1003927 Module 3 Journal

Foundations of Design : Representation, SEM1, 2017 M3 JOURNAL - PATTERN vs SURFACE Christopher Chen

1003927 Mitchell Ransome Studio 17

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WEEK 6 READING: SURFACES THAT CAN BE BUILT FROM PAPER IN ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRY Question 1: What are the three elementary types of developable surfaces? Provide a brief description.

The three types of developable surface are the cylinder, the cone, and the tangent surfaces of space curves. The cylinder has surface lines perpendicular to the edge of the profile, the cone posseses lines which converge on to a vector from the profile curve, and the tangent surfaces are made up of tangent lines made from a curve in 3D space.

Question 2: Why is the understanding of developable surface critical in the understanding of architectural geometry? Choose one precedent from Research/Precedents tab on LMS as an example for your discussion.

Architectural construction requires a large number of flat spaces, meaning that it is imperative that they are not deformed or warped in any way. By understanding the ideas behind a developable surface, it allows for the transformation of a 3D object into a flat plane. By breaking down largeer more complex structures, it is possible to make them out of many developable faces. For example, Le Corbusier’s Puppet Theatre has curved faces split into 500 rigid diamond shaped pieces, making it feasible to fabricate.

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PANELLING PATTERN

2d Panelling, Pattern: Triangular

This process allowed for a better understanding of how the panelling process is done and how the surface relates to the panels generated, thereby allowing a better analysis of my terrain.

3D Panelling (Pyramid 1)

3D Panelling (Pyramid 2)

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VARIABLE 3D PATTERN

Basic initial idea.

Experimentation of height variation and module variation.

Final design chosen.

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3D PANEL TEST PROTOTYPE & TEMPLATE

S2_P5-7 and S2_P1-4 for prototyping:

Prototypes were done in Ivory card to get a feel for the material, and to get a sense of the level of rigidity present in the material.

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WEEK 7 READING: DIGITAL FABRICATION Complete your reading before attempting these questions:

Question 1: What is digital fabrication and how does it change the understanding of two dimensional representation?

Digital fabrication seeks to make a smoother connection between design and conceptual making to physical, real fabrication, allowing manufacturing to be achieved at a much faster rate. When CAD replaced 2D drawings, it allowed for a deeper understanding of the space that the constructs take up, making it far easier for designers to come up with ideas and develop them.

Question 2: Suggest two reasons why folding is used extensively in the formal expression of building design?

Folding makes exploration of a three dimensional space more feasible, as well as making it easier to conceptualise within the space. It also allows for complex designs, and easier iteration.

Also, the inflection and warping of a surface allows for development without losing the characteristics of the design, leading to more complex aesthetic designs and geometry.

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EXPLORING 3D PANELLING

Linework of the final design: Note the transition from complex to simple, triangulated to rectangular.

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UNROLL TEMPLATE OF YOUR FINAL MODEL

Arrangement of all unrolled faces.

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The pieces were then arranged on A3 Illustrator files and printed.

PANELISED LANDSCAPE

Top view of combined panels.

Close up view of the quad modules.

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Top Left: View of the truncated oyramid modules: Complex line of sight.

Top Right: Sightline through the four pointed modules towards the simpler, more rectangular modules, and a clear progression of complex to simple geometry.

Bottom Left: Axonometric view of the completed model.

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APPENDIX

Using bulldog clips to hold the pieces in place

Using bulldog clips to hold the pieces in place

Prototyping with Ivory card

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