PART B.
CONCEPTUALISATION 1
CRITERIA DESIGN
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CONCEPTUALISATION
B.1 RESEARCH FIELD CONCEPTUALISATION 3
tESSELLATION In a general term, tessellation of a surface is an approach of applying repetitive geometrical elements to define the whole, without leaving overlaps or gaps in between. In the field of architecture, tessellations have been used to create decorative elements since ancient time which was known as mosaic tiling. However, with the emergence of the digital design and fabrication movement, tessellation starts to be embedded into various complex forms for not only the purpose of decoration, but also integrating or performing as the structure system. Hence, during the contemporary era, both architects and engineers keen to explore the unlimited potential of this research field as well as enhancing its existing performance. image source: http://www.iwamotoscott.com/VOUSSOIR-SHELL
Compare to the similar research field of ‘patterning’, tessellation demonstrates more possibilities of three-dimensional, dynamic and functional design. This field could also be further analysed in our part c task as I intended to design a decorative structure for the interior space of visual museum through tessellated approaches, as well as through utilizing the arrangement of panelization to direct visitors during the journey. In terms of fabrication process of tessellated project, I found that various types of material could be implemented with different assembling approaches. Moreover, as the ‘virtual’ concept took an very important role in the project, such tessellated structure has high potential to be fabricated in reality for demonstration purpose, as well as further developed in form within the virtual scene.
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B.2 CASE STUDY ONE CONCEPTUALISATION 7
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VOUSSOIR - CLOUD Case Study One IwamotoScott Architecture // 2008 // San Francisco The relevant project of tessellation is a landscape called ‘Voussoir Cloud’ which consisting of clusters of three dimensional petals. The structure is formed by five columns with several vaults above which extending from the bottom of each column. The petals expand and spread gradually until join with others to form the vaults at the top. Besides, the material performance of the case is also noticeable that each curvature of thin wood laminate is calculated through designate computational script and fabricated by laser cutting. Finally, these petal pieces are reconstituted by folded along the curved score lines and simply zip tied together. image source: http://www.architectmagazine.com/photos/voussoircloud http://www.iwamotoscott.com/VOUSSOIR-CLOUD
Voussoir Cloud attempted to de-familiarize both structure and the wood material to create conflicted readings of normative architectural typologies. It is a light, porous surface made of compressive elements that creates atmosphere with these luminous wood pieces, and uses this to gain sensorial effects. The reason of selecting Voussoir Cloud as first case study to explore following 30 iterations is that not only the spreading structure pretty match to my initial design idea, but also the arrangement of those tessellated pattern impressed me of plenty possibilities to be further developed. More importantly, the given script contains several Kangaroo plug-in for adding much more interesting physical forcing effect to the basic shape, which interested me of attempt.
CONCEPTUALISATION 9
30 iterations
01 WIDTH VARIATION
02 DEPTH VARIATION
03 U - FORCE
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CONCEPTUALISATION
|VOUSSOIR CLOUD
CONCEPTUALISATION 11
04 OFFSET + EXTRUDE / LOFT
05 VORONOI
06 PATTERN VARIATION
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CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 13
selection criteria
Through altering various parameters and adding extra command to the original definition, I have attempted to generate different shapes of geometry, as well as replacing tessellated patterns for more possibilities to be applicable to our design brief. The selection criteria of successful outcomes are considered to fulfil the aspects:
FEASIBILITY although grasshopper always surprises me with incredible form being produced, it still needs to be considered down to earth whether is meaningful and possible to construct in reality.
FUNCTIONALITY according to the project brief, how to convey the ideas to a rational design to suit various need.
RELATIONSHIP TO GIVEN SITE not only the ‘virtual museum’ itself, how to integrate the selected idea with surrounding human/nature environment should be carefully thought over.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
sUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES
In terms of constructability, this iteration has such potential to be assembled by pre-fabricated pieces with either CNCmilling or Laser cutting techniques. It is necessary to concern the shift from paper architecture into reality.
I have found that the iteration demonstrates a certain complexity through its distort form which might be related to the diverse characteristic of the Merri Creek site. As well this iteration can be further refined in alterations to the script if necessary which might allow more unique design to be produced by taking the advantage of parametric design tools.
The voronoi transformed the structure of original object into a skeleton-like form which gives an abstract but elegant sense. Linking to the concept of virtual, I think it contains high possibility to be further applied into other dynamic geometry.
