STUDIO AIR CHRISTOPHER MARINOPOULOS 539374 SEMESTER 1 2013 GWYLL AND ANGELA
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION My name is Christopher Marinopoulos, and i am undertaking my third year iin the bachelor of Environments, majoring in architecture. This journal wll how progress of my work throughout the subject, starting from existing knowledge and developing it into a more developed skill set of moedlling, computatational deign and many ways of completing design tasks. I have completed three studios, getting insight into design decisions, problems and briefs, although more design tasks will be helpful in developing design skills which can be hard to understand in theory, and only leaarnt through practice. I have always had an interest in geography and places, and i am learning to combine new skills in design with existing knowledge.
Previous Design Skills Throughout the Bachelor of Environment’s first 2 years, i have developed some new skills, especailly in computer modelling, fabrication and some rendering. Through Virtual Environemnts, there was majority of design through Rhino, including lofting, panelling tools, fabrication and construction of a model (see top picture), in the form of a wearable head sculpture. Through other design subjects introductions to AutoCAD (bottom picture) and rendering of models (3DS Max), (2nd bottom pictire) have given widespread exposure to digital processes that can help in designing and visually presenting ideas. I have had exposure and some shallow knowledge of digital architecture, through seeing precedent such as the Guggenheim museusm in Bilbao’s process of computerisation of sketch into model, as well as concept models of high rise buildings, such as the Eureka Tower in Melbourne. I however have not been shown the in depth processes of computational design before attending university. Top: Final Model, Virtual Environments 2nd Top: Rhino Panelling Tools, Virtual Environments 2nd Bottom: 3DS Max Rendering, Site Tectonics Bottom: AutoCAD Drawings, ADS Water.
Part A. EOI I: CASE FOR INNOVATION
A.1 ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE Archigram, A Walking City (1964).
Architecture is a vital part of society, important in its cultural ans social value, the most public form of artwork, that can achieve discussion that nothing else in a place can do as well. By addressing architecture as a discourse rather than just a building.
Source: http://www.theuniquecreatures.com/ archigram-60s70s-architectural-avant-garde/
“Architecture is the most public of the arts. It is inescapable of anyone living in urban society. Works of architecture frame our lives” Richard Williams. Architectural and Visual Culture
The ideas generated can also be considered a form of architecture, addressing issues and establishing new forms and ideas. This can be shown by Archigram, Plug in city (1964). the group Archigram, whose ideas of how cities Source: http://va312ozgunkilic.wordpress. could work through visual diagrams and drawings com/2010/12/07/archigram-plug-in-city/ allowed for discourse for society and allowed for discussion, such as the Walking City (1964) and Plug-in City (1964). These ideas were never actually built or put into real cities, but gave ideas that challenged the exisiting thoughts of what a city has to be. Projects that use forms and concepts in a creative and imposing way can create greater connection between the structure and the users, creating a conversation that is positive to a place’s image and intrigue. Ordos Art and City Museum of Inner Mongolia (2011). Source: http://entertainmentdesigner.com/ news/museum-design-news/the-ordos-art-andcity-museum-of-inner-mongolia/
PRECEDENT
UNStudio, Burnham Pavillion, Chicago, 2009
The Burnham pavillion by UNStudio is small temporary pavillion that is an indicator a key example of how programs such as Grasshopper can be beneficial to the city’s aesthetics. It contributes to an augmented experience of the users, relating to Daniel Burnham’s 1909 plan of Chicago, and expresses it using a new form of construction and experience. The fact that it was temporary does not change the grand effect on the site and the interaction between person and building, incorporating new technologies and simple geometry to create a streamline but complex structure. Its legacy is the memory of how a pavillion can add to a persons experience, and make people understand how new software can create new ideas and aesthetically pleasing sturctures for the public to use.
PRECEDENT
soma Architecture, White Noise, Salzburg, Austria, 2010 The White Noise project, used as the Salzburg Biennale Music Pavillion, expresses a different form of pavillion to the public, using new programs to create a structurally stable and intriguing structure. The use of geometry and exposing the structural rods leaves a strong impression on the surronding are, when compared to the rectalinear buldings in the square. The pavillion draws people to it, and creates a feeling of exploration and wonder, and leaves a legacy of how structures builit similarly can be built on a larger scale. The achievement of Bollinger and Grohmann Engineers, by using new programs to understand the loads and stuructual elements of the type of geometry, causes a positive approach to new ways of designing and constructing, allowing for a change in global perception of computational design and show that remarkable results can be achieved.
