STUDIO AIR 2017, SEMESTER 2, Finn Xinyue WU 752748
C
2
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALIZATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 3
4
CONCEPTUALISATION
A0 INTRODUTION A1 DESIGN FUTURING CASE STUDY 1 CASE STUDY 2 A2 COMPUTATION CASE STUDY 3 CASE STUDY 4 A3 COMPOSITION AND GERATION CASE STUDY 3 CASE STUDY 4 A4 CONCLUSION A5 LEARNING OUTCOMES A6 ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES APPENDIX BIBOGRAPHY
CONCEPTUALISATION 5
0 INTRODUCTION HELLO I am Ann (Xinyue Wu), currently a third year architecture student in University of Melbourne, grown up in Chengdu, China. I am quite interested in design and creation and this is the reason why I decided to choose architecture.
Through three years’ study, I gradually realize that architecture is multidisciplinary. There are always many unknown territories for me to explore and a stream of new knowledge for me to learn. I learnt a little bit about parametric design through AA Visiting School Beijing and Studio Digital Design and Fabrication. I realized its complexity and its capability of achieving design possibilities. I hope I can develop my computational skill and explore more design possibilities in studio Air.
6
CONCEPTUALISATION
DIGITAL DESIGN FABRICATION: 2ND SKIN _
STUDIO EARTH: SECRET ON HERRING ISLAND -
CONCEPTUALISATION 7
.1 8
CONCEPTUALISATION
‘Remark design as a key force of redirection towards sustainability in order to move from’ sustainability development ’ to the development of sustainment’
DESIGN FUTURING Under the explosive population growth and technology development, the damage to the planet’s climate and ecosystem is increasing. design should retard the rate of defuturing and redirect us towards sustainable modes of planetary habitation. At this moment, Design, the crucial power leading the revolutions of human’s world, has to be redesigned systematically to retard the rate of defuturing and redirect us towards sustainable modes of planetary habitation. Furthermore, mentioned in ‘Speculative Everything’ there are many possibilities-socially engages design for raising awareness; satire and critique; highbrow entertainment; aesthetic explorations; speculation about possible futures; and as a catalyst for change.
CONCEPTUALISATION 9
Case Study 1
.1.1 The optimization of design approach for city future can be instigated by the innovations of architecture design. Absolute Towers is a successful example which significantly helps to generate more positive possibilities for city futuring. It integrates humanized design, ecological design, and urbanization to achieve the development of sustainment. The absolute tower is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, a rapidly urbanized and emerging high-density cities. In this process, hundreds of sameness boxy high rise gradually become the burden of the city. In order to sustain the sustainable development of the modernized city, architectural design practice has to be redesigned to solve the confront problems. Absolute Towers eschews the listless traditional design approach which uniformly uses vertical lines and right angles in the high rise. Absolute Towers uses the parametric design method to feature a twisting fluidity shape with smooth, unbroken balcony wrapping each floor of the building1. That each successive level the floor plate rotates in a range of degrees and provides visitors with an unlocked and fantastic view of Mississauga skyline (ArchDaily,2017). The viewing potentials are maximized inside and out to create a medium for social and ecological interaction throughout the balconies. By the way, Mississauga is infused with a new character connecting environment with human life. 1 ArchDaily ,2017 10
CONCEPTUALISATION
ABSOLUTE TOWER MAD Architects /2012
‘We hope this building can wake up Metropolitans’ desires towards nature, such as the sun and the wind, and certainly, human bodies.’ said the designer. Instead of blindly pursuing technology development, the aim of a designer is using design as a force of redirection of the sustainable city. There are no complicated technologies behind its design approaches. It is more than a symbol of technological bravado. It is a unique character in the cityscape and bears the landmark status. I find design innovation leads mineral resource, increasing human needs and urbanization to an optimized balance. The sustainable design approach is to explore the possibilities of sustaining a sustainable model: development of urban space in harmony with nature.