This extruded iteration demonstrates a regular and neat appearance which also give viewer a sense of ‘basket weaving’. In terms of fabrication and constructability, it has high potential to be modelled and joined by prefabricated intersection conjunction. I believe it could also sit well on the site for certain needs.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
B.3 CASE STUDY TWO CONCEPTUALISATION 17
ZA11 PAVILION Dimitrie Stefanescu, Patrick Bedarf, Bogdan Hambasan // 2011 // Cluj, Romania
As not to be limited in the previous chosen research field, I decided to change the direction in the second case study which is the temporary structure ZA11 Pavilion built in Romania Architecture Festival. This project has applied advanced parametric design technique which the process was entirely under computer control from exact geometry generation to piece labelling, logical assembly as well as individual elements fabricated by CNC-milling. And I also found that the conjunction approach seems very interesting that every three members are joining by a middle hexagonal plate with exact holes cut on the both sides for intersection. The project has been successfully produced as a flexible and attractive space which managed to engage different kinds of event. Similar concept could be further implemented to my design project which might provide a central object or space as a powerful attractor to draw visitors’ attention focusing on the specific aspect through some dynamic, freeform geometry.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
image source: http://w w w.archdaily.com/14794 8/za11- pavilion - dimitr ie stefanescu-patrick-bedarf-bogdan-hambasan
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REVERSE ENGINEERING METHOD 01
01 Base Curve
04 Outer Skin
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CONCEPTUALISATION
02 Base Surface
05 Inner Skin
03 Voronoi Pattern
06 Loft
METHOD 02
01 Base Curve
04 Extrude Points
02 Loft Curve
05 Central Cylinder
03 Hexagon + Map to Surface
06 Split Brep
CONCEPTUALISATION 21
parametric diagram Create Base Curve in Rhino Create Hexagonal Grid with slider controlled in numbers of grid cell of both x and y direction
Loft to form base outer surface
Map the hexagonal grid to the lofted surface with the help of Union Bounding Box
Scale down and Move the base curve to the middle of closed point
Create centre point of the base
Extrude the grid curve to the centre
Extrude the scaled base curve to a central cylinder
Use the cylinder to trim out the centre area from the hexagonal shape extrusion by using Split Brep command
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CONCEPTUALISATION
fINAL OUTCOME Compare to the first method, the outcome generated by the second method is more similar to the original pavilion, which contains hexagonal opening facing outwards.
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B.4 TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT CONCEPTUALISATION 25
50 iterations
01 SURFACE SHAPE
02 VORONOI
03 PATCH
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CONCEPTUALISATION
|ZA11
CONCEPTUALISATION 27
04 REBUILD + EXTRUDE
05 INTERPOLATE CURVE
06 OCTREE
07 PANELING TOOLS
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CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 29
08 META BALL
09 LOFTING
10 MESH
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CONCEPTUALISATION 31
sUCCESSFUL OUTCOMES
The iteration consists of simple geometry produced by the surface point command. However, I feel that the geometry has high potential to be further applied to expanding wavy surface which might produce much grander atmosphere. The tunnel-like form also could be taken advantages to produce light and shadow effect.
The chain-like shape iteration is produced by the command of interpolate curves. In terms of feasibility, I found that the form is incredibly constructible by one continuous curve. It could also be made as an artwork for the virtual museum due to its elegant appearance.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Voronoi form is using to replace the original hexagon shape, surprisingly, the outcome looks like a compressing origami as an ‘accordion’. This iteration draws my inspiration of exploring folding architecture, which may be used to respond to the prototype making.
The truss-like form is generating by applying the panelling tools to the base surface. It has produced clear thickness on each triangular module as well as fitting very well with each other reminds me of the previous research field in tessellation. Such stable form could be further explored to produce structure elements on the site.
Lofting between offsetting exploded curve surprisingly produced such cloudy and massive effect makes me feel like it could be used to either creating a kind of fluid, irregular atmosphere through structure on site, or scale down to be a single object for hiding interesting thing for people to explore within the virtual museum.
With the strong effect made by the metaball, the iteration seems no longer identifiable from the original object. However, instead of the solid feeling that common geometry gives to us, this iteration generated a more fluid and dynamic sense which makes me thinking about the water, nature even relating to the eco-system. This is amazingly automatically built a relationship to the site context.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
B.5 TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPE CONCEPTUALISATION 35
junctions To hold the basic shape in place as well as joining together to form an aggregation effect as a ‘cloud’, 3 different types of joint have been tested with different performance produced.
Split Pins With holes being drilled in advanced, the cotter pin could be passed through the hole to hold the shape in place by springing apart its arms. According to observation, the split pin is strong enough to form the connection with high flexibility to rotate the joining pieces.
