ARCHITECTURE PORTFOLIO
CHRISTOPHER MICHAEL WICKS
Architecture and Sustainable Design Undergraduate Intern at DP Architects - Summer, 2016 Passionate design student, driven to create architecture that is both functional and aethetically pleasing for the ageing population in Singapore
CONTENT
INDIVIDUAL PROJECTS
GROUP PROJECTS D-MAN-D CENTRE
Core Studio 1, Fall 2015 Mentor: Jackson Tan
TAMPINES HUB
Core Studio 1, Fall 2015 Mentor: Jackson Tan
EVENT SPACES
NORTHERN JETTY
Core Studio 2, Spring 2016 Mentor: Shim Dongmin
STRUCTURE OF SPACE
Introduction to Design Computation, Fall 2015 Mentor: Sawako Kaijima
THE PINEBOX
Architecture Science and Technology, Fall 2015 Mentor: Michael Budig
A MILLION CUTS
Digital Fabrication and Computation, Spring 2016
Design
Mentor: Stylianos Dritsas NUDI WALLS LAGOON
LAGOON
SUTDx SOUTHERN JETTY
Core Studio 2, Spring 2016 Mentor: Shim Dongmin
UNIT
Core Studio 3, Fall 2016 Mentor: Pauline Ang
URBAN LIVING
Core Studio 3, Fall 2016 Mentor: Pauline Ang
SPATIAL JOINTS
Digital Fabrication and Computation, Spring 2016
Design
Mentor: Stylianos Dritsas
SCHOOL CAMPUS TAKE OVER Digital Fabrication and Computation, Spring 2016 Mentor: Stylianos Dritsas
Design
D-MAN-D CENTRE
SITE PLAN
The project tasked us to design a new D-Man-D (Digital Manufacturing and Design) Centre located in an empty and flat plot at SUTD Campus, to give a formal response to the required programmatic needs. For that purpose, a geometric system that could adapt to house a series of spaces with different conditions of natural and artificial light, visual permeability and functional needs, within a holistic design. In this case, inner constrains were the main focus, although the design must be carefully adapted to the site. We were challenged to use form, geometric exploration and variations with a clear set of inner laws and constrains, as a vessel to achieve
several variations of of buildings. For this project, we were further tasked to draw inspiration from anything that was associated with “nature”. For this project, the inspiration was Ants.
IDEATION SKETCHES
Fire ants
Termites
CONCEPT
Carpenter ants
Leaf cutter ants
FORM GENERATION Design Spaces
Ventilation shafts Food storage Larvae chamber
Going deeper Higher importance
Fabrication Space
Egg room Queen’s chamber
Exhibition Space Design
PERSPECTIVES
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN (D-MAN-D) CENTRE
MODEL
STUDIO PROJECTS
ELEVATIONS
SECTIONS
FLOORPLANS
2F
AXONOMETRIC
1A-F
1F
DIGITAL MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN (D-MAN-D) CENTRE
STUDIO PROJECTS
TAMPINES HUB
SH OP PI NG
This project was based on the concept of a central plaza that could act as a spill-out space for any of the surrounding permanent spaces.
BE LT
An increased level of accuracy on matters of geometry, materiality, and enclosure definition would be required. DING CPF BUIL
We were to develop an approach to deal with an urban yet natural context, and explore strategies to arrange the required exterior and interior spaces within a consistent and relevant design.
TA M PI NE SM RT ST AT IO N
BU SI NT ER CH AN GE
This project asked for a design in an open and natural space in Tampines area. Diversity in the boundary conditions of the plot like the MRT station and different types of roads and pathways, buildings that frame the space, accessibility, close amenities, potential users, character of the different traffic roads, and other factors to be taken into account to produce a building thoroughly connected to its close environment.
