ADS3: Air Progress Journal by Elizabeth Caltabiano

Air

ADS AIR 2012 | Architectural Discourse Elizabeth Caltabiano Progress Journal David Lister

contents PA R T I

PA R T I I

1.1 STATE OF THE ART .05 Contemporary Computational Design Precedents Babiy Yar Memorial | Kokkugia Absolute Towers | Ma Yansong/ MAD Architects

2.1 SITE ANALYSIS .30 An exploration of the site attributes and Wyndhams proposal

PERSONAL .11 Own Project Final Pavillion Design 2011 - Forest Veil

DEVELOPMENT .32 Sketch examples of suggested design resolution

CONTEMPORARY .12 Scripting Cultures An exploration of computational design in practice

RECYCLE & RESOLVE? .34 An initial idea based on results of fabrication and close analysis of Site A

1.2 THE MATRIX .18 input+association+output = definition A series of combinations to produce radical design concepts

MATERIALITY & MOCKUP .36 Researching appropriate materials and creating a sketch model

MATERIAL EFFECTS .22 Exploring the effects of light upon the fabricated matrix combinations chosen

FABRICATION .38 Methodical explanation of hand made models

CUT: RESEARCH PROJECT Reverse engineering and fabrication

PHOTOGRAPHY .45 Lighting effects and Stop Motion Images

.24

1.3 EOI: CONCLUSION .27 A summary and proposal based on results of fabrication

FINAL PRESENTATION PANELS .50 The two A1 presentation boards presented to the panel

1.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES: INTERIM .29 Learning Curve

LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES: FINAL .53 Afterglow

State of the

Art 1.1

The following chapter is the basis of the Expression of Interest document, regarding the Wyndham Gateway design proposal. State of the art precedents have been explored which reflect the computational approach being taken in our studio,Architecture Design Studio: Air, to create the final desired outcome of a successful highway installation.

Parametric mdoelling is pivotal in our design process and embodies methods currently undertaken in the industry. By looking at highly regarded firms such as Kokkugia and MAD Architects, as well as well known scripting teams, that of Mark Fornes’ and Sawapan our contemporary design approach is given creative guidance.At the conclusion of this research we will have a better viewpoint from which to commence work in programs such as Rhino using the Grasshopper plug-in.

Babiyyarmemorial “A space that emerges from the landscape within a somber stone monolith - an inverted monument”

ADS AIR 2012 | STATE OF THE ART

Babiy yar memorial | Kokkugia Kokkugia has designed a space of “rich and intricate detail”, however the interior lacks consistency and relevance to the outside elements. This, I believe is an indication of the pitfalls engendered throughout the advancement of architectural discourse. Through the interaction of agent-based components, a space of remembrance is generated. In relation to the Western Gateway Design brief however, I intend to incorporate the virtuosity and exquisite detail of which Kokkugia has represented in their memorial project. The of the purely speculative project exudes qualities that translate directly to the highway installation.

AbsoluteTowers

Absolute Towers | Ma Yansong/ MAD Architects

Absolute Towers | Ma Yansong/ MAD Architects Although seemingly simple in design, Yansong’s casually twisted high rise towers provide a beacon for the city of Mississauga. The towers themselves seem to radiate a promising future for the skyline of the western part of the Greater Toronto Area. A new standard has been set that ensures the progression of a newer, refreshed architectural discourse.

MAD Architects have created a digitally designed building - pretentious in its height yet guileless in its form, of which emanates the beauty of organic architecture and the effect an appropriate level of parametric design can create. It has been recognised as a sculptural form of which has a similar purpose to the Gateway proposal. Through the integration of Yansong’s forward looking approach, an upgrade of the Wyndam City’s image can be better achieved.

