactive, dynamic and interconnected. The metamorphosis of the human behaviour inevitably caused reflections on the built environment in which all the civilized activity takes place, causing it to adopt the characteristics of its inhabitants; requiring it to accommodate more complex and interactive behaviour. “(...) the layer of complexity that is introduced cannot be resolved by conventional design methods. Likewise, the quantity of information and the level of complexity involved in most building projects surpass designers’ abilities to thoroughly comprehend and predict them.” Moreover the synthesis of the accumulated knowledge of various disciplines were synthesized in order to respond to the complexity of the process. This interdisciplinary approach to architectural design brought arts, engineering computational programming, cybernetics and biology together to form a collaborative approach to reassess the potentials brought about by the technological advancement. Autonomous Formation Many designers and engineers paved the way for an alternative method to generate formations that are open to yield varied taxonomies via adopting a nonanthropocentric perspective. “Even a brick wants to be something. A brick wants to be something. It aspires. Even a common, ordinary brick... wants to be something more than it is. It wants to be something better than it is.” Louis Kahn’s words can be interpreted to mark a transition in architecture, in which the assessment of reality is through exclusive human perspective. The emerging non-anthropocentric nature in design encourages artists such as William

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Fairbrother to question the distinction between the human and the object. Via utilizing such a perspective, autonomous formation processes have been developed as an alternative way of generating morphology. In the beginning they are actualized in the physical world by the embedded properties or characteristics of the material. Frei Otto has experimented on various unorthodox materials often ones that possess their own agency as their behaviour create their morphology, for instance his soap film experiments illustrate the formation their shape in regards to their own physical properties within a particular environment. His goal was to reach a minimal architecture, which he describes as “architecture of self-forming, and selfoptimization processes suggested by human beings” One of his most renowned work was the hybrid tensegrity system of steel cables and acrylic glass he used in OlympiaStadion in Munich, takes its shape as the tensile limits counteracts its own weight as it sweeps across the canopies. Also, other engineers contributed to the unique form generation methods, such as Le Ricolais, through a synthesis of the abstraction of natural forms (“prodigies created by nature”) and their analogue forms to reach system that is essentially more optimized and efficient than those built by humans. The basis for the morphology of his systems is also an intrinsic characteristics of the material. His methodology based on the separation or reconfiguration of the elements of the structural components that needed to display different behaviours, and replacing with the better performing elements. This enables the components to have attributes that are more appropriate for their function, hence more efficient. He is referred as the father of the space-frame structures. The novel thinking of these two ingenious engineer-architects were innovative in regards to the methodology to reach the form of architectural space by bypassing direct human intuition, but including the natural forms in its essence., Evolutionary design and emergence

Emergence has been introduced to the architecture circles when Steven Johnson has used the term in his book “Emergence: The Connected Lives of Ants Brains, Cities and Software”, in which he describes it as the mechanism by which complex behaviour emerges from simple units and rules. His idea was that the unintelligent individual units can perform intelligent and deliberate collaborative behaviour. There is a great emphasis on the bottom-up structuring “with its emphasis on the sum of the whole as greater than that of its parts”. The evolutionary design has its roots in the works of the biology field, specifically the works on how the living organisms come into existence and how the evolutionary process shaped their forms. The essence of novel forms created by the morphogenesis is the fact that there is a randomness factor

which is imperative for the whole process to generate unpredictable and nonpredetermined forms. “The key distinction [in evolutionary development] is that while the generation of genetic variation by mutation is a completely random process, the sorting of these variations as to which will persist and which will be discarded is determined by a powerful, selective nonrandom process” As the interdisciplinary approach commences to tackle the complexity brought about by the new media, a synthesis of the concepts of emergence and the evolutionary development have been used by the designers in order to create the autonomous abstract machine that is able to generate forms with a nonlinear process

Figure 1: Outline of the Basic Genetic Algorithm

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in an iterative and self-determining method. Gordon Pask and Norbert Wiener’s work in the field of cybernetics and the unchartered potentials it has produced had a significant influence on designers such as John Frazier to conduct further experiments that introduced the use of the genetic algorithms, cellular automata, emergent behaviour, complexity and feedback loops to create a dynamic architectural formations. The generation of forms in evolutionary design process needs to consist of iterative and consecutive phases. Through this innovative process of the designer does not interfere with autonomous process once the genetic algorithm has been initiated, rather observe and select the results from the abstract machine. Every intermediary form generated as a result of this repetitive process, are also constitute a part of the design work, the emphasis is not about the end product but also the process of the formation. Evolutionary development of the natural forms has influenced a novel design methodology to generate forms. The emergence of ordered information as the genetic code of the living organism out of a chaotic environment has applicable potential to the design process, since the recent shifts require an emergence of the form out of complex and multilayered information. Inspired by the concepts of morphogenesis in the nature, designers have developed the genetic algorithms that enable an iterative development of the morphology within designated variables through the design process in which the form is autonomously tested for fitness parameters attributed by the designer. This reevaluation of the creative course of development has enabled the designer to reach forms that were impossible to reach with the mere making of the form. Yet such expansion of the creativity caused adverse consequences; the designer waives their own creative agency to some extent to an abstract machine proxy. “As algorithmically generated variations can evolve without the control of the author of the original script, digital tools inevitably entail some form of devolution of agency, and indeterminacy has hence been a staple of digital design theory and practice from the very start.” Sharing the creative agency with a proxy,

the loop | BRIEF RESEARCH

the architect has also shares its authorial role with it, therefore causing a reevaluation of the very essence of the authorship of the creative work, consequently the implications of the shifting role of the architect are of significant effect all though the design process, including the assessment of the aesthetic value of the design work.

1. Fasoulaki, Eleftheria. “Genetic Algorithms in Architecture: a Necessity or a Trend?” Thesis. Department of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (2012) 2. Otto, Frei. “Finding Form: Towards an Architecture of the Minimal”, Edition Axel Menges (1996): pp 15. Print 3. McCleary, Peter. “Robert Le Ricolais’ Search for the Indestructible Idea”, Lotus 99, pp 102-105 4. Rainer, Barthel. “Natural Forms - Architectural Forms’ in the Work of Frei Otto and his Team 1955-1976” (1978): pp. 17. 5. Castle, Helen, “Emergence In Architecture”. AA Files, No. 50. AA Publications, (2004): pp 50. 6. Carroll, Sean B. “Endless Forms Most Beautiful: The New Science of Evo Devo and the Making of the Animal Kingdom”. New York: Norton, 2005. Print. 7. Fasoulaki, Eleftheria. “Genetic Algorithms in Architecture: a Necessity or a Trend?” Thesis. Department of Architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, (2012) 8. Carpo, Mario. “Digital Darwinism: Mass Collaboration, Form-finding, and the Dissolution of Authorship”. Log 26 (2012): 97–105.

image right top illustrates the evolutionary development of aniumals and their ancestral tree of evolutionary lineage. image right bottom is a research from Harvard Medical School by Michael Baym, Tami Lieberman, Eric Kelsic, Remy Chait, Rotem Gross, Idan Yelin and Roy Kishony that illustrates the mutation of bacteria species and their development of specific traits through emergence of traits such as resistence antibiotics.

BRIEF RESEARCH | the loop

EXPERIMENTATION

EXPERIMENTATION AND OBSERVATION

formation when an external electromagnetic force is applied to the system. Moreover, it is also observed that any change within the system resulted in reconfiguration of the formations, and regeneration of unique and new formations.

The research deals with agent based form generation methodology utilising a bottom up approach to the design methodology, due to the limited capabilities of formmaking methodology. Therefore, the reasarch adopts an approach where the form is not made, but generated through the interaction between individuals that make up the system. Such an approach is imperative to reach novel formations and be totally unlimited by the limitations emposed by the human mind.

In consequence the abstraction of the selforganizing nature of ferrous materials within magnetic fields acts as a key to investigate strategies that of assembly, packing and organization.

Actually this methodology is embedded into everything we observe around us, even within us, where individual cells interact and communicate with each other in order to achieve complex tasks .

Image at the Bottom illustrates the emergence different patterns and the self-organisation of the cobalt element under microscobe, within electromagnetic field. Image on the left illustrates the magnetic dust within electromagnetic field.

The initial step for creation of a system that is able to design a system which can generate forms, is to have a set of intrinsic abilities of self-organisation. The principles of organisation is the key the element of the self-organising construct, therefore the search resulted a close investigation of such priciples in nature, where it already exhibits such behaviour. As Robert Le Ricolais did through his quest for the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Indestructible Ideasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, we have looked into the elements of nature in order to utilise the underlying logic and characteristics of systems that exhibit some sort of self-organisation. Such self-organisation principles can be observed in the behaviour of ferrous materials in electro-magnetic fields. Through the research we have experimented with the magnetism and examined the organisational principles of the patterns emerged. It is observed that the intrinsic characteristic of ferrous materialsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; subatomic nature causes self-configuration of the whole

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

CONNECTION

PROOF OF CONCEPT

ORGANISATIONAL EXPERIMENTS Z

ITERATION 1 Fixed on all XYZ directions Constricts connection possibilitieshence limited form generation

Iteration 1 Fixed Connection Points 2-connection linear on XY Plane configuration Constricts connection possibilities, requires different types to reach forms

tion 1 d Connection Points stricts connection possibilities, uires different types to reach forms Z

3 connection on XY Plane

120O polar configuration

ITERATION 2

on all Z direction, XY Plane can rotate A series of Fixed observations were made on how Creates interesting possibilities Interrelation of X and Y being locked restricts the magnetic object attach and unattach to formation ofdo angles, forces linearity. each other and how they self-configure based on the magnetic field surrounding them. X

4 connection on XY Plane

Orthagonal configuration

Free configuration

Rotation is enabled

ITERATION 3 Fixed on all Z direction, XY Plane can rotate X and Y can rotate vertically Creates Angles and movement in vertical plane. Interrelation of X and Y being locked restricts the formation of angles in horizontal plane.