SITE PLAN
SITE ANALYSIS
Viewpoint Overlapping regions
V
ow ow
LESS
MORE
CONCEPT
A B
E
Segments o f common space can be u sed as an extension or a link between an other
D
C
its allocated program
combines all program spaces together
PROGRAM ALLOCATION
Lecture theatre located at side with less human traffic, but closer to public transport.
TAMPINES HUB
Lecture theatre located at side with less human traffic, but closer to public transport.
Lecture theatre located at side with less human traffic, but closer to public transport.
ELEVATIONS
STUDIO PROJECTS
FLOORPLAN
DE SIG NS HO P
RE AT HE ET UR T C LE
RE AD ING
SP AC E
DE SIG NA ND EX HIB ITI ON SP AC E
CA FE TE RIA
SECTIONS
TAMPINES HUB
STUDIO PROJECTS
EVENT SPACES
SITE PLAN
This project was aimed at designing a building to house public events of SUTD in the intersection of Orchard Road and Cairnhill Road. Programatically the building is to house a flexible space that hosts public events of the University in a central urban location. It will also provide an anchor for SUTD’s student recruitment efforts and strategic involvement in the most current SkillsFuture initiative, privoding basic classrooms/learning spaces, a lecture theatre, an exhibition space, cafe and administrative offices.
of the tree. like how it receives nutrients, the users enter through a basement link or ground floor, which leads them up into the classrooms to the learning spaces, which are the “fruits” of the tree.
The concept behind the design of this project was a tree. The programs of the spaces are allocated according to the heirachy. Similar to the anatomy
SITE ANALYSIS RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL RESIDENTIAL SHOPHOUSES SHOPHOUSES SHOPHOUSES HIGH-END HIGH-END HIGH-END RESIDENTIAL RETAIL RETAIL RETAIL SHOPHOUSES COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL COMMERCIAL HIGH-END
RETAIL COMMERCIAL
SPACES SPACES SPACES FLOORPLANS
ROADS ROADS ROADS
ROADS
ZONING ZONING ZONING
ROOF
ZONING
2F
SECTIONS
EVENT SPACES
STUDIO PROJECTS
IDEATION SKETCHES
MODEL
GROUND FLOOR
CA
IRN
HIL
LR
D
N
1F
OR C
HA
RD
RD
B1
EVENT SPACES
B2
STUDIO PROJECTS
SUTDx
SITE PLAN
This project tasked us to design a satellite SUTD campus (SUTDx), with the site located at the intersection of Bras Basah, Prinsep, Orchard, and Handy Road. SUTDx is proposed as the university’s downtown anchor among the network of universities and institute of higher learning. Riding on the success of the SUTD Event Space project at the intersection of Orchard Road and Carinhill Road, SUTDx mirrors the programmatic functions, housing flexible spaces for public events, recruitment efforts, strategic involvement in the SkillFuture initiative, providing basic classrooms/learning spaces, lecture theatres, exhibition spaces, a cafe, and administrative offices.
As the site context has a significant differential in the heights of the landscape around it, the concept behind this building is providing a form of gradation of the site while allocation programs to the spaces based on how public or private the spaces are.
SITE ANALYSIS East region of site has a high heightscape
West region of site has a relatively low heightscape
NOISY
LOWER FLOORS
RENDERING
Cafe Performance Area
LEVEL PLACEMENT
NOISE LEVELS
Space Lobby
Interior LTs
Classrooms
QUIET
HIGHER FLOORS PRIVATE
PRIVACY
PUBLIC
SECTIONS
SUTDx
STUDIO PROJECTS
FLOORPLANS
GROUND FLOOR
CAFEE
PERFORMANCE E AREA
LOBBY
EXHIBITION SPACEE
LT1 OPEN DECK AREA
MODELS
TT1
LT2
TT2
2F
CLASSROOM 1
CLASSROOM 2
CLASSROOM 3
AXONOMETRIC
CLASSROOM 4
MEETING ROOM 1
3F
MEETING ROOM 2
STAFF BALCONY
ADMIN OFFICE
4F
SUTDx
STUDIO PROJECTS
UNIT
ASSIGNED UNIT 13
This Urban Living project was based on an existing HDB podium block, BrasBasah Complex, which has two highrise residential buildings on top. We were tasked to envision an alternative dwelling model that can respond to changing societies, while creating a residential community with a particular idea of sharing their private realm. These concepts would translate into exciting but comprehensive architectural space that could set an example for new models for highdense living. This includes merging three existing apartment units - two next to each other with one either above or below. The specific location was assigned to us in advance for us to work it.
