BDES1002
Design Booklet
Architectural Communications
Ashleigh Vissel
Contents Part 1 06
1. Tracing Motion Architectural communication is an incredibly important skill to have, as without good communication, a design cannot be showcased and understood by those who view it. They won’t get the full idea of the design, and may be viewed negatively, simply because the presentation wasn’t sufficient for the design. In this booklet, I have recorded parts of my course throughout the semester including what I have learned and achieved throughout the process. Learning new skills were required to complete design tasks, such as the use of rhino to 3D model our objects, produce drawings and what sort of information is required to be presented, such as shadow movement and people in space.
Before and After Scene Activation 10
2. Creating Shapes Models Shadows 14
3. Modeling Shapes Inspiration Designing in Rhino Orthagonal Drawings 23
4. Redeveloping the Idea Models + sketches Crafted Drawing Elevations Plan and Sections Shadows 35
5. Final Presentation Mockup Pin-up
Contents Part 2 42
1. Site Analysis
Pathways Environment Building Materiality Sun Patterns Spending time outdoors Poster 52
2. Developing the Design Design Brief Researching Designs Designing Finalising Materiality 68
3. Compiling Information Orthagonal Drawings Rendered Design Models and Shadows 76
4. In-class presentation Intended Pin-up Feedback 80
5. Adjustments
Glossary Axonometric Projection
A method of projecting a three dimensional object or building where the object is in a drawing where the axis are all drawn to scale.
Circulation
any similar circuit, passage, or flow, as of the sap in plants or air currents in a room.
Contour Lines
the representation of such a line on a map.
Elevation
Plan
a drawing made to scale to represent the top view or a horizontal section of a structure or a machine, as a floor layout of a building.
Reinforced Concrete
concrete containing steel bars, strands, mesh, etc., to absorb tensile and shearing stresses.
Render
The process of formulating, adding color, shading, and texturing of an image. It can also be used to describe the quality of execution of that process.
Section
a drawing or design that represents an object or structure as being projected geometrically on a vertical plane parallel to one of its sides.
A ‘section drawing’, ‘section’ or ‘sectional drawing’ shows a view of a structure as though it had been sliced in half or cut along another imaginary plane.
Orthogonal
Site Analysis
working drawing, is usually the last drawing produced by a designer. It normally has three accurate views of a product, a front view, side view and plan view.
Pavilion
a light, usually open building used for shelter, concerts, exhibits, etc., as in a park or fair.
Site analysis is a preliminary phase of architectural and urban design processes dedicated to the study of the climatic, geographical, historical, legal, and infrastructural context of a specific site.
Site Plan
A site plan is an architectural plan, landscape architecture document, and a detailed engineering drawing of proposed improvements to a given lot.
Part 1
Architectural Explorations
1.1
Tracing Motion Introducing people to ‘activate’ a space
Scanned by CamScanner
First step of creating our activation scene was to create the dormant scene. That is, the space without the bodies, before and after. I decided to use a campfire with two people cuddling around it. Prior to activation, I had sticks and logs scattered around the
campsite, tent closed by and dinner ready Scanned CamScanner to be made and eaten. In the dormant scene post activation, the sticks and logs gone with smoke coming from the campfire, dirty dishes and a blanket placed on the sitting log around the fire.
Then, we activated the scene
1.1
Narrative of a Campsite Charlie and Sammy have both come back from a small day hike and are ready to sit around the campfire and have dinner. They arrive, and change in their tent. Then, they begin to prepare dinner. Whilst Charlie continues making dinner, Sammy begins collecting firewood and puts it in a pile next to the fire. After finishing putting dinner together, Charlie helps Sammy move the larger logs close to the fire. Sammy starts the fire as Charlie collects their dinner and takes it to the large fire log, so they both sit and have dinner. Half way through, they get cold, so Sammy goes to the tent to get a blanket to sit with by the fire. They continue replenishing the fire and poke around at it with a stick. They move the dishes to a washing bucket and stay seated by the fire until it goes out, shuffling about and moving the blanket around them as they cuddle together.