A.2 COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE Architecture and the design process is an evolutionary process, with many changes occuring or the time of mankind, and a rapid shift in recent history, such as the new found prominence of computational design. From the creation of the “architect” seen in ancient greek period, to Renaissance masters of design such as Bruneleschi and Alberti, and to current expectations of architects seen by modernist and post modernist such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Le Corbusier and Mies van der Rohe. The process used by current architects has greatly changed. The current rapid shift to computerisation as well as computational design, which involved the process of problem solving as well as a discussion with the problem (see Kalay’s design process diagram). New techniques to maximise design potential and time reduction can be motviated by the great analytical of computers, and seen currently, the design aspects that computer programs can achieve with the cooperation of the designer.
“Such a symbiosis is predicated on communication, the ability to share information between computers and humans” Yehuda E. Kalay, Architectures New Media.
The focus on a symbiotic design process, that allows a positive interaction and can produce better designs and a more organised process of designing and finalising ideas. This communication of architects using programs can utilise the benefits of both humans and the software used.
Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, THeories and Methods of Computer-Aided Design. Top and bottom are two different design processes that show the relationship between goals and solutions.
PRECEDENT
Herzog & De Meuron, Messe Basel-New Hall, Basel, Switzerland, Completion 2013
The design process of Messe Basel New Hall is a clear example of how the digital technology group Herzog & De Meuron can use many computational methods to determine the form and structure of the the building. By incorporating random generators to establish a change in the facade, and using technology to narrow the premises fo the design, therefore allowing a more focused and concise process to occur. The development of the software by the digital technology gorup allow specific form making for such parts as stairs and facades and deliver clearer results, such as the 3D facade using panels to give a more exciting sheel, also using computational ideas to facilite different openings and features. Top: Outside perspective of the hall Middle: Random generation helping in deisigning facade Bottom: 3D Panelling of the Facade
PRECEDENT
Foster + Partners and Buro Happold, Thomas Deacon Academy, Peterborough, Uk, 2007
Thomas Deacon Academy Interior hall space.
The structure realted to the movement of thousands of pupils and how it can be maximised in one building.
The use of the simulation program is a way of how computational data and ideas can be reflected in architecture, being able to see how it could work, and considering it in the process of design. This would have been too expensive or time consuming in a real life experiment. The partnership between Foster + Partners anf Buro Happold, specialising in digital simulation, can represent a symbiotic relationship between design and computer programming.
The use of simulation and experimenting with movement played a key role in decisions regarding movement areas’ placement and dimensions, such as walkways, stairs and corridors. This was done by using simulation software and allowing the potential movements of over 2000 students and staff, and critical to allow a successful learning area to be contrusted. It also was driving key decisions and detecting high traffic areas and “hotspots” that could be a problem later if considered in the design process.
Thomas Deacon Academy, Simulation of movement
This program above simulates movement and allows for seeing patterns in real world situations, and how it would happen in the proposed design. Yellow is light traffic, Red is heavy pockets of traffic.
A.3 PARAMETRIC MODELLING “Parametric modelling (also known as constraint modelling) introduces a fundamental change: marks,that is, parts of a design, relate and change in a coordinated way� Robert Woodbury, Elements of Parametric Design.
The idea of parametric modelling in design is to set parameters and therefore limits in the idea, using equations and formulas to determine a set of numbers that can help in the process of idea genearation and conviction. It is not a completely new process, used in designs by Gaudi and Moretti, using a mathematical process to help develop ideas. Is however has come to the forefront of design through the incorporation of computers in architecture, and the benefits which have been documented and spread to architects around the world. The efficiency that parametric modelling can have on the design process can reduce costs of changes thorugh the known parameters that need to be changed, as well as the ability to decrease costs of designing thorughout all stages. This is very helpful to all architects, who can now formulate goals and solutions in a more clear form.