21
2
3
F E D C B
The main constraints were to keep the unit’s vertical load-bearing structure, service shafts and accession space intact, but otherwise redesign the entire space - including its vertical divisions. For this project, the the space was curated to have an explicit separation of public and private space between resident and guests while still creating a smooth transition between these two realms.
A Building 1
Building 2
AXONOMETRIC
CONCEPT
The spaces are explicitly separated into Public and Private areas. The section with the double volume height is semi-Public and Public, meant for having meals and entertaining and hosting guests. Contrasting to the other half of the unit, which is meant for the resident’s more private spaces.
PRIVATE PUBLIC
SECTIONS
BRAS BASAH HOUSING UNIT
STUDIO PROJECTS
RENDERING
FLOORPLANS UPPER FLOOR
BRAS BASAH HOUSING UNIT
LOWER FLOOR
STUDIO PROJECTS
URBAN LIVING
SITE PLAN
This project was aimed at developing innovative urban housing concepts for sustainable high-dense living and focus on themes like density, diversity and connectivity. The integration of building systems like load-bearing structure, and building envelope will be treated as constitutive parts of design process. Going more into detail, how we incorporate the concepts for ‘Urban Living’ influence the very essence of human habitation - the individual dwelling, brought over from the Unit project. Circulation spaces should likewise not simply be considered as a just functionally necessary element, but as a system that determines the entire spatial hierarchy, and that does not only link the programmatic components to an urban context to either benefit from or contribute to its vitality, but which can essentially also become an instrument of social intensity, diversity and cohesion within your design.
In this project, 120 units are to be organised into the complex and the allocation of programs are residential (70%), communal (15%) and commercial (15%). For this concept, taking into consideration the abundance of natural greenery on an urban scale within the site, the idea of Branching was used as an inspiration. By creating a main circulation path across the site with numerous secondary paths that veer off to other areas, this architectural language is continued in the massing form and unit allocation.
FORM FINDING
STRUCTURE AND CIRCULATION
UNIT ALLOCATION
FORM FINDING
3-room units 4-room units 3-generation units
REDHILL RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
STUDIO PROJECTS
SITE ANALYSIS
FIGURE GROUND
CIRCULATION
Leaving the existing greenery on the site, the design was centred around the idea of Branching, like the surrounding trees.
PUBLIC SPACES
COMMERCIAL
FLOORPLANS
RESIDENTIAL OPEN PLAZA
OPEN PLAZA SHADED SEATING
N
COMMERCIAL
MEDICAL CENTRE
DAYCARE FOOD COURT
SUPERMARKET
FOOD COURT
PUBLIC GARDEN
RESIDENTIAL
REDHILL RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
STUDIO PROJECTS
FACADE DESIGN
The facade is a metal mesh, which serves hold greenery to provide shading for circulation paths between the towers. Its form is a translation of the front elevation of the three towers and creats a void in that mesh in varying iterations.
FACADE MESH
LONG-TERM EFFECT
LONG SECTION
REDHILL RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
STUDIO PROJECTS
MODEL
Full 1:200 model
Ground floor courtyard with trees that provide natural shading
REDHILL RESIDENTIAL COMPLEX
Residential units that branch outwards from the main corridor spine
STUDIO PROJECTS
STRUCTURE OF SPACE
ELEVATIONS N1
+ 10.00 m
This project tasked our group to create a pavillion using the Grasshopper software in Rhino.
