studio
air JOURNAL YUNONG SUN 508969 STUDIO SIXTEEN SEMESTER ONE 2015
introduction 4-5 A. conceptuallisation B. criteria design C. detailed design
6-21
conceptuallisation
A.1. design futuring 6-9 A.2. design computation 10-13 A.3. composition/generation 14-17 A.4. conclusion 18 A.5. learning outcomes 18 A.6. appendix-algorthmic sketches
19-20
Reference 21
introduction
My name is Yunong Sun, from a place in China called Suzhou, an old city acclaimed for its pale wall and grey tiles of traditional private gardens. An architecture so different to the western or the modern, elegant in its own way. It is my fifth year in Melbourne and love riding around, drinking coffee and taking photos. Architectural wise, enjoying the relatively diverse culture so far, compared to the being-wiped-out cityscape with residential towers lacking any arcthiecutral sense back at home. When studying studio water last year, I was introduced to Alvar Aalto with his down-to-earth architecture, with a strong emphasis on human experience. I look forward to this year’s studio air, of a completely different approach of computational program and hope to learn more about architecture and desgin.
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TIMBER UNDULATING ROOF OF VIIPURI LIBRARY BY ALVAR AALTO
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NADAAA
BANQ RESTAURANT 2008 BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, U.S.
This design of restaurant space by NADAAA, formerly known as Office dA, illustrates a parametric design solution, produced in digital fabrication. The timber slates effectively achieve the goal to hide service below ceiling, at the same time adding fluidity with a sense of landscape, creating a smooth flow through out the space while maintaining flexibility on floor level for this restuarant setting. Its otherwise unachievable form also gives the place an identity. Although the idea of parametric design and CNC milling applied was not novel at the time, however, example such as BanQ demonstrates relatively small scale of computational design. Similar result can be found in the bakery shop D.Chirico by March Studio in Melbourne slightly later, generating the same type of outcome with more accesible production. Only through materialization can a design be experienced by, having an interation with, serving or inspiring the user, and to discover its flaws that can not be foreseenvor achieved merely in the designers minds. BanQ provides a smart and economical solution, not only provides the architects themselves the opportunity to testify the idea and functionality of the design, but also
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ABOVE: CEILING DETAIL, BANQ BY NADAAA RIGHT: BAKER D.CHIRICO BY MARCH STUDIO
CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 1
ABOVE: CEILING DETAIL, BANQ BY NADAAA
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ABOVE: CENTRE FOR IDEAS BY MVS
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 1
MINIFIE VAN SCHAIK
CENTRE FOR IDEAS 2001 VCA, SOUTHBANK, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
The Centre for ideas provides new and additional academic space to the VCA campus. The main point about this design is the materialization of the concept of the virtual world to a physical form of the real, through digital formation. It was designed by computational program and appear to be digital with its steel panels and organic organization of the 3-D units of facade. The centre is experimental in both look and design process, fabrication, resulting in a unique solution in both technical and conceptual perspectives. Apart from providing functional space to the users, the architects at MvS seeks to communicate a novel design methodology, through radical presentation on the facade. It takes part in the regional promotion of incorporating computation throughout the design and production stage. This type of exprimental projects tests the technique, which can develop futher into more sophisticated practice, such as the Australian Wildlife Health Centre. The general layout of the VCA building remains unchanged and functions fluently with adjacent
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SHIGERU BAN
CENTRE POMPIDOU-METZ 2010 METZ, FRANCE
The cultural complex at Metz by Ban is an open structure that aims to connect exterior and interior. Its flexible glass shutter underneath the weavy roof enables continuous flow of space, by doing so to create a sense of communication and openness. The design can not be achieved without the laminated timber roof, of its materiality, structure or form, all of those being highly innovative. Form, material, structure in coordination works with the concept, derived from the local environmental and social context. The involvment of computation is the primary base for both structure and design. Structural system inspired by Chinese woven bamboo hat, traslated into complex curvlinear structural system made possible by the NURBS program digital modeling. Fabrication of structural units is the result of CNC production that uses data straight from building information modeling system. As there is no duplicate among the units, each is being produced solely, and would not be economically possible for the project if not through CNC fabrication, which provides mass production price for uniquely crafted units. Although the modeling and production process is highly digitalized, parameters are still set by architects, of functionality, spacial organization other design decisions in accordance to the concept and local environment. Computation is then used as a tool that constructs a unique system for this specific design, optimizing the transalation from an idea to a physical structure.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 2
ABOVE: CENTRE POMPIDOU-METZ BY SHIGERU BAN
ABOVE LEFT: ROOF TIMBER STRUCTURE ABOVE RIGHT: TIMBER CONNECTION DETAIL
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 2
HERZOG & DE MEURON NATIONAL STADIUM BEIJING, CHINA
2008
The realization of this piece of architecture relies entirely on computation from early stage in design to the end of construction. With the concept in mind, architects at Herzog & de Meuron develops a simple bowl shape to a maga sturcture in steel skeleton, at the same time serving as facade. In this sense the architectural and engineering are fully intergrated into one form, requring the two to develop at the same pace. It is constructed with building information modeling, as each structrual unit has its own 3-D form. Due to this coordination between the two disciplines, architects are able to take control of the structural system, otherwise conventionally is out of the architectural perimeter, limiting the delivery of concept with standard structrual system. Here, the architects design the whole system, returning to a sense of craftmentship with the one who designs also builds.v The stadium, based on the idea of a artificial steel forest, although better known as bird’s nest, draws inspiration from, and in this case also automatically arouses connections to nature. Computation, often seems to be moving away from nature, in fact is derived from nature through mathmatical algorithms, provides more sophisticatedly developed and abstract natural forms.
