STUDIO AIR JOURNAL SEMESTER 1 2011 EVA YI FANG 335615
ABPL30048_2012_SM1:ArchitectureDesignStudio:Air
Journal HongSheng Low 395842
CONTENTS Part 1 Preface Week 1 Architecture as a Discourse Week 2 Computing in Architecture Week 3 Parametric Modelling Bibliography Part 2 EOI Expression of Interest Learning outcomes Research project conclusion Bibliography
PREFACE Architecture as a discourse “ARCHITECTURE needs to be thought less as a set of special material products and rather more as range of social and professional practices that sometimes, but by no means always, lead to buildings” (Williams: 2005) Architecture as a profession that embraces both aesthetic appreciation and functionality has a profound influence on the social and cultural development throughout human history. Apart from being a set of special material products, the progress of architecture practice not only reflects the current social and technological state but also foresees the future lifestyle. Therefore, it is significant to regard architecture as a discourse that connects a network of practices and debates about the built environment. Particularly, in the information age, it is critical to consider the impact of digital technology on architectural design as well as the potential discourse. That is, the new possibilities in architecture that introduced by computing design to solve the exiting problems and create a desired environment. Following the topic of STUIDO AIR, semester 1, 2011, this journal will argue a new architectural discourse associates with the computational technology in terms of spatial experience. This argument is framed by studying the related precedents along with the exploration of the Wyndham city’ Gateway project.
WEEK 1 “Architecture ought to be seen as DISCOURSE”
ARCHITECTURE AS ART According to Williams (2005), architecture as an important manner of visual culture can be treated as art due to its scale, cost and requirement of public patronage. Although the understanding of architecture as art is dominant, it is problematic as it excludes the multiple types of architecture and the multiple meanings of architecture. Therefore, rather than simplifying architecture into its artistic function, it is necessary to recognize it as a discourse which highly connects to other disciplines and challenges the built environment. For that matter, in the brief of the Wydham city’s gate design, the clients not only asked for the aesthetic function of the installation, but also expected the design to promote a new architecture discourse which embraces a network of practices and indicates the contemporary technologies.
Parthenon
regular form lead bearing walls
Germany Pavilion
columns support free plan, regular geometry
irregular form dynamic facade
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RCHITECTURE as a discourse has been changed profoundly throughout the history. In particular, some significant projects indicated the turning points of the changes.
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ince the built of Parthenon, the classical languages of architecture have constructed a profound foundation for the development of traditional architecture. As can be seen from the structure as well as the materiality of Parthenon, the traditional buildings appear to be solid and supported by the load-bearing walls. So the plan arrangement was limited due to the definite wall layout, and the spatial experience was also restricted to certain volumes as a result of the uniformed structure.
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owever, the tradition of the pre-defined plan and the load-bearing walls in the architecture discourse has been challenged radically by the modern architecture movement in early 20th century. The Germany Pavilion in 1929 is an illustrative example of these revolutionary buildings that promoted the ideas of free plan and created blurring internal-external spatial experience. In helping with the new material technologies of the steel and glass, Mies Van Der Rohe used the simplified columns as the load-bearing structure and divided the space freely. As a result, a new spatial experience of the free plans has been introduced along with the updated architecture discourse.
Guggenheim Museum
Congress Center
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n 1997, the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao designed by Frank Gehry attracted the worldwide attention at the time. The façade of the museum is made of the organic and curving shape of medal and organized in a random order. Breaking the previous convention of the regular form and plan, Gehry used the extreme plastic form in the façade to create a distinct look and spatial experience. In helping with the 3D modeling software in the late 20th century, Gehry’s innovative and bold form signaled a new architecture discourse in the post modernism of individualized design and diverse forms. Different from the philosophy of Mies, who believes the perfect geometries and “less is more”(Richard: 2005), the architects in the post modern period like Frank Gehry found “ less is a bore” (Richard : 2005) and pursued a more fluid and brave expression of architecture.
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lso, the Congress Center in Rome designed by Massimiliano Fuksas, traced the brave design of Gehry. It used the cloudy shape to form the whole space, which framed both an attractive appearance and an interesting internal space. Moreover, rather than the clarified structure and load bearing walls in the previous building design, it used the free-stand cloudy volume for the whole building. For that matter, it promoted the new architecture discourse in terms of the curvilinear shape as well as the possibilities of the free-standing structural system.
