Air Studio 2013 Semester 2 Wang He 381506
Content PartA CASE FOR INNOVATION
A.1 A.2 A.3 A.4 A.5 A.6
Architecture as a Discourse Computational Architecture Parametric Modelling Algorithmic Exploration Conclusion Learning Outcomes
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- ABOUT ME
My name is He Wang, third year student major in architecture. Growing up in China and moving to Melbourne in 2010. After one year Foundation Studies, I enrolled in Melbourne University in 2011. I am passionate about drawings as I think art is a creative thing. I think this might be the primary reason for me to choose architecture as my major, possibly I will spend my life time with it. Initially, I thought architecture is about drawing different interesting stuffs. However, my mind has been changed after two years study. Architecture is much more complicated than simple drawings. It requires lots of skills such as, critical thinking, analytical ability, team work, digital fabrication and so on. I have developed strong interests in this area within this two year. With the basis of Virtual Environments, Earth Studio, Water Studio and other architectural course, I have learned how to use some technical software. Such as, Rhino, Sketch Up, Revit, CAD, Photoshop, AI and Lumion. And I am still in explorative stage of using some of them. 1
Model built in Visual Environments
I love travelling for the reason that I can see the whole world. I have been to almost 30 cities all around the world, in Africa, Europe and South Asian. It is extremely interesting to see different buildings in front of you. Differently from looking at lecture slide, you can actually experience and touch the spirit behind the building around the environment. I see Air Studio as a great chance to develop my integrated skills in architecture. Further develop my research skills and critical thinking in Part one for case study, parametric design skill and team work in part two, time management and problem solving in part three. I got my first shoot about architecture in Virtual Environments. It provided up an introduction to computerization and design process. Through the process of concept developing, initial design proposal, converting to digital model, final justification and fabrication, I had been brought into the world of architecture in the lantern design process. Images above presevent my work for Virtual Environments. 2
PART A CASE FOR INNOVATION
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A1. Architecture as a Discourse
"Architecture is as much a philosophical , socail or professional
realm as it is a material one, and it is through the consideration of architecure as discourse that one can engage with it as visual culture. ... Architecture ought to be seen as discourse. Building as material facts a small part of the overall field of architecture, a field which is better regarded as network of practices and detabes about the buildt enviroment." -Williams, Richard 2005
Intially, architecture as a definition of protecting place for human beings from the outside unpredictable environemt. In order to fullfill the various needs of people, new designs and construction technicals continuing being developed throught innovation of buildings. In my opinion, today's architecture goes far more beyond these as it is an intersection in multidimensional deisplinary based on culture, design techinical, construction methods as well as the build environment surrounding the site. Firstly, some architecture as a landmark should not only act as a innovation project for people to memory but also needs to incooprate into people's everyday life. Buildings sits within large urban content and it will potentially
influence everyday life of people. For example, religious building enable people to fulfill the needs of belief, commercial buidling will influence the economic aspect of people's life and residential buidling impact people both physically and emotionally. Thus, architecture is not simply a shelter, it is a intergreated things which changes every part of the society. Secondly, architecture should learn from natural environment as they will always inspire us in terms of the aesthetics, design forms and construction method which we can use. Innovation could happen based on thoughtful consideration of the relationship between human and the surrounding natural world if people could explore the colourful natural world thoughtfully. 4
Water Cube
Soource: news.zhulong.com
Water Cube is one of my favourite architectural project due to its interesting initial design concept, innovativeness and practical applicability. The Water Cube initially designed to accommodate the official 2008 Olympics swimming facility. Its primary design concept is driven by' the soap bubble'theory comes out with Chinese and Australian. In addition to this, the most importantly, this project incorporated Chinese culture in the design’s central theme. In Chinese history, the Earth and Heaven is conceptualized as square and round respectively(Travel China Guide ) . Therefore, the square shape of the Water Cube has been designed consists lots of ‘round’ soap bubble. That express one of the traditional Chinese believes of Earth and Heaven bond together will give people infinite power. Incorporate 5