ABOVE:NATIONAL STADIUM BY HERZOG & DE MEURON
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ABOVE: MODEL OF CIVIL COURTS OF JUSTICE BY ZAHA HADID
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 3
ZAHA HADID ARCHITECTS CIVIL COURTS OF JUSTICE MADRID, SPAIN
2007
The architects used parametric mdelling on the exterior of the building, organized windows by creating a digital algorithm determined by the environmental context. Designing process that applies algorithm is considered as generation, it is refering to the generation of an outcome from the rules, rather than in a more direct way of composition. Each project or element has its own algorithm to solve a specific problem, parameter sets the constraints and the acutal process carried out is scripting. In the case of Zaha’s Civil courts of Justice, only the facade is applied with parametric modelling, determining form from early design stage, generated not by the architects, but through computational program scripted by the architects, or engineers employed.
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TOYO ITO & ASSOCIATES, ARCHITECTS SERPENTINE PAVILION LONDON, U.K.
The temporary pavillion designed by Toyo Ito with Arup seemingly complex and segmented on the facade, the overall form is based on a simple box with algorithmic set of lines, repeatedly projecting on the surface and dividing the faces into openings or closed panels held up by structrual elements. Although the facade is highly geometrical, the boundary of inside and outside is relaxed by views of the outside and the ununified overhead shading, the result is a highly transparent space, shelteing visitors with uncompromised openness. The messiness of the facade clearly expresses the central position of parametric and algorithmic thinking of the design process. Instaed of compsoing the structure, it is carved out from a box, parameters allows adjustment of the skeleton, so that desirable form is achieved more pecisely in response to surrounding environment. The outcome provides a more dynamic solution, alhough the box as a basis still is asserting constrains on the overal form and the segmenting structural lines.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 3
ABOVE: DIGITAL MODEL OF ESTONIA ACADEMY OF THE ARTS BY GAGE CLEMENCEAU ARCHITECTS
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 4
In part A my design approach was to create shape that is fluid and flexible, serving multipurposes to different users. A dynamic and inviting design that can promote communication and engagement among the community, while providing temporary shelter from weather for visitors.
CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 5
From part A, I started to develop an understanding of algorithm and parametric design, a very complex idea that will require further learning. I came to a realization the use of computational tools that provides various, rahter than singular, results with distinctive design ethnics behind. I hope to try using digital tools from early stage of design which hopefully can create more intricate design solution.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
A. 6
I drew four curves in rhino and loft them , with different loft options (uniform, straight etc), then I was trying to capture a point on one of the rhino curve and replace it with a new point having different y and z value. When I loft these curves again, different shapes emerges.
After lofting, I was trying to explore different command to produce structure tubes from lines and boxes from randomly positioned points. I was trying to create a structure with the long end for seating and roof overhanging beside that.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
I drew a curve in rhino and copied then rotated 180 degrees, trying to create two intertwined surface, from which I got section surfaces form contours, the main goal was to create a tunnel within the two surface.
