Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Charlie Reinhardt 996815 Alison Fairley + 20
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. (150 words max)
The three types of fabrication techniques are subtractive, additive and formative. Subtractive meaning removing a specified volume of material from solids using different processes. An example of the subtractive process is cnc milling. The additive technique involves a layer by layer process where you are adding material. 3D printing is an example of this. Formative fabrication involves mechanical forces, restricting forms, heat or steam to form material into a desired shape. Parametric modelling with CNC fabrication allows the structure and the skin to be seperately designed from each other creating visual interplays. Through the process of designing from the skin to the structure there is a clear departure from the “primary structure� logics of Modernism. Freedom of design can be expressed through complex surfaces with integrated structures.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Grasshopper was a fun and difficult challenge, one which I enjoyed. Through the script I was able to create a field of iterations with ease.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Through these iterations I was aiming to find the best relationship between the two surfaces. For my chosen surface, the symmetry between the two allows users to not only experience two different sides of the shape but also feel like the design works as a whole.
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Isometric View
For the panelling of the surfaces I went symmetrical again through the base shapes however, the shapes in the base layout are manipulated by MD sliders. There was a mix of four different 3D shapes with square/ rectangular openings to create a language throughout the design.
My waffle structure follows my 5x5 grid neatly with the panelling lining up perfectly and being hidden from the viewers when they look through the openings.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Laser Cutting
When laser cutting the laser takes a small margin of material so in the rhino file I needed to plan for this to allow my waffle to fit nicely. With the panelling, I could only create shapes that I knew I was going to be able to make with my hands.
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Dispatch Pattern - 3D vs 2D
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
Key MD Slider
Geometry
Dispatch Pattern
Dispatch Pattern
Dispatch Pattern
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
10mm
20mm
30mm
40mm
3D Paneling - MD Slider and Geometry
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Surfaces
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
3D Panelling Height
Dispatch Pattern
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities
My matrix is mainly focussing the changes in the panelling and surfaces. Through height, md sliders and 3D vs 2D layout, the matrix goes through the steps I took when designing my surface.
Isometric 1:2 0
40
120mm
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
The variation of square/rectangular openings is a focus in my laser cut model. I want people to be able to look through the model and experience the openings. Furthermore, the light and shadow plays an important role in the design, with each panel having openings.
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Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
When designing my final parametric model, I used the 3D cellulate grid to come up with my geometry to cut away with. Therefore, I placed a large amount of time changing the grid attractor. I used a 15x15 grid and MD Sliders to affect each grid. My main focus when altering the grid was creating large openings through the model to create a light tunnel. Thus, the MD sliders were detracting the grid wherever I placed it creating these larger openings. I then simply used set item and selected each “tunnel� individually.
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SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation
Through these two iterations, the light tunnels can be easily expressed. The shape on the right was used due to its many faces allowing the simplicity of the rectangular shapes to be contrasted. The half cylinder on the right allows each rectangle to have its own different viewing point and allows light to easily flow through the design.
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Isometric 2:1 0
10
30mm
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric view
The final boolean model cuts through a half cylinder shape at different angles to allow maximum light and views of the surrounding landscape. From the flat side the shape looks like any other building on the street however from the other side interesting intersections and cuts are developed.
Isometric 2:1 0
10
30mm
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SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities
Grid Density
1.1
2.2
1.3
1.4
Key MD Slider
Task B Matrix 10x10
15x15
20x20
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
Points Attracted to Slider
Points NOT Attracted to Slider
Points NOT Attracted to Slider
Points NOT Attracted to Slider
Boolean Shapes from Cellulate Grid
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
Final Shapes
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Grid Attraction - MD Slider
5x5
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The grid was a major part of the design and I chose a 15x15 to create many different opportunities yet with enough space for design.
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Appendix
Process
This grasshopper script shows the iteration process of the surfaces. Changing each number changed where the corner of the surface
This grasshopper script shows the 3D panelling attractor points and the offset grid. I used two md sliders to
would go inside the 150x150 box.
seperate the 4 different 3D shapes I used.
This is the dispatch command I used to seperate the 3D and 2D panels.
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Appendix Process
These two iterations are my first go at the boolean method. I’ve used spheres in the left and dodecahedrons in the right.
With the cellulate grid I then used tree item and individually selected all the tunnels I wanted to bake. I baked a large portion then as you can see in the bottom image multiplied and rotated the baked shapes to create a field of tunnels.
Here I have used MD sliders to manipulate the grid. Having the MD sliders detract the points allows for a larger opening in the grid.
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Appendix
Process
Creating the panels was a very tricky process being such small pieces. However, the laser cutting saved a lot of time cutting the shapes out individually. Furthermore glueing was quite tricky with such small tabs and in the future I will definiitely make the tabs bigger. The photography of the model included a large white piece of paper and two led lights placed at two different angles. In the future I think I’ll need to figure out how to accentuate the white background more as my images are quite dark.
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