ITERATION 4 Fixed on all Z direction, Mobile Connection Nodes can move on XY Plane independently Creates Angles and movement in vertical plane. Independence of connection points on XY Plane creates more potential for form generation

MOVEMENT

OPT 1

Combination of All

combination of all

MAGNETS VERTICAL AXIS

Combination of All

CENTRE OF MASS IS SHIFTED

SPHERE ROLLS IN ORDER TO REBALANCE

WEIGHT IN CENTER NO MOVEMENT

free configuration (fourth iteration)

OPT 2

INITIAL STAGE

SERVO FOR EACH GEAR

EACH GEAR ROTATES DIFFERENT MAGNET

i. Iteration 1

INITIAL STAGE

CENTRE OF MASS IS SHIFTED

SPHERE ROLLS IN ORDER TO REBALANCE

WEIGHT IN CENTER NO MOVEMENT

ONE OF THREE ROTATING MAGNETS FIXED TO EACH GEAR

ACRYLIC SPHERE

BATTERY

DC MOTOR

WHEELS

REMOTE CONTROL ENABLED MAIN CHIP

Based on the observations connection between objects, a series of attachment strategies ARDUINO & were developed. As Iteration 1 PROTOBOARD the iterations continue, Fixed Connection Points the strategies evolve BATTERY Constricts connection possibilities, requires different types to reach formswith them, trying to test ACRYLIC SPHERE various new ideas which are inferred from the experiments.

ACRYLIC SPHERE

Mobility 28 Prototype the

loop | EXPERIMENTATION

Connection Prototype

experiment 1: one fourway connecting ball was introduced to the system which is water, notice how the composition reconfigures itself as it attracts another ball, which shoots off its prior connections

experiment 2: one twoway connecting ball was introduced to the system, the system responds to the change in magnetic field and shifts poles of the composition as it reconfigures

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

ii. Iteration 2

Iteration 2 Fixed Z, XY can rotate Enforces orthogonal forms and requires different types to reach forms

On the prior connection strategy the joints were fixed and unable to move at oll, this resticts any self configuration because it is hard to predict how the system will reconfidure itself due to the complex magnetic fields of the balls. Therefore for the second iteration the joints are designed to be rotating, This may form a connection, where one of the objects can manipulate the other if the connection rotate within the object, but only if the friction allows it to.

When one of the inner joints starts to rotate, it will drag the other connection with itself due to the magnetic attraction between the magnets at the end of the connections. As the second joint is dragged with it, it will move the second object all together since it is the only way to stay tangent to the other object.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

experiment 2: a rod has been placed to rotate the inner joint manually, as predicted this has manipulated the second object by staying tangent.

due to the unbalanced friction between two objects. This is believed to be an anomaly of the plastic spherical shells.

However, unexpected thing happened: the second object rotated on the joints axis

On the other hand this strategy only allows one rotatable joint per object, which is not sufficient for the desired purpose

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

iii. Iteration 3

Iteration 3 Fixed Z, XY can rotate v ertically and horizontally. Creates interesting possibilities only in vertical connections, restricts the horizontal formation On this new iteration, a potential to have multiple movable joints therefore it aims to achieve connections in various planes simultaneously. In order to achieve such condition the inner mechanism is designer to be able to rotate on its axis and the joints can seperately move up and down tangent to the surface. This mechanism can unlock potential to have various different compositions since the rotation is generally free.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

experiment 3: the interior joint moves up and down without losing contact to the other object. There are 4 identical moving joints that are able to connect to the other object.

On the other hand, this mechanism takes up the valuable centre of the sphere, the mechanism needs to be able to occupy the same spherical volume with the mobility systems

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

iv. Iteration 4 Iteration 3 Fixed Z, XY can rotate v ertically and horizontally. Creates interesting possibilities only in vertical connections, restricts the horizontal formation

Iteration 4 Fixed Z, each magnet on XY Plane Can rotate independently. This enables different connection types with only one type.

As opposed to the previous iteration, on the fourth one the joint mechanism is located along the surface of the spheres as rings. Along the rings there are magnets that allow them to move in any direction. Through such design valuable central volume is mostly free and the joints are able to rotate freely along the rails of the rings. When this free rotation is enabled it is observed that the connection configurations have enless possibilities in all directions leading into unique and complex compositions.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

experiment 4: The connecting strategy is based on the freely moving magnets though the rails along the interior surface of the sphere.

Through such connection strategy it may be possible to move or maybe even lift the other object on top of the other.

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

v. Iteration 5

two magnets in 2D

As the rotation of magnets is enabled along the orthodome*, the next step would be to investigate the relationship between the number of magnets and the compositions created through their self-configuration.

orthodome: is the intersection of the sphere and a plane that passes through the center point of the sphere.

2 magnets create linear compositions, or loops

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

vi. Iteration 6

three magnets in 2D

Three magnets along the orthodome breaks the linear composition tendency as it has the potential to create triangular links in between objects.

3 magnets createnonlinear composition, mainly triangular compositions. Also the hexagonal loop has the ability to connect other loops when there is three magnets; 2 of them are linked within the native loop, the third creates the potential to connect a loop or a component external to the loop,

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

vii. Iteration 7

four and six magnets in 2D

When there are four magnets, the composition can create orthogonal grids. also it can support triangular links through a fourth stabilizing connection potential. Moreover, six magnets can create perfect packing on the horizontal plane. This enables to include an extra component inside the hexagonal loop, on the other hand loop rigidifies and loses potential to transorm. Four magnets create orthogonal compositions.

can grid

Also enhances thriangular compositions as it creates an extra connection point for the linked three components

Six magnets can create perfectly packed compositions on horizontal plane.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

viii. Iteration 8

Three Magnets in 3D

As the number of magnets along the orthodome create interesting compositions on plane, adding vertical connections along the Z axis can create three dimensional configurations. In this example two magnets are added; one being on the bottom, one on the top. This creates three dimensional compositions of the components; it can be ordered in a grid, or it can be a spontaneous composition without a strict overal order.

Adding magnets along the Z axis enables Adding magnets in the Z articulations in ÂŁD space direction enables articulations whereas previously it was solely 2Dinstead plane 3D on space of in a 2D

plane

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

ORGANISATIONAL EXPERIMENTS Also it is important to note that magnets tend to situate themselves where the magnetic force is stronger, therefore even if there is a current magnetic force wherever they are, they would still move if there is a stronger field that applies stronger force on the object. Utilizing this very fundamental idea, we have investigated if the magnets can orient themselves in position and organise themselves according their magnetic field around us even though there is albeit weaker magnetic field. It is observed that the magnets actually moved into stronger fields, only if the force is strong enough, which depends on multiple variables such as the distance between magnet and the other object, the strength of the magnet and their orientation in term of the directionality of their poles, due to the polar nature of magnets.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

magnet introduced

magnet slides on the surface towards left where the field is stronger due to the orientation of the disc magnets

magnet stops where the force Äąs strongest.

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

When the same idea tested on an arch, this time the magnets does not require to rotate thgeir directionality, since the surface changes directionality along the curvilinear edge of the arc. Therefore the magnetsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; position remains the same, but due to the surface curving, the potential magnetic field closer to the surface is stronger as the magnet moves up, which we can name as the pole of the surface.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

magnet introduced

magnet slides on the surface upwards where the field is stronger due to the orientation of the surface in respect to the magnets

magnet stops where the force Äąs strongest.

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

Also the same idea is applied to a circular array of magnets. The most interesting observation is that this configuration is very similar to that of a natural magnet, specifically a spherrical magnet that has been sliced righ in between. Following that discovery we have investigated the potential of self-organisational characteristics of this newfound model. It is noted that the behaviour was almost identical to that of natural rare earth magtnets as if one was scaled up.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

Moreover when the same idea of a circular array of magnets led to an investigation of a spatial magnetic array that is a sphere. When the magnets are placed along the surface, the overal model imitated the nature of a spherical rare earth magnet, as if the magnets are continous underneath the surface. That was a near perfectly scaled copy of body of a spherical bucky ball. On the other hand due to the dense nature of the magnets in the sphere, it has been revealed that the potential to actuate such inner magnets are very complicated and limited. Therefore, although the nature of this discovery was really tempting for further exploration, due to such complications, we have adopted magnetic configurations not as a body of magnet but magnets behaving as the nodes on the surface, such as the diagram on the right bottom.

the loop | EXPERIMENTATION

EXPERIMENTATION | the loop

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

the loop | BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT A. MOBILITY

The most fundamental ability to the basic component of the system is to have the ability to move. This mobility is to be percieved as a first step for the system to create potential physical interaction possibilities with component to component, component to environment and possibly the component to the user. It is important to mention the mobility is not an ability to be physically moved by another body of the system. Rather the mobility is an intrinsic ability to the component itself to move itself with or without the help of an another. Therefore the unit has to have certain mechanisms that is able create a possibility to move. One of the most straightforward approach would be to have wheels or wheel like mechanisms that can initiate the mobility, however such mechanisms may restrict the outer surface of the material and may restrict the isotropy of the unit itself an prohibit potentials for physical interaction with its alikes such as connecting, lifting, etc. (to be explained in the following pages). In consequence there is much a simpler method of initiating the movement of a sphere-like object: that is â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rollingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. There are different strategies that is able to initiate this rolling ability, such as pneumatics or mechanics. Both strategies have been applied to the component to observe and examine the potential and the restrictions it creates as the most important goal is to create mobility in all the directions.

