Architecture, Design, & Technology Portfolio

BOLADE’ ELIJAH-SAMUEL RICHARDSON

Architecture, Science, and Technology Portfolio Robert R. Taylor School of Architecture & Construction Science Bachelor of Architecture 2017 Tuskegee University

Content The Codex. 1-33 Digital Fabrication Group.

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Design Discovery. 46-55 Cultural Understanding through Design.

Architecture is a communicative force and the role that the architect relies heavily on the world and the technology used to express language.

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THE CODEX

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The Codex is an independent research project. based upon my inquiries in architecture, science, and technology. My set mission was to answer the following question: What is the relationship between the architectural making brought by the earliest civilizations and the digital emergence of computational technology? I chose to study a strategy of architectural techniques that follow the first principles of nature; identify an universal architectural language that architects can use to advance technology in modern building construction ; explore opportunities in which architects can give birth to interdisciplinary collaboration. I particularly drew inspiration from men and works I found most influential: Ieoh Ming Pei (Chinese-American architect, The Louvre Pyramid), Buckmister Fuller (American inventor, Geodesic Dome), and Kanye West (American designer, Yeezy). It is through their greatest achievements, that I found faith in my ability to educate; a life experience understood in the greater sense with the discovery of ourselves and the planet we live on.

I traveled throughout the world expanding my research to ancient sites of the few: the pyramid of Saqqara (Egypt), the stone-hewn Churches of Lalibela (Ethiopia), Khajuraho temple (India), Angkor Wat (Cambodia), and Great Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe). Upon my expedition, I developed a deep concern for the role in which architects lead and how we design using computational technology. I became most fascinated by the fact that although we live in modern times, we have yet to reach the pinnacle to our forefathers. In particular, the unmatched genius unfolded by the precise accuracy and fundamental principles of pyramids; one of the world’s greatest enigmas.

Although puzzling, I find that world pyramids, upon decoding design languages, will equate to the advancement of computational design, fabrication processes, and the universal knowledge that architects will embark upon in the future.

Fig.1. Pyramid of Khufu ,in Cairo, Egypt August 8th 2018.

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Fig.2. Step Pyramid of Djoser, in Saqqara, Egypt August 8th 2018.

Fig.3. Red Pyramid, in Dahshur, Egypt August 9th 2018.

Fig.4. Bent Pyramid, in Dahshur, Egypt August 9th 2018.

Fig.5. Pyramid of Sahure, in Abusir, Egypt August 9th 2018.

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Fig.6. Church of Saint George, in Lalibela, Ethiopia September 20 2018.

Fig.7. Great Zimbabwe, in Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe June 12 2019.

Fig.8. Temples of Khajuraho, in Chhatarpur, India November 6th 2018.

Fig.9. Angkor Wat, in Sien Reap, Cambodia January 16th 2019.

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Pyramid P1

Fig.10.

Pyramid P2

Pyramid P3

Pyramid P4

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Pyramid P5

2D Pyramid grammar; intial shape, rule, and derivation.

Fig.11. 3x3 Magic Square. The sum of all numbers 1-9 is 15.

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Fig.11. Pyramid P1 design language.

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Fig.12. Pyramid P1 design language.

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Fig.13. Pyramid P2 design language.

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Fig.14. Pyramid P2 design language.

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Fig.14. Pyramid P3 design language.

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Fig.15. Pyramid P3 design language.

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Fig.16. Pyramid P4 design language.

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Fig.17. Pyramid P4 design language.

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Pyramid P1

Pyramid P2

Pyramid P3

Pyramid P4

Pyramid P5

Pyramid P1

Pyramid P2

Pyramid P3

Pyramid P4

Pyramid P5

Fig.18. 3D Pyramid grammar; intial shape, rule, and derivation.

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Fig.19. East Building, National Gallery of Art/ IM Pei, in Washington DC, USA November 13 2017.

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Structural analysis; fractal dimensionality.

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Structural analysis; plan and exploded axon.

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Fig.20.

2D Pyramid Slope grammar; intial shape, rule, and derivation.

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Fig.23. Crystal design language in snowflake.

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2D Crystal growth grammar; intial shape, rule, and derivation.

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Fig.25. Crystal growth design language.

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Fig.26.

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Crystal growth design language.

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Fig.27.

Clear quartz crystal.

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Fig.28.

3D Geodesic grammar; intial shape, rule, and derivation.

Geodesic dome space habitat.

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02

DESIGN FABRICATION GROUP Following my 4th year at Tuskegee, I was welcomed by MIT Architecture through the 2016 MIT ODGE Summer Research Program. As a student intern for Dr. Lawrence Sass, Director of Design Fabrication Group, I assisted and developed fundamental skills in computation and fabrication for affordable housing.

United we investigated various assembly processes and prototypes, utilized digital software techniques and advanced manufacturing tools; such as computer numerical control (CNC) laser cutting, 3D printing, and concrete molding/ casting.

Project #1: 3D Print 3D printing technology is already changing the way we produce objects. From tools to toys, to clothing, and even body parts. 3D printing is apart of a process called additive manufacturing, where an object is created by adding material layer by layer. Additive manufacturing allows designers to create complex parts for machines, airplanes, and cars at a faction of the cost and time of standard means like forging, molting, and sculpting.The first step into 3D printing is to create the blueprint of the object you want to print. You can use modeling software to create your own design. Once complete, you can transfer to a 3D printer. Some printers, have renewable bioplastic.