Press Stud By hammering the pair of interlocking discs, the polypropylene pieces are attached permanently with the rigid joint formed by press stud. The press stud joint performed tighter than the split pin, but still allowed the joining pieces moving slightly.
Jump Ring The ring with 8mm in its inner diameter is made by bringing the two ends together without soldering or welding. The joint performed highly inconspicuous compared to the previous, as well as keeping objects together in a loose condition but still strong enough to withstand resisting force. I found the ring junction has high potential in connecting individual modules and producing hanging effects.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
While applying the split pin to hold the shape, it looks apparent which might impact the cleanliness of the overall model. In contrast, while applying the press studs to the prototype, module is secured in its position by performing less offensive and more inconspicuous than the split pins. For further development, smaller button could be explored to be less influential to overall appearance. The jump ring perform neat junction with possibility to move within controllable range.
CONCEPTUALISATION 37
PROTOTYPE
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CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 39
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CONCEPTUALISATION
B.6 TECHNIQUE: PROPROSAL CONCEPTUALISATION 41
Precedent 01
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CONCEPTUALISATION 43
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CONCEPTUALISATION
‘BAN’ PAVILION Computational // Orproject // 2012 // Peking, China The pavilion design drew inspiration from floral petals in the way the shape of the flower is created by it bent petals. It is constructed by bent polymer sheets with simple nut-and-bolt nodes to form a self-supporting structure. Looking from the bottom, the curved elements resulted to direct the viewer’s eye across the structure and into the sky. As a computational precedent project, CNC-milling technique was applied to the thin polymer sheets which marked with identification numbers for assemblage. The precedent project draws my inspiration of this kind of curving, hovering effect produced by simple geometry, as well as its integration of transparent materials with surrounding environments.
CONCEPTUALISATION 45
Precedent 02
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CONCEPTUALISATION 47
THE ETHICS OF DUST Gallery // Jorge Otero-Pailos // 2016 // San Francisco Two luminous architectural volumes floating in the gallery space which cast with actual dirt and dust accumulated over time on the old United Stated Mint had been extracted. As the artist tended to preserve the material realities of the site, the essence is to remind people critically thinking of current global environmental issues such as the most prolific, neglected and cultural product of pollution standing by ‘dust’ here. The similar concept could be applied to my design project as like through viewing the object that I produced on the virtual museum, the visitor could recall in reality what they might omit and start to pay attention to. Moreover, integration with real site material is another interesting point to be explored while it is also the most difficult point about transferring idea.
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CONCEPTUALISATION 49
SITE SELECTION
// CERES COMMUNITY ‘CERES’ stands for ‘Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies’, which is a local community that initiating and supporting the environmental sustainability. Importantly, the centre allows thousands of people to learn about the culture and history of the Merri Creek, educating not only locals but visitors on the present local and global issues regarding to sustainability. The site is chosen near to the CERES Community Park where the bike trail is alongside. Many visitors passed by this place taking part in either leisurely or physical activities. Experiencing the virtual museum might also meet their original intention of being here. As we know, the Merri Creek suffered the problems of pollution and degradation for decades. Hence, my design tended to explore the ecological aspect of Merri Creek, aiming the same target with the CERES community for raising awareness of serious environmental problem due to unsustainable behaviour.
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CONCEPTUALISATION 51
DESIGN CONCEPT
Extract Base Shape
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Extract Cloud Effect
Flow // Continuity // Dynamic // Un
ndulation
Interconnectivity between Merri Creek & CERES
Touchable // Fluctuant // Repetition
CONCEPTUALISATION 53
PROPOSED DESIGN My design is proposed as a decorative ceiling hanging from the actual structure above, using the material of polypropylene since its flexibility and variation in colours. The overall structure is a kind of representation of the creek which such dynamic, undulating effect. I also want to add some lighting effect to the floating ceiling which performed according to result of the recent water quality test done by the Merri Creek Management Committee. These might provide visual experience to remind people of current environmental issues that people directly facing.
Perspective View
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Top View
Elevation View
CONCEPTUALISATION 55
B.7 LEARNI 56
CONCEPTUALISATION
ING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES CONCEPTUALISATION 57
This section is going to refer to each learning objective individually and crossreference from here to the other sections that provide specific examples of part B
Objective 1. “interrogat[ing] a brief” by considering the process of brief formation in the age of optioneering enabled by digital technologies The brief asks for proposing a series of virtual museum spaces with careful consideration about bringing changes in the visitors’ relationship to the Merri Creek. The most eye-grabbing point of the brief must be the ‘virtual’, which becomes a more and more popular topic driven by the advanced digital techniques. I believe this is the one of the reason that formatted our design brief. Furthermore, as to train architecture student in this era, only know how to produce design idea is far from enough, having ability to generate through digital tools and analyse the feasibility become essential as well. This design brief integrate these aspects harmoniously.