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT | the loop

Strategy I: Pneumatics The first idea to create pneumatics based mobility is to have inflatable cushions on the surfaces of the component. A sequential series of inflation and deflations of these air cushions distrupts the balance of the component, causing it to continously tip in a certain direction

INITIAL STAGE

INFILATION OF A PILLOW

This idea has been put used to test; what we used to experiment is to have three mdf discs that can intersect eachother in order to create a spherical volume. One eight of the sphere where the discs has created an empty volume is to be packed with inflatable air cushions, that is balloons in this case.

PILLOW FORCES THE SPHERE TO ROTATE TOWARDS UNINFILATED PILLOW

DEFLATION STABILATION

deflated cushions on all inflation of all the the spherical object second set is deflated the surface of the object cushions except for the tips and now the the and object tips on the ones on the desired inflated cushions needs same direction, hence direction of the tipping to be deflated to create creating a rolling like (rolling) second tipping mobility

the loop | BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

Strategy II: Mechanics Another idea would be to create the movement via a mechanical system. However in order not to distrupt the isotropy of this movement, which is potentially can be towards any direction on the horizontal plane, the mechanism is thought to be within the sphere like object. Such a system can be created with a centre of mass shifting mechanism, that keeps the centre of mass of the sphere to a certain direction within the sphere, the smooth outer shell of the object rolls

INITIAL STAGE

CENTRE OF MASS IS SHIFTED

As the interior mechanism moves towards a direction, the centre of mass shifts, causing the sphere to roll on its smooth outer shell. In this case the left wheel turns while right one is

to rebalance the centre of the mass. As the inner mechanism keeps the centre of mass shifted from the physical centre, the object keeps rolling. In order to investigate a mechanical method to move the object, two DC motors scrapped from RC cars and two laser cut wheels embedded with surface gripping elastics to prevent slipping, were utilized and the control was maintained using the remote control. As either wheel rotates and the other stops

SPHERE ROLLS IN ORDER TO REBALANCE

WEIGHT IN CENTER NO MOVEMENT

static, the trajectory of movement curves to the right, hence controlling the directionality of the movement.

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT | the loop

the loop | BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT | the loop

WHY INTER CELLULAR COMMUNICATION STATE CHANGE (?) HOW DOES THIS EFFECT?

A previous AADRL research project from Theodore Spyropoulos Laboratory titled ‘Anti-Bot’ by Leyla Asrar Haghighi, Dachuan Jing, Baiye Ma and Yuchen Zu has also investigated that cell based communication based on colour sensing and communication can lead to autonomous agency in the means of selfconfiguration and generation of novel formations which can respond to requirements of the public.

the loop | BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

THE FUNDAMENTAL UNIT B. COMMUNICATION

The other fundamental ability of the single unit is to sense and communicate with its alikes, through what they aim to reach a level of autonomy and self-organisation. The idea lies in the fact that every unit exist in multiple states simultaneously therefore the vital information to communicate is the state of themselves to each other and create sense and respond chain in between units. The state can be transmitted in between the units through various methods, however one of the most simple methods is to encode information with a specific colour that each unit can transmit and/or detect.

Our prototype can transmit if it is calling (attracting) mode or sending (repulsion) mode. Also each unit is listening for information simultaneously. When they detect green, it means that green unit is attracting the others tro itself, whereas a yellow one is telling them not to come close. Though such a simple communication of their states, the units can communicate a simple level organisation, and though similar multi state communication, we may reach a more complex communication that may lead to a higher resolution of organisation of the genreal population.

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT | the loop

acrylic sphere arduino

base board colour sensor sensor mount

wheels

servos for mobility servo and battery mount proximity sensor battery 9V

acrylic sphere

the loop | BEHAVIOURAL UNIT

BEHAVIOURAL UNIT | the loop

ENHANCED CLUSTER BEHAVIOUR THE LOOP

As the strategy of the connections and the mobilization systems continue to being developed, the ability of the system in the fourth iteration of the experiments to climb over the other ball whilst attached proved potential for progress. Although it actualized manually, the connection system holds intact throughout the movement.

The previous works only consisted of interaction between a few components, however it is worth to investigate how these components perform, what sort of abilities do they unlock when they form small groups. Based on a series of experimentation with spherical magnets, due to the nature of magnets; the polarity tends to create a linear sequencing. This nature can be summarized as a linearization tendency. When this linear sequence is forced to connect its two opposite ends, a loop is created. The linear form transformes into a perfect circular loop due to the equality of each electromagnetic field vector of each magnet. Based a series of further experiments based on the magnetic field, it is found that a group of spherical magnets have potential to exhibit various behaviours that they do not possess as individuals. Strating from these observations the latest connection strategy iteration (see previous chapter) is configured as a group.

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

The abilities of the components actually show potential to increase significantly when they form a small group; such as a group of 12 or 16. This configuration do enable a group locomotion, lifting, softness and rigidity via basic manipulations of the magnetic field as a result of small maneuvers of the components.

At this point what seems to be initially a group of 16 components starts to act coherently and they perform various new abilities in group. Therefore this new configuration of components are to be considered as our main building â&#x20AC;&#x153;unitâ&#x20AC;? from now on.

This may be to be somehwere in between the Scale I and Scale II, since it is not a big group to achieve a functional configuration, but more than a dozen components collectively performing.

The linearization tendency creates linear sequence of magnets; when the opposites poles are forced to connect, a circular loop is formed due to the identical nature of their electro-magnetic field vectors.

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

On the Left: A series of experimentation with the magnetic bucky ball to experiment and observe the nature of the magnets when the loop is introduced. Multiple loops come together to perform complex behaviour, such as a certain level of pliancy is occured in some certain forms, that may create a potential for the occupancy for the overal system.

Magnets tend to exhibit bi-stable properties under some certain configurations where they form loops. The configurations tend to resist the manipulating force until it shifts into another stable configuration. The most important abilities that may be achieved via this formation of loop includes transformation of horizontal configurations into vertical ones, introducing formations of varying porosity conditions, enables a pliant formation of units and lastly a group locomotion as an enhanced variation of mobility strategy.

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

LOCAL INTERACTION STRATEGIES AND PROTOTYPING B. CONNECTION STRATEGIES 2. PROTOTYPING

Following the mobility,each component need to be able to physically interact with its alikes through connections and joints. This creates the potential for the system to construct itself in three dimensional space as long has they have the instructions to do so. The experimentation on the connection strategies resulted in a spherical prototype that has three electro-magnetic connections along its orthodome, also two more moagnets along the Z-axism ane on the top, the other on the bottom. This prototype is able to recieve instructions through the arduino microcontroller mounted within the sphere and control the electro-magnets though their activation switches as well as their position along the orthodome via servos.

Although theere is not an autonomous decision making system yet, the prototype is able to manipulate its alikes through the instructions it recieves and move another along its orthodome. If the magnetic orthodome is on horizontal plane, it is possible to move another component around itself, and if the magnetic orthodome is on the vertical plane, it is possible to lift another component on itself, as long as it is stabilized with the help of a third component.

The photo of the connection prototype that is able to manipulate another components position through servo actuated electromagnets along its orthodome

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

MAGNETS VERTICAL AXIS

SERVO FOR EACH GEAR

EACH GEAR ROTATES DIFFERENT MAGNET

ONE OF THREE ROTATING MAGNETS FIXED TO EACH GEAR

ARDUINO & PROTOBOARD

BATTERY ACRYLIC SPHERE

Connection Prototype 70

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

CONNECTION

2-connection on XY Plane

linear configuration

3 connection on XY Plane

The initial connection prototype consisted of three gears that are individually connected to the three neodymium magnets along the orthodome of the spherical acrylic outer shell. 4 connection Orthagonal Rotation is It is possibleconfiguration to create three connections on XY Plane enabled

per component and manipulate each other independently through three servos, although in the model one was mounted only as this is only to test the concept.

120O polar configuration

On the top you can see the inner mechanism, that moves a magnet, manipulation of another component on horizontal plane and lastly lifting of another component on the vertical plane, Free defying the gravity. configuration It has been noted that the magnets were not strong or close to eachother enough to lift another component that has mechanism mounted, therefore other component is represented as a hollow spherical object

On the left there is a computer generated model of the first connection prototype and its components.

MAGNETS VERTICAL AXIS

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

The second prototype includes a higher level of capabilities as it includes microcontrollers, electromagnets and stronger servos, but the key aspect is similar to that of the previous as it has three connections along the orthodome individually actuated via three servos.

