Studio AIR By Cen Xu
A.0. Introduction A.1. Design Futuring A.2. Design Computation A.3. Composition/Generation A.4. Conclusion A.5. Learning Outcomes A.6. Appendix-Algorithmic Skeches
PART B. CRETERIA DESIGN B.1. Research Field B.2. Case Study 1.0 B.3. Case Study 2.0 B.4. Technique Development B.5. Technique Prototypes B.6. Tchnique: Proposal B.7. Learning Objectives and Outcomes B.8. Appendix-Algorithmic Skeches
PART C. DETAILED DESIGN C.1. Design Concept C.2. Tectonic Elements C.3. Final Model C.4. Additional LAGI Brief Requirments C.5. Learning Objecties and Outcomes
Table of Content
PART A. CONCEPTUALISATION
Introduction
My name is Cen Xu, a third year undergraduate student at University of Melbourne, majoring in Architecture. I have born and grown up in mainland of China. I am really interested in architecture ever since I was inspired by the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, which I could never image a house can be built partly over the waterfall and harmony with nature in that way, whereas vast majority of buildings I have seen in China were not appropriate designed, which most of them only focus on increasing speed of construction to deal with the rapid growth of population and dense city, ignoring to keep the balances of form, function and environment in a delicate harmony. Thus, my dream is to be an architect to design environmental friendly buildings, as architecture can change our way of living.
1
Before coming to University of Melbourne, I have finished studying in several architectural subjects in the University of Urban Construction in China for two years, and got some year-1 subjects exemption. Therefore, my have not gained much experience with digital design, but used to utilize SketchUp to create 3D models to help integrate design visualization process. Although I have some knowledge of digital design by familiar with some impressive practice of masterpiece, parametric design by using Rhino and Grasshopper is still a new intelligent designing method to me. However, I am so interested in learning the use of this tool which can allow more complex forms to be created in the architecture design.
“Much of what we know of institutions, the distribution of power, social relations, cultural values, and everyday life is mediated by the built environment. Thus, to make architecture is to construct knowledge, to build vision. To make architecture is to map the world in some way, to intervene, to signify: it is a political act. Architecture, then, as discourse, discipline, and form, operates at the intersection of power, relations of production, culture, and representation and is instrumental to the construction of our identities and our differences, to shaping how we know the world.�
Conceptualisation The form of architecture has no revolutionary changes after the advent of Industrial Revolution, however, with birth of computer as a design tool, architecture as a design practice has became more concerned with its position in the future. The Tony’s book of 2008 mentioned our confronting affliction is the defuturing condition of unsustainability resulted from rapid growth of population with limited resources. In a anthropologigcal perspective, design is critical factor which enable us indicate the issue before damage have done, thus Tony believes our future can be secured by design, “as a ‘redirective practice’ able to take the diversity of humanity away from deepening the disaster of unsustainability toward the futuring character of sustain-ability.” Design intelligence such as acquire software allowing us to practice, then making contributions and spur to the connections between redirection and futuring, economy and culture.
2
MEDIA-ICT
The Media-ICT project, designed by team of Cloud 9,
Boma, PGI and G3, is located in the 22@Barcelona district at the junction of Carrer Roc Boronat and Carrer Sancho de Avila. The building is designed to be a communications hub for businesses and institutions as well as for the media and audio-visual sectors based on the idea of sharing. According to Jeremy Rifkin’s theory, buildings embody 35-40% of the climate change issue. In order to increase future possibilities, the Media-ICT brought in ETFE skin to achieve best energy performance reaction, aiming at sustainable construction to build a green city, which to cope with the increasing requirements of energy consumption. The function of this new technology is to regulate light and temperature, mainly preventing 114 tons of CO2 per year from breaking away the building and providing a 20% saving on climate control. With the assistance of sensors that gain information from external space, the cushions can inflate, deflate, adjust and become opaque. The skin of this project is active controlled by the network system responding to the environment, hence act as a living component. This result supp -orts the discourse that discussed by Spencer Kelly, urban environment will come alive.
While Rachel Armstrong echoes the idea of ‘living architecture’, she explains her new architectural practice where urban characteristic more like an evolving ecosystem than a lifeless machine. In that case, people start to rethink how we approach architecture. This project represents a exclusive chance to convert Barcelona into a leading platform for innovation by creating the intellectual area, promoting synergies and collaboration among social network in business, scientific and cultural activity to encourage economic and cultural renovation. In addition, Media-TIC is a parametric architecture, construed applying CAD-CAM digital processes. Analyzing the structure modules by utilizing software to obtain appropriate result in an efficient way contributes parametric approach to design challenge. Thus the building is not only a cube but a reasonable organized information communication. The facade of this building, compared with traditional industrial buildings, represents digital construction and more contemporary appearance with its free complex pattern.
Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club House
The golf club house Haesley Nine Bridges designed by Shigeru Ban Architects $ KACI International, situated in Yeoju in Gyeonggi Province. It offers the best condition of facilities and services owing to the established the world’s first 18 holes ‘SubAir & Hydronics system. Adopting 18-hole innovation solution of wooden column timber structure is not only for its unique aesthetic as well as for the realization of the environmental friendly aiming at sustainability. Timber structure, as one of the most sustainable construction material which is an example of the stunning design possibilities, was maximizing used in this project to achieve green future design. Compared with concrete and steel construction, the amount of CO2 conducted by timber construction is obvious less. As a result, the development of this new structural pattern will encourage architects, engineers and clients to apply the sustainable construction concepts for the future. The building consist of the unique tree-like hexagon grid shell, reaching to the height of three stories, with an ‘ecological and naturally ventilated concept’ of the hexagon pattern, is inspired by a Korean traditional summertime pillow which named “bamboo wife”, while the fire-resistant roof and columns are exposed in the internal space. According to Tony (2008), design should be intelligence to determine the construction approach, whereas Schumacher advanced design tool and cutting machine technology have been utilized by Shigeru Ban Architects which enable to figure out the most efficient structural form and minimize the assembly process and quantity of timber used. Moreover, the clubhouse is a 16,000-squaremeter facility that serves for clients somehow communication will occur. Patrik reinforces the systems of communications by explain that system as autonomous itself can generate its own components and structures within the ongoing flow of communication.
A.2. Design Computation
“Computation is redefining the practice of architecture. Architects are developing digital tools that create opportunities in design process, fabrication and construction.” said by Brady (2013). Parametric design is a new approach of intelligently design process of 21st century based on connections and principles utilizing computer, which is automatically set up in software thus can easily and quickly manipulate and generate multiple iterations of pattern in three-dimensions. Therefore, computational thinking is engaged in computation to satisfy our need. “Computational thinking is the thought processes involved in formulating problems and their solutions so that the solutions are represented in a form that can be effectively carried out by an informationprocessing agent.” The design of Museo Soumaya in Mexico, adopted complex computational technologies to accept the challenge of creation of culture collaboration with 3D model being analyzed throughout the design process. The challenge of this practice was the facade structure was already chosed, so the possibility of modification and rationalization is limited. In order to solve the issues occurred on the curvature surface, over 16,000 unique hexagonal panels should be pro-
duced, which cause a huge cost problem. It is a method of computerization, which “entities or processes that are already conceptualized in the designer’s mind are entered, manipulated, or stored on a computer system.” As a result, the power of new use of computational technique should be aware and utilized during the design process to assist in problem resolving. In this case, parametric modeling methods cultivated by Gehry Technologies were applied to produce the families, allowing mechanical system adjust the panel sizes to achieve idea results. Consequently, the decisions could be made quickly in real time by the architects at the important moments of the construction. A somewhat similar idea is presented by Jan Cuny, Larry Snyder, and Jeannette Wing by stating computational thinking further means making possibility to address problems in a larger scale which could not be solved by traditional methods and apply the new computational approaches to conquer in any area.
Another example of computation is a practice that flying robots programmed assembled architecture by Gramazio & Kohler and Raffaello D’Andrea. The mobile helicopters were set up to lift, transport and assemble 1500 polystyrene foam bricks to conduct 3.5-meter heigh structure. The intent of this structure is to create a new way of building construction that robots can be modeled to build the construction without physical labor in the future. This pioneering method on dynamic material composition and machine feature addressed ground-breaking autonomous systems design and algorithms by fully exploring the potential of computational thinking. The innovation of the practice with full understanding of the data enables rational acoustics and knowledgebased, which “intelligent design system that can actually propose design solutions for appraisal and further development by human designers.”
A.3. Composition/Generation
Within the information age, the term ‘design method’ now goes to ‘parametric iteration’ leading the word ‘composition’ served to suggest the process of design architecture. To be specified, composition brought into full function at the moment from the Ecole des Arts of JacquesFrancois Blondel, through the long period of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts and remained in the Modern Movement to the middle of 20th century. Hence, composition was a fundamentally French idea but spread to the world following. In Lucan’s writing, composition is antecedent to ‘style’, thus the concept of composition during that time was intimately limited to the theory of architecture itself. Shifting from composition to generation emerged by exploring digital design method.After this, algorithm as one interpretation of the computational hypothesis of architecture represents a process of computation that allow the statement transitions to be proba
bilistic, which could create various parametric modelling that we can not image, only creatively generated by computation breaking our boundary of imagination. “When architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for architecture.” Both examples of Khan Sharyr Entertainment Centerand Beijing international Airport by Foster Partners, clearly espress computation can fully intergrated into the practice and actual desifn process.