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oth the Guggenheim museum and the Congress center attempted a revolutionary design approach and embraced a new architecture discourse. In particular, the curvilinear shape of the buildings not created an eye-catching look but also produced a distinct spatial experience. Similarly, in the brief of Wyndham city’s gate design, the council asked for an aesthetic installation with exciting appearance, but also a design exams the new architecture discourse. Learning from these precedents, when considering the gateway design, it is important to explore a new architecture discourse with the appreciation of the contemporary technology—computing design.
CROSSING THE RIVER DESIGNING ENVIRONMENT SEM 2 2009 EVA YI FANG
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ROSSING THE RIVER is an organic foot bridge that connects the Federation Square and Alexandra Garden. Federation Square as a centralized social and political space has a distinct spatial and cultural quality compared to the opposited Alexandra Garden which embraces the natural landscape. On one hand, the bridge adapts the timber material and organic form to embrace the nature to accommodate the feeling of Alexandra Garden. On the other hand, it inserted several recreational platforms to inherent the social gathering in the federation square. Thus, the foot bridge is critical to act as a transactional space between these different sites.
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ikely, the Wyndham city’s Gateway on the Princes high way also performs as a transaction between the country and Melbourne city. So it is equally crucial to consider the difference between the two destinations and build a successful transaction in between.
WEEK 2 “Computerization VS computation “
As it was argued in the lecture, the dominant method of utilizing computers in architecture today is that of computerization, in which the design concept have already framed in the designer’s mind and just be represented and communicated through digital media. However, the computation, which is a design tool that integrates the computing technology into the design process, is still limited. The reading (Kalay : 2004)further demonstrates this argument by emphasizing the logical, rational and objective qualities of the computerization design but doubts the creativity of it. In my point of view, the new architectural discourse, which is tightly related to the computing design in the modern time, should promote the sense of computation rather than satisfied with the computerization. That is, rather than separating the design thinking from the digital tools, we should involve the computing technologies from the beginning and insert them into the whole design process. Only in this way, the advantages of the computing design could be maximized and deeply utilized in the architecture.
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y using the computation, which integrates the computing technology through the whole design process, some revolutionary space has been created. According to Greg Lynn (2004), written in his Folding in architecture, the computational design creates the “calculated based form”, so that enables an innovative flow and continuous geometry for buildings. That is, “a unifying figure whereby different segments and plans are joined and merging in lines and volumns.” (Lynn : 2004). Also, he mentioned that the importance of considering the transctional space and making a smooth surface.
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he Shoei Yoh’s roof for the Odawara Sports Center in Japan demonstrates Lynn’s idea of the folding geometry in practice. Thanks to the standard elements of the structure in the fabrication process, the Shoei Yoh’s roof abandoned the traditional posts as supports and utilized the continuous folding form all around the building. In addition, different from the random forms in some postmodern architecture ( such as Congress Center discussed in the previous chapter), the roof’s supply structure exhibits a logic approch as it is continuously differentiated according to contingencies. Rather than simply increasing the depth of the roof truss to bear the wind and snow loads, Shoei experimented with the deforming of the structure via computer simulation to find the optimum shape. And this automatic deformation made by the lateral forces resulted in an organic and irregular form.
BAMBOO FOR UCHINO AND NAIJU OF CHIKUHO TOWN, FUKUOKA SHOEI YOH HAMURA, 1995
CHANGES OF ARCHITECTURAL DISCOURSE classical architecture
regular form lead bearing walls
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modern architecture
columns support free plan, regular geometry
postmodern architecture
irregular form dynamic facade
computing design
continuours form folding
he innovations of the folding form as well as the precise simulation of the geometry according to the natural forces not only indicated a new architectural discourse enabled by the logic computing design but also satisfied the scale and site condition in the gateway project. As the councils are asking for an eye-catching installation in an open landscape, the fluid form can be introduced as it can easily expand through the large site. Also, the wind forces and weather changes in the highway are also common phenomena which could be utilized to attract attentions. So the installation might be able to build a dynamic form influenced by the natural forces along the highway. For example, it is possible to utilize the changing wind forces along the Princes highway as a parameter to determine the basic geometric form of the installation and applied the folding structure along the proposed sites to indicate the computational design discource. However, although the continuous form of the roof is aesthetic appreciated, it is weak in expressing the treansactional space quality, it might be interesting to introduce more folding types in the installation and consider the transcation in between. Nevertheless, the concept of folding is a bit weak in generating a dynamic 3D space, it could be interesting to think about more plastic form in the installation to create further exciting spatial experience.