ForestVeil Pavillion | Elizabeth Caltabiano ‘Forest Veil’, a memorial pavillion dedicated to the Black Saturday bushfires, is a project I designed in response to a brief requiring a pavillion in RMIT’s Bowen Street. Through the process of Digitisation and Fabrication I was able to appropriately convey my idea for a 3-part plywood pavillion - using CNC machines to pierce the wood and create an enlightening experience as the participant walks through. The design embodies the surroundings as well as evoking the emotional tie to Black Saturday. I believe this has been and always will be at the crux of the architectural discourse - architecture that elicits a sense of symbolism and meaning. The pavillion is a very relevant example I am passionate about and evidently a very effective way of illustrating my link to the requirements of the proposed installation.

scripting cultures

THE VERY MANY | Mark Fornes

THE VERY MANY | MARK FORNES THE VERY MANY directed by Mark Fornes is an unequiovocal example of the effects of contemporary computational design techniques. The most up to date programs, plug ins and scripting interfaces such as Rhino and Python are used to create forms that incite emotion and evoke a tangible form presenting the “creative capacities of computing”.

As Dr. Stanislav Roudavski states in Architecture Australia,“New methods change the conventional relationships between such fundamental categories as idea generation...”. This is evident throughout the work of The Very Many. The ambition of this firm is to deliberately play with the risky conflict between research and design. Their “messy and non linear” approach to the design process is actually deeply rule based and which contrasts directly to Kalay’s methodical recipes for design solutions in the text “Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer Aided Design.

“Sensory Manipulation” SAWAPAN DESIGNS | Sawako & Panagiotis

SAWAPAN DESIGNS Sawapan Designs, of which Sawako and Panagiotis are the leading designers are parametric design researchers and conduct their own findings based on information given to them from iconic architects such as Zaha Hadid etc. As a team they have designed their own software - a plug in for rhino. Flash examples of their work demonstrate various interactive based designs. Also they have developed Graphemes and Topostruct. Graphemes is an experimental design program based on graph theory and a dynamic spring force model. It has two main functions. First the design of 2 and 3 dimensional structures through the use of topological opertions where the emphasis of the interface design is on connectivity of nodes. “Our research aims in developing design solutions that respect criteria of structural efficiency and architectural intentions by interrogating the intrinsic properties of forms and their embedding space.”

The main function of the program is to try and develop the structural intuition of the user by providing fast structural analysis of the design system. Hence one can observe in near real time how changes in the connectivity graph of a space frame affect its structural behaviour. There are two versions created by Sawapan, graphemes and graphemes_sound. The only difference is that graphemes_sound is compiled with direct sound support and has some experimental features of sonification of the current sructure and its dynamics. The complexity of the program translates simply in practice and is ultimately an indication of the intuitive nature of parametric modelling software.

Research Project

matrix case study material effects 1.2

This chapter explores the application of parametric design in practice. For example, through the repetitive process of installing input, association and output we determine a customized definition. This definition can then be applied to a form and fabricated offsite then transported to the desired location.

The process of fabrication is experienced first hand in this chapter, and the tedious activity of deconstructing and labelling the model is illustrated. Evidently, the arduous process is well worth it as the clean, crispness of the laser cut result emulates a quality otherwise unattainable through manual cutting.

the MATRIX

Image Sampler + Data Driven Rotation By manipulating various sliders the density as well as u/v direction of the geometry was changed. This initial test proved to be a popular outcome from all members of the group and the focus of density and scale of geometry became a recurring theme.

Image Sampler + Maths Function This sequence was developed using a very specific image created in Photoshop with the uppercase letter ‘W’ as the key component. The W in this instance represents Wyndham and is directly denoting its significance in putting the town on the map, as per the Gateway Design proposal brief. This design has been chosen for further exploration.

Image Sampler + Data Driven Rotation This sequence, although fairly generic as a result provided some interesting exploration possibilities. Through the use of the circles with varying densities the potential for a three dimensional perforated form has been discussed among the group.

Image Sampler + Rotation The definition created here was done purely by accident and it’s almost difficult to define how it was done as there were many errors within the components. However the effect it created was regarded by the group as one of the more engaging combinations.

Overlapping Patterns + Maths Function + Rotation The sequence involved distribution of overlapping grids of circles according to a random maths function. The inputs of the function were adjusted, as were the radii of the circles to produce different effects. Ultimately, this was one of our preferred matrix definitions and it was decided that it would be further developed.

Overlapping Patterns + Image Sampler + Extrusion The sequence was initially illustrating an overlapping grid of hexagons - the size of which was parametrically linked to the brightness of an image. The density and radius of the geometry were then manipulated to produce interesting overlaps. Extrusion was applied, however the effectiveness of the 2D contrast of the grids ruled out this output.