1.2
2. Creating Shapes By following certain shapes and ideas found in our activated drawings, we began manipulating the paper to become a three-dimensional form, rather than a two dimensional piece of paper. After we had finished developing a few shapes and models out of the paper, we then needed to take various pictures, creating shadows with our models by using an infinity curve as the background and shining a light on the model whilst moving it around and changing the shadows.
Curves in Paper First attempt at creasing paper into a curve. More interesting shape than the previous one, but less interesting shadows.
My first Version of the model, I tried to recreate the model seen on the right on to card. This was a tricky process, as unlike paper, card could not be folded and would bounce back at any folds I would attempt to make.
Instead, I needed to cut into the card, without going all the way through and glue a gap where I made the cut. Although it did give me a technique to use with card, I wasn’t loving the entire composition.
1.2
3. Modeling Shapes The next step would be to begin developing a design idea. Through a series of sketches both by hand and by using Rhino 3D software and model developments, I was able to start making a type of 3D Sculptural project. In order to convey the design, using rhino was also important to be able to produce a series of orthagonal drawings including plans, sections and elevations. It would also mean that we could start producing interactive CAD models.
Inspiration After creating the previous model with the various curves in the paper, I was quite intrigued by creating curved three dimensional shapes in paper, something that I didn’t really think was a possibility. I decided to instead pull out what was my favourite part of the activation
scene which was the contours that were created by following the objects and where they travelled (dark green in the activation drawing) from one point to the next. I also liked the challenge of creasing card into curves as the final model
Scanned by CamScanner
Scanned by CamScanner
In designing, I wanted to create a curve within a curve. Using a spiral as the starting shape seemeed the best, because as an overall shape, the form is a circle within a circle. I then took the pattern developed from the activated drawing and split up the shape to where I would then cut and bend.
I never actually finished this model as I wasn’t totally agreeing with it. I felt it basically just became an uneven, curvy spiral staircase which seemed too simple for this particular task.
Designing in Rhino 1.1
Orthagonal Drawings What was so great about creating the model on rhino, was that not only was I able to create a finalised 3D rendered structure, but I also was able to create the series of orthographuc drawings quickly and easily.
By using the section tool on Rhino, on the top view, I was able to draw lines through a birds eye view of the model where I wanted to create the sections, seen to the right. By using the comman “create 2D� I was able to easily create a series of elevations as seen bellow.
1.2
4. Redeveloping The Idea I wasn’t at all happy with my previous design due to it being too simplistic, so I decided to re-design my shape. Because I had an idea of what I was doing, the re doing the idea wasn’t too difficult as I developed the modeling method of cutting and glueing. To redevelop the idea, I decided the best way to go about it was to first play with some models and sketch, and further play with the existing model that I had created.
Final I kind of worked out that by just joining the two ends of the model together, I was able to create a cone shape, which I felt was architecturally way more interesting that my original idea.
1.1
The overall contour idea
Crafted Drawing Layering diferent aspects and ideas in a creative image
The overlapping shapes represent cross sections at different heights
Grassy green nature of the floor where the couple are camping
Branches that constantly move at different stages throughout the night, also with contours
An elevation of the way the contour moves around the shape
The activation drawing where inspiration came from
Elevations
Plan and Sections
Shadows Looking at the models in a different way
From our third lesson, we took the new skill of photographing models on an infinity paper using a light to invent new types of shadows.
Instead of creating basic shadows, I decided to instead create a series of shadows for a few of my models to show the angle of the sun on the models throughout the day as if they were an actual building in a space.
1.2
5. Final Presentation I was far happier with the end work that I created and was happy that I decided to re-design my concept.
