Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Guanlin Huang
1025314 Joel Collions + Studio 21
Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age
Kolerevic described three fundamental types of fabrication techniques in the reading. Outline the three techniques and discuss the potential of Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication with parametric modelling.
Two-dimensional fabrication: CNC cutting, plasma-arc, laser-beam and water-jet. All of these fabrication are done by moving the cutting head in two axis on the sutting material. This technique enables the parametric modelling to come into physical existence as complicated digital surfaces can be computationally translated into Non-uniform rational B-spline (NURBs) geometry hence enabling construction by CNC cutting. Moreover, doublycurved surfaces can also be produced, for example, glass with complex curvature can be formed by putting CNC-milled moulds in highly heated ovens. Subtractive fabrication: This works by removing certain geometry that is not in the subject from an original material. This is achieved because the drill of the technology can rotates and moves in both X, Y and Z axis. And materials can be hollowed-out by complex shapes hence complicated geometry can be formed. Additive fabrication: This technique invloves the deformation or reshaping of a material. This may be be done through restricting forms, heat or steam.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation 3 2 2 1
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Lofting Surface 1
1 3
4
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Process Indication Lofting Surface 2
Surfaces Created Through this Method To be able to control the surfaces that I create, instead of simply creating two lines and loft it, I use a parametric method. Which deconstructs the edges of a cube and gain me the control of the points that were used to create the lines, and it is iterative. After that, I played with the controls and mainly explore the theme of facade sufaces, by that I mean how the space created by two surfaces either outside or inside would look differently from different point of view.
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Iteration of Surface 1
Iteration of Surface 2
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
I chose to capture the surfaces developed as I progress on the study, from relatively planar surfaces to twisting surfaces and lastly the sufaces that form a special space. As for the space formed in between or surround the surfaces, the first one is narrow in the front but more open in the end, and the perceiving space of it is vertical, forming a kind of monumental walking space which is mean to impress the user of the space. Following the same ideology, the space of the second surfaces is also a walking lane but twisted, provide more wandering in the space. And the last one is providing even more space in the ground but narrow on top bringing shadows to the space as well as functioning shelter.
Iteration of Surface 3
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Isometric View
Comment on the panelling of your two surfaces.
Comment on the waffle structure of your model.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Laser Cutting
The process of unrolling takes much longer time than I expect, not only we need to try out which is the best way to group panels but also changing the layers to distinguish what is to be cut and what is to be etch. Rings of the Waffle Structure Shape of the smaller panel
After the test print, I found all panels are in the inverse direction horizontally, so that I had to mirror it and re-print.
Fins of the As for the nesting of file, the Waffle way you orientate the piecStructure es on the paper will affect
Shape of the
the speed and price of laser cutting. So for the benefits of both parties, it is the best to layout things neatly and get the most materials saved.
2D panel
Shape of the larger panel
Cut Nesting of Unrolled Panels
Nesting of Unrolled Waffle Structures
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Etch
Lofts
1.1
1.2
1.3
{45,0,150}
{150,150,150}
{0,0,150}
{150,120,0} {105,0,150}
{60,0,0}
{150,150,0} {75,150,0}
{15,0,0}
{150,0,150}
{0,105,0}
{0,0,0}
{15,150,150}
{0,75,0} {120,0,150}
{150,0,0}
{150,0,45} {150,75,150}
{90,0,150}
{0,150,135}
{105,0,0}
{Lofting Point}
{150,15,150}
{Lofting Point}
Paneling Grid & Attractor Point
2.1
2.2
{150,80,0} {Lofting Point}
2.3
{71,60,148}
{134,24,76}
{32,110,76}
Paneling
{Attractor Point Location}
{Attractor Point Location}
{Attractor Curve Location}
3.1
3.2
3.3
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE
Key
1.4 {75,150,150}
{15,0,0}
{150,150,0}
{0,0,0}
Matrix and Possibilities
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points
{150,150,0}
For the Task 1 matrix I mainly explore three parameters: Point Attraction, Curve Attraction for offset grid and geometries which used for panelling of either two dimensional, three dimensional and a mixture of both.