Fabricate

The Overlap The effect of the ordered perforations combined with the randomised type, of which were at a different scale emulates the desired effect our screens should achieve. If we were to have a series of these accross the landscape the patterns the lighting will create should be eye capturing. Here we could work both with natural and unnatural lighting depending on what hour of the day it is.

The W - Density & Image Sampling Through fabrication we realised that much of the depth behind the symbolism of the ‘W’ image was lost. We decided that this was an unsuccessful path to persue fundamentally, however the lighting effects offered were too effective to ignore altogether. This was one of the light bulb moments in which we decided we wanted to be able to manipulate light through the perforations and ultimately create some kind of spotlighted facade structure.

AirspaceTokyo

Cut:Reverse-EngineeredCaseStudy AirspaceTokyo|HajimeMasubuchi/StudioM Airspace Tokyo is a mixed-used residential and commercial building designed by Hajime Masubuchi of Studio M. The facade of this building is an example of how parametric modelling can be used to create a design that serves multiple functions; acting as a cultural reference to the preexisting site while serving the practical purpose of limiting views and light between the interior and exterior of the building.

By recreating the vonoroi screen in Grasshopper with a parametric definition, a cardboard model of this pattern was able to be fabricated. This allowed us to explore the physical features of the design, playing light and composition, giving us an understanding of how this screen may act in the situation of the Wyndham Gateway. The parametric techniques acquired through both the culmination of the matrix and reverse engineered case study could be extended in the future by implementing performance driven design approaches.

Expression Of Interest

conclusion 1.3

The city of Wyndham will greatly benefit from this project we have now named WYNDSCREEN. The design approach we intend to direct this project with will produce an installation that will be reflected upon. Using the precedents explored previously combined with a trial and error process using the Grasshopper plugin in Rhino, my group - with members Leigh Hawkswood, Steph Longmore Dodd and Blair Scott - came to the potential design proposal for the Wyndham Gateway Site. From the very beginning we found that the manipulation of light could resolve the need for an intensely effective sculptural statement and we pursued this direction even further. From our selection of two relatively generic Grasshopper combinations - the ‘W’ and overlapping patterns technique - we were better able to envision the possible effects of perforations once we had fabricated.

We believe our model photos, although relatively amateur in their delivery, unearth an ingenuity only achieved through the filtration of light between the exposed piercings of materials. After careful consideration and a new focus based on the Cut: Research Project we explored, we have now drawn our focus to the ‘Moire effect’. This pattern incoporates the overlapping grids definition we explored closely, though it is more developed. A Moire effect can only be achieved if the grids are overlaid at an angle or have a slightly different mesh. Therefore we now have a clear direction of what we must do to create this quality. The group also considered the potential for a series of panels which, using a layered technique, creates the patterned effect as the driver passes by. Although seemingly ambitious in theory, we believe that we should be able to effectively convey our proposal with extensive research depicting the various sun patterns on the proposed site as well as through an exploration of appropriate scale and materials for the Gateway location.

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

interim 1.4

The progression of this studio has come with many challenged and obstacles. Even from Day 1, I was intimidated by the prospect of not knowing or understanding the full capabilities of parametric modelling and unsure whether this would put me behind everyone else and leave me unable to produce a developed final outcome. Being a second year Architecture student, instilled me with some doubts. However, through the weekly tutorials and readings I began to build an understanding and respect for the forward thinking design technique that will undoubtedly play a pivotal role in my future. Parametric modelling presents an exciting way to analyse structure but also to consider efficiency in material use among other qualtiies.

Interestingly, I have enjoyed working within a group after being so used to designing and building a design narrative independently. I think this was the best arrangement made within the course as it really gives the students a feel for industry based design practices. Between the four of us, we have managed to teach one another a new skill and apply it to either our journal, the software or even our entire design repertoire. This would not have been achieved had we have worked alone. The prospect of the next chapter ‘Step II’ is both exciting and nerve wracking. Yet based on my groups current position I believe we can create an effective, well thought out design proposal.

high resolution aerial view of site

Site Analysis

ay view of southbound, princess freeway, site a

night view of southbound, northfacing, princess freeway

A Brief Study According to the Wyndham city project background, significant works are being undertaken in order to upgrade the condition and “aesthetics of [Wyndham’s] streetscapes, open spaces and parks”. “The installation may be composed of single or multiple elements. It may be structural or landscape resonse, or a balance of the two, however, it is a requirement that the gateway will make a significant impact”. From the requirements illustrated in the brief my group and I have considered uing the land more effectively than we originally intended. We are now contemplating the result of excavating a part of the main mound located accross the extent of site -A.