CONCEPTUALISATION 11
Case Study 1
.1.1
12
CONCEPTUALISATION
ABSOLUTE TOWER MAD Architects /2012
A TWISTING FLUIDITY SHAPE WITH SMOOTH, UNBROKEN BALCONY WRAPPING EACH FLOOR OF THE BUILDING.
CONCEPTUALISATION 13
Case Study 2
.1.2 The sustainable design approach is more about promoting harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernization, social development and ecology. The Clover House kindergarten is a successful example which ingeniously processes a humanistic sense of space and creates a very intimate and cordial relationship with habitats. First of all, sustainable design approach should engage with the habitats. The Clover House kindergarten is located in the small town of Okazaki. One of the most important design intent is to promote the communication with the localized small village surrounded by paddy fields and mountains. Thus, the modernized architecture will stand out like a strange ‘neon sign’ here. In order in ‘dissolve’ the house into the environment, the parametric design method is used to compose an organic appearance that is full of curvatures.
14
CONCEPTUALISATION
CLOVER HOUSE MAD Architects /2016
On the spiritual aspect, sustainable design is achieved by involving humanistic care. The designer was commissioned to transfer the traditional timber-frame into a fully developed kindergarten. He aims to create a homely atmosphere inside the kindergarten and decides to keep the old wooden structure as the memory and the soul of the space. In order to emphasize this emotion value, the old timber frame is kept and reprocessed. Different from the traditional timber-frame structure, the wood beams are three dimensional and curved. They were laser cut at the factory1.
1 I-mad.com. (2017). MAD. [online] Available at: http://
www.i-mad.com/press/mad-transforms-two-story-homeinto-a-playful-kindergarten/
In addition, in terms of material selection, it is an innovation of maximizing the advantages of traditional materials. White and soft asphalt shingle is used to achieve the organic curvy shape of the skin. Asphalt shingle is eco-friendly and can be recycled. The material behavior also creates an innovative way of waterproofing1. As a result, the parametrically designed skin wrap up the old wooden structure in a sheath of paper-like pieces with blurry boundary. The form is innovative but suitable for the cultural and natural environment. Different from traditional house design, the kindergarten is like a magic cave for the child to encounter with it. Furthermore, although technology plays an important role in solving problems, it is not the core of sustainable design. With rapid digital technology development, there are many digital modeling tools. However, Architecture design will become impractical if we purely relied on technology development. In my opinion, the Clover House of kindergarten provides us with a design practice leading to sustainable future. It breaks the traditional ways of solving problems and provides the possibilities of sustainable development: harmonious coexistence of social development and cultural protection, modernization and natural protection.
1I-mad.com. (2017). MAD. [online] Available at: http:// www.i-mad.com/press/mad-transforms-two-story-homeinto-a-playful-kindergarten/
CONCEPTUALISATION 15
.2 16
CONCEPTUALISATION
Innovative technologies have become a driving force in the formulation of theories as well as producing a new wave of tectonic and material creativity.
COMPUTATION Architectural design process always includes feasibility analysis, solution synthesis, evaluation, and communication. It is a process of seeking solutions that accomplish given goals following constraints. Architectural design computation is an optimized and high-efficiency design process integrated by various parametric algorithmic design, the tectonic richness of the material shifts and comprehensive design thinking. With the appearance and evolution of the digital in architecture in integration with new digital technologies, the relationship between computer and architecture is continuously expanding. Meanwhile, the symbiotic relationship is formed between the formulation of the design process and developing of technology. Thus, a considerable wealth of architectural design opportunities emerging with the development in many fields of technologies1. Innovative technologies have become a driving force in the formulation of theories as well as producing a new wave of tectonic and material creativity. 1 Oxman, Rivka & Robert Oxman, 2014, Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge).