A.4. Conclusion
In conclusion, conceptualisation derived from parametric approach can solve the issue countered effectively and quickly during design process, conceptual changes instigated by computation existing data. This new innovative approach implement the design idea in a more rational and reasonable way. It is significant as it not only a fundamental parameter in the creation of architectural form but also to achieve the sustainable future.
A.5. Learning outcomes
Through learning about the theory and practice of architectural computing, I have grasped somewhat understanding the role of computer tools utilized in the parametric and computational design. This innovative method can assist us deal with more complex situation in design process. By learning this, my past design can be improved by exam those issue occurred using computation to generate a creative result.
A.6. Algorithmic Sketches
Reference
Anthony, Vidier. (2013)‘The story of the world’. The Architectural review. web. 26 March. 2014 Architect New. “How buldings could come to life”. web 26 March. 2014 Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences (London: MIT Press), pp. 11, 12 eters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 Ferry, Robert & Elizabeth Monoian, ‘A Field Guide to Renewable Energy Technologies’’, Land Art Generator Initiative, Copenhagen, 2014. pp 1 - 71 Flight Assembled Architecture by Gramazio & Kohler and Raffaello d'Andrea Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 Haesley Nine Bridges Golf Club House / Shigeru Ban Architects & KACI International. web 26 March. 2014 Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and associates, pp 1 - 42 Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 Kolarevic, Branko, Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing (New York; London: Spon Press, 2003) Suggested start with pp. 3-62 MEDIA-TIC Building. web 26 March. 2014 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 Schumacher, Patrik (2011). The Autopoiesis of Architecture: A New Framework for Architecture (Chichester: Wiley), pp. 1-28 TED, web. 26 March. 2014
PART B. CRETERIA DESIGN
“Shapes are diagrams of forces” --D’Arcy Thompson
B.1 Research Field
Our group was decided to focus on strip system, as we thought this system as a generative design practice is one representative of parametric design, and we were so impressed by the example of Seroussi Pavilion in strip system, which pushing the boundaries of the design through using digital design tools creating something so interesting that we may not even imagine. With witnessing the rapid growth of parametric design, designers and architects start to interest in applying their new design intents in the digital tools and strive for a new line of form generation through utilization of parametric design approaches, bioinformed structures and material systems, etc. Therefore, aspire to new more potentials and generally new methods of design and fabrication is in the front line of us. Strip morphologies as a light weight material system for design will be our central topic to explore the possibilities of computational design. According to architect Kai Strehlke, methods of computation are not technologies that we were trying to make something with it, but more concentrate on design intent and architectural
and concept. Thus, during the design process, it is important that we have got our concepts at the beginning, and then it can be very fast in programming by utilizing the primary computational design tools, such as in our case by exploring Grasshopper. The potential of computer is huge, as digital design integrate various techniques from fundamental to progressive with no personal preferences. In his Digital Technology Group at Herzog & de Meuron, every project conceptually represents by itself, as each specific tool will be write for the idea of design, so there are no styles and restrictions in the design process. Computational approach enables to establish virtual model and fabricate dynamic and unpredictable structures, by constantly transforming and updating with its contextual affects. The following precedents examine the application of computation to generate strips structure at different scales which lead us to think about the potentials of this system and try to develop it by Grasshopper by ourselves.
Archipelago Pavilion
by Chalmers University of Technology and Röhsska Museum of Design
The Archipelago Pavilion is a self-contained system of connections of seating structures which occupied the courtyard in frond of the Museum. The structure itself is intent to shade seatings inside and builds shaded spaces around it. This pavilion was parametrically designed in Grasshopper and Rhino constructed from 133 pieces 2 mm thick laser-cut steel sheets which join together with joints and bolts. Obviously, the installation would not be achieved without digital fabrication and engineering techniques where accuracy is needed to generate the steel pieces to form the structure, exploring translation from “computer generated design into built architec-
puter generated design into built architectural objects through digital fabrication”. Due to the character of steel, visitors can lie comfortably on the surface inside the pavilion. “The intricate web of spaces resembles clusters of small islands in an archipelago. The perforation on the roof spreads out an organic pattern resembling the one you would see from a tree in the forest.” This design idea inspired us in the following design process to frame our design to a somehow similar clusters of atolls in a massive mazy pavilion,which will be discussed later.