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A. 6
REFERENCE
Bibliography:
Architects, A. I. (2015, 3 20). VCA-Hub Building. Retrieved from http://dynamic.architecture. com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=20043046 Architects, M. (2015, 3 20). MvS Projects. Retrieved from http://www.mvsarchitects. com.au/doku.php?id=home:projects:victorian_college_of_the_arts Ban, S. (2015, 3 20). Shigeru Ban Architects. Retrieved from http://www.shigerubanarchitects. com/works/2010_centre-pompidou-metz/index.html Broome, B. “BANQ Boston, Massachusetts.” Architectural Record 197.1 (n.d.): 104-106. Arts & Humanities Citation Index. Web. 20 Mar. 2015. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45 Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 Hensel, M. and Gharleghi, M. (2012), Iran: Past, Present and Future. Archit Design, 82: 16–25. doi: 10.1002/ad.1401 Hensel, M. (2012), Practices Abroad: Today’s Diaspora, Tomorrow’s Architecture. Archit Design, 82: 104–119. doi: 10.1002/ad.1409 Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and associates, pp 1 – 42 Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 Meuron, H. d. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.herzogdemeuron.com/index/projects/ complete-works/226-250/226-national-stadium/IMAGE.html NADAAA. (n.d.). NADAAA projects. Retrieved from NADAAA: http://www.nadaaa.com/#/projects/banq/ Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. RMIT. (2015, 3 20). VCA Centre for Ideas. Retrieved from http://researchbank.rmit.edu.au/view/rmit:10418 Scheurer, F. (2010), Materialising Complexity. Archit Design, 80: 86–93. doi: 10.1002/ad.1111 Schumacher, P. (2009), Parametric Patterns. Archit Design, 79: 28–41. doi: 10.1002/ad.976 Zaera-Polo, A. (2009), Patterns, Fabrics, Prototypes, Tessellations. Archit Design, 79: 18–27. doi: 10.1002/ad.975
List of images: 1. http://www.alvaraalto.fi/viipuri/building.htm 2. http://www.yatzer.com/assets/Article/1513/images/BANQ_restaurant_by_Office_dA_photos_by_John_Horner_at_yatzer_6.jpg 3. http://img5.adsttc.com/media/images/5126/23b6/b3fc/4b5e/dd00/0050/large_jpg/BNQ_CP_011_1280px.jpg?1361454002 4. http://www.archello.com/sites/default/files/VCABennettsextwest2resizeresize_0.jpg 5. http://www.pbart.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/pompidou_metz.jpg 6. http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_l05pufOrxt1qaez60.jpg 7. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/1007pompidou-metz/4.jpg 8. http://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/madrid-civil-courts-of-justice/ 9. http://www.mfga.com/estonia-academy-of-art/
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PART B
b.1. research field b.2. case study 1.0 b.3. case study 2.0 b.4. technique: development b.5. technique: prototypes b.6. techniques: proposal b.7. learning objectives & outcomes b.8. appendix0algorithmic sketches
I chose geometry as the research field as I am more interested in exploring 3-dimensional forms enabled by modern mathmatics that are complex and of free form, also undrawable that involves complicated double curve surfaces. Geometry here is no longer about simple geometric volumes but a composition of highly integrated and intertwined free form volumes, removing carving spaces into a interconnected whole, rather than traditionally more segemanted pieces. These new geometry are undescribable as conventional shapes, although they may be based on basic geometries such as Hy-fi at New York, essentially is an extrusion betweensixcircles,howevertheresult is both playful and creative that is rather impossible to be produced and manufacturedwithoutcontemporary computational technology. These free form geometries provide new architectural possibilities that were unachivable both in design and production, hence attributing to accomplishmoreappropriatesolutions to design problems.
THE LIVING
Hy-fi MoMA PS1 GALLERY PAVILLION New York, U.S.A
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b.1. research field
GEOMETRY
While minimal surface is one of the focus on new geometries, such as one illustrated in figure 1, however surfaces that is more organic and dynamic creates more dynamic space, blurs the boundary of geometryies, adding a sense of fluidity and plascity to surfaces that is embeded in the form, while not undermines its original geometrical complexity. In the exaple of Liquid Glacial Table, Kaleidoscopic refraction is applied to incorporate the unique fluidity of glass into the surface geomery, appropriatematerialitywith free form geometry.
Composition of repetition also contributes to forming novel shapes, enclosing volumesthatinterconnects witheachother.Boundaries dividing spaces are joined and spaces are united in a smoother manner, generates a sense of spacial flow. At the same time a whole composed of repetative units allows for infinite extension of the entity. 25
MINIMAL SURFACES
At the Yoyogi National Stadium, Tango applied minimal surface to the steel structure in 1964, with little machanical involvement in construction and no computational assistance. In 1972, Frei Otto experimented with bubbles and bamboo stick to produce minimcal surfaces, becoming the fundation for later development of membrane architecture.