+ 9.00 m
+ 8.00 m
+ 7.00 m
The constraints we had to work with was that there has to be 4 entrances to the site and the design system should be able to control a gradation of transparency where visibility or light conditions will shift as one moves around your design.
+ 6.00 m
+ 5.00 m
+ 4.00 m
+ 3.00 m
+ 2.00 m
+ 1.00 m
+ 0.00 m
C# CODING ALGORITHM INPUT PARAMETERS Damping Gravity dt grid resolution grid spacing
0 0 0
- 1.00 m
REMARKS
DESIGN ALGORITHM int i; int j;
.817 .463 .917
int rx = 20; int ry = 20;
REMARKS
}
}
}
// P A N E L I N G List<Polyline> surfPlList = new List<Polyline>(); List<Polyline> gridPlList = new List<Polyline>(); List<Line> lineList = new List<Line>(); List<Polyline> triList = new List<Polyline>(); List<int> errorLabel = new List<int>(); List<Plane> planes = new List<Plane>(); List<int> cladding = new List<int>(); List<Polyline> claddingSurfList = new List<Polyline>();
}
}
k++;
} // A P P L Y // F O R C E
}
}
foreach(Edge e in edges) { e.ApplySpringForce(); }
4. Create and add to a list of individual lengths of each tile. 5. Using dot product of the normal vector of each tile and the sun vector, determine if the tile should be cladded.
//............................Move foreach(Node n in nodes){ n.Move(dt, damping, c);
a consolidated grid of tiles on the WorldXY plane.
}
// O U T P U T N O D E P O S I T I O N // T O A P O I N T
for (j = 0;j < ry;j++){ for (i = 0;i < rx;i++){ if (i > 0 && j > 0){ //creating a tile List<Point3d> tile = new List<Point3d>(); tile.Add(pt[j * rx + i]); tile.Add(pt[j * rx + i - 1]); tile.Add(pt[j * rx + i - rx - 1]); tile.Add(pt[j * rx + i - rx]); tile.Add(pt[j * rx + i]);
List<Point3d> pt = new List<Point3d>(nodes.Count); foreach(Node n in nodes) { pt.Add(n.p); } // A = pt; // D R A W N E W L I N E S // B E T W E E N N E W N O D E P O S I T I O N List<Line> ln = new List<Line>(edges.Count); foreach(Edge e in edges) { ln.Add(new Line(e.n0.p, e.n1.p));
Polyline cladtri2 = new Polyline(); cladtri2.Add(tile[0]); cladtri2.Add(tile[1]); cladtri2.Add(tile[3]); cladtri2.Add(tile[0]);
}
DESIGN ALGORITHM if (cccopy[0].Z > 15 || cccopy[0].Z < -15){ // top right triangle TO BE TRANSFORMED List<Point3d> tri1 = new List<Point3d>(); tri1.Add(cccopy[0]); tri1.Add(cccopy[1]); tri1.Add(cccopy[3]); tri1.Add(cccopy[0]); Polyline triangle1 = new Polyline(tri1); // bottom left triangle UNMOVED List<Point3d> tri2 = new List<Point3d>(); tri2.Add(cccopy[2]); tri2.Add(cccopy[1]); tri2.Add(cccopy[3]); tri2.Add(cccopy[2]); Polyline triangle2 = new Polyline(tri2);