When the printer receives the data, it pulls the material, melts it, and deposits to the plate, where it instantly cools.The object is created through layering, until you have a fully 3D printed object.

Fig.1.

3D Printed Object.

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3D Print 20%

3D Print 30%

3D Print 40%

3D Print 50%

3D Print 60%

3D Print 70%

3D Print 80%

3D Print 90%

Fig.2.

3D Print design language.

3D Print 100%

Fig.3.

Shape decomposition of 3D printed obelisk.

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Equilibrium E1

Equilibrium E2

Equilibrium E3

Decomposition D1

Decomposition D2

Decomposition D3

Decomposition D4

Decomposition D5

Decomposition D6

Equilibrium E4

Project #2: Shape decomposition The mission of this project is to investigate the decision making process when decomposing a 3D model into an assembly kit. In means of generating an effiencent method, I studied the obelisk, an monolithic pyramidial tructure originating from Northeast Africa, Egypt, now dispersed around the world. The shape of obelisk is said to be derived from astronomical phenomena associated with the sun. The definition of resonance, a design language in which vibration and frequency harmonizes in equilibrium. The final model concludes a 3D printed kit.

Fig.10.

Shape decomposition; obelisk design language.

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Fig.10.

Shape decomposition; 3D printed kit, case studies and assembly.

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Project #3: Planar modeling Planar modeling is a system that removes human cutting and measuring from building delivery regardless of the building’s shape or size. In this case interlocking panels are fabricated to produce fromwork directly from 3D computer model. This process is demonstrated by creation of geometric forms: square and cylinder.The first step made in planar modeling is the use of 3D modeling software. Through Rhino3D, a plane is drawn and extruded, creating a geometric form. The second step is made in a computational software developed at MIT. The planes made by the geometric forms are divided into separate interlocking parts. These parts are exported for laser-cutting.

Under the CNC machine, a masonite boards are cut into individual parts for painting. I chose to paint these cut parts blue to to accent the panels made.

Lastly, the interlocking panels are assembled following the number guide made by the laser cutter and Luban software. The final model formalizes the square and cylinder.

Fig.20.

Planar modeling; square assembly.

Fig.20.

Planar Modeling; laser cutter and square assembly.

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Fig.20.

Planar Modeling; cylinder assembly.

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DESIGN DISCOVERY

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Project: Parameters of Society Community has various meanings being a group of people living in the same place or having a particular characteristic in common. In addition to a body of nations or states unified by common interests. What is natural phenomena?

Types of natural phenomena include, but are not limited to, the following: weather, fog, thunder, and tornadoes;biological processes decomposition, germination; physical processes, wave propagation, erosion; tidal flow and natural disasters. Conducted at Harvard GSD Design Discovery program, I implemented urban planning strategies, observing patterns made in the community of Savin Hill, Massachusetts. As a result, a mathematical model was generated highlighting the potential effects of natural phenomena, while also addressing parameters of social scientific systems in this community.

Fig.1.

Aerial view of Savin Hill, Dorchester, Massachusetts.

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47 Fig.2. Parameters of Society; Site Plan.

Fig.3. Parameters of Society; Site Plan.

Fig.4.

Parameters of Society; Exploded Axon.

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Fig.5.

Parameters of Society; circulation diagram.

Fig.6. Parameters of Society; daytime and nightime diagram.

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2D Pyramid Parameters grammar; of Society; intial shape, networkrule, trigulation. and derivation.

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Fig.9. Parameter of society; constructing physical model.

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Parameters of Society; construction of wind in physical model.

Fig.10. Parameters of Society; partner Yiou Wang assisting.

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Fig.11.

Parameter of Society; physical model depicting wind as natural phenomena, cords depict circulation.

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CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING THROUGH DESIGN

During the Spring semester of 2015, I studied abroad in Japan. I was selected by faculty for Cultural Understanding Through Design, a joint project between Kagoshima University of Japan and Tuskegee University . This study abroad served as a joint design project aimed to foster global education and scientific research. Under the guidance of Prof. Roderick Fluker (Tuskegee University) and Prof Junne Kikata (Kagoshima University), I learned and developed research interests in ecology and resilience in rural environments; the relationship between America and Japan during World War II. In collaboration with Japanese graduate students, we traveled throughout the city of Tokyo and the rural town of Kohyama studying urbanization methods and potential areas of socio-economic growth and sustainability. As a conclusion of our works, my team and I presented project boards and physical models demonstrating areas of revitalization in vacant lots at Kohyama Town Hall.

Fig.1.

Published article highlighting the joint work between Tuskegee and Kagoshima .

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a Main road

Diet

Education

Kohyam

Fitness

Meditation

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Business

Fig.2.

CUTD; Vincity map of Kohyama, vacant lots and Aburaya house.

Fig.3.

CUTD; Floorplan renovation of Aburaya house.

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Fig.4. Tour throughout main road of Kohyama, Japan.

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Fig.5.

Render; interior and exterior.

Fig.6.

CUTD; section, elevation and exploded axon.