The bubble experiment exams the equalibrium in tension when the bubble settles at minimal surface between multiple edges. This assembles membrane of cells to use miminal material in achieving the highest efficiency. A precedent project by Arata Isozaki of portable concert hall for post disaster region is made possible by applying miminal surface to the design, which facilitate quick installation and minimal storage of entire structure required .
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b.2. CASE STUDY 1.0
Green Void is a membrane architecture that aims to establish visual connections within the atrim space at Customs House Sydney. Digital fabrication that produced the Green Void gives precision of each segment that enables the assembled whole maintain as a minimal surface as calculated in 3D modelling. Double woven lycra chose as material to allow flexibility of the structure to self-adjust by allowing stretch and contraction when forces exert on the structure change.
LAVA
Greeen Void, Sydney Customs House Sydney, Australia
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ANCHOR POINTS, STIFFNESS & DAMPING OF CURVE
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ANCHOR POINTS
REST LENGTH OF SPRING LINE
DISPATCHED ANCHOR POINTS
b.2. CASE STUDY 1.0
3D VONOROI CELL BOUNDARY AS BRANCHES
INFLATION OF BRANCH UNIT & END CURVE AS
SELECTIONCRITERIA FREE FORM
DISSIMILAR TO ORIGINAL
FLEXIBLE PRODUCTION
DYNAMIC SURFACE
The original scrip mainly depends on lofting curves pre-constructed in Rhino. Iterations of the first four groups are based on change in the degree of relaxation of the surface and anchor points assigned for its relaxation, producing outcomes with different volumes resulted from intensity of tension being pulled at the edge. Thus the extent of relaxation can be seen in curvature of the suface edge, the higher the curvature, the less the surface area. However , there is a limitation in adjusting parameters that controls the overall shape, I then progressed to constructing a new branch system using edges within a 3D vonoroi cell. This shifts the form from a structure with branches growing out of a central stem to a network of interconnected stem, while also increasing flexibility and variation of final products. In addition, I experiement using inflation instead of anchor points to control the relaxation, producing iterations with suface less smooth and unifomed, but more dynamic and organic, hence no longer minimal. Each branch are relaxed quite differently compared to the overally similar relaxation of minimal surfaces, hence a more diverse form.
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This design of a visual gate for the San Gannaro festival is a geometrically complex form of a minimal surface that streches to link two circles at end. Apart from the anchor points at edge of the surface, the structure is soft and elastic, composed of plastic sheet, which allows movement by wind, responding to the environment in a relatively direct way. Patterned voids not only allows for extension of the material but together with colour printed, allows shades to move and change throughout the day. The geometry itself is very interesting in the way it difuses exterior and interior as the inner side of the bottom surface turns outside as it approaches the upper edge. A fancinating geometry being achieved in such simple form illustrates the possibility of exploration without overly complex ideas to start with.
SOFTLAB
SAN GANNARO NORTH GATE New York, U.S.A
CLOSED CURVE TIRMMER CURVES
Creat hexogonal & circles from points on surface 30
GEOMETRY PATCH
SUFACE
Trim hexagonal surface with circles
rev MESH
GR
Group point
b.3. CASE STUDY 2.0
verse engineering
ROUP POINTS BY CURVE
ts by curves
MOVE POINTS ON TRIMMER CURVES
ADJUST POINTS 3-DIMENTIONALLY
Convert surface to mesh and relax mesh
Move points to desired position
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TIMER
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TIMER & POSITION OF TRIMMER CURVE
CHANGE IN SIDES OF BASE CURVE & COMBINED TRIMMER CURVE
b.4. TECHNIQUE DEVELOPMENT 3 DIRECTION MOVEMENT OF TRIMMER CURVE & ROTATION OF BASE CURVE
REBUILD BASE CURVE WITH VARIABLY MOVED POINTS OF ORIGINAL
SMOOTHING NEW CURVES USING MOVED POINTS
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REBUILD TRIMMER CURVE FROM MOVED & ROTATED POINTS
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TEST OF DEGREE OF SCALED MOVEMENT OF POINTS
COMBINATION OF PREVIOUS TEST & LARGER SPAN
b.4. TECHNIQUE DEVELOPMENT
SELCTION CRITERIA FREE FORM
DISSIMILAR TO ORIGINAL
UNIQUE GEOMETRY
DYNAMIC SURFACE
LARGE SPAN
INTEGRATED EXTRUSION
The most significant discovery of iterations is the control of timer during relaxation, which captures a moment during osillation before the suface settels at its minimal state. This gives more dynamic surfaces and highly irregular and unpredictable forms, as well as a variety of different models although a good proportion might be impractical. The scripted produced is much more flexible than the previous case study, producing highly varied and dynamic surfaces and more importantly, a start in seeing interesting geometry created by shifting control points away from the surface with different methods. Limitation of using a base suface and extrude its internal openning results are present in most iterations, especially ones with large surface area. Therefore large span and integrated extrusion is difficult both to be achieved. The form is more applicable to a vertical structure than one that is horizontal, which is more desiarable for a landscape design aim to span across an area.ww
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Following the two case study, I used two free-form iron wires as edges to hold up a piece of two-way woven fabric, which stretches between the two end support. The fabric is smooth when the span is adequately long, allowing all part of the fabric to be pulled in tension, flatten out any wrinkle to achieve uniformally distributed tension. Hence the resulting shape if very stable and always trys to maintain an equalibrium state when external forced applied. However, this ideal minimal surface with its continuity throughout eliminates any surface expression through representation of a pure geometry.