Mockup Pockup of the presentation
Crafted Drawing A2
Elevations A3
For the presentation, I pinned up my final works on the wall, and had used rhino to be able to figure out exactly where I would pin everything in relation to eachother. Plan and Sections A3
Shadow Series A4 - A4 - A4
Statement A4
Pin-up
Part 2
Architectural Forces
1.2
1. Site Analysis After completing the first assignment, we then moved on to the second assignment. We were instructed to take inspiration from the first assignment, and design a pavilion that would be situatied in Cadigal Green . The assignment being called “architectural forces� the pavilion would be informed by our initiral assignment, so we had an idea to run off, but importantly, it would be informed by the environment that it would be placed in.
Pathways Looking at where people go and how they get there.
Overall Envirnoment
D) Wind evident, swaying the grass so it grows one way
Looking at the flora and fauna of the landscape
C) Canopy is covered by native gumtrees D) Sunchairs surrrounded by gumtrees
A G
B
H
C D
F
E) Landscape includes loads of Australian native plants
E B)
A) The contours in the area make it look like you’re looking down on open space.
H) The badly looked after reed area is actually a form of drainage that sits at the bottom of the hill, catching runoff
G) The Ibis, or Bin Chicken, can be found here
Building Materiality
Spending time outside
Sun Patterns Sun patterns are important to see where the sun might enter a building so people have access to natural lighting indoors.
Sunrise
It was also important to be able to see where shadows are being casted, as so people know where the shaded spots are.
Sunset
When the sun is out both in summer and winter, theres a high concentration of people spending time outdoors directly under the sun. There are sun chairs, specifically designed for people to spend time outside, and they are always used. People also like to spend time out on the grass, as it allows them to sit in groups.
Low amounts of individuals spend time outside when it’s wet. Cadigal Green becomes just a walk through space and theres simply no space to be outside in the wet weather. Instead, they seek shelter in llibraries and classrooms, making those areas overcrowded.
CADIGAL GREEN
MATERIALITY AND WINDPATH 1 : 500
SITE ANALYSIS
SUNSET
The space includes loads of native australian plants, and is beautifully landscapped with open spaces. The downwards contours make it look like people are looking downwards on the grassy area which is what gives it the nice open feeling.
Sunset Sunset
When the sun is out both in summer and winter, theres a high concentration of people spending time outdoors directly under the sun. There are sun chairs, specifically designed for people to spend time outside, and they are always used. People also like to spend time out on the grass, as it allows them to sit in groups and be social, rather than sitting with on the chairs which can only be used one way.
Sunrise
Extremely low amounts of individuals spend time outside when it’s wet. Cadigal Green becomes just a walk through space and people struggle to find space to sit, relax, socialise and do their work. Instead, they seek shelter in libraries and classrooms, and with high density being concentrated in indoor spaces, there simply isn’t enough space for people.
ELEVATIONS, BUILDING HEIGHTS, AND MASL Sunrise
Scanned by CamScanner
SUMMER SUN PATTERN
Scanned by CamScanner
WINTER SUN PATTERN
Scanned by CamScanner
WHERE PEOPLE SPEND LONG PERIODS OF TIME OUTDOORS
Scanned by CamScanner
Site Analysis Poster
SUNRISE
1.2
2. Developing The Design Although designing and the site analysis were not done exclusively in order, the two offered two distincitve steps, as the design elements were a responce to the environmental forces. This part of the process involved sketching and using rhino to design the pavilion. I found rhino was the most convenient way to develop the design as I could keep re-saving files and move forwards and back easily.
Design Brief Writing a design brief would give me guidence to my design process
Provide a useable space in all climates The pavilion must be able to suit sunny days and give people the option to spend time under the sun or in shade. It should also be a good undercover space for when it rains and people still wish to spend time outside. Tie in materials The pavilion should not feel out of place material wise, and should instead bring all the materials together. Allow natural sunlight in Any internals of the Pavilion should be lit with natural sunlight during the day time. Open ended function Pavilion should be able to be used by people in different scenarios, whether that be to sit and relax with people, or for people to sit and do their work. Allow sociability Space should allow people to spend time at the pavilion both alone and with others if they would like to. Minimal and positive visual impact Cadigal Green is very open and filled with sunlight, and this is most of it’s appeal. The pavilion should blend in with the environment and almost have an ‘infinity’ look to it.