WEEK 3 “Constructive parametric modelling�
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ifferent from other forms of computing technologies, scripting discovered a closer relationship between computing and architecture, as it requires the production of the related scripts and traced the originality of the computing design. In the contemporary scripting culture, it is common to associate other discipline in developing a successful scripting, and engaging the fabrication with design all the way along(Mark:2011).
ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion Stuttgart,2010
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he Research Pavilion designed by ICD and ITKE represents the current scripting culture in architecture design as it integrates the fabrication with design and simulates the physical forces and materiality of the installation.
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he architects decided to use the extremely thin, elastically-bent plywood strips for the installation from the beginning. Therefore, they analyzed the elastic bending behavior of birch plywood strips in parametric principles to form the initial frame of the installation. In addition to the materiality, the designers further explore the strength in the connection points between the strips that concentrated the most bending moments, and simulated the intricate equilibrium of locally stored energy resulting from the bending of each element. Based on these parametric principles, they finally used 80 different strip patterns constructed from more than 500 geometrically unique parts with minimal joints.
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s a result, this example demonstrates the current scripting culture as it associated the fabrication along the design process and produce the precise geometry based on the material and natural force parameters. Similarly, in the gateway design, it might be helpful to consider the material quality in advanced and associated in the design through parametric controls. Also, like the Shoei Yoh’s roof before, the usage of the natural force as a parameter to determine a precise geometric shape is appreciated in the gateway design to indicate a new architectural discourse for computing design.
PART 2 EXPRESSION OF THE INTEREST
EOI Contents 1. DESIGN BRIEF 2. CONCEPT 3. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY 4. CASE OF INNOVATION: -SPACE -MATERIALS -COLOUR -BIOMIMICRY 5. SITE ANALYSIS 6. MATRIX EXPLORATION 7. REVERSE-ENGINEERING STUDY 8. DIGITAL MODEL 9. PHYSICAL MODEL
Design Brief 1. Iconic & Eye-catching installation
OBJECTIVES A new architectural DISCOURSE introduced by computing design through the combination of space, nature and materiality
2. Integrating with the surrounding landscape
3. Illustrative materiality
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Concept Melbourne as a city of integrates the traditional culture and the modernity, so our design tends to indicate the merging of the old and the new in Melbourne
DesignPhilosophy From regular to irregular
Space
From urban to landscape
Biomimicry
From bricks to glass and steel
Materiality
From grey colour to bright colour
Colour
CaseofInnovation_Space Spatial Experience
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n terms of spatial experience, the computing design enables a precise geometric form controlled by the parameters and has a folding form.
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ccording to Greg Lynn, wrote in his Folding in architecture, the “calculated based form” introduced by the computer, enables an innovative flow and continuous geometry for buildings. That is, “a unifying figure whereby different segments and plans are joined and merging in lines and volumns.” (Lynn 1997). Also, he mentioned that the computer based form also provide a smoother transaction between two spaces than the traditional methods. Apart from the traditional divided form, the continuous space enabled by the digital technology foresees a new architectural discourse in such spatial experience. Therefore, we will use the continuous folding form for the gateway installation to highlight such state-of-art structure. Also, rather than the random form in the previous architecture design, the geometries used in the gateway project will also be précised calculated by computer and controlled by relevant parameters.