Loop3
by Co-de-iT
“Mathematics provides an underlying layer for the description of reality’s inner complexity in terms of computation as well as the tools to enhance and intensify research and expression, elegantly and seamlessly linking science, art, economy, philosophy and other disciplines, merging them into force fields of a unified yet topographically differentiated territory. Architects relentlessly explore this territory ever since, using mathematics as a privileged tool for tracing systematic paths as well as enhancing their expressive language.�
As a means of aesthetic tool, mathematical trigonometric features were applied in the installation of this self-standing volume, through exploring parametric design tools. Without the parametric design, the outcomes of experiment in“rationality in complex shapes that merges user spatial interaction, curvature as a structural and expressive strategy and forms as a sorting device to deploy functions� can not be achieved.
“If mechanical forces can be distinguished, it is not because living matter exceeds mechanical processes, but mechanisms are not sufficient to be machines. A mechanism if faulty not for being too artificial to account for living matter, but for not being mechanical enough, for not being adequately machined�
--Deleuze, The Fold: Leibniz and the Baroque
B.2. Case Study 1.0
Seroussi Pavilion by Biothing
The Seroussi Pavilion by Biothing was a practice based on the movement of electro-magnetic fields, leading to a series of algorithms upon its potentials. Although more like biologic piece of art rather than an pavilion, it represents the computational process of form finding integrated with the space. To begin with electro-magnetic fields shapes, the plan frame out the attraction-repulsion movements generating organic interesting patterns.The design parameters including topographical adaptions that response to the various environmental context. The series of algorithms present the possibility of digital design.
TECHNIQUE 1
VARIATION
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TECHNIQUE 2
TECHNIQUE 3
TECHNIQUE 4
TECHNIQUE 5
TECHNIQUE 6
TECHNIQUE 1
VARIATION
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TECHNIQUE 2
TECHNIQUE 3
TECHNIQUE 4
TECHNIQUE 5
TECHNIQUE 6
Matrix Analysis Perspective View
Species 1: play on the different line lenth from divided points on curves
Species 2: Add spin force to points
Species 3: play around the parameters on the decay
Iterations were based on original curves to start changing 6 basic parameters as different spec which represents each variation explicitly. One interesting outcome on each row was picked up ity, positive and negative space,dynamism and movement, as our project is a energy self-gene interating with visitors, generation energy from natrual.
Species 4: Add several point attractors to control attracting force
Species 5: Add several curve attractors to control repulsive force
Species 6: Play around other combination parameters on such a graph type, divide points and height
cies to exploring its potentials logically. Through repeating bake our algorithms, a matrix was form p to continue explore next technique.The parameters we focused on are mainly about linearerated pavilion, the structure should have following functions: proving spaces, attracting visitors,
Selection Criterias 1. An interesting pattern from aesthetic perspective through parametric technique 2. Under controlled + constructible 3. A Simple and readable movement 4. Creating a interior space
B.3. Case Study 2.0 Reverse-Engineer
Use voronoi and draw a curve to outline the region
Use area and scale to offset 3 curves and extrude them to find the connection and loft
Apply mirror and get the half bottom structure
Use surfa laxation to smooth su
As mentioned before, our group decsided to chose Archipelago Pavilion as our reverse engin
ace reo get a urface
neering project.
Find points on the mesh edge
Connect the points to get fabrication method
Perforate patterns on surfaces
B.4. Technique: Development First Exploration
At the beginning, we have tried to use the techniques we learned and practiced in case study 1.0 to play around the linearity, but we found it was difficult to get a distinguished results. After several algorithm experiments, we come to a conclusion that the first explorations of individual unit of vector lines were not fitted to our design creteria, especially in terms of resultant form which was scattered and meaningless.
The iterations were only repeating the basic forms in a spatial way without so many changes. Thus we attempted to make it in a cluster, as shown in the first picture. However, it was still not successfil as each unit was separated which dose not have a coherent structure and was not fast construtible that did not take the advantages of parametric design.
We started our second exploration by trying another script which generate the conterminous sur-
Second Exploration
Althougn the first exploration was failed, we got severl feedbacks that improves our further exploring and good for our design intent.
Second Exploration
We started our second exploration by trying another script which generate the conterminous surfaces as a whole and introduced ‘clusters‘ in Grasshopper, which create a massive algorithm. Moreover, we got more choise of methods to fabricate the project.
