DESIGN STUDIO AIR

DESIGN STUDIO: AIR

SEMESTER ONE 2015

YUANYUAN YE 613901 TUTOR: BRAD Elias TUTORIAL TIME: FRIDAY 12pm

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART A. CONCEPTUALIZATION A.1 DESIGN FUTURING

INTRODUCTION My name is Yuanyuan Ye. I am a third year student under the Bachalor of Environments, major in Architecture. I come from China and spent most of my life there until I was 17. I made a big dicision at that time that to study abroad because I believed this must be an extraordinary experience for my life and my future, thus I came to Melbourne alone as an international student.

Traced back to the time before entered university, I spent lots of time assuming the major and got confused. And I finally chose architecture as it seems like a‘safe' major -no need of complex calculation and excessive essay. Therefore, in the begining of my early studies I actually did not take the subjects seriously and that's why I got frustrated during the first semester. I found I should change my attitude and then reconsider about architecture.

The first experience inspired my confidence and interest about this subject was the final parade of ‘Virtual Environments'. It was my first time that learned about digital design and our task was to make our own lantern within Rhino. That was a big challenge for me as I've never touched those thing before. I started with thinking about the shape design, idea generation and draft modelling. Every time I got a new idea, a sense of achievement that came up with my heart. When I brought my final lantern performed in the parade, I was really excited and talked to myself: that's architecture!

The most interesting thing of architecture is the process: thinking, sketching, making and displaying. I am eager to learn more and improve my skill of digital design of architecture.

DIGITAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE

As I mentioned before, the first digital design experience was gained in the subject ‘Virtual Environments'. I learned Rhino with paneling tool at that time which is a very good computing software for 3D modelling and parametric design. For my lantern, I firstly create a surface and then developed it into a solid object through loft, paneling and some other options. And using paneling tool to create several types of the surface, finally import the statistic and scale into fablab to cut the separate shapes out. Then established the model. I have not touched Grasshooper before but I know it's a plugin program that helps Rhino control the parameter of the design. I still have a long journey to explore more about digital design and look forward to studying more about Rhino.

A.1

DESIGN FUTURING

56 Leonard Street Architects: Herzog and de Meuron location: new york city The tower of 56 Leonard Street is one of the iconic skyscrapers in New York which is a 56-storey residential building designed by architects Herzog and de Meuron.

This tower contributes some new concepts and ideas to the ongoing disciplinary discourse. The architects intend to design a skyscraper which is able to preserve the spirit of traditional style but also contain new structural possibilities.1 The most well-known design of this tower is its special feature of “houses stacked in the sky”, which residents look forward to seeing through the remarkable glass curtain façade.

Herzog & de Meuron has replaced the usual extrusion of traditional skyscraper floor plates with a staggered progression of structural slabs turning slightly off axis by degrees, creating constant variety among the apartment floor plans.2 This structural arrangement of floor plates at 56 Leonard Street will create an irregular flurry of cantilevered terraces up and down the building, making plays of light and shadow that give the tower a shimmering, animated appearance on the skyline and widely varying interiors.3

Due to Herzog and de meuron have paid special attention to the building’s impression on ground level, they create an interesting piece of metal object which performs as the upholder. It is a mirrored stainless steel which makes a sense like appears to be wedged into an opening at the foot of the building. This design breaks the tradition of a normal column or an ordinary supporting, instead, it is designed with a brand-new concept that makes people reconsider the way we originally think about architecture.

People appreciate the design of 56 Leonard Street building which strikes an uncanny balance between strict refinement and pure invention, practicality and the sublime.4 It is a revolutionary architecture that apparently apart from the traditional skyscraper. It is still under construction but would be the tallest buildings in the Tribeca area. The tower alters the panoramic view of New York City. Herzog and de Meuron aimed not for virtuosity but innovation in terms of the broader culture and art for inspiration.5 This building aims to improve the living environment of its residents. The structure intertwines and shifts according to the internal organization of the floor plans, providing the opportunity for each apartment to have its own panoramic view of Tribeca area.6

Riverside Museum Architect: Zaha Hadid Location: Glasgow

Another significant architecture is Riverside Museum in Glasgow designed

by Zaha Hadid. It is well-known for its zig-zags roofline in folds clad with patinated zinc panels.

The Riverside Museum is derived from its context. What this architecture contributes to us is that its connection between nature and the design, as well as combine the environment as an integral unity. The design flows from the city to the river; symbolizing a dynamic relationship where the museum is the voice of both, connecting the city to the river and also the transition from one to the other. The museum is situated in very context of its origins, with its design actively encouraging connectivity between the exhibits and the wider environment.7

The most representative and inspiring feature is the design of the roof which shapes like cresting waves runs the length of the structure, giving the building a sculptural appearance. Refer to the sustainability, the roof is able to collect the rainwater and bring it inside through a network of pipes, also has to be transmitted through the concealed conduits. The building is also capable to contribute to the low energy services strategy. It provides a very low level of air leakage and substantial insulation to reduce extremes of temperature which, in turn, reduces the demand for heating or cooling.8 This function significantly sustainable to the local environment and the technology implemented within the roof is a great innovation of architecture.

The museum positions itself symbolically and functionally as open and fluid, engaging its context and content to ensure it is profoundly interlinked with not only Glasgow’s history, but also its future. Here Zaha Hadid made a detailed explanation about the museum: “through architecture, we can investigate future possibilities yet also explore the cultural foundations that have defined the city…The design, combining geometric complexity with structural ingenuity and material authenticity, continues Glasgow’s rich engineering traditions and will be a part of the city’s future as a center of innovation.”9

What The Riverside Museum conveys to us is its iconic facade which symbolizing the dynamic relationship between ship-building and Glasgow. I like the design that transfers the architecture to the site fluently and the contrast between the metal material and soft roofline. I think that's the idea what Hadid eagers to contribute: to create an innovative future.