ChangesofArchitecturalDiscourse Classical architecture
regular form lead bearing walls
Modern architecture
columns support free plan, regular geometry
Postmodern architecture
irregular form dynamic facade
Computational design
continuours form folding
BAMBOOFORUCHINOANDNAIJUOFCHIKUHOTOWN,FUKUOKA,SHOEIYOHHAMURA, 1995
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he Shoei Yoh’s roof for the Odawara Sports Center in Japan demonstrates Lynn’s idea of the folding geometry in practice. As can be seen from the image, rather than the traditional way of separating the roofs to the walls, Shoei Yoh used one continuous roof structure for the whole building. And such structure can be supported by assembling the standard elements from the computation design for the skin and the contouring medal rings underneath. In addition, the geometry of the entire roof is not random, rather than simply increase the depth of the roof trusses to bearing the wind and snow loads, Shoei experimentes with the deforming of the structure via computer simulation to find the optimum shape. And this automatic deformation made by the lateral forces resulted in an organic and irregular form.
T
he innovations of the folding form as well as the precise simulation of the geometry according to the natural forces not only indicate a new architectural discourse enabled by the logic computing design but also satisfied the scale and site condition in the gateway project. As the councils are asking for an eye-catching installation in an open landscape, the fluid form can be considered as it can easily expand through the large site. Also, the fabrication method of the Shoei Yoh’s roof could also be used as a reference for constructing the folding form. In order to stabilize the pitched form, the architects suggest the use of a central post to support the structure during the construction process and remove it when it finishes. Similarly, for the fabrication technique of the Gateway project, it could be useful to insert some predefined frame during the construction and remove them afterwards.
1. Establish the basic grid
Construction process of the structure -cenral post located
2. Added the folding geometry on the grid
3. Added details to the geometry
CaseofInnovation_Materiality TheAustralianPavilion,ShanghaiExpo2010 By Wood Marsh
Imagefromhttp://www.lowyinterpreter.org/image.axd?picture=2010%2F8%2F100804+aus+pavilion.jpg Inordertoreflecttheconceptof“oldand new�,weusecortenandglassasconstructionmaterials. Bothofthemalsohavehighweatherresistanceto preventcorrosionthatmightresultfromtheexposureto sunandrain.BasedontheprecedentoftheAustralian Pavilion,weintendtochallengethetypicaluseof thematerialsbyusingcortenasstructuralelements tosupportitselfandtheglasstubes.Computational techniquesarethenusedtocreatehollowcorten boxesandseveralglasstubesarebendedtospecific anglesinordertoconnectwiththesecortenboxes. Forinstance,intheAustralianPavilion,thebuildingis threadedbyasystemofcurvedglasstubesthathouse thecirculationramp.Thecombinationofcortenpanels andglasstubesmakesthispavilionricherintexture andstandsoutfromtheotherbuildings.Furthermore, theideaofusinghollowcortenboxesisalsopartly becauseoftheeaseofconstructionandtransportation.
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Imagefromhttp://images.smh.com.au/2010/04/30/1398223/ Shanghai_Expo__14_-600x400.jpg
Imagefromhttp://www.australiandesignreview.com/ wp-content/uploads/old_img/pavilion_7.jpg
ICD/ITKERESEARCHPAVILION2011 ByAchimMenges&JanKnippers
http://nzwood.co.nz/industry-news/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/1326784561-14-view-seated-528x3591.jpg TheITKEresearchpavilion2011hasusedthe conceptof“formsfollowmateriality”.Itdemonstrates analternativeapproachtocomputationaldesignwhich isthecomputationalgenerationofformisdirectly drivenandinformedbyphysicalbehaviorandmaterial characteristics.Wemightaswellintegratethisconcept intoourgatewaydesign.Forinstance,cortenisvery flexibleincreatingdifferentshapes.Hence,itisused tomakehollowboxestorepresentthseuseofbricks ofoldmelbourne.Ontheotherhand,glasstubes, whichrepresentthenewmelbourne,arecurved andintersectedwitheachotherusingtheirbending property.Thisistheresultafterconsideringtheconcepts of“oldandnew”and“formsfollowmateriality”.