Second Exploration
In order to achieve different interesting results in a larger scale, we developed our definitions into somehow similar to Tesselation by connectting offseted curves as a whole structure rather than separated small units, and then ralaxed surfaces to obtain smooth surfaces. The following iterations show the exploration of its potentials.
Second Exploration
Second Exploration
B.5. Technique: Propotypes
In this stage, we started to consider physical experiments in combination with digital algorithms. The outcomes of our first exploration generated a scattered disconnected bare frames resembled inflatable tent clusters obtain no logic of joint or material distribution through computation. Our original design intent is utilizing light weight material which called carbon fibre reinforced resin pole as the structure of pavilion hidden behind a membrane which creating the surface and interior spaces as well as enhancing the reaction of wind force, resulted in the vibration of carbon fibre pole generating the energy from the wind source. We were firstly trying to make the physical model by our hands, and looking for a light weight elastic material that could be bended to our ideal forms. The first model was made to examine what the inside and outside space would be like by this shape, the second model was about to imitated the single unit form of cluster, and the third one was a experiment how
Thanks to the membrane’s characters, a tensile structure will be constructed. In order to know the realitic possibility of this algorithm, we also tried to run Kangaroo to simulate its dynamically movements once tension was put on the structure.
Selection Criteria 1. Consist of organic form that has the ability to attract visitors to the site. 2. With functions like sitting or lying in it and iterations with visitor 3. Capture the wind force to generate the electricity 4. Should be constructible with appropriate scale 5. Familiar with the site context Next step, without thinking about what materials could be used in our project, materialisation like fabrication and assembly is also very critical, thus, several stuff such as joints or structure components should be carefully designed. In our project, it is important to get each pole to be connected and positioned stabled at the bottom. Therefore, we were thinking about use base plate at the pole’s bottom bolted to the underneath ground which is constructed similar to the column construction. Then in order to make sure a stable under portion of the structure, a fabricated strip may need to hold all the poles together for each web. Furthermore, in terms of top connected structure, a joint was design to achieve connection where junctions occur between two members. Both strips and joints can be generated in Grasshopper .
B.6. Technique: Prototypes
Eletricity Generation The Windstalk project sonsists of 1203 “carbon fibre reinforced resin poles” coming out of Hersey’s Kisses-like bases, due to its slender and tenuous feature. This example use for reference as it will produce power by wind blows with somehow strip like structure.
“The generator converts the kinetic energy of the swaying poles into electrical energy by way of an array of current generating shock absorbers, which convert energy produced by the forced movement of fluid through the shock absorber cylinders.”
“Each stalk is comprised of a stack of piezoelectric ceramic discs that are interspersed with electrodes. As the stalks sway and bend, the discs are compressed……The generator takes the current and turns it into electricity.”
By looking this example, our group were thinking this technique could be introduced to our design to satisfy the requirements that generation electricity from wind force. Furthermore, we can make this materials sway or producing
B.6. Technique: Proposal
The primary design concept is to create a pavilion that can capture energy from wind and convert it into e development, one interesting model which fulfils our design criteria has been picked up. The structure of the edge of the pavilion and insert the carbon fibre reinforced resin pole with energy generator device in The flexible character of nets allows it connected one another on counterpoints as tensile surfaces of inte space. Meanwhile, the produced vibration transfer to carbon fibre pole that generate the energy. It encou advantages of both energy generation way from wind source and human interaction, specific several ‘col ‘columns’ inside the pavilion.
electricity as well as visitors’ interaction with its aesthetics features. After a series progress of matrix f this pavilion should be constructible, so that we were thinking set a solid construction like columns on the middle of structure, and then wrap and connect the pole with net. ernal pavilion. Visitors are attracted to sitting, lying or even climbing on the nets to explore interior urages visitors to interact with the pavilion and generates the electricity at the same time. In order to take lumns’ will be built higher to get strong wind source and interior structure will use net to wrap around the
B.7. learning Objectives and Outcoms
FEEDBACK
LEARING OBJECTIVES
After the interim presentation, carbon fibre reinforced resin pole as the main material and structure of our design was not well organized. According to Alexander’s comment, the structure will be too light that cannot stay in the site, and we were suggested to think about make every separated unit into a one structure that can be stable. It is very important to notice that the structure should be constructible which is also mentioned by Can. Therefore, connecting in our structure is significant as it could prevent from unstable as a whole system. Before the presentation, we got too many ideas that putting in one object and kind of missing our primary element to take the advantage of the parametric design and its fabrication techniques. Therefore, we decided to clean up all our original design intent and more focus on one primary factor.