the cultural aspects with the design concept is one of the most important needs for a landmark building. That is because each building should have its own ‘sprite’, expressed as its specific local or regional cultural aspect rather than simply considering the aesthetic aspects of the building. That sprite is owned by the specific building and will be remembered by people by its own characteristics and people tend to interact with the building due to the cultural involvement. . This would create a similarity in terms of sharing same culture believes on the regional people and at the same time, revealing a traditional Chinese culture to other parts of the world. Secondly, the building is innovative in terms of its structure and material selection. The ETFE is used for its membrane structure and this formed
Soource: CNN travel news
3,065 bubble like pneumatic cushions various in sizes(Water Cube membrane structure completed, 2006). It sets up a new record for its massive deployment and large-scale steel framed structure coated with membrane(Travel China Guide ) . This capitalizes the tensile properties of the materials on a lightweight structural gives a great chance of getting light into the space in day time. However, this might also raise the problem for maintenance of the building due to the membrane is not strong enough to resist the sharp objects from outside environment. Thirdly, after the events, half of the Water Cube has been converted into a water park. This indicates that this architecture has blend in the everyday life of the local people and still functioned very well. This made me think of what actually should a landmark building to be. It should not just as a gorgeous building in front of people. It should always make people remember the past when people using it currently. Local people will be proud of that this building has contributed to sportive function in past and still doing something to engage in the daily life of people. That is the building has its own sprite and cultural aspect from the past that is memorable to a nation, which is what I think one of the most important part of the architecture. 6
TEMPORARY PAVILLION IN NODA
Source: Detail Inspiration 7
Source: Archi vitamins
Another interesting project would be a temporary pavilion designed by a group of people leading by kazuhiro kojima. It contributed to the architecture field as it experiment an extremely lightweight load-bearing structure. This project only consist two elements: adelicate elastic polyester skin and metal load bearing elements. These membrane over the metal tubes bears the tensile force and the 131 individual tubes are connected to membrane by sliding the ends into sheaths sewn on(Detail Inspiration 2012). This created a minimal surface structure in conjunction with limited amount of load-bearing structures. Therefore, the pavilion could maximize the sunlight getting through the membrane to light up the inner space . In addition to this, the pavilion covers an area of 146 ㎥ with 26 meter long ,7.5 meter wide and 4.25 meter high. At the same time, there do not have any columns inside to support the structure. This provides an advantage of maximizing the usable space inside the volume within such a large structure. The specific property of the material reduced the erection time into only one day. All of these in this project suggests the benefits of using minimal surfaces, such as, lighter materials, large usable space and less construction time. Therefore, it provides flexibility to users comparing to other monolithic structural materials. 8
References : Detail Inspiration, 2012, Temporayr Pavillion in Noda, from 'http://www.detail-online.com/ inspiration/temporary-pavilion-in-noda-106251.html' on 4th AUG. Lara, Farrar, 2010, Beijing's Water Cube now has slides, rides, a wave pool and spa, Cnn Travel News, from 'http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/play/beijings-watercube-water-parknow-open-040746?hpt=C2' . Moon tensegritic membrne structure, 2013, Archi vitamins, from ' http://www.archivitamins. com/moom-tensegritic-membrane-structure-ca/#.UhBcEfkwfQm' on 4th AUG. Williams, Richard, 2005, citied in Studio air Lecture 1 , University of Melbourne, Travel China Guide, 2011, National Aquatics Cube, from 'http://www.travelchinaguide.com/ attraction/beijing/water-cube.htm', on 3rd AUG. Water Cube Membrane structure completed, 2006, from 'http://en.beijing2008.cn/96/45/ article214004596.shtml ', on 4th AUG.