http://www.ilikearchitecture.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/research_pavilion_institute_computational_design_4-550x412.jpg
InregardstoWyndhamGatewayproject, thegatewayisdesignedwiththeparameterofthe sunintensityanditspath.So,theformwillchange accordingtotheparameterwhichdirectlyinfluences theapplicationofcortenandglasstubesonthegateway. http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7002/6745032215_5fb499afbf_z.jpg
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CaseofInnovation_Colours
CaseStudy: Oil Pavilion, Shanghai Expo, 2010 The Oil Pavilion has a concise, grand exterior look where it used the crossing pipes which are interwoven into an exquisite “gift box�. The pavilion manifests strong features of the modernity and the petroleum industry. The fantastic space-time journey provided to the visitor by using the effects of sound, light, and electronic technologies. The pavilion highlighted the virtual scenes in the pre-exhibition zone, multimedia approaches are employed to create the fantastic scenes characterized by the petroleum and chemical industry, and pull visitors close to petroleum. The exterior walls of pavilion are built with new type of polycarbonate diffusion plates and tens of thousands of LED lights, the pavilion will present crystallike and splendid light and shadow effects at night.
To develop the idea of the play of colours and lighting into our own gateway project, we have explored and researched the techniques of using the “Photochromism technology” and “photochromism technology” where it is a colour changing technology based on UV light exposure and temperature change. By using this technique onto the glass tube of our installation, we can control the colour changes of the installation as we oriented the glass tube of the installation to face the sun orientation. The colours will change from black(cold) -red-orange-yellow-green-blue-violet-black(heating). The changes of colours will give the exciting, and eye-catching feelings to the visitors and act as an iconic features at the site. The colour of copper, yellow, blue have been chose to resemble the concept of “Old and New” in Melbourne City. The copper colour is used to resemble the old, vintage feeling of old style architecture discourse which is using the bricks, stones; while the yellow and blue used to resemble the free form, dynamicism and fluidity of the new architecture discourse in Melbourne. Throughout the researches and case study in materials discourse, it’s been discovered that light and colours can be the most versatile building materials, where it becomes one of the most fundamental elements in the new architecture discourse. By implementing the new technology with the lighting effects, one can design a large effect on the internal environment and also help to create atmposphere, and link a space with its context. For the Western Gateway Design Project, we found out that the site is located at a dull, plain and wide highway area where there is no significant or eye-catching landmark that can be used to resembles the city of Melbourne. Therefore, the idea of intergrate the play of colours and materials into the gateway installation project has become one of the idea to show the iconic features in the site and develop a different kind of design for the daytime, and night time views to the visitors who uses the freeways.
CaseofInnovation_Biomimicry ‘...a new discipline that studies nature’s best ideas and then imitates these designs and processes to solve human problem’ (Panchuk 2006).
As architectural designing increasingly aims to resolve challenges that have often already been resolved by nature and also increasingly seeks to incorporate concepts and techniques, such as gowth or adaption, that have parallels in nature, nature as 1)model, 2)measure, 3)mentor should possibly be one of the directions the Gateway design is heading. Norman Foster’s Swiss Re Tower mimics the internal spiral wells of the Venus Flower basket to provide structural support and natural ventilation. Although copying natural forms has brought structural innovations to the field of architecture, it is limited to a formal objective. The EOI presents here emphasizes the use of nature to enhance experience: the relationship between the human and the environment. Simply copying a natural environment or form cannot achieve this because it lacks the criteria that prove necessary in ecology (the study of the relationships between living organisms and their environments): performance, interactions or systems of exchanges. As stated in the brief, the interaction between the installation (built-environment) and the surrounding landscape (natural environment) is important.
Structural Innovation
Emergence, Evolution
Interactivity is the ultimate goal of this Gateway project. A two-way interaction between the built and natural environment is favourable. For instance, a high-tech solution should be avoided, ie floors that light up when you walk on them, color changing walls or hypersurfaces. These are all necessary innovations yet remain a one-way transfer of information.
Two-ways interaction
Design Concept Melbourne situated within the East AsianAustralasian Flyway. Besides, Werribee has a huge important bird area, and there are natural reserves and wetlands around the site. Birds activities/ flying on the site would be expected. Since surrounding the site is a huge plain grassland with only little trees, the idea is to have our design as stopover site for the birds. Fig 1 Westgate Bridge
Fig 2 Flocks of birds assembling before migration
Local Scale Natural Reserves to north-west
Plain Grassland
Wetland to south-east
A good precedent to look at is the Westgate Bridge in Melbourne, which shows how wildlife adapted to living in the wetland bird sanctuary underneath the gigantic Westgate Bridge. Westgate Bridge brought inspiration to us as in how urban space can also be habitat for nature. For our design, due to the concern of noise produced by vehicles zooming past, the Boxes at the top will be used as planters to provide food and water for the birds. To avoid adding excessive loads to the structural support of the design, huge, bulky plants should be avoided.