Through this design process, I have not only developed my skills in digital design techniques but also learned from the design process itself. Begin with researching precedents and literature to allow me familiar with the techniques, secondly, develop my ability to make a proposal in a group work compared with individual work, communication with each group member and attributions from each one is important. Thirdly, it also develops our ability to think logically and present by using diagrams and iterations, setting the selection criteria and then we can achieve a successful one. Last but not least, this process greatly develops my foundational understandings of computation as well as computational techniques. By watching online videos and trying to understand the complex definitions from website, I could use parametric design to figure out future challenges.
However, our parametric model was not convincing due to our limited Grasshopper skills as well as our idea were not clear represented in the presentation. Our tutor Chan had redirected us to review different systems and assist us in computation that help us to achieve our design. Upon reflecting guest tutors comment, we again look back into our research on other region such as projects about system of large geometric inflated objects, minimal surface projects and application of materials which may give some design ideas as well as providing more potentials of our proposal.
B.7. Appendix-Algorithmic Skeches
PART C. DERAILED DESIGN
C.1. Design Concept
FEEDBACK FROM INTERIM PRESENTATION
The feedback from interim presentation was very important which made us constantly thinking about what we have done, what we could be doing our proposal better and questioning ourself. Will the carbon fibre reinforced resin pole as the main material and structure work in our design? As well as the membrane, how can we attach the membrane in the stick like structure? Will the scale we used suit for our pavilion? How can we take the advantage of parametric design and technology in our proposal? While we started to finalized our proposal, all these problems came up. At this stage, we need to solve the problems rather than keep adding ideas on our proposal. The first thing need to be solved is energy generation. As the way we used to generate energy is not working, our group changed to analysis if we could introduce biomass in our pavilion, which may bring innovative ideas and will be further discussed in the following.
Moreover, since the membrane is not a core element in our pavilion and the flexibility character of membrane is hard to retain its equilibrium and shape upon our structure, as well as there is not much potentials in innovative design, we were thinking about the feasibility to using membrane wrapping around the structure and may use other materials instead, which will be also discuss later. According to guest tutors suggestions, the form of our design is not going to work in the big scale on site, thus we decided to cut off the half bottom structure of the pavilion and will further develop the form finding process, utilizing parametric tool to serve our concept.
BIOMASS “Biomass is considered a sustainable energy resource because it is a product of organic processes which naturally regenerated at a rapid cycle (as opposed to fossil fuel energy sources which take millions of years of form naturally).”
“Biomass can be combusted directly as a solid fuel or converted to liquid or gas biofuels. Thees biofuels can be used in either a combustion engine (conversion to mechanical energy) or in a fuel cell (conversion to electrical energy).”
low crop density
High crop density, srandard rows
High crop density, uniform pattern
As our aim is to generate renewable energy from biomass with minimal surface structure, successfully incorporating biomass elements as a part of the installation is an interesting concept as it will generate energy by itself from the cultivated plants on site. Thus, the planting system on site need to be carefully considered, which also act as landscape of the site segregated pathways at the same time to create different space. After exploration, a specific of plants have been chosen, which is wheat that can be grown well on site, working with particular environmental conditions and microclimate associated with sun, water and wind. Since the alcohol biofuels like ethanol are produced through the fermentation of sugars from wheat, the generation process list below.
Reception & Storage of grain Distillation Milling
Mashing, Cooking & Liquefaction Dehydration Fermentation & Cip system Storage Ethanol
However, installation of these machines need to be considered, as we do not want visitors observe those machines but have an idea of how we generate the ethanol. Thanks to the analysis of our previous structure, we think we can take the advantage of its hollow columns by installing all machines in the structure. Meanwhile, another advantage of hollow- column structure is that soil can be filled which providing enough space, absorbing and keeping rain water to grow wheat.
FORM FINDING & OPTIMIZATION
Previous proposal
Our basic form of previous proposal was inspired from Copenhagen’s city plan--the finger plan. We tried to distribute points along the finger plan, as well as we conbine the traffic density to set the density of points.
We set up five curves to create pathways that visitors may tend to walk, as well as the more open pathways will guide visitors’ walking direction.
However, the walking space still flexible as there still large space between each column.
As the pavilion is at large scale, the light in the pacilion need to be considered, thus the opendings carried out along the pathway allow the sunlight penestrate.