CONCEPTUALISATION 17
Case Study 3 ‘BEYOUND BENDING’
.2.1
block research group (ETH Zurich)
With the emerging of algorithmic design and digital fabrication, material design and tectonic system generation in architecture are redefined. Computational design and digital fabrication can provide traditional material and tectonic system with more design opportunities. ‘Beyond bending’, designed by block research group (ETH Zurich), is a computational performative design of the material system. In this case, by using novel structure design approaches and digital fabrication method, light vault structure is constructed by heavy material without any reinforcement. The installation advocates for the logic of compression only form, not only because of their unique aesthetics but also because of their potential to reduce material waste. Although in the past decades, master builders have discovered compression only structure such as the stone cathedrals, it still has the limitation in various shapes. However, due to the development of digital design approaches the novel structure design tools extend traditional graphical methods to three dimensions allowing designers to discover a vast range of forms in compression. It shows that how we can gain the knowledge of structure in the past, and then we could generate more possibilities enhanced by the modern digital algorithms.
excess steel ha © ETH Zuric
The work comprises 399 individually stones, unreinforced and without mortar, and the vault spans 16 meters with a minimum thickness of 5 centimeters1. Therefore, it is extremely critical to calculate the balance between form and force. The design team used RhinoVault plugin to optimize the shape based on the concept of Thrust Network Analysis (TNA) (Block, 2009). Based on these concepts, new algorithms are presented to enable the interactive exploration of funicular structures2.
novel structur image © ETH
1 2
18
“Beyond Bending - Factsheet”, Ethz.Ch, 2017 <https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth“Beyond Bending - Factsheet”, Ethz.Ch, 2017 <https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/eth-
CONCEPTUALISATION
as been eliminated, allowing more humble materials to take precedenceimage ch / iwan baan
the work comprises 399 individually cut stones, unreinforced and without mortar image Š ETH Zurich / iwan baan
ral design approaches and digital fabrication methods have been utilized H Zurich / iwan baan
the work comprises 399 individually cut stones, unreinforced and without mortar image Š ETH Zurich / iwan baan
CONCEPTUALISATION 19
Case Study 3 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;BEYOUND BENDINGâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;
.2.1
block research group (ETH Zurich)
When it comes to the material, it is obvious that the weight of each stone brick seems not light so that the approach of calculating the structure force is extremely critical in this project, especially these stone bricks are in different shapes. Therefore, by using the modern-day digital technology, the concept of Thrust Network Analysis allows them to modify the form flexible, and keep the equilibrium between form and force at the same time when they change the shape. Furthermore, I find digital design and fabrication is not that perfect. It is a practical problem to reduce the gap between each brick to make it as accurate as possible. It is impossible to finish the project totally as same as the digital model. However, as long as the whole structure has a proper force equilibrium the mistake in millimeter could not exert a negative influence on the final effect. After all, we could not avoid all mistakes in the practical fabrication.
20
CONCEPTUALISATION
Form and Force Diagram
Horizontal Equlibrium
Vertical Equlibrium CONCEPTUALISATION 21
Case Study 4 AL BAHAR TOWER
.2.2 In the environmental constraints, innovative solutions to problems and optimized design practice are formed by the computational design process. The Al Bahar Tower is an innovative computation design of high rise which is designed to accomplish the sense of cultural ascription and solve the pressing climate problem. This extreme weather condition in Abu Dhabi is the pressing problem. The sunshine here is Intense and the temperature is steadily above 100 degrees with no rain. Working with the variability of algorithmic design and comprehensiveness of data analysis, Aedas Architects designed an environmental responsive façade. It is a programmed sun screen designed as a curtain wall. On its frame, there are many triangular patterns coated with fiberglass and programmed to open and close in response to the movement of the sun. Thus, the interior lightness is dedicated to control providing nature daylight. Furthermore, the triangular patterns take form the cultural patterns of ‘mashrabiya’ and it can reflect the sense of culture ascription.