Researching Designs First thing I did was look at some existing designs. I came across a few which I thought gave a really nice visual endlessness. Amongst others, that I came across, Wei Wei and Herzog & de Meuron were commissioned to build a pavilion for the Serpintine Gallery in 2012. The pavilion was designedto build homage to previous pavilions and structures which had been built around the gallery.
They created a sunken pavilion which rises just 1.5 meters above ground, with the seated area going below ground level. The pavilion also features a circular pool, which formed theroof of the structure supported by a series of twelve cork-lined columns. The higher level is at a comfortable level for people to lean against, and rather than seeing sirectly into the pavilion, they see an infinity looking pond.
Designing
After debating where to put the pavilion, I decided on putting it in the reeded drainage space which has been poorly looked after and gives me a good opportunity to improve to the space rather than diminish it and putting it at the bottom of the hill meant the space would still look relatively open.
I evenly divided the stairs and wrked out the minimum rise of each step. I then sloped them all upwards and created a series of ramps. By simply mirroring the structure upside down, I was able to create the overall conical shape I was looking for. The problem I found with this design was the practicality of using a ramp.
I then came up with a series of infinity stairs which would be more interactive than the original design and also made it so it would be a comfortable seated place where users wouldn’t have to sit on a slope.
The problem with doing this was that the way I designed it, the bottom ate too much into the opening space. which meant that the rise of each tread would need to change, and the lower level would need to go further down by that point as well.
As seen in the sections, in the previous design not all the steps had lined up so they would all touch eachother and fit in nicely together, and each ste; was too thick.
This time, instead of starting at the top, I started at the bottom. This allowed me to first and foremost design from floor level to create a series of steps down into the pavilion.
Finalising the Design
Keeping the sides open meant that sun would get into the pavilion at all times of the day.
Materiality After umming and ahhing on what type of material I wanted to use, I decided on using concrete and grass. Originally I was wanting to use the same timber used for the sun chairs, howevever on reflection of the site analysis where the vastness of materials in the buildings never matched up with anything, concrete in the grass would have drawn the two together.
Another bonus of using grass over timber would be that it would continue to give that infinity look that I was after. The method of continuing the same material of the ground and the roof was a common method I found when looking at existing pavilions. that would then also mean that the design would need to be modified to include hollow garden beds and drainage.
1.2
3. Compiling Information
Orthagonal Drawings I felt that sections were the best way to convey the pavilion over elevations.
After finishing the design, I was able to then proceed to creating the orthagonal drawings, renders, a site model and overal presentation. For much of this process, I used photoshop to create beautiful sections and elevations which aimed to not only share construction information, but also a feeling of the overal pavilion and what it’s purpose is.
Section A
I was also compiling information together for the in-class presentation, which would be a collection of a collage of different parts of the assignment from the site analysis and how re then responded to the site analysis.
Section B
Section C
Sections 1:100
Rendered Design
Models and Shadows Making this model was important to show in three dimension the full effect of the model and how successful I was at responding to the surrounding environment and my design brief that I set up for myself. It also made it easy to communicate my final idea in terms of overall structure and where exactly it was situated. The three physical forces that were existing there and that impacted my design included the topography, the old school
building and the trees, which were all added into the site model. Deciding to use the topography in the model in my case was important, as it illustrated why and how the space feels so open, and demonstrates why the pavilion is successful in maintaning the open space. I was able to see this through shadows. I was also able to see what impact the sun had on my site as well by using shadows.
1.2
In-class Presentation Initially, I attempted to try and organize a layout from the get go so it wouldn’t turn into a mess. Unfortunately though, when it came to printing and pinning everything up, the chaotic organization was inevitable, as I pinned up some hand drawings and images as well, which thew out my intended organization. I also recieved useful feedback from the presentation which would help me finalising my submitted work.