Development A diagrammatical exploration of the chosen site - Site A, and the potential placement of a series of perforates screens. The proposal for a section of site to be exacavated is also expounded upon.

Mock-up A clay model interpretation

The mock up model shown above illustrates the hill excavation concept. Evidently, we wish to remove the central part of the mound (of which has been immensely exaggerated to clearly show our intent) and replace it with a series of screens that reflect the contours of this part of the hill. In the mock up each screen depicts a wave effect to further illustrate the undulating nature of the hill, however it may be enough to keep it purely horizontal and use the varying heights to capture the sunlight through each layer. This mockup does not show our idea to incorporate perforations unfortunately, but this is an idea we intend to demonstrate.

Perforations & Moire Geometry In order to achieve the desired Moire effect our design must utilise a series of layers with a selected geometry on each panel. The specific geometry to be placed on each screen will be explored later however; now we can be sure that our design will be successful.

Site Plan 1:2000 Site Plan 1:2000

site plan - 1:500

Site Plan 1:1500 Site Plan 1:1500

Elevation 1:1500 elevation - 1:1500 Elevation 1:1500

270m

270m 8m

8m 280m

280m

300m

Dimensions Dimensions

Screens rendered with Corten effect

site plan - 1:2000

3.6m

P A T T E R N C O A resembling T T leaves E R WYND N The organicP pattern The integration organic pattern resembling of leaves refers to the of organic its sit to theespecially integration elements inrefers the design, the of organic with the elements in theItdesign, especially the vegetation and topography. is also an topogra 3.6m iconic symbol of Wyndham reflecting It is also SCREE vegetation andCity, topography. an the shape iconic of the Seeds of Change but rem symbol of Wyndham City, reflecting sculpture, thus linking of thethe Wyndham experie the shape Seeds of Change Gateway with this existing landmark. mimics sculpture, thus linking This the Wyndham encourages Gateway further with contemplation of site, wh this existing landmark. This WYND SCREEN beyondfurther first glance, as stability encourages contemplation of viewers are WYND reminded of it further down panels SCREEN beyond first glance, as the highway.viewers are reminded of it furtherfrom downa to the the highway.

RecycleandResolve:LandExcavation? After careful consideration of the land and its overwhelmingly large scale on Site A, we have decided to only excavate a small amount from the mound. Our initial proposal to excavate the entire central section of the hill proved to be a redundant and unnecessary exercise as it could be a waste of money and materials to fill the hill with screens that wont be seen from the target audience’s eye. The technical drawings on the previous page illustrate our new proposal to create three perforated screens that cut subtly into the lower contours of the hill.

On each side of Site A these screens will provide a spectacle for the driver’s who are driving by at a speed of 80km/h. The speed of the experience is perfect for what we have explained we intend to apply to the screens. WYNDSCREEN will be an intuitive and practical design that shows respect for the current landscape as well as implying an innovative construct.

materiali a l i t y

Caixa Forum | Herzog & de Meuron Achim Menges, in his article ‘Material Resourcefulness: Activating Material Information in Computational Design’, explores how modern design techniques allow material information to be used within computational design processes, generating an architecture which utilizes the innate properties of materials as opposed to treating all material as a homogenous and passive property of design. The Caixa Forum is illustrative of this approach. According to Herzog & de Meuron “The only material of the old power station that we could use was the classified brick shell. In order to conceive and insert the new architectural components of the CaixaForum Project, we began with a surgical operation, separating and removing the base and the parts of the building no longer needed”.

Sakura House | Mount Fuji Architects Publicity Works, Barry St. Carlton (photo courtesy of group member - Blair Scott) Mount Fuji Architects have adopted the approach of using thin, transparent membranes which is achieved through their chosen material; 3mm thick lace-like steel. Inspiration from this project as well as the ‘stumbled-upon’ Publicity Works, and has been incoporated into our considerations for appropriate material, given the functionality of our design.