On the right: the actuated lifting of another component

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

CLUSTER BEHAVIOR | the loop

the loop | CLUSTER BEHAVIOR

STACKING and PACKING

To identify the patterns and possibilities in packing and stacking systems mergure, graphical anotation depicting those systems are introduced. The connecting layer is introduced to enable the columnlike behavious, while at the same time avoiding the strict stacking pattern, that is, every vertical layer is connected in packing system.

stacking

packing connecting Layer

formation of base units

interconnection

connecting Layer connecting Layer

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

STACKING VS PACKING Approach 2

basic cluster

Growth A: Conncting particles on stacking growth

Growth B: Conncting particles on packing connecting layers

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

UNIT CONFIGURATIONS Stable Position The Behavioral Unit, as an individual set of basic units, consists of 16 particles, which is a minimum number to ensure the behavioural stability of the Cluster, while moving, reconfiguring or in stable mode.

Through Packing And Stacking Relations between particles, The Behavioural Unit can transform itself into various shapes and also To create Space within.

+ -

+-+ + -+

+ -

+ -+

+ --+

+ -

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

LOCOMOTION Mobillity of the single cell. Formation of the unit

Unit transformation to mobile mode

Flexible joints and structure of the unit enables it to interact with the environment in an adaptive way. It has an ability to tackle various terrain via suspension-like behaviour. Also, the arrangement makes it possible to climb on existing structure made from sibling units with no difficulties

Unit tacking various terrains

Units are coming together

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

BASIC BUILDING

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

RECONFIGURATION

Reconfiguration enables the system to be completely adaptive. The starting number of cells within unit does not define the final configuration. At any given time, sets of cells can be rearranged to engage new required behaviours, for example, to expand, move, support, etc.

Primary structure

Structure splits itself accordingly

Reorganisation. New unit formation

Structure can expand

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

PLIANCY

Pliancy is the essential to the system. When the pressure is applied the formation resist the deformation, hence may unlock possibilities of occupancy conditions based on the combinations of the pliant configurations of the units. 1

On the Right: The abstraction of the aforementioned loop using a set of acrylic spheres and piano wire. The overall composition imitates the behaviour of the magnetic bucky balls. It is important to note that such composition displays a certain level of pliancy that is activated via application of an external force to disturb the uniform circular form.

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

One of the most interesting discovery is the ability of the components to achieve a second variation of locomotion which is significatnly diffenet than individual locomotion.

One sphere can move using centre of mass shifting, but as a group they only need the moving

The Behavioral Unit, as an individual set of basic units, consists of 16 particles, which is a minimum number to ensure the behavioural stability of the Cluster, while moving, reconfiguring or in stable mode. Through Packing And Stacking Relations between particles, The Behavioural Unit can transform itself into various shapes and also To create Space within.

+ -+ + -

+ -

+ -+

+ -

-+ -+

2 Roling Behaviour on various terrains

COMPONENT ROTATION WITHIN UNIT Fixed Position

Basic diagram exibiting the positions of the components within units

To examine the behaviour of the unit on various circumstances on component level, the test with rotated components was held. Components on every second layer in the unit were rotated 90 degrees. In order to maintain loop configuration, extra four units had to be added for locomotion to happen.

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

The unit performs in much rigid manner. Fixed rotated position disables the flexibility of geometry, therefore providing difficulties of tackling uneven terrains and climbing over other units.

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

COMPONENT ROTATION WITHIN UNIT Fixed Position

Diagram exibiting all the possible configurations of such configuration of the unit

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

COMPONENT ROTATION WITHIN UNIT Non-Fixed Position

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

ALL POSSIBLE CONFIGURATIONS OF THE UNIT WITH ROTATIONS OF COMPONENTS

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

CONFIGURATIONS OF THE UNIT WITH ROTATIONS OF COMPONENTS

Diagramm exhibiting the possibilities of stable position to reconfigure, following the next reconfigurations

CONFIGURATIONS OF THE UNIT WITH ROTATIONS OF COMPONENTS In order to control the geometrical possibilities of the unit, the organisational rules have to be introduced. For start, two key points for controlling the system is introduced: Sorting according the height differences that are results of packing reconfiguration, and formation of climbing path, since not all configurations are able to provide climbing path for the units. Height differences

Pathfinding diagram

TEAM CYA | COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

100

LOGIC OF UNITS BEHAVIOUR SYSTEM CONTROL - DENSITY CONTROL

101

SCALES

LOCAL COMMUNICATION

To translate observations from the Case Study Houses, strategy of three scales will be introduced. The unit, cluster and collective scales are been taken into consideration as a way to foster computational abilities into findings. Local Communication level is focused on the behaviour and communication inbetween two particles or units.

COMMUNAL ORGANISATION

Communal organisation is resembling clusters of units, where the materiality and material behaviour becomes an important factor. General organisation takes in to account the whole organism together with structural qualities.

GENERAL ORGANISATION

102

the loop | LOGIC

LOGIC | the loop

103

BRIEF GENERATIVE PROCESS OF FORMATIONS

Force between particles

Based on the researches about magnetic force and force field between particles, the generation process of a house can be simulated and explored in Code or Maya. Therefore, establishing effective rules and logic for particleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s behaviour is the core of the generation and transformation process of the whole house. The whole process is mainly consisted of three parts: 1) make the particles behave and communicate with each other by creating and receiving different force; 2) create 2D boundaries and generate different 2D patterns by transforming the boundaries; 3) generate 3D structures and space. According to the above three different physique formation stages, each stage requires different experiments and testing, to identify the most suitable generation logics for particle movement.

Stable boundaries

Structures and space

104

the loop | LOGIC

Interparticle Repulsion

Repulsion

Attraction

Fixed Targets Attractor

Attractor and Repeller

One Agent 2 States

3 States

Basic Structure

Extendion 01

Extendion 02

Basic Structure

Extendion 01

Extendion 02

LOGIC | the loop

105

Basic Force in

Generative Process

Particle System Particle Single Unit (Prototype)

In this project, the communication between particles mainly based on different particle forces. There are two types of forces exist in the field—particle to particle force, and particle to target force. First of all, the interparticle force means the force originally possessed by each particles as one of the attributes. (In this project, the inter-particle force is always repulsion.) In order to create a wide variety of particle movements, several special particles could be set into the field as ‘targets’. Targets can be fixed or non-fixed according to the condition. Meanwhile, target produce different forces, like attraction and repulsion, with changeable intensity. Then, the interparticle force and force between particles and targets make the particles in the field moves with certain rules and regulations to form effective boundaries. For example, when an attractor is added, the particles will come to it and form a sphere shape since there still inter-particle repulsion between each particle. When both attractors and repellers are added to the system, the sphere will change into different shapes. This can be used to gener¬ate 2D plans according to the location and population of the attractors and repellers are set. When attractors and repellers are both add to the system, 2D bound¬aries can be created. These boundaries work as the walls to enclose space. Certain rules will also be set to transform these boundaries.

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the loop | LOGIC

Particles Cluster

Spatial Population Spatial Element Boundary/Bounding area

Transformation

Create Boundaries

Add attractor: When the attractor is added, the particles will come to it as a sphere shape since there still inter-particle repulsion between each particles.

Add attractor and Repeller: When both attractor and repeller are added to the system, the sphere pattern will change into different shapes. This can be used to generate plans according to the location and population of the attractors and repellers.

When attractors and repellers are both add to the system, 2D boundaries can be created. These boundaries work as the walls to enclose space. Certain rules will also be set to transform these boundaries. Since the system is self-assembling, rach particle should have self-awareness to flip or change. Thus, the system is also mobile and flexible.

LOGIC | the loop

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PARTICLE SYSTEM AND MAGNETIC FIELD

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TEST OF IRON DUST

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Such self-orginisation principles can be observed in the behaviour of ferrous materials in electromagnetic fields. In the research of this project, we have experimented with the magnetism and examine the organisation principles of the patterns emerged.

In consequence the abstraction of the self-organizing nature of ferrous materials within magnetic fields acts as a key tio investigate strategies that of assembly, packing and organization.

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

111

PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR A One Agent: Particles with repulsion

Aim: Generate patterns through particle forces.

Observation: Expands to infinity. No possible stable equilibrium.

IPR

In the first iteration, there is only one type of particles in the system, so that the force between particles is only inter-particle repulsions. The aim of exploring the first iteration is to generate patterns through simple inter-particle force.

However, from the observation of this iteration, the particles will expand to infinity, and no possible stable equilibrium can be reached.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Inter-particle replusion

Expands to infinity. No possible stable equilibrium.

Observation (1000 Particles)

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR B Two Agent: Particles & Attractors

ATT

Aim: Create another agent that cooperates with the first to achieve a stable pattern.

Observation: Pattern creation is successful. However the predetermined initial deployment regulates the pattern.

IPR

Fixed Attractors

Fixed Attractors & Repellers

Based on the observation of first iteration, another type of particles (fixed targets)â&#x20AC;&#x201D;which produce attractions to other particlesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;was added into the system to cooperate with the first to achieve stable patterns. Through observation about the particle behaviours in the second iteration, it is obvious to see that pattern creation is successful, but the predetermined initial deployment regulates the pattern.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Observation Same Attractors and Repellers with Increasing Number of Particles

50 Particles

100 Particles

200 Particles

300 Particles

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Fixed Attractors Observation (1000 Particles)

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Fixed Attractors & Repellers Observation (1000 Particles)

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR C Two Agent: Particles & Attractors

ATT IPR

IPR

Aim: Observation: To get rid of the It can only stablize under circular predetermined position patterns. of the second agent by assigning rules to determine its own deployment.

