Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Christopher Chen 1003927 Joel Collins Studio 15
Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age
Kolerevic described three fundamental types of fabrication techniques in the reading. Outline the three techniques and discuss the potential of Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication with parametric modelling.
There are three main types of fabrication as highlighted by Kolerevic: Additive fabrication, or the agglomeration of material to form a whole, Subtractive fabrication, which is the removal of material to produce a form, and Formative fabrication, a process which entails deformation of a material, usually through heat or mechanical forces, and thereby reshaping the material into the desired form. Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication or CNC allows for highly accurate dimensioning and forms, which is key to a successful fabrication of a parametrically modelled form.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
To generate the two required surfaces, I used Grasshopper to create a 150mm x 150mm x 150mm box. By using the DeconstructBrep function, I broke down the box into a grid of 10 x 10 x 10 grid. I then connected points to create lines which were then lofted to create the non planar surface output.
By using List Item to index through the list of points on on the edges of the bounding box, I connected sliders to change between points along the box, I was able to cycle through many possible surface outputs quite quickly, which is the strength of parametric design. This is only limited by the grid size, however, I opted to use a 10 x 10 x 10 grid.
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An early iteration; I was trying to find a balanced aesthetic which reflected openess and porosity while having a good balance of privacy and publicity. This output was too abstract in its aesthetic.
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I found the final iteration by having a reflection in the points that I selected. The suggestion at a private realm coupled with its sense of grounded monumentalism was highly complimentary to the aesthetic I was trying to achieve.
SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
I started off with the final surface iteration and asked myself what kind of visual suggestion I could develop through panelling in order to get my design to highlight the duality of the public and private realm, and how they inform on each other to create pockets of space in which people congregate. I chose panels which help to emphasise the form and draw the observer’s attention along an unspoken path which includes and uses the overall shape of the structure to enrich the experience of interacting with the two elements.
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Isometric View
The panels emphasise the visual acuity which is key to merging both the private and public realm, and allow observers to interact with the structure through ocular inclusion and freedom.
The number of fins in both the X and Z directions was doubled in order to produce a stable form. Previously, the 5 x 5 arrangement was inadequate due to the fins not lining properly, and needing to be culled, which resulted in large amounts of over- cantilevering.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Laser Cutting
Example of the script being used to cut out sections of the panel
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With regards to the laser cutting, an issue that arose was regarding the tabs: The etching was only on one side, but the tabs needed etching on the other side, so I hand scored the required lines.
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I also created a Grasshopper script to offset the panel faces and cut out the interior shape to create a panel which emphasises visual acuity and accessiblity due to the amount of perforation in the panel.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities
Surface Generation
The main variation is in the attractor points for varying the panels.
Attractor Variation
This was done to achieve a unity in both the form and the underlying idea of having a cohesive surface which is linked to the idea of visual acuity and the duality of private and public space.
Panel variation
Key Control Points Attractor curves Grid Points
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Parametric Script
In order to vary the panel type against a curve, I initially used list item and manually changed the boolean values for each item in the list. This was not true variation however, so I used the distances from the centroids of the panels to a set curve to create a list of values, which were then indexed by a set of boolean conditions such as larger than, equal to etc, checking for which range the values fell into. Based on the boolean outputs, different panel geometries were assigned to each panel. This created a variable parametric script which works for all curves and panel types.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Exploded View
The variation in panel types creates a duality between the public and private realm Having visual acuity both on the ground plane and upper planes allows for a clear sight into the structure and for light to pass in and out of it The ground porosity is quite high, as the open panels allows for a physical and occular freedom of movement in and out of the form
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
The visual permeability and suggested ground porosity evident in the panel variation lends to the dualty of public and private space, suggesting at interactions between observers inside and outside the structure. The open panels at the ground and upper planes allow light and vision into and through the panelling. Overall, the outcome was a design which uses light and visual acuity to invite observers into the structure. The threshold between the public and private realm is quite loose due to the occular freedom into and out of the space within. The ground plane in particular allows for interaction through prescence and sightlines.
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Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
I generated a box using Grasshopper, and then created a modular script to allow for any geometry to be arrayed inside the box grid. I varied the grid by using attractors, and also played with curve and point attractors for the boolean geometry. I also used another point to remap the values of each boolean in the grid to vary the scale as well. By utilising sliders, I was able to cycle through many different designs and forms to experiment with the attractors and boolean geometry. I also added spheres around each point of importance to allow for exporting to Adobe Illustrator.
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SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation
The script was relatively simple to visualise and write. The challenge was creating geometry using the set parameters tp create forms which are relevant in a non respective setting, and which is provocatively architectural. I generated designs which suggest a human scale: caves, steps, overhangs etc. The parametric and modular nature of the script allowed for fast iteration and refinement.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric view
The section reveals an interior which strongly portrays how the resulting boolean has the aesthetic qualities of shelter and spatial progression. The chosen design has many passageways and stepped areas which suggest a scale akin to pavilions such as the Radix Pavilion by Aires Mateus. It is a space that provokes interactivity and conversation, rather than isolation and inactivity. However, it still affords the observer spaces in which to reflect and relax.
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Grid Manipulation
SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities
Point/Curve attractor variation Study area relative to boolean output
Key Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points
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SOLID AND VOID
Photography of Model
The shapes suggest at interactive and shelter-esque built elements. The overhangs create microclimates of warmth and spatial progression due to the pathways created by the boolean geometry.
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Appendix
Grasshopper script for the construction of the waffle. I doubled the fin count to 10 x 10 due to instability issues when using 5 x 5.
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Appendix
Process
Arrangement of panels for gluing
Waffle Fabrication
Laser Cutting error
Panel gluing
Reconstruction of fragile pieces
Glued Panels
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Appendix
Laser cutting script to prepare cut and etch lines
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Appendix Process
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Appendix
Process
Visualisation The section evokes ideas of shelter, and a natural form reminiscent of cave systems and earthen spaces. It encourages movement and interaction while also allowing for sedentary activities.
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