Objective 2. developing “an ability to generate a variety of design possibilities for a given situation” by introducing visual programming, algorithmic design and parametric modelling with their intrinsic capacities for extensive design-space exploration By self-learning from the grasshopper tutorial videos online, I found that my ability of producing various iterations through using parametric design tools is significantly improved, reflecting in both aspects of quantity and quality. I found myself became more proficient in exploring the second case’s iterations which more and harder command I was willing to try, and my logic thinking while using parametric tools was more clear and rational as well.
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Objective 3. developing “skills in vario threedimensional media” and specifica in computational geometry, paramet modelling, analytic diagramming and digi fabrication;
My knowledge in using digital modelling too mainly Rhino and Grasshopper has been mu more extended through the previous wee tasks. I am very impressive and improved skill by these two-way case study practic that give me the chances of understandi a complex script first, and then analyse a explore another project reversely. And I rea enjoyed attempting various plug-in to m cases’ iterations which developing surprisi possibilities in forms.
In terms of digital fabrication, I found th conversely that compared to my previo experience in the subject of DDF, which I ju mainly used the computational programm to generate digital model for only fabricati purpose. In part B, usually my design drew t inspiration from my parametric model, a through the help of such programme, ma the design more impressive, as well as ensuri accurate and controllable fabricating proce
Objective 5. developing “the ability to make a case for proposals” by developing critical thinking and encouraging construction of rigorous and persuasive arguments informed by the contemporary architectural discourse.
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Objective 4. developing “an understanding of relationships between architecture and air” through interrogation of design proposal as physical models in atmosphere In my view, air is about designing dynamic, fluid form that could be well cooperating with site context and entire atmosphere. While linking air with architecture, such light, fluctuant and translucent structure flashed in my mind, that’s also what my proposal is trying to achieve.
According to the feedback from the interim presentation, I believe I have been already in the right track of what the design brief is asking for. I do consider about different aspects of design requirement such as the theme, the materiality, the surrounding site as well as its feasibility. However, there are still certain conflicts and shortages I have neglected in my proposal which luckily I realized after my interim presentation. For example, the design is focusing on the aspect of ecological ‘sustainability’, however the material chosen for prototyping is polypropylene which is not that environmentally friendly; the ceiling form seems not attractive enough as well as it is only used for demonstrating current environmental condition, but not practically solving such problem. Several improvement should be further discovered during the next part. Objective 6. develop capabilities for conceptual, technical and design analyses of contemporary architectural projects; As we know, contemporary architectural projects take more or less advances of computational tools in the stage of design, modelling as well as fabrication. Several contemporary projects have been selected as case studies or choice of precedent projects for critical analysis, on not only its design concept or structure, but also its materiality and functionality.
CONCEPTUALISATION 59
B.8 A A 60
CONCEPTUALISATION
Appendix Algorithmic Sketches CONCEPTUALISATION 61
05 Explode tree Self-shelving
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Rectangule - Populate 2D - Cull pattern - Graft tree - Explode tree - Circle CNR - Brep Edges - Extrude
CONCEPTUALISATION 63
06 voronoi Self-shelving
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Rectangule - Populate 2D - Cull pattern - Voronoi - Offset - Extrude
CONCEPTUALISATION 65
07 METABALL Self-shelving
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Rectangule - Populate 2D - Cull pattern - MetaBall- Offset - Extrude
CONCEPTUALISATION 67
08 MIDPOINT 4 Definitions
01
02
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03
04
CONCEPTUALISATION 69
09 RECURSIVE Geometries
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CONCEPTUALISATION 71
10 EXPRESSIONS Series + Interpolate
Step=2
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Step=14
Step=17
Step=2
Step=12
Step=20
CONCEPTUALISATION 73
10 EXPRESSIONS Range + Interpolate
Step=76
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Step=94
Step
p=119
Step=144
Step=168
CONCEPTUALISATION 75
11 graph mapper Biothings
Iteration 01
Iteration 02
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Iteration 03
CONCEPTUALISATION 77
11 graph mapper Voronoi
Iteration 01
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Iteration 02
Iteration 03
Iteration 04
CONCEPTUALISATION 79