Since the experiments of the iterations above havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t got any effective movements or 2D patterns, another function have been given to the targets that they can flip from attractors to repellers according to the number of their neighbour particles within a certain radius. The aim of adding this function is to eliminate the inevitable circular pattern by giving density feedback to the targets to flip their communication with normal particles. At the same time, springs are added between normal particles in order to keep certain distance between each particles and prevent them from overlapping.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Comparison Between the Results of Observation (1000 Particles) Initial Model Add Inter Particle Repulsion Between Attractors

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Result: No Stable Pattern Add Springs Between Attractors

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Result: Stable Pattern

Add Springs Between Particlers and Attractors

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Result: Stable Pattern

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR D Two Agent: Particles & Targets FLIP

ATT IPR

IPR

Aim: Eliminate the inevitable circular patterns by giving density feedback to the second agent to flip it’s communication with the

Observation: The two types of agent are heavily influenced their own population, often get separated from the other population.

Add Strings Between Fixed Attractors, add Repellers From the observation, it can be seen that when the targets are not fixed, they will keep repeating the movement of divergence and contraction around the centre of the field, and the final pattern is going to be like a sphere. Then, when the targets are fixed and springs are added between the parti¬cles, all particles will move as groups. When springs are added to all particles and targets, all particles will move towards the centre, and the pat¬tern will also be stable but still tends to be sphere. Consequently, from the experiment of this iteration, targets and normal particles are heavily influenced their own population, and often get separated from the other population.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Comparison Between the Results of Observation (1000 Particles) No spring between targets Add springs between particles

When there is no spring between targets, but springs are added between particles, the final pattern is sphere.

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Comparison Between the Results of Observation (1000 Particles) Add springs between particles Fix Attractors and Repellers

When the targets are fixed and springs are add between the particles, all particles is going to move as group

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Comparison Between the Results of Observation (1000 Particles) Add springs between all particles and targets

When springs are add to all particles, attractors and repellers. All particles will goes into the center, and the pattern will also be like a sphere.

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Although some problems still exist in the above four iterations of experiments, to some extent, the particles already can behave by themselves influencing by the force they accept and produce. At the same time, some simple stable patterns can also be generated through these experiments. However, from the significance of this project, the two types of particlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behaviour cannot completely embody the actual meaning of self-awareness. In the above experiments, the biggest problem is the passivity of the normal particlesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; movement which is totally influenced by the targets. In other words, without the force from targets, those particles can only make wireless and infinity divergent movements. Particles in the above four iterations cannot be stable by recognizing the positions of themselves, the circumstance they have, or certain regulation they need to obey. Targets also have the same problem that their existence can be seen as just coordinate which are artificially pinned in order to gather other particles around. Consequently, it is unpredictable of the requirements to get stable and adaptable 2D boundaries in this system.

In order to achieve a better self-awareness and adaptive system and be able to reach a stable population that is generated by set of behaviour assigned to a sole type of particle, the fifth phase of the experiment combines the particles and targets into one, which under certain conditions (such as density) can make conversion between the functions of particle and target. For example, when density around one particle in a certain region is less than the minimum density, the particle will become an attractor. And then the density will increase by the coming particles, and the attractor will become a normal particle again. After that, the density will decrease again since the inter-particle repulsion between every particle. Not only a certain level of equilibrium can be observed in this iteration, effective 2D boundaries also possible to be reached since the particles can notice the density around them. Moreover, the 2D patterns can also transform according to the rules (such as the minimum density) setting in the system. To some extent, stable 2D pattern can be defined as the floor plan of a house, which also means the foundation of space and structure.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR E ONE AGENT: PARTICLES FLIP ACCORDING TO DENSITY FLIP

SHIFT

ATT IPR

IPR

Aim: To be able to reach a stable population that is generated by set of behaviors assigned to a sole type of agent, hence joining the two types.

Observation: A certain level of ‘equilibrium’ is observed for some of the iterations, however not particularly ordered, still ‘at the edge of chaos‘.

When the density in a certain region is less than the minimum density, the particle will become an attractor.

When the density increased by the coming particles, the attractor will become an ordinary particle again.

Then the particles will go away by the inter-particle repulsion.

When the desnsity decreased, the particle will becomes an attractor again.

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR E ONE AGENT: PARTICLES FLIP ACCORDING TO DENSITY

Particles

Attractors &Particles

Wall Corridor

Inner Space

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Transformation Process

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Comparison of Different Rules Create Results Rule 1-1-1

2 Solid Space Transform Process

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Rule 2-1-1

Solid & Void Space Transform Process

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Comparison of Different Rules Create Results Rule 3-1-1

Half Enclose Space Transform Process

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Rule 3-2-2

4 Solid Space Transform Process

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Comparison of Different Rules Create Results Rule 3-3-2

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Rule 4-1-1

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Other Results Rule 4-2-1

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Rule 4-3-1

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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2D PARTICLE BEHAVIOUR CONCLUSION

Aim: Generate patterns through particle forces.

Observation: Expands to infinity. No possible stable equilibrium.

IPR

ATT

Observation: Pattern creation is successful. However the predetermined initial deployment regulates the pattern.

IPR

ATT IPR

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Aim: Create another agent that cooperates with the firsat to achieve a stable pattern.

IPR

Aim: To get rid of the predetermined position of the second agent by assigning rules to determine its own deployment. Observation: It can only stablize under circular patterns.

FLIP D

ATT IPR

IPR

FLIP E

SHIFT

ATT IPR

IPR

Aim: Eliminate the inevitable circular patterns by giving density feedback to the second agent to flip it’s communication with the other. Observation The two types of agent are heavily influenced their own population, often get separated from the other

Aim: To be able to reach a stable population that is generated by set of behaviors assigned to a sole type of agent, hence joining the two types. Observation: A certain level of ‘equilibrium’ is observed for some of the iterations, however not particularly ordered, still ‘at the edge of chaos‘.

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

135

Test and Observation of Setting Fixed Magnets

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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2D Patterns Generated from Setting Fixed Polarities

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

In order to understance the organization principles of magnetic balls that can be applied into the system, we have continued to experiment with magnetic balls by setting fixed magnets underneath. Based on this experiment, certain regular 2D organization can be observed. These are the patterns we generated from setting fixed polarities into the system with different density of units. Through changing the strength of force and the position of polarities, we get 2D patterns with different void making and grouping which can be used for footprints, boundaries or outline of formations.

PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

139

DENSITY CONTROL One Agent with 2 States to Reach Equilibrium

Unstable Particle Attraction

Stable Density

Unstable Particle Inter-particle Repulsion

The behaviour of the single intelligent unit id projected onto large population in order to simulate the emerging formations. Such equilibrium consists of states of nonfixed polarities of individual units, informed by the states of temporary densities. The ability of each individual to change their states of attraction to repulsion based on the density led to 3 states of each unit.

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Stable Particle Mass = 0

Attraction when scarce, repulsion when dense and stable states result a system that is always trying to reach the dynamic equilibrium

Observation Same System with Increasing Number of Particles

ATT

IPR

Unstable Particle

Stable Particle

320 Particles

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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Observation Same System with Increasing Number of Particles

500 Particles

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the loop | PARTICLE SYSTEM

Observation Same System with Increasing Number of Particles

ATT

IPR

Unstable Particle

Stable Particle

1200 Particles

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PARTICLE SYSTEM | the loop

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LOGIC OF UNIT BEHAVIOUR Lifting Control

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Movement of Magnetic Balls Influenced by Fixed Polarities in Space

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the loop | LIFT CONTROL

LIFT CONTROL | the loop

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Behavior of Units Influenced by Fixed Polarities in Space

When the density can be controlled, it means that each unite has the ability to move according to the surroundings. However, in the system, the most important point is that how each unit knows its position and environment around it. Units can make decision about where they suggest to go in order to support the structure of the house depending on the density in 3D and certain rules set in the system to generate structure and space.

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the loop | LIFT CONTROL

Based on the observations on how each magnet move according to the surrounding magnetic field, each unit needs to negotiate its own terrain with the population. We have utilized the density as a parameter that can be controlled.

Lifting Control based on Density In the system, units in the most densely points will be lift up, and the attraction force will also lift other unites up to follow those units. Meanwhile, units in certain level, such as level-100, will all seek the zones with higher density and try to reach to these zones. Unit will also seek certain points with certain density in 3D. Based on these regulations, the system can control the formation of the house through controlling

the 3D behavior of units. At the same time, growing up control is not only the transition of structure from 2D plan to 3D space, but also the core of the system to realize vertical behaviors of particles.

Rules of Lifting Control

Rule 01: Unite in the most densly points will be lifted up

Attraction force will lift other unites up to follow the unites lifted before

Rule 02: Unites in certain level (eg.level-100) will re-start seeking density

Rule 03: Unitewill seek certain points certain density in 3D

LIFT CONTROL | the loop

with

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Observation of Setting Fixed Polarities in Space 320, 500, 1000 Particles This a catalogue of formations generated through controlling the density in 3D space so that each unite will be flipping from different states, produce different particle force and become stable or unstable according to its neighbourhood, through the abstraction of magnetic behaviour.

