Module 2- Design Evelyne Setiono Student No: 579870 Semester 2/2012 Group 3
Final Clay Model Recall the final clay model produced in module 1...
I decided to use this model for digitalisation in Rhino. This model was quite challenging to make in Rhino as the shape is quite odd and there are some sharp sections which might be difficult to mimic appropriately.
Initial Digitalisation Process For the digitalisation, the first step I did is translating the clay model into 3D model in Rhino. I did this using contouring method. I drew lines with interval 10 mm on the clay model which has been refrigerated. Refrigeration process was important to make sure lines could be drawn on the clay surface. I contoured it using lead pencil.
Front view
Right view
Then, I cut the model into sections according to the contoured lines. I labelled each section with numbers to identify the order of the sections, so that it will be easier to assemble in Rhino. I lined them in sequence on grid paper. The picture is shown on the left.
Top view
Initial Digitalisation Process The next thing to do is inputting the picture of the sections by using pictureframe command in Rhino. Using curve tool, I outlined the shape of each section. I manipulated the outlines according to the sections' shapes by adjusting the points which can be shown using Pon command. For the first trial, I stacked all of the outline sections on top of each other beginning by section number 1. I set a fixed interval of 5 mm between each section, then I used loft command to make a surface based on the outlines. It didn't turn out good as they didn't represent the original model and it didn't curve as it should be.
So, I tried to align the sections using the reference images I made into a picture box, however, it didn't work as it has different scale. I had to rescale every section to fit the image. In the end, I produced a model shown on the left. Reflection: It didn't imitate the model exactly and it was too long and lack of roundness.
Digitalisation Refinement
The sections were not aligned and out of size compared to the original clay model. It turned out that I didn't scale the embedded orthogonal pictures right. I decided to redo it and made the model as accurate as possible. I arranged the sections in the front view based on the contour lines on the clay model. In the perspective view, I re-adjusted the sections and manipulated some of the sections to achieve the desired shape of the model. I tried to do lofting and scaling for quite a long time, also adjusting the size of the model so it fits the picture box. I applied record history before lofting to make it easier to edit after lofting. It would automatically change when I adjusted some points or sections.
Digitalisation Refinement Head
Body
The finished model looked similar to the clay model and It is bulkier and rounder than the first attempt. Therefore, I decided to use this model for the panelling process.
The “head� of the model is rounder than before by adding more sections before lofting.
Tail
There is no twisting between joints. It is connected smoothly. The model shows a lot smoother surface which is advantageous in panelling the surface.
Panelling Process: Experiments 2D Basic Panelling Experiments
Module 2- Design
To familiarise myself in using panelling tools, I experimented using several basic 2D patterns available in Rhino. To create the panelling grid on the surface of the model, I used Surface Domain Number and set the number of spans into 30 in u direction and 15 in v direction.
Panelling Process: Experiments 3D Panelling Experiment
Module 2- Design
I also experimented with the panel 3D grid. I did this by offsetting the points on the surface by 20. The results are shown below.
Panelling Process: Experiments
Module 2- Design
Custom Panelling After seeing some of the tutorials for panelling, I tired to make custom shapes to fit on the model. First, I wanted to know how circles affect the form of the model. I made some shapes which contain circles on it as it represents the formation of bubbles. In 2D custom panelling, I designed bubble and disc patterns. As I panelled it on the model, the model lost is original form. Another thing is that the panelling didn't show surface on the model and therefore, it couldn't be unrolled and fabricated. There were spaces everywhere in the model. I also tried to use 3D custom panelling and it displayed the same result. It couldn't bind together into one whole form for fabrication. For this attempt, I explored the function of Pointattractors to arrange different sizes of pattern. I wanted to relate this pattern with my concept of effervescence where the bubbles increase in size as they rise up to the surface. The experiments result in failure as it didn't show the desired result.
Bubbles pattern
Sphere pattern
Disc pattern
Box pattern with spacing
Panelling Process: Experiments
Module 2- Design
Trefoil patterns
I began to think back to my process of effervescence in champagne, especially in the formation of bubbles on the surface. The bubbles combined together into several frame足work of bubbles. I tried to represent it into a more basic pattern which is called as trefoil where there were 3 circles chained together. Trefoil symbols are usually used in Gothic architecture as ornaments on window or door frames and walls. They are also used in other designed objects, such as lamp and jewellery
Prototype- to investigate the projection of light through shadows created by the pattern
Back to Concept... This concept is possible to reproduce in Rhino, however, it was very difficult to set the point attractors to achieve the desired result.
Holes are much more effective in describing a lantern as the projection of light is very important in designing the lantern. The distribution of holes should be considered.
Precedents Middlefart Savings Bank by 3XN Architects
This bank is built to ensure a perfect environment for the employees, while also pursuing high architecture quality in the future development. A large wooden structured roof covers the whole building. The openings of the roof are functioned to bring in abundant daylight from all directions. This gives the building its light and friendly atmosphere for working. The concept of lighting on the roof gives me idea for my lantern model. I remembered Professor Bharat Dave once told us in lecture that triangular patterns can form any other forms according to the division of the surface. Smaller divisions of surface (many small triangles) will produce smoother surface. Moreover, looking at how light penetrates through the roof, it gave me idea to use triangular holes for my lantern as it will produce different projections of light and shadows. These are the most important elements in lantern.
Precedents
Arthouse Cafe by Joey Ho
Module 2- Design
This cafe is interesting as the pattern itself defines the form and space of the cafe. It can be seen from the walls which are folded according to the triangular shapes. Additionally, the triangular windows pierce through the faceted walls and create abstract yet aesthetically pleasing environment. The concept of “pattern defines form� give me insight for panelling my model and create a lantern based on this concept.