SUBDIVIDING SPACE
To ignite the birth of our design process, we begin with the basic experiments involves the organisation of the voronoi pattern. The purpose was to devise a cellular division strategy that is derive from points. Left is our previous basic form for proposal, however, it was not well-received. We tried to set points that represents area that visitors may more tend to walk, but after we have done the digital model, we found where people have more walking tendency where the density of columns will be higher, which was totally different with what we thought. The outcomes in cellular patterns from voronoi that divide space among points, giving us flexibility of controlling program and circulation.Therefore, voronoi as a thchnique that serve for our concept generate the basic form of our design. Belows are the experiments in different voronoi pattern.
Upon the site analysis, we thought the site could be divided into 4 zones according their functions and views. A water taxi in blue zone may influence on the circulation. The green zone close to water could have a good view of opposite harbor. The yellow zone is the main entrance of this site. And the orange zone includes the most unwanted neighbouring factories views.
The blue lines indicate the circulation of visotors which need to be taken into account.
Although our main design concept is to create a biomass educational park, after we review the brief and site photos, we started to think about how we could develop our proposal associate with site context.
First of all, we do not want our structure like something directly stick on the site, thus, in order to make it be harmonious with the environment, we utilize the smooth cellular voronoi rather than other regular shapes.
As Refshaleoen used to be a shipyard, we were thinking if we could make our project as an iconic structure in the harbor. Such as using fluid lines and organic shapes that relate to surrounding environment, inspir-
ing us to make a float deck upon the site. Therefore, our intention is to make the structure raised off the ground naturally like a biostructure, creating public space not only underneath but also upon the structure.
One smooth cellular form was picked up which is optimised for proper density and its fluidity geometry that we wanted.
The form was finally diveided by three function zones which analysis before, while we used fluidily lines to region the boundary, after several experiments, an intresting form was optimised.
INPUT POINT DATA
Re-organize base geometry if the occupation plot did not distribute well on site
VORONOI ALGORITHM starting from points
Refine smooth edges and cull region until to get a proper form
SMOOTH cell edges
Create a region to divide into three clusters situated at different zones on site
Move and scale curves, loft between two layers of cures to generate Wcolumns and pathways
Add UV MESH and NAKED VERTICES, getting edge points as restraint points for MESH RELAXATION ALGORITHM
DETAILLING
Openings for Skylight
Move and extrude boundary to make concrete slabs for upper level
Same language with main structure to generate landscape mount
Glass protection on upper level
Bench around the planting system
Similar structure to column create functional space on upper level
Interpolate curves and contour to generate formwork for the doubly curved concrete surfaces
Construction process
Excavating outline of basic form for clolumn setting
Set up fabricated wooden waffle framwork on site Attached panels of steel formwork on wodden structure for doubly curved concrete surface
Th ind col acc
Add steel mesh for reinforcement to accommodate the degree of tension and bending stress
Pour concrete
Build up the little log cabi with same digital lauguag
he steel envelopes for the dividually shaped concrete lumns were unfolded to get curately fabrication
in on upper level ge with columns
A pavilion on upper level offers shad and relax space that can have multip functions
Glass fence for protection
A chute was created for throwing wheat into the ethanol manufacturing process
Machines are installing in the hollow columns
Creating an opening to allow visitors observe this process
Bench and pr
ding ple A lift for each cluster was designed for accessing upper level
h was carefully designed for sitting rotecting the wheat
Columns are fiiled up with soil that ensure wheat can be grown up
Several pop up mount are designed to provide visitors defferent perceptual outcomes.
C.2. Tectonic Elements
Firstly, we were kept testing our prototype of the membrane after interim presentation. The issue was how can we keep a tensile membrane paste on the surface of our structure model. We only can fix it at several points ang give it some pull stress, but can the shape of the membrane is out of our control. Thus we tried to use the food membrane which is without tensile character to wrap around the structure. Althoung it worked and was not performed bad, it did not include any paramatric strategy, which lost the meaning. Moreover, the structure itself did not really need to be related to membrane. After carefully consideration, as well as we finalize our proposal, a more firm material will be more suitable for our structure.
Digital adjustment
Next, we started to test our new proposal elements, such as columns and function rooms which is like a little log cabin on the upper level. As our proposal is to make a concrete biostructure float on site, the major issue is how we could pour a smooth free-curved concrete surfaces. After research, a hybrid construction including timber framwork, steel panels and concrete is ideal for our proposal, thus we think the fabricated wooden framwork is essential that should be accurate to make the doubly curved concrete surfaces.
Inorder to make the upper strucutre keep the continuity and harmony with our design, we built up a somehow waffle structure like little log cabin digital dodel. By changing the density of components, different facade will be creat. As well as we found the facade also provide shadings for internal space and creat more private area inside.