22
CONCEPTUALISATION
Aedas Architects
Different from the traditional design of curtain wall, the intense sunshine here is not all blocked by blinds. The computational design makes the façade ‘environmental responsive’ and intelligent, adjusting to the sun movement as well as the sunshine input. Actually, this idea of sunlight controlling is derived from the old technique. Using digital design method, it is optimized to respond to environment requirement and contribute to the sustainable development of this city. In addition, the computational design is a continuum design process with the cooperation of many fields. In seeking to investigate the solution to the problems, the optimal design is obtained through the integrating process emerging with digital morphogenesis, computational analysis, and algorithmic design. For instance, environmental engineers are included to simulate the sun movement and analysis the seasonable amount of sunlight exposure. Only based on enough data support, can architects design the design the environment responsive and multifunctional façade.
CONCEPTUALISATION 23
.3
24
CONCEPTUALISATION
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for architecture.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;
COMPOSITION GENERATION With the development of digital technology, more design opportunities are created to architectural design including the process of design, construction, and fabrication. Supported by the continuum system of computation, design practice is shift from composition to generation. The process from concept generation to fabrication is optimized to be integral and continuous following the consistent algorithmic logic behind1. The algorithm makes up a finite sets of rules and can contribute lots to design. Due to the precise calculation and logic system, it has the potential to provide designers with inspiration and the optimization of concept. It even goes beyond designersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; intelligence2. It provides analytical data to support design and generates communication and simulation for constructability and sustainability. With the development of algorithmic design, architectural design is shift to be diversified. It is not only the composition of different design aspects but also a generative process support by technologies from different fields
1Peters, Brady, 2013, Computation Works: the Building of Algorithmic Thought, Architectural Design, 2, 83, 8-15.
2Peters, Brady, 2013, Computation Works: the Building of Algorithmic Thought, Architectural Design, 2, 83, 8-15. CONCEPTUALISATION 25
Case Study 5 ‘THE WATER CUBE’ (Beijing Nation
.3.1
PTW Architects, CSCEC, CCDI, and Arup/2007
The National Aquatics Centre, known as ‘The Water Cube’, is one of the most dramatic and exciting venues for the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The shape, the structure or even the material of the facade, both of them illustrate that it is extremely distinct from those buildings constructed by reinforced concrete, not only in shape but in design intent. In this case, there is no separation between design and computational technique. As we all know, the core design intent of the venue is to simulate the water cube as the façade. However, easy to think, hard to do. In the initial model, they used the Voronoi algorithm to express the façade concept and the design was approved immediately. But after a period of time, designers found it is hard to generate a proper structural model. For balancing the form and force and merging the design and the construction, the Waire-Phelan structure was used to solve the problem and to integrate the whole process. The Waire-Phelan structure is the specific combination of two kinds of cubes: 12 sided cubes and 14 sided cubes, which could be joined together closely in 3 dimensions1. Therefore, that is the essential algorithm to make the design intent alive so as to substantially evolve the efficiency of construction. 1
“Designcoding | Weaire-Phelan Structure”, Designcoding.Net, 2017 <http://www.designcoding.net/weaire-phelan-structure/>
26
CONCEPTUALISATION
nal Aquatics Center)
CONCEPTUALISATION 27
Case Study 5 ‘THE WATER CUBE’ (Beijing Nation
.3.1
PTW Architects, CSCEC, CCDI, and Arup/2007
The generation of Water Cube structure is quite simple and direct. In grasshopper, we could simulate such gen according to the Waire-Phelan structure. In the figure, it shows the basic combination of components which only ha Thus, we could set a series of parameter to control the number and the size of the combination. After that, the between the box and the polyhedron could be calculated by using the ‘intersect brep’ component. If we modify of the box in 3 dimensions, it allows us to gain various intersection situation dynamically.
The whole application in this project is definitely an excellent attempt using computation in architecture practice, p and simulation. Basing on the results of the dynamic calculation, we could easily gain numerous situations which choose the proper one for the final performance. Also, at the initial phase, it is impossible for the designer to pre shape due to the structure is so complicated. But when computation be integrated into the design process, it possibility of conception.
In short, there is no doubt that the algorithms occupy an important place in this project. Not only the algorithm co to improve the traditional construction approaches, but also to combine the whole construction process closely.