Intended Presentation
Pin-up and feedback
1.2
Development of Overall Shape and Style
Final Adjustments I was so estatic with my feedback and was happy that I didn’t need to do much else to really improve my presentation other than the visuals of some of the images and for future reference, ensure that I use the right pins to pin up my work. For the final submission this time, I decided to compile my information a little neater and adjust my orthagonal drawings to really come together visually.
Development of Functionality
Sillouetter demonstrates the overall atness of the pavillion and the environment stays an open looking space.
The pavillion is located at the bottom of the countour of the space.
Wei Wei and Herzog & de Meuron were commissioned to build a pavilion for the Serpintine Gallery in 2012. The pavilion was designed to build homage to previous pavilions and structures which had been built around the gallery. They created a sunken pavilion which rises just 1.5 meters above ground, with the seated area going below ground level. The pavilion also features a circular pool, which formed the roof of the structure supported by a series of twelve cork-lined columns. The higher level is at a comfortable level for people to lean against, and rather than seeing sirectly into the pavilion, they see an inďŹ nity looking pond.
Sunrise
Solar noon
Sunset
Site Plan 1:1000
Summary and Statement. When I was doing the site analysis of Cadigal green, there were a few main points that I picked upon. The first thing I closely looked at was the materiality of the site. Cadigal green itself, I felt, is quitea nice peaceful, thoughtfully landscaped area that really emphasises the grass space. It provides a nice view and walk through space as well as a picnic space for users. But when looking at the buildings around it, you’ve got a whole array of materials, concrete on the northern side, as well as a few other modern materials and brick on the south side. A
Section A A
D
Another thing I looked at was where people spent their time sitting and relaxing outdoors. The sun bathing chairs are perfect for sitting out and relaxing in the sun, however they can only be used to lay and relax in the sun, as comfort wise, they’re not comfortable to sit up right and work on your laptop, and, they don’t allow users to be social with one another. When it rains, Cadigal Green looses it’s charm, simply because the space has been made to enjoy mostly in the sunshine, so when it rains, it’s nothing but a walk-through.
B B
Section B C
C
Section C
Sections 1:100
D
Plan 1:100
Elevation D 1:100
Simply by spending time out there, I also came to appreciate the openness of the space. Although relatively small, the reason it feels so open is because of the topography of the space, that looks downwards on the grass oval as well as the horrible reeds. From that, I took my original model from the last assignment, looked at the site plan and really thought about where I could put it in terms of shape. During the site analysis, I realized the unkempt reeds are actually a drainage source. Not only was this a chance to fix up what’s there, I also had the advantage of drainage, which is useful for any flooding possibilities. Because I was working in an existing shape, I didn’t really have to think about scale of the form much because it was given to me in the shape of that area. I was also able to make the shape appear far slightly flatter, so the green still has that open continuous flow to it, rather than having something plonked in the middle that doesn’t really belong there. When looking down towards to where the pavilion is situated, I wanted to keep it looking open and thus, put part of the pavilion below
ground floor. I took inspiration from the Serpintine Gallery Pavilion by Herzog & de Meuron and Ai Weiwei, where part of it sits underground and the roof above it is an infinity pond which sits at eye-level when walking on ground level. Going back to the idea of materiality as well as maintaining the open space, I wanted to tie the spaces together and in doing so, decided on using grass and concrete. The drainage allows me to use those as materials with a well designed system that keeps water flowing out of each stair. The aim of this was also to give it the endless look, because when you’re standing up here, your looking down on it. When thinking about function, I wanted the space to be open ended and function however the user wanted it to function. Wide steps work well for multiple people to sit together and have lunch, and the interactive space allows users to travel all around the pavilion. They have the option of being out in the sun on a nice day, with shade around it provided by the trees or on the floor ground when users might want to sit out of the sun or out of the rain. Next step was to then think about functionality. By raising the roof as well and giving it some windows I was able to ensure sunlight enters the structure throughout the whole day. This pavilion is a sculptural space that aims to give users options to how they would like to use a space in all climates and conditions throughout the day. Visually, it blends in with the environment num30around it and makes an unused, eyesore of a space, usable.