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A2. Computational Architecture
"Definitively not one single environment doing everything -
please keep the platform multiple but as light as possible - speed is key when a large population or massive variations are involved." - Marc Fornes
There always is a wide discussion about the pros and cons of the computerization in architecture. Terzidis states that computer aided design has limited the potential outcomes and the creativity of the architecture( lecture 2 ). However, I think it is actually beneficial to use computer programs in the design process. Firstly, the computer will save people lots of times by just go through the programs in seconds and repeating the program without tired. According to Kalay ( 2004), computers would never feel tired and would not make arithmetical mistakes. At the same time, they help people with most suitable form for human to interpret ( Kalay 2004). For example, Revit Architecture will produce table and diagramss for us, such as area of the rooms , windows and door schedule and so on. In addition to this, it will provide plan, elevations and section of the design as well. That is to say, computers not only assist people as giving people a three dimensional senses, but also break down the structure into construction document. This will minimize the mistakes if we shift between 3-D model and the construction drawings during the stage of refinement. Therefore, it is benificial to use computer as it will assist people in finding problems and refine the design outcomes more easily and efficiently. 10
Image 2.1 facades Source : Mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building
Image 2.2 Construction documments of Yardmasters building Source: Construction Design Lecture 7
Image 2.3 East Elevation Source : Mcbride charles ryan: the yardmasters building
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source : Simona Strachinare
The Yardmasters Building designed by Australian Architecture Studio is one of the most impressive project for me in terms of the computer aided design project. Firstly, the computer program provides more accuracy for the project. As indicated by image 2.1 , each panel is designed in computer with different pattern on them. All its precast concrete panels are made based on the drawings produced by computer and therefore, every panel match up with adjacent panel very well. That is to say, the computer could enhance the accuracy in design process to improve the design outcomes. At the same time, the computer is beneficial for the reason that it can generate adjustable various facades patterns and prevent an overall changes from different views. Thus, it helps people to design within three dimensional visually. Designers could easily found the problems within the project based on different analysis skills of different softwares to enhance the overall design of the project. Such as sustainability test, structural test, sound test and so on. This proved that conputer as a helper would benifit people by analysis the design outcomes more comprehensively. 12
References : Construction Design Lecture 7 , 2013, semester 1, University of Melbourne, Yehuda E, Kalay, Architecture's New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of ComputerAided Design. Cambridge, Mass:Mt Press,2004, pp5-25 Mcbride charles ryan: the Yardmasters building, 2011, from ' http://www.designboom.com/ architecture/mcbride-charles-ryan-the-yardmasters-building/ ' on 9th AUG. Simona, S, 2011, Beautiful Yardmasters Building by McBride Charles Ryan, Architecture, Terzids, 2005, citied in Studio air Lecture 2 , University of Melbourne,
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A3. Parametric Modelling
Initially, designing is all about drawing on papers by using pencil and pens to express the ideas and outcomes. With the development of the design technic, parametric modeling come into our sight and gradually playing an important role in some innovative project. It basically benefits designing by providing more control and efficiency . Parametric modeling enhance s the design as it enable us to do things which are unachievable previously. For example, complex geometries challenges both design and construction process. However, based on the computer programs, lots of complex geometries could be created. By inputting the defining elements of each component, we could get different computational model for outcome by exploring various input elements. Further, computer modeling also provide the flexibility of refining the project. This is because adjustment could be done by just change a little part of the input. However, this might also be constrain of the parametric modeling. Usually, there is only one person in charge for the whole project for the reason that it is relatively hard for another person
to get step in the project ( Lecture 3 ). Both the input elements in programs might be enormous and the complexity of the input could not be understood by others. Another obvious advantage is that, parametric design could precisely control the measure of the outcome. Unlike using the same construction material, we tend to produce unique facades by using paramatric modelling. This could be time and money consuming if we simply do it by hand. That is to say, parametric modeling could give unbelievable control over the project to improve the creativity of the outcomes and to makes it unique. Mark Collins argued that parametric design is detrimental as too many project share the same ‘wiring’ and this limited the outcome possibility and creativity. However, I think that is du to designers lack of skills in scripting. Designers cannot be creative if they are not familiar with the tools they are using. If they are not educated of how to using parametric modeling, they will simply be the followers to copy from other’s rather than leaders of innovative project ( Vito Acconci ). 14
Stain Sheet project
Image 3.1 sample model
Image 3.2 detail section
Image 3.3 detail section
Image 3.2 surface pattern
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The Stain Sheet project in an interesting example adopted parametric modeling. The set of the panel differs from each other subtly both in textural and surface shading. With the assist of parametric modeling, all these panels were created precisely in measurement. Therefore, all of them transit with each other seamlessly which creating a tessellated filed. From image 3.3, each panel are unique either from pattern or section. Furthermore, the parametric design improved the efficiency of the process as these are absolutely a great amount of work if it draw manually. It will be a disaster for the project if designers make any mistakes prior to construction process. Therefore, it is obviously that paramatic modelding help people a lot in terms of ensure the accuracy as well as reduce the amont of work.