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the loop | LIFT CONTROL

LIFT CONTROL | the loop

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LOGIC OF UNIT BEHAVIOUR SPACE GENERATION

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SPACE GENERATION Basic Rules

Possible Structural Transformation

Repulsion on the top

REPULSION / SEPARATION Repulsion in the middile

Attraction in the middile

ATTRACTION / COHESION

Attraction on the top

SEEKING / ARRIVING

Our space generation is based on the controlling the state of units by controlling the density of its neighbourhood. There are various possibilities of formations that can be generated through changing the polarities of each unite by controlling the density in different position in the space.

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the loop | SPACE GENERATION

BASIC FORM GENERATION

Growing Points Possible Space Generation BASIC RULES:

Change Seeking Direction

In general, all units are produced inside the 2D boundary, and each particle will search the density in a certain range and try to arrive at the most densely populated areas by the force it can produce and receive. If the starting 2D plan is a rectangular, the most densely points should be equally distributed inside it. Besides, if there is no seeking behavior in the system, the growing structure will all be pillars or columns. When set a simple seeking rule, such as starting to seek and arrive at the most densely areas nearby, and the shape of the structure will be some â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;mushroomsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with similar size of radius whose ceilings will finally connect each other. Then, when special rules for seeking are set in the system, particles will search for certain position in the world of system and create any possible space through the force they can produce or receive.

Different Height

Seeking From Ground Level to Certain

Connection

SPACE GENERATION | the loop

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SPACE TRANSFORMATION

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the loop | SPACE GENERATION

SPACE GENERATION | the loop

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CASE STUDY HOUSE TAXONOMIES

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36 Formatins

Similar methodology was pursued to generate 3D formations. This parameter enables each unit to flip into different states, produce different particle forces and create stability conditions according to its neighbourhood.

When the starting points and rules set in the system, the formation at the beginning is different. The generative process applied in this project tends to allow for variable formations, and make the intelligent units to drive themselves to the transformation. For example, the 36 formations generated based on the features of 36 case study house can transform from one to another which have the same characteristics. Hence, the formations generated from this project is coherent and comprehensive which complete with both functional and formal heuristic. The transformation of structures is the consequence of particle movement with self-awareness, and from this level, the generative process can also be defined as self-fabrication process.

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #4 Main Features

Solid Void Solid

Solid & Void

Accessibility

Original Plan

Basic Generation Logic ● Solid & Void ● Transparency / translucancy ● Height & Structure Features

Generation Logic 01

Connection Logic

Generation Process

Height & Structure

Formation #01 NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 24000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

Generation Logic 02

Generation Process

Formation #02 2D PLAN

Generation Logic 03

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Generation Process

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 34000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

3D FORM

Formation #03 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 31000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 04

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #04 2D PLAN

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NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 11500 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #17 Main Features

Solid & Void

Accessibility

Original Plan

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Transparency / translucancy ● Plan Shape / Symmetry ● Connection Logic

Generation Logic 01

Connection Logic

Generation Process

Height & Structure

Formation #01 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 12000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

Generation Logic 02

Generation Process

Formation #02 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 34000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 03

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Generation Process

Formation #03 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 38000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 04

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #04 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 34000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5 Frame 100

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3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #19 Main Features 2F Void S

Original Plan

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Transparency / translucancy ● Plan Shape / Symmetry ● Height & Structure Generation Logic 01

Generation Process

Formation #01

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1500 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 40500 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 02

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Generation Process

3D FORM Formation #02

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1500 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 33500 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

Generation Logic 03

Generation Process

Formation #03

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1500 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 30000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 04

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #04 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 40000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 05

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #05 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 60000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #27 Main Features Solid

Void

Solid

Solid & Void

Accessibility

Original Plan

Height & Structure

Transparency

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Double-level Structure ● Transparency / translucancy ● Plan Shape / Symmetry ● Solid & Void

Generation Logic 01

Generation Process

Formation #01 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 29000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

Generation Logic 03

Generation Process

Formation #03

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 43000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 04

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #04 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 17000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10

Generation Logic 05

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #05 NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 34000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #28 Main Features Solid Void

Solid

Original Plan

Possible Connection

Solid & Void

Transparency

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Transparency / translucancy ● Possible Connection ● Solid & Void

Generation Logic 01

Generation Process

Formation #01

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 37500 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 02

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #02 NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 30000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #22 Main Features Solid Void

Solid & Void

Accessibility

Height & Structure

Transparency

Original Plan

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Special Structure ● Transparency / translucancy ● Plan Shape / Symmetry ● Solid & Void Generation Logic 01

Generation Process

Formation #01 2D PLAN

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 28000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 02

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Generation Process

3D FORM Formation #02

Generation Process

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 1000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 15000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 20 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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New Formation Logic Based on Case Study House #18 Main Features

Solid & Void

Different Height

Original Plan

Basic Generation Logic ● Accessibility ● Special Structure ● Transparency / translucancy ● Possible Connection ● Solid & Void

Generation Logic 01

Special Structure

Generation Process

Transparency

Formation #01 NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2400 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 23000 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 120 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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the loop | TAXONOMIES

3D FORM

Generation Logic 02

Generation Process

Formation #02

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2400 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 26200 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 120 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 03

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #03

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 2400 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 25200 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 120 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

Generation Logic 04

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Generation Process

3D FORM

Formation #04

NUMBER OF INITIAL PARTICLES: 3000 NUMBER OF ADDING PARTICLES: 28200 FORCE OF SEPARATION: 120 FORCE OF COHESION: 1 FORCE OF SEEKING: 10 MAX SPEED: 0.5

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3D FORM

TAXONOMIES | the loop

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RULES OF AGGREGATION CLUSTER GENERATION

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Basic Stages of Aggregation

Searching Target

Stacking

Transforming

Dynamic Sequience

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

3*R

Hanging

To be able to control such high population there needs to be a set of resolution layers of small scale interacting clusters, to create small sets of groups to achieve specific tasks and through interaction of such groups there may be an overall formation that is able to perform specific functions. These clusters can be categorized into different sets based on their functionality and properties of each cluster. Accordingly, we progressed the logic of formation into 3 stagesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;stacking, transforming, and reconfiguration. In the stacking stage, the unite in the core of space will become a group, each group will have a central controller unit. Through the controlling of the behaviour of these controller

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Column-Like Behaviour and Extended Formations

Stacking To a Certain Height

Transforming by Force

One of the formation logic that is not predefined is to control the distances of inbetween controlling units. The controlers also calls the rest of populations to follow them in a way that shapes the over all morphology. When forces are added between controllers, they will move within a certain range and try to reach a certain equilibrium. At the same time, special springs are set inbetween controllers in order to limit their minium maxium distance. As the rest population will follow two their closest and secondarty closest controller, the formation will be continuousely and organic.

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

Formation Extended of Column-Like Behaviour

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Catalogue of Formation with Different Force and Controllers This is the catalogue of formation in transformation stage with different number of controllers, different strength of attraction force they produce, in order to know how generate useful structures and how to control the system.

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Energy Collection

One of the properties of these aggregations is the Energy Efficiency. The energy consumption is taken into consideration for the behaviour of the controller units. As a unit moves higher and further they would spend more energy. If the energy is lower than a certain amount, they will leave their position to get charged.

3. Unnecessary Units Reconfiguration

4. Low Energy Warnning

5. Energy Collecting-3

6. Stacking II

8. Unnecessary Units Reconfiguration

9. Low Energy Warnning

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

Energy Collecting Sequence 1. Stacking I

2. Transforming I

5. Energy Collecting-1

5. Energy Collecting-2

7. Transforming II

8. Unnecessary Units Reconfiguration

10. Energy Collecting

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Lighting

Another property mis illumination of individual units based on height and surrounding density parameters. During the aggregation, units will also calculate the distance between themselves to the ground. If the height of one unit is equal to a certain height it would sense the density above itself. If the neighbour number above is too less, this unit will light up, illuminating what is above. This may lead to certain illumination, or lighting conditions.

Stacking Stage

Transforming Stage

Units Above H=Floor-Lamp Lighting

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

Cauculating Height

Searching Neighbour Around

Secondary Lighting

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Lighting Similarly, when the unit reaches to a height of droplight, it will calculate the neighbour number underneath. If the neighbour number is lower than a certain amount, it will light up. This is similar to the conditions of a ceiling lighting. The aggregations can have various lighting conditions that is based on calculations on various parameters.

Simulation of Floor-Lamp

Simulation of Roof-Lamp

Simulation of Large Population

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Rendering Lighting Aggregation

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Application of Lighting

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Material Efficiency-Reconfiguration

The system also concern about the material efficiency, which means that each unit will evaluate whether itself is necessary to supporting the main structure. When one formation stacking to a certain height, the system will estimate each unit, if the unit is unnecessary for the structure, it will collapse and search for other place to build up again.