Initial combination of varying circle radii

Developed to reveal voroni-esque angular cicrles

Manipulate to express the geometry of a leaf inspired loosely by the Leaves of Change installation

Short relapse to explore the effect of plain circles on screens, though the leaf design took priority and was further explored

Snapshot of final screen projection with perforations and required border clearly expressed

lines placed at 3 degree angle

270m

280m

300m

3.6m

diagram of dimensions

Process Using Rhino & Grasshopper In Grasshopper one geometry was initially used; the custom 2D leaf shape - similar to that of the ‘Leaves of Change’ sculpture at the other end of the Freeway. This shape was then applied to the scaled rectangular surfaces of each of the screens, Using the geometry compnent again, we then manipulated a series of rectangles to fit within the leaf shapes at 2mm intervals. This pattern was then baked and we arranged this 2D geometry manually in Rhino using the trim tool to depict the perforations.

As we had trouble producing the middle screen, which had perforations placed at a slight degree of rotation ( which created the moire effect combined with the other two vertical screens) we decided to copy and manipulate the already baked geometry of the vertical screens which proved to be easier and more effective.

Fabricate Construction of Final Models 1:500 Site Model 1:200 Site Model Section 1: 50 Detail Model

Model Making Process The following chapter elucidates the process by which we fabricated our chosen highway design. Reflecting on the process thus far, has led my team and I to understand the overwhelming nature of parametric modelling. The model must be fully thought out and considerations of scale and other spatial qualties cannot be simply ‘fudged’. In saying this though, we were able to manipulate certain elements in the process due to potetial increased aesthetic effect.

It was initially very difficult to settle on an approriate scale for our models as there were a number of aspects that were a challenge to represent tactically. The lengthiness of the design restricted us from doing a full scale model any larger than 1:500, therefore we decided on a section of the site represented at 1:200. Overall, we believe each of the models represents a number of important elements that make up our design and sets it apart from others.

1:200 The screens were created to scale in Rhino then exported as an Illustrator file which was then saved as a PDF and printed to an A1 sheet. Unfortunately, we were unable to use a lasercutter so we decided to etch onto 1.5mm card using the printed A1 sheet as the guide. We used this same method for the base. It should be noted however, the design’s potential to be easily and efficiently lasercut/CNC fabricated.

The scale of the model illustrates the height of the panels in relation to the hill on the site. It also highlights the scale in relation to the cars passing by, which is one of the most important elements that influenced the design. The appropriateness of the perforations size to achieve maximum effect of the moire pattern has evidently been considered. As well as this the idea of the screens splicing into the hill is demonstrated clearly in this model. The wire is seperated between the screens showing an attempt to meld the man-made with the natural.

1:500 Using the class site model as a guide we created the 6 strips and central mound, along the expanse of Site A. This illustrates the lengthiness of the design, yet determines its appropriateness on the chosen location. It also clearly shows the relationship between the screens on either side of the mound.

1:20 Detail Model This model represents the structural details of the perforated screens. Cement footings placed at either end of the 6m long screens are demonstrated by the aluminium wedged into the clay. The joinery technique illustrated by the black card, shows the finger joints of which each screen is able to be slotted into one another creating a seamless, efficient assemblage technique. The burnt orange colour of the aluminium suggests the Corten material that makes up the entirety of the design. This 5mm corten has been CNC laser cut in a factory and used as cladding for the packed material between the two sheets. The screens have then been transported to Site A on trucks and assembled relatively easily.

The use of Corten elicits a sense of the organicism and call to natural elements which the design engenders. The material rusts over time, due to natural weathering demonstrating a design that embraces change and seems to be constantly revived by the surrounds of the cyclical change of the landscape. Following on with the concept of change and revival, the planter box detail shown in this model represents where Phormium plants will be placed. This drought tolerant plant was chosen as it requires minimal maintenance and is widely available being commonly used in public landscaping. The variegated colour of the plants complements the Corten and natural palette of the site.

Photography

captured: lighting effects and stop motion The completed models are evidence of a proposal we consider to be highly successful and illustrative of our original design intent. Lighting effects proved to be our most important asset and convey the beauty of the design much more lyrically than any render or photo montage. In saying this, our final presentation makes use of these architectural images to best describe its harmonious setting within the site.