Gaudi’s hanging chian model. Source: http://cerebrovortex.com/
AIA California Council, comparing project phases. .Source: Studio AIR Lecture, Slide 30
PRECEDENT
Center for Information Technology and Architecture (CITA) and Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory (SIAL), Dermoid, Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen, 2011 The design of the shelllike structure was established by the process of emulating ecosyatems, and changing parameters though Grasshopper to allow the form to be made. This method of design creates a hierachy of scripting modules, that helps create the Dermoid design environment, and allows this interesting form to be constructed. This computational design process allows the creation of the design environment by the designer’s domain, allowing parameters that can control the result, and allow change to be done efficiently. This example is among other new tools that have shifted the design process and can allow new forms to be shown in ane be easily connected to other architects and designers by easy networking. Top: Dermoid final structure Left: Experimenation using Grasshopper and some steps shown in the process Bottom: Grasshopper Output of the Dermoid design
PRECEDENT
MVRDV, Bastide Niel, Bordeaux, 2010 The design of this Bordeaux land has many constraints and difficulties that need an analysis of the site to show how a design can be incorporated. MVRDV has used Grasshopper to set up parameters and make it easier to set limits for design and create a more in depth analysis of the proposed design. This incorporates physical and environental constraints. Bastide Niel, Final Volumetric Analysis
This is the final result of experimentation and changing parameters to allow an in depth analysis of the site and its attributes to be shown,
Some of these parameters include sunlight constraints of the specific site (see diagram below), and using parametric design programs can be helpful in decision making and selecting the most correct option. It allows an endless stream of configurations that be easily changed and manouvred. Middle Right: Computational process of creating a volumetric analysis Left: One proposed scheme for the area Right: Setting paramters of 45 angle of sunlight shows the change to the design of the site.
A.5 CONCLUSION The architecture now constructed may no longer be just a building, but a important asset socially to a place, allowing for discourse as well as discussion. This is a newer concept in designing, and innovative design can be a great creator of discourse. The role of computers and its programs is an important one, a new innovation in architecture in recent history that can allow “impossible� ideas and designs to be constructed, something that older practices would not allow, epecially with the possibilities of 3D Modelling over orthogonal views. My design approach will be more open to ideas and forms that might have been unable to realise previously, incorporating new skills in programs such as Grasshopper to fulfil a concept’s potential. By using computational design and not just computerizing an idea, positive changes can be ahcieved,some which might not have been thought of before, completing a discussion between goals and solutions, that is a more innovative way of approaching design, and being able to communicate through out all stages to create the best possible forms.
A.6 LEARNING OUTCOMES From the start of the semester to the conclusion of discovering a case for innovation, the exposure have given greater appreciation and an in depth explanation to parametric modelling, the advantages of computational architecture and architecture as a discourse, a new way of expressing design. The readings have given an more thought process of design, especially when it discusses the evolutionary changes that has happening to the process of designing and the role of computers in the last 20 years, written by Yehuda E. Kalay, and how the prominence of problem solving and puzle making is important, a two way discussion between problem and solution. The idea of architecture being a discourse, being soically and culturally important as well as functional has changed previous ideas of what architecture is, and how the computational processes and programs have incluede more discussion of architecture in society.
Part B. EOI II: DESIGN APPROACH
B.1 DESIGN FOCUS Tesselation The definiton of tesselation, a repeated idea or shape, can become a dynamic effect on the overall design using techniques to give a quality to the overall aesthetic and individual pieces, shown in many installations and proejcts. The Wyndham Gateway situated on the freeway will need a dynamic structure that can be able to create an exciting experience for drivers, and show that they have entered Wyndham City as well as Metropolitan Melbourne.
M.C Escher, “FIsh” (1938).
This is the experimeting of tesselation that M.C Escher achieved with many shapes, including the fish at the bottom of the picture, and creating an interesting and dynamic picture.
PRECEDENT
Hypersurface, Birmingham, UK, dECOi Architects Hyposurface by dECOi architects is one precedent that uses ‘Tessalation’ to create an interesting and innovative installation. Constructed in the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre, the Hyposurface wall moves via computer controlled pistons which react to the movement of sound in the theatre.
Surface that be changed by interaction
People interacting with installation
It works in a similar way to the Cirriform Responsive Facade in Seattle, Washington by Future Cities Lab. This facade reacts to the closeness of and the movement of people both inside and outside the building. It was created using Firefly; a plug-in for Grasshopper, so therefore is relevant to this studio. These precedents could be useful for our Gateway Project as we could encorporate the use of a fl uid, tessalated surface that moves in conjunction with cars and the speed they are travelling.