Sequence of Reconfiguration

Grow to A Certain Height

Stacking of the Second Formation

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

Calculate Distance to Structure

Stacking Stage of First Formation

Evaluate Necessities

Drop to Ground

Transformation

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Application of Reconfiguration

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

RULES OF AGGREGATION | the loop

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Material Efficiency-Surface Density

Similar to the latter, the system will calculate the surface density depending on various different functionalities. For example, the suitable density for a chair is around 75% when it fills the gaps on the surface sufficiently so that there is no unattached clusters. If the density is to much, unnecessary units will go back to the seeding points or for another use.

50%+ Low Energy Consumption

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the loop | RULES OF AGGREGATION

Views of 75% Chair

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PRIMITIVES SMALL FORMATIONS

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Arc-1 Small Population

Based on the previous catalogue findings on applying different force and maximum distance limitation between controllers, it is possible to generate different types of basic formations. For example, when repulsion force at the bottom level and attraction force at the top level are added, the system can generate arch. According to the limitation of maximum distance we set into the system, and the population, the shape of arc are changeable.

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Small Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Arc-2 Large Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Tall Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Arc-3 Large Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Flat Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Double Arc-1 Small Population

Similarly, we can generate double arc by adding force in the same way. Different scales of the shape can be created by adding the distance limitation, changing the radians and the growth of population.

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Small Double-Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Double Arc-2 Increased Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Middle Double-Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Double Arc-3 Large Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Large Double-Arc

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Dome-1 Through adding the arc in one formation, we can generate domes with different densities and heights. When attraction force in the middle level is increased there will be connections between the arcs to fill the gapes between them.

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Dome-2

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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Dome-3

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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Dome-4

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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Dome-5

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Dome-6

Simulation by Rules ofAggregation

Rendering View

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Cantilevers-1 Small Population The system is also able to generate more complex formations with different scales. For example, when we add repulsion force on the top level and fix the controller in other levels, different umbrella shape cantilevers are generated. And when we fix the controllers on the top and add certain equally repulsion force underneath, set the distance limitation they can reach, a kind of house structure can be created.

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Small Cantilever

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Cantilevers-2 Increased Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Middle Cantilever

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Cantilevers-3 Large Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Large Cantilever

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Surface-1

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Surface-2

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Surface-3

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Grid-1 Small Population

The system can generate regularly partitions with different patterns by fixing the controllers on the edge and add changing force between controllers in the middle.

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Small Cantilever

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Grid-1 Small Population

Designed Positions of Controllers

Rendering View of Small Cantilever

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the loop | PRIMITIVES

Generated Positions of Controllers

Simulation by Rules of Aggregation

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PRIMITIVES LINK BETWEEN LOOP AND UNITS BEHAVIOUR

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Generation Process of Units and Loop All of the simulations up until this point constitutes goal formations for our system. The cluster and loop configurations try to approximate such formations through their characters structuring methodology. It is important to note that the units within the simulations are always acting in groups which is interpreted as a group of units in the loop. In this way, this is how the simulation and building sequence were coherently in order to achieve structuring. We applying the assembly sequence of units by setting specific rules within particle system and magnetic field as a goal that our loops need to achieve. We use the same building sequence in stacking stage of loop as the aggregation logic of the formation in magnetic field.

Arc

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PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Generation Process of Units and Loop Double-Arc

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PRIMITIVES | the loop

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Generation Process of Units and Loop Cantilever

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ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM

COLLECTIVE ORGANISATION | TEAM CYA

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the loop | CONTEXT

ELEMENTS OF THE SYSTEM As for now, the discussed properties and behaviours were relevant to the system itself, but only having the context for dynamic landscape enables the symbiotic relationship to happen; Other parts two parts of the system is the House and the human, both drivers for the decisions of the system to happen. The behaviours and qualities of each alters the behavioural results and ensures the symbiotic relationshipp.

CONTEXT | the loop

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CONTEXT AS CASE STUDY HOUSES

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the loop | CONTEXT

During the late sixties in the United States, Case Study Initiative marked an unprecedental collective approach to materials, efficiency and design. Initiative, that was issued by Arts and Architecture in 1945, stated: “house must be capable of duplication and in no sense be an individual “performance”... It is important that the best possible way in order to arrive at a “good” solution of each problem, which in the overall program will be general enough to be practical assistance to the average American in search of a home in which he can afford to live” This collective strategy of problem solving and design implementation expanded the means of mergure and quality, emphasising the duplication and mass manufacturing.

Stahl House was chosen as a context for our system, because of its intricate relationship of interior and exterior and for the possibility for dynamic landscape to become part of surrounding landscape.

CONTEXT | the loop

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ANALYSIS All the houses were separated into different groups according to certain set of properties: Anomalies Material Roof Type Solid | Void Size Transparency | Translucency

In the anomalies section, the properties of the houses, which make them stand out from the general pattern are shown. Some of the houses have tendency to be separated into multiple houses (23); Uncoventional Interior Configurations; Dependant to context;

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ANOMALIES

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MATERIAL 254

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Case study houses are built from various materials, that were available at the time: Steel, Plastic, Masonry. Highly dominating is the combination of Steel Frames, with masonry walls.

CONTEXT | the loop

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ROOF TYPE 256

the loop | CONTEXT

Flat roof is the dominating type of the roof, chosen for the effieciency and simplicity in combination with the constructive system type.

SOLID-VOID CONTEXT | the loop

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SIZE (ASCENDING) 258

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CONTEXT | the loop

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CONTEXT | the loop

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Evo-devo based chart on coparison of various genes

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the loop | CONTEXT

Evo-devo based chart on Case Study Houses

Having all the houses compared on a parameter levels allows us to put the houses on the genome-type diagramme, where the shared parameters and properties are emphasised, just like in EVO-DEVO type comparison. That is, this approach helps us to extract the â&#x20AC;&#x153;geneâ&#x20AC;? of the typical house of this case study.

From the evo-devo type chart above, conlusions can be drawn: Transparency is higher in Column structure houses; Column structure houses are biggest; Open space are more common to mixed and column systems;

Statistics of the average house: 290 sqm 46,7% transparent Masonry with steel structure for overhanging roof Flat roof Highly influenced by context Open interior space

CONTEXT | the loop

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BALLOON FOR TWO Haus Rucker Wien, Austria, 1967

Conjoins technology and body and stands as an example of the attempt to achieve an artistically radical redefinition of the social environment and interpersonal relationships Balloon for Two was a transparent bubble suspended in mid-air outside the architects’ studio and hosting two halves of a bathtub in which tow “passengers” could seat. The experience was meant to provide the passengers with “calm, relaxation, and love.”

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CUSHICLE Michael Webb Archigram, 1964

Mobile structure, consisted of two parts: -chassis with appliances and personalized apparatuses; -inflatable envelope; It was envisioned as becoming part of an urban system of personalised enclosures, and was conceived as usable in any environment; The Suitaloon, seen below the Cushicle, was a study on prefabrication and modularity. It was understood as something rider would wear, proximate to the bodyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin as if defined by the nervous system.

CONTEXT | the loop

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RELATIONSHIP TO THE HUMAN

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User is the active participant in the dynamic landscape. Antrhopometrical qualities and embedded reactive actions, that is, motion, light and touch sensors enables the system to respond and provide functionality and behaviour for the inhabitant and his experience. The capability of the loop to become pliant structure is the one of the main drivers for the furniture-like behaviours to happen. The neverending movement of the system adds an element of playfulness and unexpectency to the system as a lifelike creature.

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As a reactive system, behaving as a furniture, has a multiple levels of reactions to the human behaviour, while providing functionalities.

Human being lays down on the surface formed out of the units.

System enables pliancy.

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Pliant surface starts to form around the human body.

Reaction to the human forms fully pliant surface , completely adapted to the body shape.

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Human comes to the surface formation;

Human interacts with the system ;

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System respons with creation of pliancy;

As a result, surface becomes usable and comfortable;

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Formation is in the pliant state;

Human engages the system;

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Pliant state provides comfort at the moment of interaction;

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LIGHTING WITHIN CONTEXT

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FUNCTIONAL LIGHT As the light is important part of any living conditions, the system provides three types of light conditions. Ambient, Functional and Navigational. The nature of Functional and Navigational light is mean for the human comfort. Functional, naturally is a light condition meant for specific tasks such as reading, work or collective activities. The behaviours of the inhabitant are detected, and a cluster of units is being formed around or above the occurring activity and therefore fixating on it despite the location.

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RELATIONSHIP TO HUMAN | the loop

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NAVIGATIONAL LIGHT Navigational light is meant to guide the human within darkness, when the footprint of the system is ever-changing therefore preventing unwanted accidents. The lowest level particles of formation engage lighting, underlying the outline of the formations,

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AMBIENT LIGHT Ambient light, however is a way of the communication within the system, inbetween, units, providing life-like feeling of the cohabitant for the inhabitant.

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LEARNING OF THE SYSTEM However, the ability of on demand formation is equally important. Immediate help and formation of the system happens when human directly interacts with the the system, that is, picking one of the units from the formation. When picked, sensorial system of the unit enables communication - voice commands would be translated into core behaviours. Unit then is placed in a intended location, behaving as a controller and the required formation starts, and it is going to remain in collective memory of the system, as a part of learning.

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Day of the Jury, Panel Pinup and models; 2017 01 12;

RELATIONSHIP TO HUMAN | the loop

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RELATIONSHIP TO THE ENVIRONMENT

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the loop | RELATIONSHIP TO THE ENVIRONMENT

The reconfiguration can also be a part of light control system, taking advantage of the ability of loop to transform, therefore creating space within a morphology and enabling the transformation, altering density and translucency of the aggregation therefore allowing light to pass through. In a way, system behaviour changes the living conditions within the house for the comfort of the inhabitant. Over time, the system learns the features and needs of the environment.