28
CONCEPTUALISATION
nal Aquatics Center)
neration logic as two types. e intersection y the rotation
performance, h allow us to edict the final t evolves the
ould be used
CONCEPTUALISATION 29
Case Study 6 SITUATION ROOM in NY
.3.2
Jana Winderen + MARC FORNES / THEVERYMA
Computation is redefining our design process. Algorithm and computational protocols provide more possibilities for architectural design and fabrication1. First of all, the algorithm provides designers with more capability to realize morphologies and to solve complex problems resulting from finite sets of rules, clear instructions and linear sequence. Thus, more architectural spaces and design concepts can be explored through and generated. The situation room in NY, work of MARC FORNES/THE VERYMANY is an example which involves parametric design method to generate its form. In this case, the intricate web and lightweight, ultra-thin self-supported structure2 are all generated parametrically following the rigorous logic of algorithm behind. As for the realization of the complex appearance of the internal morphology, its envelope is generated from Boolean operations merging to create the dense aggregation of the sphere based on algorithmic curvature analysis. 1 Peters, Brady, 2013, Computation Works: the Building of Algorithmic Thought, Architectural Design, 2, 83, 8-15. 2 MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY. (2017). PROJECTS. [online] Available at: https://theverymany com/projects#/experience-unique-intensive-space
30
CONCEPTUALISATION
ANY
CONCEPTUALISATION 31
.3.2
Case Study 6 SITUATION ROOM in NY
Jana Winderen + MARC FORNES / THEVERYMA
Secondary, computation has the potential to go beyond designsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in tunnels made from 2000 unique part. There is no doubt that there i prototypes generated by modifying the parameter. This kind of prot
Furthermore, computation plays an important role in the creation computation helps architects simulate and model the encounter bet environmental space by using algorithm form generation together project without any restriction. Moreover, the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities lik experience it, to explore it, to have communication with it.
32
CONCEPTUALISATION
ANY
ntelligent and inspire them. As for the ‘situation room in NY’, its complex form contains many bulbous networks of it is an operational result from an advanced algorithm. However, there should be some unexpected and meaningful totypes may inspire designers and lead them to further thinking of design.
n of meanings in architecture. With their increasing capabilities of complicated form generation and simulation, tween architecture and public. Different from traditional architecture design, ‘situation room’ generate an immersive r with an immersive sound and light. In the bulbous network of passageways, the public is free to experience the ke crawling or walking can active the installation. As a result, the public is greatly involved in ‘situation room’ to
CONCEPTUALISATION 33
.4 CONCLUSION Influenced by the population growth and excessive utilization, there is a trend that global ecological environment is gradually shifting to defuturing. The traditional design mode cannot sustain the sustainable development and we need to make revolutionary changes. There is no doubt that eco- friendly design should be involved to improve and reshape the ecosystem. Furthermore, we also need to chase the possibilities of promoting harmonious coexistence of tradition and modernization, social development and ecology. In many sustainable design approaches, design computation is highly distinguishable, which can provide many design possibilities Computation has the potential to redefine the design practice. Though digital continuum, computation optimizes the design practice and high-efficiency involves in algorithmic design, tectonic richness of the material shifts and comprehensive design thinking. Computational design produces the innovative tectonic and material performance. Experts in different field are engaged to composite the optimization of the solutions to problems. However, for the simulation and modeling of complex form, if there is no existing computational tool can help with it, we need to promote it from form-finding. Algorithm provides us a more rational method to generate complex forms and unlocks more design possibilities. Due to the precise calculation and logic system, it can efficiently solve complex questions and has the potential to provide designers with inspiration and the optimization of concept. However, I think we need to treat algorithmic generation dialectically. If the designer cannot fully comprehend the rules and logic behind the algorithm, unsatisfactory result will be produced.