PRECEDENT
Carpenter Centre Puppet Theatre, Harvard University, USA, , Michael Merideth + Pierre Huyghe
Exterior of Puppet Theatre
View from interior to exterior
View of panel structure and geometry
The Carpenter Centre Puppet Theatre constructed in the Harvard Centre for Visual arts is a demonstration of tessellation in parametric design. This project incorporates five hundred unique panels assembed using a system of bolts. The white panels form not only the complex geometric pattern of the project, but the structure also. The integration of aesthetic and function is an element that we would like to explore in the Gateway Design Project. The Puppet Centre can be assembled and dissembled relatively easily due to its construction method. This allows a flexible design approach and ease of maintenance and increased longevity. The use of undulating patterns and rhythms is also made possible through tessellation. The theatre is made possible through the distribution and transfer of loads across the surface of the structure; this allows large spans and complex geometries as well voids and lighting integration. Despite the Puppet Centre’s 3-inch panelling, it is able to span an impressive 15 feet in the central void. This translates into a lightweight structure, efficient and malleable, and a method of construction ideal for a project like the Gateway Design. The Gateway Design project will require sections of the instalment to span distances with no support structure. The tessellation method will allow for an intricate and involved geometry as well as the structural integrity required for a functional and efficient project
PRECEDENT
VoltaDom, Skylar Tibbits VoltaDom by Skylar Tibbits for MIT’s 150th Anniversary Celebration and FAST Arts Festival is an installation, which contains the idea of a tessellated surface of geometric vaults with reminiscent of the great vaulted ceilings of historic cathedrals. In this project, the key elements we would like to explore in the Gateway Design Project is integration of aesthetic and structure. The combination of parametric rules and cathedral vaults innovate the idea of transforming the traditional language of architecture into the simple geometric shapes and computational design. The vaults also provide a spectrum of oculi that penetrate the hallway under the project and the surrounding area with views and light.
Interior view of VoltaDom
With the expansion of architectural surface panel by intensifying the depth of doubly curved vaulted surfaces, it managed to create a self-support structure which no need any additional support poles in the middle of this large scale project. This can help us to understand how to create an open space under the Gateway Design project in a long distance without support structure by transfer the load to the side of our design. The vaults design also allow the structure turn to any direction flexibly, which is needed in our project to connect the three separate sites together by only one structure with series of turning point.
Exterior view of VoltaDom
PRECEDENT
‘Voussoir Cloud’, IwamotoScott The project “Voussoir Cloud” by architectural firm IwamotoScott is an idea, in which a tesselated surface with many unique panels is installed over a larger room. The installation explored the structural properties of lightweight materials and how the needed strength can be achieved by the repeating elements, which all vary slightly and have their own character. These panels can work together as one homogenous unit.
Interior View, showing illumination and structure
Getting inspiration from architects such as Gaudi’s Hanging Chain model, IwamotoScott construct each vault as a Dalauney tesselation, which utilised the structural quality of dense and small patterning at the column base while using more porosity in the roof areas and larger panels where less structural qualities are needed. This shows the benefits and robustness of the wooden panels and how the repeating tesselations can achieve a smooth but stable form, which can also illuminated by sunlight and space for lighting in the panels. Bird’s Eye View of Structure
The Gateway Design Project will need to use the strength of columns to support any roof structure along the site, which still uses panelling that is incorporated into the whole design. The importance of lighting is seen in the brief, needing effective lighting manipulation in both sunlight and during nighttime, as the road is commonly used in all 24 hours of the day. Detail of Lightweight wooden panels repeated
B.2 CASE STUDY 1: VOUSSOIR CLOUD
The Voussoir Cloud manipulation involved the changing of four different parameters to allow to change the form, patterning and different structural properties. The results of this testing were lengthening of the columns, widening and shortening of the column’s base, changing the mesh density of the structure and changing the configuration of the column base form. Although these were succesful in creating different forms of a tesselating pattern, more changing of the form can be achieved and incorporated some of the changes into a new re-ngineered structure that would allow more manipulaltion of a tesselated structure.
B.3 CASE STUDY 2: RE-ENGINEERING OF
By changing the axial parameters and allowing for changes to the orignal form, the transformations gave better approximation of how tesselation can play a role in defiing a dynamic form. The result gave some similar changes to the form such as the mesh manipulations in the left column of the similar amount of points. The changing of the shape of engineering gave very different forms, such as the curved geometry of the second left column and pillow-shaped forms in the next three manipulations.
VOUSSOIR CLOUD
The definition will need to change to be more subtle as some of the results are not as original as planned, and need further manipulation to create a dynamic form that translated into the Wyndham City Gateway Project. Consideration on how the structure is supported is important, as well as how lighting can play a role in creating an appropriate installation for the site.