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the loop | RELATIONSHIP TO THE ENVIRONMENT

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RECONFIGUTARION As the reconfiguration is one of the main qualities of the system, together with the sensing abilities, the decision of behaving in certain way can be achieved. As in this case, under set of condition, the formation of seating landscape for number of people. However, on the condition change, that is, the number of people, reconfiguration takes place, providing necessary landscape for inhabitant activities. The system repositions part of the previous reconfiguration at the same time calling units from the other spaces to fullfill the sensed requirements.

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CONTEXTUAL FORMATIONS

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SERIES OF MODEL PICTURES

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COMMENTARY

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LUCIANA PARISI

TOM WISCOMBE

I might have some comments, just perhaps you could clarify for me: you have many levels here that are interesting and the main concept you have is the loop because obviously you described the behaviour of the kind of semi-intelligent, because there are two levels of intelligence here, one level is magnetic physical intelligence and then you have those machines where you have the code embedded within the colour system so the same level of behaviours are replicated on the physical and code level. That is interesting, adds another level of looping, where you can show, that the physical behaviour of magnets is mirrored or reflected to the code behaviour. Another level of interest is the idea of interaction. Interaction of particles - from small units creating complex behaviour, but also with the interaction of sensing environment, light, movement. However, I’m not sure, maybe it needs more clarification whether two levels of coded behaviours are parallel to this kind of architecture, whether this showcase and understanding only of domestic scale, maybe it can be scaled up or down.

That was really rigorous and amazing and I am really excited about it. I guess the first thing I want to say is, that the way you presented made us feel like in an engineering conference, however some of the stuff here is quite comical, I don’t know if you see it this way at all, but when I sat down right here, to see these playful, little creatures with their fuzziness, I find them hilarious and cute and scary at the same time and I think there is something there worth considering, as being part of the project. I really enjoyed it, and I think it is great and playful. That is one thing you did not mention. I like that you are trying the Case Study Houses to play this thing against. That is a smart move to do that, but it seems that what your hypothesis was that, that the balls would never get to the point, that they would able to create new case study house, but they are much better at creating furniture, furniture and other kinds of things that you would consider maybe as a prosthetics to architecture. I would want you to take the next step. When you put a bunch of balls next to each other you have a problem, that is difficult to create enclosure, you are always going to have permeable mass, no matter how many balls you add, it never makes an enclosure like a peace of glass. So it is going to be difficult to create envelopes for architectural roofs or slabs or other kinds of things. But maybe not impossible. Maybe again, it’s like two step process, there is an organisation of these things, but then there is an another layer that is required in order to create an impermeable surface. I think you stopped a little short, because I think the furniture thing is a no-brainer, it’s a great idea, you should patent it tomorrow and have a furniture that can reorganise itself for different kinds of activities. But in terms of its application as a new case study house, as a new architecture, it is just not clear in my head yet, how it fulfils certain roles that architecture must do.

Reader in Cultural Theory, Chair of PhD programme at the Center of Cultural Studies, Goldsmiths University London

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the loop | COMMENTARY

Founder and director of Tom Wiscombe Architecture

ARIANE KOEK

PATRIK SCHUMACHER

Just to counterbalance, the potential of the project is because you have a glass envelope like, you don’t have to worry too much about the tectonics, and just focus what else this system could create, and I think you did it, but I think it is important to challenge it even more. If you don’t have a problem of gravity, for example, these balls have always been going from bottom to top, could be opposite - top to down. So the use of space would be different, because density is always higher. I think you can question much more what are the potentials, now that you don’t have to worry about weather and tectonics.

We had versions of this projects, more ambitious, creating whole architecture, exterior conditions. That was always a stretch of imagination and this is very smart and mature, maybe the best version of the project I have seen, maybe there is two more projects to see, so I suspend judgment in terms of that. I really congratulate you, really sophisticated. For me interior design and furniture design is as much valued and important and critical as larger structures. When it comes to keeping the elements, initially it is an engineering issue. This is also solvable with additional elements, at the moment we have a monosystem and I think it could start allow other particles to come in which have additional qualities of surface generation. These panels are fantastic, what you’ve done with the magnetic and self-organising capacity is just wonderful, and then to microengineer the magnetic patterning and what you’re on to the variety that these things have multiple equilibriums of formation, on that level of atomic-molecular capacity of a new repertoire is very convincing and striking. These are fantastic. I think there is a number of claims you are making of sensing and awareness. You have to explicate this, for instance pressure sensing, is that enough to understand that you are critical component in the overall structure, wouldn’t that mean the outside computation? I liked the relationships to the environment, the introduction of light, which I think is super important architectural medium, should be much more pushing and treasured and homes in on interaction, communication, navigation, creating atmosphere. And to bring in the human figure, finally, you have ergonomics, you have interaction. And what Tom said about the creatures, they are always in the mix here - the cuteness, the behaviour, the character, how there communicate and invite. But to bring that

Initiator, founder, designer of Arts @ CERN & Cultural Consultant

Director, Zaha Hadid Architects

COMMENTARY | the loop

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BRETT STEELE

Director of the AA

home without talking, is again to bring the interaction, the light into the model, then you realise, what this might mean, how this invites, whether it is scary or cute, you will see human figures gathering around. I am really so satisfied and happy, that this delivers something really tangible.

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the loop | COMMENTARY

I would like to follow up with a couple of points, and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to try to get observations to the form of a question for a team. The first would be to a level of what we might think as your general field of research and expertise, since it is really impressive, laying an understanding of magnetic force and how this force is playing out in these funny objects in the aggregate whole. The questions would be, looking into your wonderful billboard, are those foureight lines enough to describe magnetic force in your world. This sort of old school diagram, where those magnetic forces, eight magic vectors, explain generalisable principle about how forces are distributed in space. The question would be, could we be representing your knowledge and understanding of that reality in a way that it would not only visualise that to the people like ourselves, who frankly have no idea how it really operates, but you clearly do in order for you to do some of the amazing things you have demonstrated in the video, and if so, could you in this last stage of work, that you had to do to tie this together in a form of thesis document, describe those forces with a kind of determination and depth, that I would say all of your objects have already on a paper, the force literally disappears. The consequences of the force is shown in either an animation or a drawing. But of course you are working in the modelling environment, where the modelling of forces is as everyday as the modelling of the object, and you could model those forces in many ways. You could use it as sort of vector diagrams in a classical structural sense, you could also apply illuminocity so we could see where the forces are working in the images. That would be sort of a general question. The more specific one is probably your lovely leap into sixty year old house to start to test the project. And in the architecture if I understand it right, built of the very same materials that you are using - bit of glass, bit of steel and lots of wiring. Which in a weird way is a primitive environment for the thing you are saying, half of century later, can now literally roll into and start to animate it or continue that project in a way. Is that a right

kind of model to make of the Stahl house? A classical architect like you guys would want to give as its classical form, shape and appearance. Your objects, I would think, would be really interested where the wiring is, where the glass is, where is the steel is, and that becomes, in a way, the first iteration and in fact the first installation what this project is. I think it would start to place a demand on you all to model the world and even the case study house on your terms rather than other way around, for you are trying to describe your project in relation to a bunch of dead architecture, this stuff is historical preservation. It is not DRL project in a sense what you are interested in, which is to bring a force into the world. It seems one of the first tests of the thesis would be how do I convert existing models and ideas what architecture is into something that is giving us the field that we now operate in. And I think all of the comments that were made about how this stuff works, that first stage of life in this pavilion could not do, like block the sun and the windows, starts to take life of its own. Super interesting. I think to narrow it down even more, because it looks like a couple of the jobs are being loosely defined, I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if gathering balls on the edge of the bar is really a job. It has a nice decorative effect. But the job was even narrower, to say that the one thing that the glass house was unable to solve was problem of controlling light, for you all to become 21st century drapery experts, would be super narrow, but will give you certain criteria to say if the thing is actually working or not. But the fact the glass house, when it was introduced, never found a way to solve drapery problem, for example, was either in a denial or as Mies did, hired his colleague to do all the drapery, that we know, that Miesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; architecture was not up to something like that, you are bringing the two worlds together in a really helpful leap and I absolutely applaud the comments about giving unit a job and then defining whether it is doing it right or not. I guess the question for you is, have I defined that job clearly enough that we can say if we are making progress or not.

Link to the presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlbTlb9w8 T - 1:59:20

COMMENTARY | the loop

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Day of the Jury, Panel Pinup and models; 2017 01 12;

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Thank You! To Theodore Spyropoulos, for believing, mentoring, patience and dedication; To Apostolos Depostidis and Mustafa El Sayed for sharing their knowledge and experience through lines of code and prototypes; We would like to thank our families and loved ones, Yan Wang, Gerda Antanaityte and Deniz Yagmur Oktav for their endless support; To all AA staff, for being there in the hour of need; Huge shoutout to Rohit Ahuja and Emre Erdogan for the help during the final pushes and hours; To all our classmates and friend, for this amazing journey, laughs and unforgettable experiences;

Chen Andrius Yigit

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