Source ďźš Lisa Iwamoto
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Another project named Green Void is a great example of using paramatric modelling with minimal surface. The project is solely based on minimal surface tension stretching between wall, ceiling and floor. This is achieved with 3D computer modeling. With the computer program, designers could easily experiment the form of the project and test out where to anchor the structure elements from design aspect. Moreover, the material selected based on minimal surface could cover a broad area due to its light self-weight. The 3,000 cubic meters of space are filled up with this project with a minimal surface of 300 square meters which only wright for 40 kilograms. This gives the opportunities that this project could be easily transported, quickly constructed and great visual impact. Therefore, the computer increase the possibility of getting some kind of geometries which we could not easily achieved previously due to constrains of experiment. For example, Kangaroo could be pluginto Grasshopper to find the anchor point of the minimal surface and finding most efficient forms (Daniel) .
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Green
Void
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Reference : Terzids, 2005, citied in Studio air Lecture 3 , University of Melbourne, Burry, Mark, 2011, Scripting cultures, pp.8-71 Daniel, P. Kangaroo, Generative Modeling for Rhino, from 'http://www. grasshopper3d.com/group/kangaroo' on 14th AUG. Mark Collins & Toru Hasegawa, cited in , Scripting cultures, pp.8-71 Vito Acconci , cited in , Scripting cultures, pp.8-71 Lisa Iwamoto, 2009, Digital Fabrication, Archititectural and Material Techniques, Princeton Architectural Press, New York. Fifi, 2008, Green Void, Design Sigh, from 'http://www.designsigh.com/2008/12/greenvoid/'. On 15th AUG. 19
A4. Algorithmic Explorations
Weeek 1
Weeek 2
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week 3
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By doing these weeks’ grasshopper exercises, I realize that parametric modeling is such a powerful tool to use in many aspect of our everyday life. We could simply generate various kinds of geometries and adjust the form to refine our outcomes by change some of the inputs or even adjust the ‘ slider ‘ component. This allowed us doing various of experiment of our deisng more easily. This corresponding to the efficiency of the parametric design I have discussed in the section previously. However, it takes times for me to get familiar with these tools in order to use it confidently. Therefore, I think it is important to get some knowledge prior to the design process. According to Vito Acconci, scripting should be taught in high-schools as general culture: scripting for architects &designers, scripting for mathematicians& biologists, scripting for dancers &musicians, scripting for moviemakers& d r a m a t i s t s . T h a t i s t o s a y,
parametric design influences every aspect of our life. Then, I realize that these three weeks are crucial to our later design process as it allowed us to do research about the materials and let us know the tools better before we are actually going to use it. Particularly, I am interested in tensile strength of the materials. Therefore, by staring from search for minimal surfaces, I found some really good examples such as Water Cube, Temporary Pavilion in Noda and Green Void. Based on these precedents, I learned that membrane might be the most suitable material for a tensile force for the reason that it is light in self-weight. In addition to this, minimal surfaces could maximize the sunlight within the built space for the reason that it requires limited structure to support. Last but not least, this could also reduce potential cost of the project as minimal surface structure generally require less construction time on site. All of these advantages of these could potentially assist my design in next stage.
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A5. Conclusion
Architecture requires multi-disciplinary skills as it influence every aspect of people’s
daily life. Therefore, each project should be fully considered for its social, political and environmental impact of the society. Rather than simply put an aesthetical building on the spot. Moreover, computer-aided design and parametric modeling benefits the designing, such as, providing more control on the project, more efficiency on the refinement, more accuracy on the outcomes and enable the construction process become less time involving as it enable prefabricated component. Therefore, people with good acknowledge of parametric modeling could potential coming out more creative project as they could use computers to do things which might not be achieve manually.
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A6. Learning Outcomes
Air Studio gives me a new sight of what architecture is. After
these three weeks, I found that computer aided design could be far more than just computing something which we already determined into computers. It could actually help the design stage of exploration of the undermined design. Using computer as an experimental and analytical tools to assist us in doing the project in order to get a comprehensive design project. I will devote more time on getting familiar with the grasshopper in order to focus on the coming design stages. Hopefully, I could learn more from the next few weeks.
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Reference : Vito Acconci , cited in , Scripting cultures, pp.8-71
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