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b.5. PROTOTYPE
The second prototype I constructed was out of interlocked bended plywood stripes that forms the skeleton, however not of a minimal surface that contracts at the centre, but rather inflated some part of a section. This model is less structrually efficient but allows opportunities to accomadate more interactive and expressive system, such as in James North’s installation of rock melt a strong message about man-built and natural environment is delivered through use of material and its integration into the overall structure. Further development of structure and materiality should incorporate ideology of both minimal surface to achieve structural efficiency, and a more playful utilization of materiality.
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BRIEF Design a LIVING ARCHITECTURE that addresses, amplify, support, express or question of relationship between technical cultural & natural system. The design that is creative in its form and materiality to be inspired by contemporary parametric precedents. It should be an architectural response to the local ecological, cultural, social and political context using computational parametric design program.
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b.6. TECHNIQUE PROPOSAL
CONCEPT A sound gallery of natural elements and human activities that highlights the acoustic surrounding environment, in order to revive experience of nature other than visual, hence to stimulate new understanding and ideas about the relationship between man and nature.
DESIGN ELEMENTS
SOLUTION
MATERIALITY
Use material such that is visually neutral to avoid over distraction from experience of acoustic. Should have blocked view of outside with controlled
FORM
Create geometry that connects all the individually themed gallery unit into an integrated whole, using technique developed in case study exercies to create a form that blurs boundary between inside
SURFACE & STRUCTURE
Double layer of surface. Maximize internal surface area to optimize sound reflection determined by parameters. While the exterior follows the geometry outline created by minimal surface forming
SOUNDS TO HOUSE WATER
river flow
WIND
movement of leaves
ANIMALS
birds, frogs etc
HUMAN ACTIVITIES talking, body movement, of sports MACHINES
traffic, trains, 39
b.6. TECHNIQUE PROPOSAL
The site selected as circled above is due to its location in proximity to various sound resource, which also has a relatively large range in topography, whcih will challenge verticle organiztion of the whole design.
Parameters
Form
SITE CONDITION
DIMENSIONS
TOPOGRAPHY POSITION OF SOUND RESOURCE
decides
SOUND CONDITION
STRENGTH FREQUENCY REFLECTION NATURE
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CONNECTION BETWEEN INDIVIDUAL GALLERY, ENTRANCE POINTS & CIRCULATION CONNECTION TO PUBLIC PATH DIMENSION AND POSITION OF INDIVIDUAL SOUND RECEPTION OPENING ORGANIZATION OF SPACE WITHIN GALLERY
b.7. learning outcomes
In Part B, I have explored various techniques using grasshopper to experiment creating interesting geometrical forms, which has deepened my understanding of parametric design. Through production of iterations of the two case studies, I was able to learn limitation and potential of different method in constructing the same result, which will be extremely beneficial for the final stage of design. Throughout Part B I had the opportunity to research on minimal surfaces from a range of precedents. Using the two case studies and various precedent research, I was able to develop a design proposal that applys parametric thinking in respondence to the brief and concept, which derived from the site condition. During the next stage I will try to apply grasshopper skills I developed to create appropriate geometry that fits with the parameters requirement.
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b.8. APPENDIX ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES
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