34
CONCEPTUALISATION
Conceptualization provides me a general understanding of the background of revolutionary design practice such as computational design. According to readings, I gain lots of knowledge about what are the possibilities computational design can achieve. It can facilitate the design process, cooperate with many different technology fields and promote environmental responsive design using various digital tools. Besides the composition of good performance, what impressed me most is the sustainable design intents behind some parametrically designed precedents. I think the design will be unsustainable if there is no optimized and reasonable design intent to follow. As for the topic of week 3-generation, it seems to be a brand-new page for me. I used to be afraid of it because I think the algorithmic logic is too complicated to understand. However, through the researches and readings, I am getting interested in this flexible and generative design method. For the learning process of Grasshopper and Rhino. Thus, as a beginner of learning grasshopper, I am quite interested in the exploration of different form generation. However, it takes quite a long time to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;get used to so many components. Furthermore, I need more practices of algorithmic thinking because I find it is too difficult to build my own logic to generate the ideal form in my mind.
LEARING OUTCOMES
.5 CONCEPTUALISATION 35
.6 ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES
36
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 37
Curve Rotation
In this definition, two parameters are used to control the final result: the number of the circle and the rotation angle. When the rotation angle is fixed, by increasing the number of circles we could gain a series of circles whose radius are also raising at the same time.
38
CONCEPTUALISATION
Curve Gradient
It is a simple definition about the gradient from hexgon to circle. The logic of such gradient is to modify a curve from straight line to curve with differnt curvature based on the distance to the influence point. If we could rebuild the line to 2 degree with 3 control points, by moving the middle control point, it is easy to convert the line to curve.
CONCEPTUALISATION 39
Geometry Rotation
40
With a series of increasing rotation angles, we could gain this shape. But if we change the step of the arithmetic progression, the whole shape will be changed without doubt. Also it is possible to change the distance in z direction and radius of the pipe. CONCEPTUALISATION
Geometry Gradient
According to the distance between each square in the grid to the influencing curve, the further the distance is, the more the square extrudes. By changing the power of the influencing curve, we could see the transformation above. CONCEPTUALISATION 41
BIBLIOGRAPHY: “Beyond Bending - Factsheet”, Ethz.Ch, 2017 <https://www.ethz.ch/en/news-and-events/ethnews/media-information/background-information/eth-zurich-at-the-15th-internationalarchitecture-exhibition---l/beyond-bending.html> [accessed 10 August 2017] “Armadillo Vault At Venice Architecture Biennale 2016”, Vimeo, 2017 <https://vimeo.com/167868985> [accessed 10 August 2017] “Designcoding | Weaire-Phelan Structure”, Designcoding.Net, 2017 <http://www.designcoding.net/weaire-phelan-structure/> [accessed 10 August 2017] “Weaire–Phelan Structure”, En.Wikipedia.Org, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Weaire%E2%80%93Phelan_structure> [accessed 10 August 2017] “Beijing National Aquatics Center”, En.Wikipedia.Org, 2017 <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_National_Aquatics_Center> [accessed 10 August 2017] Fry, Tony, 2009, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice. (Oxford: Berg). Kalay, Yehuda E., 2004, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT press). Oxman, Rivka & Robert Oxman, 2014, Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge). Peters, Brady, 2013, Computation Works: the Building of Algorithmic Thought, Architectural Design, 2, 83, 8-15. Dietrich, Eric, 1999, ‘Algorithm’, in The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Science, ed. by Robert A, Wilson & Frank C. Keil (London: MIT Press), 11-12. Dunne, Anthony & Fiona Raby, 2013, Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) ArchDaily. (2017). Al Bahar Towers Responsive Facade / Aedas. [online] Available at: http://www. archdaily.com/270592/al-bahar-towers-responsive-facade-aedas [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]. I-mad.com. (2017). MAD. [online] Available at: http://www.i-mad.com/press/mad-transformstwo-story-home-into-a-playful-kindergarten/ [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]. MARC FORNES / THEVERYMANY. (2017). PROJECTS. [online] Available at: https://theverymany com/projects#/experience-unique-intensive-space/ [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]. ArchDaily. (2017). Absolute Towers / MAD Architects. [online] Available at: http://www. archdaily.com/306566/absolute-towers-mad-architects [Accessed 11 Aug. 2017]. 42
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 43