Plain Grassland
Regional Scale
Large Geographic Scale
East Asian Australasian Flyway
Source: http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm
Source:http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity
Site Analysis In order to achieve the brief’s requirement of designing an installation reflects Melbourne’s image, we choose to use Melbourne’s CBD grid as our basic layout and choose the landmark buildings as our attractor points. As can be seen from the image, we identified the Melbourne CBD’s grid lines and the critical buildings in between.
Migratory Birds Potential direction of the birds flying
Natural Reserves
Wetland to south-east
Plain Grassland
Common Name Red-necked Stint Sharp-tailed Sandpiper Orange-bellied Parrot
Source: http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm
Avereage Size 14cm 21cm 21cm
Consistency of Use Late August - Early March August - March March - October
Site Analysis LEGEND
B
DRIVEWAYS TOWARDS THE CITY A
DRIVEWAYS TOWARDS THE COUNTRY PETROL STATION C
SITE A AND SITE B ARE CHOSEN AS THE LOCATION OF THE INSTALLATION AS THEY CATCH THE MOST ATTENTION THROUGH THE HIGHWAY
LEGEND DRIVEWAYS TOWARDS THE CITY
B
DRIVEWAYS TOWARDS THE COUNTRY A
PETROL STATION AREA THAT IS NOT VISIBLE TO THE
C
INSTALLATION AS IT IS GOING THE REVERSE DIRECTION
THE CIRCLE AREA IS ANALYSED TO BE THE LOCATION THAT CAN CATCH THE MOST ATTENTION ALONG THE HIGHWAY. IT IS ANALYSED BY SETTING THE VIEW POINT OF 35-40 DEGREES EVERY 500M ALONG THE WAY.
Matrix Exploration Maths Function According to the Previous EOI in regarding to the spatial experience, the spatial experience of continuous form as well as the precise geometries generated by computing design is crucial. Therefore, the exploration of the grasshopper matrix is mainly focused on produce flowing and dynamic form as well as exploring the possible geometric forms. ASSOCIATIONS: the Math function is efficient in producing the precise geometric forms which determined by the parameters in the related math equalitions.And such effects can be seen effectively through the extrusion output. INPUT: compared to other inputs, the surface normal is the most sufficient one in generating a 3D form as it controls the perpendicular vectors to the grid points OUTPUT: apart form the extrusion, which has been tested in the math function association, the rotation is another critical output that could generate exciting 3D forns.
Association:MathsFunction+Extrusion
Input: Image Sampler + Rotation
Outpu: Surface Normal
Matrix Exploration MultipleMathsFunctions&AttractingPoints
Overlaying another grids of maths function produces interesting results as the functions begin to exhibit ‘resonance’ - repeating patterns of overlap.
Using point attractors, distance between the attractor points and grid points varies, depending on the position of point attractors and the function used to define the distance between them. It is a potential useful associative technique for us to input site parameters, to influence the outcome of our design. This is particular relevance to our design as the design brief encourage the integration of our design with the landscape and surrounding environment.
Matrix Exploration Rotation&Shaders
Shader function is used to explore the colour layering of how one colour can match with another to create a pattern that can allow light to penetrates through to create the the different colour mapping and shadows.
By putting it together with the extrusion, the surface and extrusion can enhance more on the shading areas and the final outcome will be more clear and interesting.
Matrix Exploration StreamingText Files & Using Setss Wehaveexploredthepossibilitiesofformsthat canbecreatedusingstreamingtextfilesandusingsetsas associativetechniques.Throughexperiments,wediscover thatthecombinationof“streamingtextfiles”and“component” or“rotation”havethehighestpotentialincreatingreally uniqueandorganicforms.Thedataofstreamingtextfiles canbechangedaccrodingtothedesignneeds.Fromthese explorations,wehaveabasicideaonhowparametric modellingcanhelpinchallengingthetypicaluseofmaterials.