{150,75,150} {15,150,150}
{Lofting Point}
And so they create different effects in terms of space, volumn, and circulation within the planes.
2.4
Sometimes complex curves does not necessarily give the best outcome, as designer we have to find out the purpose of our design and so find the most suitable solution to the design. Therefore for the last set of surface I decide to use curves that only have a mild curvature to create the sense of surrounding.
{Attractor Curve Location}
3.4
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
The transition of panels has particularly interestes me for the final laser cut model. I made the largest and most dramatic degree of panels at the cornors of the surfaces where has the least degree of curvature. However, for the middle part of the surfaces, I chose to use relatively flat panels. And for the transition I used panels that have opennings which allow lights and wind to come through and shadows shed on ground to create a cozy micro-climate within and around the design.
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Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
Creating the bouding box and brep for deconstruction Deconstructing process
Creating Planes and repeat to get a pattern
To create the boolean geometery, I first construct a brep used as the boundary of the geometery which is 150x150x150mm cube. Then I deconstruct the cube to individual planes and later group these planes to form the geometery that I want to cut from. And by using altered centorids for cutting geometery, I can change the geometery as long as I have the controls over the centroids. Therefore many iterations can be done by manipulating one of these factors.
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SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation
Grids derived from cube
Iterated Grids
Altering centroids for geometery
Icosahedron geometery used as cutting geometery
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150x150x150mm Boolean Geometery Isometric
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric view
The focus of this model is to create porosity and permeability through layers of vertical planes and boolean icosahedron. The section model opens on two sides and enables user to play around. And layers of planes allow wind to come through and create shadows which contribute to the micro-climate. The circulation ends at a certain point while users can still observe continuty on the plane. The vertical layers also give privacy to the space which gives multifunction to the space.
Section Isometric View
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Grid Iteration
1.1
1.2
1.3
{40,66,127} {23,156,55}
{-4,66,73}
{126,41,100} {73,66,46}
{113,123,93}
{50,123,52}
{58,26,100} {168,23,122}
{100,23,77}
{130,117,33}
{Attractor Point Location}
Attraction & Centroid Boolean Geometery
{Attractor Point Location}
{Attractor Point Location}
2.2
2.3
{Attractor Point Location}
{Attractor Curve Location}
{Attractor Curve Location}
3.1
3.2
3.3
{Sphere}
{Sphere}
{Box & Pyramid}
2.1
{96,104,93}
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{173,26,100}
SOLID AND VOID
Key
1.4
{0,0,0}
Matrix and Possibilities
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points
{22,90,90}
The main idea of Task 2 Matrix is to explore how different attractor points or curves can influence the distribution of cube grid and the centriods of boolean geometery.
{140,17,121} {3,24,25}
{136,138,54}
{Attractor Point Location}
I found that the complexity of boolean geometeries does not necessarily relys on the complexity of attraction methods. Complex geometery does not always give the best outcome as well. Hence in order to test and find out the best solution for design we have to gain control over the parameters.
2.4
{Attractor Curve Location}
3.4
{Icosahedron & Dipyramid}
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Task 2 Model 1
Task 2 Model 1.2
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Task 2 Model 2
SOLID AND VOID
Photography of Model
Among all the sectional models, the shadows that these model create interest me the most, since the models are all formed with layers and cut out geometeries. All thses sections have the similar quality which is they both have wild open primary space and relatively private secondary spaces. Therefore txhe model itself become a pavillion which either act as a corridor or place for playground.
Task 2 Model 3
Task 2 Model 3.2
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Iterated Surfaces Abandoned
Ideas of Geometries Use for Panelling
Analysis of Final Surfaces
Panelled Surfaces Abandoned
Rendered Image of Final Model
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Appendix
Process
Original Arrangement Time: 8h34m
Modified Arrangement Time: 6h40m
Rendered Image of Expriments
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Appendix
Isometric Drawing
Explode Isometeric Drawing
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Appendix
Process
Making the Individual Panel
Laser Cut Panels on Ivory Card
Constructed Waffle Strucutre
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Appendix Photography
Front
Bird’s Eye View
Perspective
Perspective
Panel Detail
Waffle Detail