Panelling Process: Final Model I decided to use triangular shapes for the patterns of my model. I incorporated this pattern with the idea of pressure inside the champagne bottle which affect the amount of bubbles produced. Pressure always move toward lower pressure. In this case it is described as the size of the triangular openings. The lower part will have smaller opening than the top part as bubbles move from inside the liquid solution to the surface (high pressure to low pressure). The patterns are shown on the right.
For the model, I used the combination of 2D and 3D custom panelling so that the model is not over-complicated. For the tail and head part, I used 3D patterns, while the body is using 2D pattern. First, I split the model into the 3 parts using rectangles and split command. Then, I created panelling grid around each part using Surface Domain Number. A problem occurred when I was doing this because when I create the grid on the head part, the grid would scatter around the whole model. To eliminate this problem, I ungrouped the points and manually regrouped them part by part. After that, I offset the points for the 3D panelling. Finally, I used Panel Custom 3D for the head and tail, and Panel custom 2D for the body part. Failure during experiment: When using 3D panelling for the whole model, but have been split into different parts, the model didn't flow well as they were not interconnected with each other. Therefore, I used the combination of 2D and 3D to overcome this problem.
Panelling Process: Final Model
Module 2- Design Head
Body
Tail
Prototyping: Testing Material
Module 2- Design
Before the actual fabrication, I need to test the material that I am going to use. Prototype is a good process to know the behaviour of the material and to analyse the scale of the model. For this prototype, I will create some sections of the head part. I copy the head part to a different file so that it will be easier to unroll. The first thing I did was identifying which part of the head should I chose. To form a semi-closed circular shape, I decided to chose the uppermost part and the layer underneath it. It required much time to unroll because it was in 3D, thus I chose to unroll the faces only for time-efficient. I ungroupped and exploded the head part into separate surfaces. As suggested by the tutor, I unrolled it by strips using ptUnrollFaces command.
Prototyping: Testing Material For testing the materiality of the prototype, the surfaces of the unrolled parts must be eliminated. I used DupBorder command to duplicate the outlines of the surfaces so that it can be printed and cut afterwards. The next thing I did was creating the tabs for each section. I did it manually by outlining the border with lines and offset it to 4 mm. Then, I connected that offset lines with the unrolled border to make the tabs.
I place the finished patterns into an A4 size box and label them in numbers to know which one is which. I used manual cutting process, therefore I could print these patterns in a regular A4 paper.
Prototyping: Testing Material
Module 2- Design
Materials: A sheet of black card 200 gsm Printed patterns on A4 paper Cutter Steel ruler PVA glue Cutting mat Tape (to keep paper in place) 5mm superbright LEDs (White) CR2032 Batteries Making Process: Step 1: I placed the printed patterns on top of the black card and keep them in place with tapes. Step 2: I cut the pattern based on the outline tabs and the triangles. Step 3: After cutting, I fold the tabs inward with the help of ruler or sharp edges. Step 4: I glued the tabs of the 2 sections together and let it dry for a couple minutes. Comments: The triangular holes were too wide therefore the spacing between each section were very thin. For next time, I need to give more spacing between the fold lines.
Prototyping: Lighting Effect
The light which penetrate through the prototype was as I desired. Different positions of LEDs affect various shadows. Because the top part has a big hole, and therefore couldn't maximise the formation of shadows, I decided to put a temporary cover with triangular holes on it. Based on this prototype, I think that I might complement black card and ivory card for the real scale model as it creates beautiful shadows when lighted and the materials are easy to work with as they are flexible.
Final Model
Module 2- Design
Reflection and Evaluation
Module 2- Design
Technology has been developed very rapidly these past few years. It affects all parts of life, especially in design. Nowadays, architectural design can be created using computer or more specifically CAD (Computer Aided Design). Rhino is one of the programs which take the observation of reality into a designed model with accurate computation and can represent the observation. The reading “Lost in Parameter Space?” by Scheurer, F and Stehling, H explain this concept into 2 keywords, which are abstraction (reducing complexity) and reduction (eliminating redundancies). These are applied to my model making in Rhino as I altered different parts of the model so that it can be panelled and I eliminate some parts which are not necessary, for example the sections before lofting. I didn’t use the mathematical approach for this model as I focused more into an abstract natural process which is effervescence process. Moreover, I am inspired by the precedents given by Paul Loh which described pattern as material organisation, for example Ali Qapu Palace in Isfahan, Iran which make use of the building itself as musical instrument. He also introduced the concept of biomimicry which I think is much related to what I am doing now which is taking the exploration of natural process into designed object which resemble that process. The lecture given by Professor Bharat Dave and the reading “Material Behavior” by Moritz Fleischmann talked about similar thing which is materiality. I learn that “material behavior computes form”; therefore, I need to know the properties of the materials I will be using for my lantern model to know the shape of the model. Similarly, Professor Bharat Dave gave me insight to add “movement” element in my lantern, for example interactivity which affect the projection of light and shadows created by the lantern, also the movement of light in space. I quite pleased with the model I developed in Rhino, however, there were some refinements should be done before fabrication, such as reducing the size of the triangular holes which results to more space to fold between sections and rescaling the model to suit the size of the desired lantern. This module is very challenging and time-consuming, however from this module, I became to understand 3D modelling and different types of materials and their properties.
References
Module 2- Design
Arthouse Cafe by Joey Ho- http://blog.juliohimede.com/2011/12/21/triangular-windows-pierce-thefaceted-walls-that-fold-around-at-the-arthouse-cafe-by-joey-ho-china/ Middlefart Savings Bank by 3XN Architects http://www.archdaily.com/57217/middelfart-savings-bank-3xn/ Scheurer - Parameter Space (2011) Fleischman - Material Behavior (2012)