//triList.Add(triangle2); // THIS TRIANGLE IS UNMOVED gridPlList.Add(triangle2); // UNMOVED TRIANGLE ADDED TO REC TILE LIST TO PRESERVE COUNT triList.Add(triangle1); // THIS TRIANGLE IS TRANSFORMED
//identify grid position on WorldXY Point3d gp = new Point3d((i - 1) * xinc + 1000, (j - 1) * yinc, 0.0); //GeometryBase gcopy = cc.Duplicate(); Polyline cccopy = new Polyline(cc); Vector3d alignvec = new Vector3d(v2.X, v2.Y, 0.0);
//Curve cc = Curve.CreateInterpolatedCurve(tile, 1); Polyline cc = new Polyline(tile); surfPlList.Add(cc);
//xf *= Transform.Rotation(n, Vector3d.ZAxis, tile[2]); //gcopy.Transform(xf) ; cccopy.Transform(xf) ;
//B = ln; C = plineList; //D = lineList; E = gridPlList; F = surfPlList; G = triList; H = errorLabel; J = errorCount; K = planes; L = cladding; M = claddingSurfList;
Transform xf2 = new Transform(1.0); xf2 *= Transform.Translation(new Vector3d(tri1[2].X, tri1[2].Y, tri1[2].Z));; xf2 *= Transform.PlaneToPlane(p2, Plane.WorldXY); //xf2 *= Transform.Rotation(refv2, Vector3d.YAxis, tri1[2]); triangle1.Transform(xf2); // transform warped triangular tile to WorldXY
Plane p = new Plane(tile[2], v1, v2);
Transform xf = new Transform(1.0); //xf *= Transform.Rotation(alignvec, Vector3d.XAxis, gp); //xf *= Transform.PlanarProjection(Plane.WorldXY); xf *= Transform.Translation(new Vector3d(gp.X - tile[2].X, gp.Y tile[2].Y, 0.0)); xf *= Transform.PlaneToPlane(p, Plane.WorldXY);
// O U T P U T
Vector3d refv1 = tri1[0] - tri1[1]; Vector3d refv2 = tri1[0] - tri1[2]; Plane p2 = new Plane(tri1[2], refv1, refv2); planes.Add(p2);
7. If the Z- coordinate of the top-right corner of each tile exceeds a value of 15, the rectangular tile will be replaced with two triangular tiles. This corrects for error arising from tiles with a large degree of warping.
claddingSurfList.Add(cladtri1); claddingSurfList.Add(cladtri2);
Point3d excelRef = new Point3d(excelCount, 0, 0); excelCount++; lineList.Add(new Line(new Point3d(0, 0, 0), excelRef )); lineList.Add(new Line(tile[0], tile[1])); lineList.Add(new Line(tile[1], tile[2])); lineList.Add(new Line(tile[2], tile[3])); lineList.Add(new Line(tile[3], tile[0])); lineList.Add(new Line(new Point3d(0, 0, 0), new Point3d(12345, 0, 0))); lineList.Add(new Line(new Point3d(0, 0, 0), new Point3d(12345, 0, 0)));
errorLabel.Add(tileNum); // LABEL CORRESPONDS TO ERRONEOUS TILES THAT ARE TRIANGULATED Curve cc2 = Curve.CreateInterpolatedCurve(tri2, 1); // RECREATES TRI-TILES TO GET LENGTH Curve cc1 = Curve.CreateInterpolatedCurve(tri1, 1); //errorLabel.Add(cc2.GetLength()); //errorLabel.Add(cc1.GetLength()); errorCount++; }else{ gridPlList.Add(cccopy); }