Reverse-Engineer GANTENBEINVINEYARDFACADE By Gramazio & Kohler
GantenbeinVineyardFacadeischosenas reverse-engineeringcasestudyasthedynamicform ofthebrickworkthatchangesaccordingtothesun pathisrelatedtoourgatewaydesign.Asthebricks rotate,itcreatesstronglightandshadoweffectinside thebuildingwhichalsoaffectsthespatialexperience. Furthermore,itformscertainkindofpatternsifseenfrom adistanceandvariesastheviewersorthesunmove. InWyndhamGatewayproject,thesame computationaltechniqueswillbeappliedinorderto achievesomethinginterestingandiconic.Asthesiteis nearthePrincesshighway,therotationofbrickworkcan belargertocreatestrongerandclearerlightandshadow effects.Itwillbemucheasierforthehighspeedtrafficusersonthehighwaytoseethechangesofthegateway.
Reverse-Engineer ReproductionofGantenbeinVineyardFacade
Transformation • •
From 2D to 3D From Regular to dynamic
TheGantenbeinVineyardFacadeisreproducedinRhinousingGrasshopper.Imagesampler is used to create the patterns on the facade while the output - rotation, rotates the bricks according to the sun path and produces dynamic effect of the brick wall.The definitions are later developed and integratedintoourconceptbytransformingthemfrom2Dto3D,fromaregularformtoadynamicform.
Digital Model A rectangular grid is used to produce a planar grid points from a planar surface. The grid points are then moved in z-direction to produce a 3D grid. Boxes are then created using those grid points with a cull pattern of: ‘true’, ‘false’. Using ‘Item’, the 2nd and 4th plane were retrieved so that they were rotated to exactly 90 degrees to the plane of boxes below. Then, attractive points as an associative technique was used to determine the pattern of the arrangement of the boxes. As discussed earlier, the grid of boxes is based on the Hoddle Grid of Melbourne City. The attractor points were chosen from some landmark buildings of Melbourne City (Melbourne Central, Federation Square, etc. By applying the definition to a curvilinear surface, we got our desired outcome.
Digital Model
Thecurvesoftheglasstubesarefirstcreatedusing“bezier curve”componentinGrasshopper.Then,the“pipe”componentis addedtogivethemavolume.Theiramplitudeiscontrolledaccording tothesunpathinordertogetmostofthesunlightduringdaytime. Hence,thecolouroftheseglasstubeswillchangedramatically andismorenoticeableforusersonthePrincessHighway.
Physical Model
1. Structural frame
2. Putting elements onto structure
3. Partly finished installation
4. Elevation of the partly finished installation
5. Finished installation without “glass tubes”
6. Puting the “glass tubes onto the structure
Similar to the construction of Shoei Yoh’s roof, the structure of the installation is based on a predifined frame to determine the overall shape. Moreover, according to the grasshopper definition, which rotates the “ box” 90 degrees every second layers, the basic component for the installation is a right angular element made of hollow corten surface. So the process of making the “ box” form is to combine the “ box” component according to the rhino model and the structural frame. Finally, the “glass tubes” of the model, which is made of the translucent plastic, is inserted to the “ boxes”. The location of the footing is decided based on the Hoddle Grid of Melbourne city and site constrain as discussed earlier in site analysis.
Night effect of the installation
View 1: View from the surrounding landscape
View 2: View from the vehicles travel underneath
Detailed views
lEARNING OUTCOMES DESIGNING WITH COMPUTING
By designing the gateway project through the computers, I started to realize the twoway integration between the digital tool and the design concepts. By studying the precedents of the folding form and testing the matrix to create the dynamic geometries, I decided to use such new structural form enabled by the digital technology in explaining the new architectural discourse. At the same time, as we are using the “old&new” as our design philosophy, I adapt the technology to cop the design idea by using the continuous form for two distinguish geometries: tubes and “ boxes”. Through such design process, I examed the advantages of designing with computers by engaging the digital technology from the early design stages.
COMMUNICATION VISUALLY
The writing of personal journal as well as documenting the design and exploration process make me recognize the critical role of communicating visually. In particular, when documenting the technique progress through matrix, I found it is crucial and difficult to arrange a coherent and clear visual guide for the audience to trace my testing process, as the initial tests of the matrix were not arranged in a fluent way. Therefore, I end up re-tested the matrix again in a more logic order. From that, I realized that in order to communicate the progress efficiently, especially for the complex processes, it is crucial to make a logic flow from the start.