When think about the joint, we use fin like waffle structure that they can fix together without any other joint.
After finalizing digital model, all elements were ready to be sent to Fablab.
Explode diagram
C.3. Final Model
C.4. Additional LAGI Brief Requirements
Our design intent is to built up a biostructure park that can generate energy from self caltivated wheat on site. To be innovated, we do not plants wheat directly on the ground, but making a floating fluid deck uppon the structure, which supported by doubly curve cloumns that create an open underneath area, thus attract visitors to experence this space.
In order to achieve the smooth concrete surface, the accurate timber support and steel panel were developed from digital tools, which make building components into the constructive geometry.
Exhibition panels on the columns could show the process of manufacture of biofuel with educational function. Moreover, the underneath space can also act as museum for special event of exhibition.
The smooth conrete curved columns provide a continues large open space underneath.
The project is also detail designed, such as a pavilion was designed to provide multifunctions as well as for visitors relaxing. The waffle structure provides vertical and horizontal shading, while it does not discourage visitors from observing external views.
Skylight is also designed for each cluster to offer enough light for underneath space, as well as to provide different spacial perception. The small cluster designed for water taxi terminal allows visitors enjoying the environment and views while waitting.
Technology
The major technology in our site is produce ethanol from raw materials such as wheat we cultivated on the site. Due to the structure of hollow columns, we fully utilized the space for hiden every machines and servises to achieve the aesthetic objective. Following research, wheat will go through a series biomass process of milling, mashing, fermentation, distillation and degydration, and ultimately converted into ethanol for cars or electricity generation. More efforts have been putting on the research, with today’s technology, one bushel of wheat yields 2.8 gallons of ethanol-and the number continues to increse. Moreover, an comprehensive waffle timeber structure and steel panels were also utilized for achieve the smooth curved concrete on our site.
Dimensions
Due to the massive of this project, the ceilling of ground level is about 6 meters high while the totally project is about 12.7 meters high. Major material in our project is concrete which form our main column structures and upper concrete slab for deck. Timber was used to form the structure and Local Cypress Pine was used to construct the upper level pavilions. Glasses were utilized for protection and openings. Elevators are designed for connecting upper floor and ground floor circulation.
Environmental Impact
Athough our intention is to create a park that attract visotors’ interaction, eco-friendly park not only plant the massive wheat which is good for environment but also can be converted into ethanol. Thus, ethanol as a renewable energy is blended in a percentage with gasoline to create a finished motor fuel which is much cleaner burning fuel that gasoline, offering a significant reduction in carbon monoxide and gydrocarbon tailpipe emissions. Moreover, ethanol provided for site transportation and neighbouring factory can improve the air quality. As well as our park with educational intention can guide people tend to use renewable energy for protecting our environment.
C.5. Learning Objectives and Outcomes
After the final presentation, our effort in exploring interior space of our pavilion was not well-received by guest tutors, however, they gave us several valuable suggestions resulted in our new finalized proposal using parametric tools to explore its potential. After large amount of time spent on testing, our final form was optimized and developed well into details step by step. During the design process, we have learnt refine and finalize our design is significant that it is a optimization process of what we have got and try to deal with the problems and issues we have met rather than picking up something we believe it is good and add it in our proposal. Thus, I also have learnt the how to simulate digital model to solve the problems for fabrication
From this studio, my knowledge of computation design have totally changed, it opened my eyes on new field of architecture can be, as previously I only thought computation was a tool that help us drawing or built up models, which just like the way we used Auto CAD and Rhino before similar to hand drawing but more intelligent. However, I now learnt how to use grasshopper to manipulate design by utilizing parametric modelling or event solve the details of fabracation and assemblies. Throughout this project, althougn we encountered numbers of problems that make us unable to achieve an innovative idea, we get more and more skilled with solving problems and testing tectonic elements.
The parametric design has encourage me to explore more iterations that help us to achieve a better result rather than having a final form of our design in mind without any testing. As well as parametric design allow us to achieve more complex form.
References
Benjamin Aranda & Chirs Lasch (2006). Pamphlet architecture 27-Tooling. Princeton Architectural Press. Floating Pingtan Art Museum By MAD Architects <http://www.evolo.us/architecture/floating-pingtan-art-museum-by-mad-architects/> (accessed 27 May, 2014) Meredith, Michael, (2007). Form Control to Design, Ingoprint SL. pp.86-93, 168-171. Queens Museum of Art by Elliot White <http://www.dezeen.com/2009/02/09/queens-museum-by-elliot-white/> (accessed 27 May, 2014)