8. Output the necessary rectangular, triangular tiles and line segments.
}
}
DESIGN PROCESS
REMARKS //transforming polylines + check cladding Vector3d v1 = tile[3] - tile[2]; Vector3d v2 = tile[1] - tile[2]; Vector3d n = Vector3d.CrossProduct(v2, v1); v1.Unitize(); v2.Unitize(); n.Unitize(); double dot = sunvec * n; if (dot > cladLimit || dot < -cladLimit){ cladding.Add(tileNum); Polyline cladtri1 = new Polyline(); cladtri1.Add(tile[2]); cladtri1.Add(tile[1]); cladtri1.Add(tile[3]); cladtri1.Add(tile[2]);
int excelCount = 0; int tileNum = 0; int errorCount = 0;
foreach(Node n in nodes){ n.ApplyForce(dt, damping, grav);
}
// F I X // T O // C I R C L E if(c.Count != 0){ for(i = 0; i < c.Count; i++) { foreach(Node n in nodes) { double t; c[i].ClosestPoint(n.p, out t); Point3d cp = c[i].PointAt(t); if (cp.DistanceTo(n.p) < 10.0) //n.constrain = i; {n.p = cp;
2. Indicate constraining curves
// S U N // V E C T O R Vector3d sunvec = vec.PointAtEnd - vec.PointAtStart; sunvec.Unitize();
if(j != 0)
// G E N E R A T E // G R I D if (nodes.Count == 0) { double dx = 5; for(j = 0; j < ry; ++j) { for(i = 0; i < rx; ++i) { Point3d pp = new Point3d(i * interval * dx, j * interval * dx, 0.0); nodes.Add(new Node(pp, 0.5)); //density set to 1 }
DESIGN ALGORITHM
// A D D // V E R T E X // S T I F F N E S S int k = 0; for(j = 0; j < ry ; ++j) { for(i = 0; i < rx ; ++i) { if (i != 0)
if (reset) { nodes.Clear(); edges.Clear(); }
20 6
}
tileNum++; } //tileNum++;
AXONOMETRIC
FRONT VIEW
1 TUBE & POINT CONSTRAINTS
1 TUBE & LINE CONSTRAINTS
2 TUBE & LINE CONSTRAINTS
1 TUBE & CURVED LINE CONSTRAINTS
ASYMMETRICAL & CURVED LINE CONSTRAINTS
FRONT
FRONT
3 TUBES IN ASYMMETRICAL POSITION & STRAIGHT LINE CONSTRAINTS
RIGHT
MODEL TOP LEFT
BACK
RENDERINGS
STRUCTURE OF SPACE
GROUP PROJECTS
THE PINEBOX
SITE PLAN
This project tasked us design and produce specific construction drawings for a shelter on Pulau Hantu. The shelter was to restricted to the maximum dimensions of 3m by 6m by 9m for overnight or short term stays for researchers, who carry out environmental observations on Pulau Hantu, and possibly find a daytime retreat for discussion and writing. NORTHERN JETTY
The overall volume shall be broken into two construction types: one volume is closed to provide shelter from rain and wind and may contain sleeping areas and washing utilities, possibly also some space for heating up dishes. NUDI WALLS
LAGOON
UTHERN JETTY
The other volume is open, covered mainly to provide shelter from the sun but is open to natural ventilation. This part shall function as a lookout point; hence it can extend beyond the
ELEVATIONS
NORTHERN JETTY
building volume’s boundaries in order to provide views on the surroundings in all directions. The site is located on Pulau Hantu. The exact positioning is part of the design task and is open to different situations on the island.
NUDI WALLS LAGOON
LAGOON
For this project our group decided on a “cabin in the woods” theme, combining both the element of openness and horror into the design for the shelter.
SECTIONS
SOUTHERN JETTY
RENDERING
FLOOR DETAILS
CONSTRUCTION DRAWS PULAU HANTU CABIN
GROUP PROJECTS
A MILLION CUTS
CODING LOGIC C# script
This project focused mainly on exploring the possibilities of the laser cutting machine.
int k = 0; for(j = 0; j < ry; j++) { for(i = 0; i < rx; i++) { pt.Add(new Point3d(i, j,0.0)); if(i != 0 && j != 0){ Point3d mid = MidPt(pt[k], pt[k - rx + 1]); ln.Add(new Line(pt[k], mid + vec)); ln.Add(new Line(mid + vec, pt[k - rx + 1])); } k++; } }
With a sheet of wood veneer, we were tasked to create a design that embodies the phrase “million cuts”. A design that can only be done by machine, not by hand. For this non-studio project, since it was individual, I decided on a simple engraving pattern for a simple container.