FURTHER PRECEDENTS TO CONSIDER UK Pavillion, Shanghai World Expo 2010, Heatherwick Studios The UK Pavillion shows how lighting and structure can be interconnected, allowing a continuous and interesting form. It combines both the interior and exterior as the same aesthetic, incorporating many smaller pieces protuding out to create an overall structure that is dynamic and very interesting for the user. By using an effect of illumination in our definition and understanding how smaller parts can create a larger scale of form, The form created for the project can be more memorable for the users and be seen both at day and at night.
Hugh Ferriss’ delinearated drawings of buildings Hugh Ferriss’ delinearated drawings of New York’s skyscrapers as well as fictional builidngs, seen on the left, show the effect of light and form on a structure, and the different ways this can be seen. The different forms of geometry give a different feel to each building. The base lighting of the structures give an insight into how the city’s buildings are viewed compared to the structures.
By being able to control or determine the light intensity, and focusing on viewpoint of the structure, as the users will be moving quickly, the definitions explored could be used to create a form that achieve its goal of creating a gateway to the city and how buildings in the city can be interpreted.
ALGORITHMIC EXPERIMENTATION
Movement of Plane The 2D plane is manipulated to contour a change in height to create a form.
Oct Tree Manipulation Creating a tesselation of cubed-like structures in different scales
Curves to Points of Light From three curves, a transformation from a structure of lines, depending on the intensity of light, then creating a grid of points along the lines to show where cables can be placed to maximise the effect of the whole installation.
PROTOTYPE Illuminated Translucent Structure The protoype to be created was to exhibit the proposed qualities of the points of light over a translucent sheet so that the fibre optic could not be seen. This theme was preliminary tested with no structure but by placing the sheet over the lamps and tested for the desired effect. It would be modelled off the lofted algorithmic experiment with three curves creating a panelled shll like structure, with the lamps placed inside and create the points of light.
The three cruve structure used for the prototype.
Effect of Fibre Optic lighting on sheet of material.
Model Making Process A translucent material, wire as a frame and fibre optic lamps were used to construct the prototype of the illumnated structure. It involved the shaping of the wire to the specific dimensions of the structure, and placement of material over the wire mesh. The testing of the lamp and clustering helped determine how the illumnation of the structure could be controlled and placed in specific points.
TECHNIQUE PROPOSAL Technique Advantages The technique we have chosen, by using a lightweight structure with the fibre optic lights, creating an overall effect without any heavy materials, is an advantage to the project has it shows a structure out of tiny pieces, and giving the user the initiative to put the pieces together to create the final idea. The twenty-four hour use of the structures, giving importance on night time impact, addresses the importance of the assessiblity of use in both day and night. The proposal can be advantageous over heavy duty structures as its adaptability to change if needed, as it is lightweight, and the lighting arrangement can be changed over time. Site Consideration The technique of the structure proposed has to consider the site of where its being placed, and how it can used over the three places: gateway, no mans land and a monument. This makes how the illuminated structures will work over the site important, concerning topography, view, aspect and scale. It also must be considered that the users are moving and can’t look at the structure stationery, making a quick impact more imoortant for the project.
Proposed site for Gateway Project and possible areas of installation.
Model Photos Using a dark space to simulate night, the lamps and structure were placed together to create the points of light onto the shell.
B.8 LEARNING OUTCOMES Through the research and exposure to methods of creating and developing a technique and using a defintion as a form of motivation, it has helped develoepd my knowledge and ability to determine how i can use different design techniques to create the desired product. This is achieved progress in designing using paramtric modelling, and being able to manipulate an idea or an existing structure, such as the Voussoir Cloud, into a form that is seen as more closer to my design intent and to overcome issues that need to be addressed. The ability to incorporate the intial ideas seen in the first Expression of Interest section have been successful, but still need to be connected to the gateway project, by continuing to explore the advantages and abilities that computational and parametric design has, by finding new methods and tools and well as consolidating the existing known methods of parametric modelling, such as grafting and creating different type of meshes. It is also important to make sure that any development considers the discourse of architecture, and how discussion of the gateway project is one of the most important points. Following the Mid-semester presentation, our project will need further exploration in tesselataion and how to incorporate more into the structure, as well as how the three aspects: Gateway, No Mans Land and Monument will differ, while still being able to seen as one collective group of installations.