ADS AIR 2012 | CUT PROJECT

ADS AIR 2012 | FABRICATION

ADS AIR 2012 | 558407 Elizabeth Caltabiano

FINAL PRESENTATION for

WYNDSCREEN The final presentation made to the panel by our team Blair Scott, Steph Dodd, Leigh Hawkswood & Elizabeth Caltabiano. Two A1 sized panels as well as three scaled models were presented alongside a stop motion movie of the Moire effect achieved in our design

Site Plan 1:2000

Site Plan 1:1500

Elevation 1:1500 270m

280m

300m

3.6m

Dimensions

Screens rendered with Corten effect

P A T T E R N The organic pattern resembling leaves refers to the integration of organic elements in the design, especially the vegetation and topography. It is also an iconic symbol of Wyndham City, reflecting the shape of the Seeds of Change sculpture, thus linking the Wyndham Gateway with this existing landmark. This encourages further contemplation of WYND SCREEN beyond first glance, as viewers are reminded of it further down the highway.

C O N T E X WYND SCREEN responds to the co of its site by integrating the built ele with the landscape, which is also the topographic feature in the vicinity. W SCREEN becomes part of the land but remains dynamic through its M experience. The curve of the p mimics the existing elongated curve site, which also enhances the stru stability of the form. The scale o panels is appropriate to the view from a moving vehicle and resp to the existing topography of the

T ontext ement e only WYND dscape Moiré panels of the uctural of the wpoint ponds e site.

S T R U C T U R E The simple structure of WYND SCREEN allows for state-of-the-art offsite computer-aided fabrication and efficient onsite installation. P L A N T S Phormium plants were chosen as they are drought tolerant, require minimal maintenance and are widely available being commonly used in public landscaping. The variegated colour of the plants complements the Corten and natural palette of the site.

Detailed Section illustrating structure

Plants: Phormium

DESIGN PROCESS The design is the product of extensive experimentation, selection and refinement of ideas through generative parametric modeling techniques. Key ideas that were explored in the Expression of Interest proposal and expanded upon during the rationalisation phase include overlapping and offset patterns using image sampler associations. Computer aided design enables innovative design and fabrication techniques. MOIRÉ EFFECT We gave consideration to the high-speed movement of the vehicles that would provide the primary viewpoint of the form and decided to incorporate a Moiré effect into the design. Our investigations into the creation of Moiré effects concluded that repetitive vertical elements create the most dynamic effect. As such, we refined our design to incorporate vertical perforations, rather than the polygonal perforations initially explored. WYND SCREEN will never become static as it responds to a range of time scales: it is a dynamic experience that changes over the course of time it takes to drive past it; the effects of light and shadows vary over the course each day, and the structure will develop over the years as the materials weather and the plants grow.

WYNDSCREEN

Learning Objectives & Outcomes

final

Afterglow & Future Anticipations The knowledge I am now equipped with at the conclusion of this course is overwhelming. From initially having only a basic understanding of Rhino, I now feel competent enough to use plugins such as Grasshopper to develop a sophisticated resonse to a real-world brief. Early stages of groupwork illustrated our combined interest in perforations and various patterns of illusion. The Moire effect related closely to our idea of what parametric design is, and through feedback from our tutors, Dave & Jerome, we were able to mould and manipulate this idea and apply it to the constraints of our brief. After a semester of being immersed in the program, I feel that I not only have a comprehensive undrstanding of industry based methods of parametric design, but I am able to apply this understanding to everyday design processes. For example, I am currently using Rhino & Grasshopper to create a small collection of laser cut plywood jewellry. The components in Grasshopper I utilise are very simila if not exact to that which was used in the Gateway Proposal Design. Evidently, parametric design embodies an infinite amount of possibilities.

The area of Architecture by which I’m most passionate is that which overlaps with fashion. I believe fashion and architecture are intrinsically linked and that one could not exist without the other. Calling on popular designers such as Atelier Manferdini as a perfect example of the effect of computational design in creating not only exquisite buildings but elaborate collections of clothing. The potentiality of this cross-over is something that has been buried in my mind ever since I commenced my Architectural studies, though with the help of this program I am now able to better envision this idea tactically. I am excited for what the future might bring, and what continues to brew in the world of parametric modelling.