DESIGN PROCESS
Grasshoppper
int i; int j; List<Point3d> pt = new List<Point3d>(); List<Line> ln = new List<Line>();
A = pt; B = ln; }
Sliders determine tilt of lines
Create vectors
// <Custom additional code> Point3d MidPt(Point3d p1, Point3d p2){ return p1 + (p2 - p1) *0.5;
Sliders create the amount of rows and columns
C# component generates the pattern
Panels for easierreference to details of eachoutput
FINAL PRODUCT
The initial pattern was an iteration of a simple horizontal line cutting accross a diagonal matrix. Using the horizontal line as a reference, the diagonal lines were then skewed to create an image like “fish scales”
The pattern was then varied accross different intensities of skewing the lines until a particular intensity was acheived
ALTERNATIVES
The pattern was then translated onto the four sides of the container, with the skewed lines running from top to bottom. Additional cutting with a penknife was used in order to prevent warping of the veneer under intense heat from the laser beam.
Left to right: Stool, flower pot, take-out box Apart from a container, the product seemed to take on other forms of use when looked at from different perspectives.
A MILLION CUTS
GROUP PROJECTS
SPATIAL JOINTS In this project, we were tasked to create a 3D shell structure from a planar stock of aluminium, using a water jet cutter. The joint would be treated as a parametric node. As such, the design of the node would have to adapt to subtle variations of curvature found in complex geometric envelopes. Given a template file marking out the pre-determined angle of separation
between each of the joints, the forms of the legs and securing system would be designed by us.
TESTING LOCKING SYSTEM
CONCEPT The inspiration behind this project was the tentacle of an octopus. To take a planar piece of wood and design the curvature such that the aluminium and plywood â&#x20AC;&#x153;mergeâ&#x20AC;? into each other fluidly.
Metal leg component Upper half of locking plate
This feature is emphasised by the exposed metal at the bottom of the wooden joints near the node.
JOINT DESIGN PROCESS
COMPONENTS
Lower half of locking plate
FABRICATION PROCESS Information is fed into the water jet cutter machine. The entire process has to be carefully observed in order to ensure the abrasive sediment feeding into the jet does not run out
For the legs, in order to provide extra strength and thickness, 2 pieces of wood were glued together to make one half of a joint.
Even after precision cutting by the water jet cutter, refining the metal pieces is key in ensuring the pieces all fit together without jamming. Polishing the pieces also will give the metal components more shine.
FINAL PRODUCT
SPATIAL JOINTS
GROUP PROJECTS
SCHOOL CAMPUS TAKE OVER
CODING THE DESIGN
This particular project challenged us to design, build and install a lightweight, spatial construct/experience within the school campus using computation methods. Materials provided to us were wooden dowels and a PLA 3D-printing spool. Each group is assigned wooden dowels are 12mm in diameter and can request up to 40m in total length, each dowel weighing 75grams. For this projects, our group decided to create a tall, free-standing structure which would emphasise on the vertical spacial experience within an area with a high ceiling. As such, we designed a
VISUALISATION
“twisted” tower which would be placed in the ground lobby of the school, where there is a triple volume space, surrounded by a spiral staircase.
The patter was derived with the aid of the Bezier function of Grasshopper plug-in
PROTOTYPING THE JOINTS
13 mm
13.5mm
14 mm
14.5mm
15 mm
Testing the hole thickness of the joints to ensure they will fit tightly on the wooden dowels and hold together
COMPONENTS
The main components of our installation piece include a 7 pentagons, which comprise of 5 wooden dowels and 5 3D-printed joints each which form one layer. Each layer is then joined to the next by another 5 wooden dowels, connecting to the pentagons corners These layers decrease in size and have a slight angle deviation to provide the “twisting” effect as the tower increase in height.
FINAL INSTALLATION
SCHOOL CAMPUS TAKE OVER
GROUP PROJECTS