ARGUING PERSONALLY Making a personal argument is the most difficult part I found in making the individual journals. Since we are doing the design together in a group, I lost myself in the first four weeks in doing the design altogether and ignored my individual focus. This made me really hard to make a coherent personal argument at the start. However, since I adjusted my position according to the tutors’ suggestions and the course outline, I began to research my precedents deeper in terms of the computing techniques they used for innovative spatial experience.Therefore, in order to make a efficient argument for this individual journal, it is critical to make an effective argument from the precedents in a more specific level. APPLYING TECHNICAL SKILLS For designing the gateway project, I found that exploring the grasshopper techniques is the most difficult part for design. For example I initially wanted to utilize the wind forces on site to determine the basic geometry for the installation, but this proposal was denied due to the technique failure in grasshopper. Moreover, although I created the layout grid on the lofting space by using the Boolean pattern to turn off the certain points, the initial surface is still randomly drew in Rhino. Therefore, in the next stage, I will try to involve more parametric technologies in generating the spatial experience.
lEARNING OUTCOMES FOR PARAMETRIC TECHNIQUES The diagrams indicated the development of the final vitual model. The model of the “boxes� is derived into three stages: Stage 1: testing the 3D grid for laying the boxes Stage 2: creating a dynamic 3D grid for the boxes Stage 3: adding and manipulating the final boxes into the defined grid
Stage 1: Testing the boxes with a regulat 3D grid
1.1 making a 3D grid
1.2 Adding the boxes to the grid
1.2 manipulating the boxes
Stage 2: Creating a dynamic 3D grid
2.1 identifying the frane of the structure
2.2 creatng a surface based on the predifined frames
2.3 creating a grid on the surface by dividing through uv coordinates
2.4 using the cull component to select the grid points from the previus grid
Stage 3: Locating the boxes into the defined grid
ROTATION
3.1 the grid produced from stage 2
3.2. Adding the boxes into the grid
3.2 rotating the boxes every second layers
RESEARCH PROJECT CONCLUSION -competitive advantages
T
hrough the detailed study of the Shoei Yoh’s roof, the exploration of the matrix as well as the reverse engineering modelLing, it can be identified that the parametric technology has the competitive advantages for designing the gateway installation in three aspects: creating the continuous folding form, identifying specific geometries and a new fabrication method.
CONTINUOUS FORM
I
n terms of the spatial experience, the computational design enables a new fluid folding form which merges the whole structure together. As the councils of the gateway project asks for an installation to indicate the future architectural discourse, this dynamic form can be applied to symbolize the new architectural language in space. Thus, the design outcome of the folding form of the boxes (similar to the Shoei Yoh’s roof) as well as the combination of the skeletal glass tubes implies this spatial ideal.
SPECIFIED GEOMETRIES
R
ather than the random shapes, the computing design also specifies the geometry by controlling the related parameters. As can be observed from the virtual model, the layout of the boxes resembles the grid of the Melbourne city to form the base. In addition, learnt from the reverse engineering modeling, the orientations of each single box could be determined through the related parameters in the grasshopper definitions. Thus, by using the digital technology, a precise geometry can be produced and changed according to the related parameters.
FABRICATION
D
ifferent from the traditional architecture, the computational design build a closer relationship between the design process and fabrication. The elements to form the installation are standard and connected in certain logic as a result of the controlled parameters. Therefore, like the example of the Shoei Yoh’s roof, the fabrication of a continuous fluid form of the installation becomes possible and easy due to the standard components.
Bibliography Burry, Mark .2011. Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming . WWWUK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd Kolarevic, Branko.2003 Architecture in the Digital Age: Design and Manufacturing. New York; London: Spon Press Patrik Schumacher. 2011. ‘Introduction : Architecture as Autopoietic System’, in The Autopoiesis of Architecture. New York: Wiley Academy. Richard Williams. 2005. ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press Yehuda E. Kalay.2004 Architecture’s New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design .Cambridge: MIT Press Greg Lynn. 2004. Folding in Architecture. New York: Wiley Academy