ARCHITECTURE STUDIO AIR 2013 SEMESTER 1
CONTENT ABOUT ME PART A A.1. A.2. A.3. A.4. A.5. A.6. PART B B.1. B.2. B.3. B.4.
CASE FOR INNOVATION Architecture as a Discourse Computational Architecture Parametric Modelling Algorithmic Explorations Conclusion Learning Outcomes EDSIGN APPROACH Design Focus Case Study 1.0 Case study 2.0 Technique: Development
ABOUT ME
My name is Huimin Xu. I come from China. I am a third year architecture student of the University of Melbourne. I have studied Virtual Environments in my first year and really enjoyed making digital model in Rhino although that was a really hard time for me. Later on I applied the technical and conceptual skills in building 3D digital model in Studio Water and Visual Communications. I think architecture is full of fun and at the same time it is complex with infinite unkonw to explore.
A.1. ARCHITECTRE AS A DISCOURSE "Architecture, then, as discourse, discipline, and form, operates at the intersection of power, relations of production, culture, and representation and is instrumental to thee construction of our identities and our differences, to shaping how we know the world." ----Dutton, Thomas A. and Lian Hurst Mann, eds (1996)
Architecture has many definitions. It can just be a place protect human beings form wind, rain and the sun as a refuge or a building has its religious, political, residential properties. In Studio AIR, architecture is more interpertated as a discourse. It is not only an expresstion of structures, materials and forms but more in expressing the concept that why people choose these structures, materials and forms according to natural environments and local culture. It is the optimal solution for the architectural project.
imitating the tree trunk to support the roof structure which starts the first page of architecture. In modern society, we explored more and more complex, organic and flexible structure from nature and then got inspired. As a language, architecture use its own way conveying an idea,such as the first precedent: Beijing National Stadium. It adopted the shape of bird nest expressing the concept of cradle that cradle is full of hope in the future.
Architecture should not be isolated Architectures come from nature in by itself. It should be related to the terms of structure, pattern and shape local environments: its context. There becoming a media of culture. In primitive should be a story behind each fabulous society, aborigines construct 'columns' architecture.
Sydney Opera House The Sydney Opera House designed by Jorn Utzon is another my favorite architecture. I was impressed by its organic shape under such a blue Ausralian sky. It distinguishs from other modern highrise buildings as a modern architecture. It borrows shell-like form inspired by the nature creature which can be seen in shapes. The shell shape is relatively rigid on its own support preventing the ‘roof’ from the wind and rain. The Opera House is situated on Bennelong Point, which reaches out into the harbour. I It becomes the landmark and culture exchange centre in Austalia. Inspired by the non-linearity and creative forces of nature and biological organisms, organic architecture referred to Modernism is visually poetic, radical, idiosyncratic and environmentally
aware and it is multi-faceted and free. The inspiration of organic architecture comes from nature and can be seen in the shapes. Modern information technology and the rapid spread of computer-aided design (CAD) which will be further interpretated in next page referred as computational design, has asisted to free up design and designers’ creative processes. Using the “strength through shape principle”, curved forms such as arches, vaults, domes, and spheres are stronger, more efficient, and more economical than the equivalent rectilinear structures which applied more in modern architecture.
Beijing National Stadium In terms of discourse aspect, the architecture, Beijing National Stadium is a good percedent project indicating a natural shape and the outer facade of "bird nest" which is inspired by the chinese "crazed pottery".2 Frank Gehry, It is designed by Arup Engineers as well as Herzog and Demeuron. I am interesting in such a bird-nest shape with its cavernous arches using the steel structure as twigs. The exposed non-linear structure can be self supported and also function as a surface. The stadium is characterized by a large concrete structure supporting the tiers laid in an imposing independent steel structure that represents both the façade and the roof that looks like a interweaved net of beams made of steel which regards as a technicle progress. The dynamic geometrical shape is defined by a set of parameters. It is also charting global societal developments as a international stadium to identify urgent societal tasks for architecture’s attention. It had extraordinary function while the Beijing Olypics Game in 2008. While t he Bird's Nest has fewer and fewer visitors these days as few events can fill a stadium built to seat 91,000. The future function of the stadium should be considered.
A.2. COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE Design as an epitome of intelligent is unique in human world. it is a process requiring both rational and creative abilities. And computer as a superb analytical engines can do precise and repetitive procedures which can list and store all the goals and changes. Additionally, it can repres ent the outcome graphically and visually by the programming setting by people. 1 Therefore, changes emerged. people take good use of computer to improve architectural design process instead of only intuition and imagination. The evolution of design process by computation strongly asist the design process and outcome, such as systemize the geometry and transfermation tool which is conventional to operate. With the latest three-dimensional design software it is much easier to design and model sophisticated and complex shapes and forms. The straight line, right angle, and cube are no longer earier and more efficient forms of design and the dominant features of architecture. Terzidis claimed that designer's creativity is limited by the very programs that are supposed to free their imagination. 2 It
is true that the computational design is just one of the 'infinite' arrangement and alteration of parameters. It really did if we don't define the idea we want to convey from our design. Furthermore, design is a purposeful activity aimed at achieving some well defined goals. The computational design process should start after the initial design concept come up. The parameters should be defined according to and also accomplish the goal. As there may be 'infinite' possibilities defining lines, shapes or planes, it may result an unexpectably conceivalbe geometries which may be beyoud the construction techniques. Consequently, computation leads to technical progress.
Voussair Cloud The installation ‘Voussoir Cloud’ is a landscape of vaults and columns consisting of clusters of three dimesional petals, which are formed by folding thin wood laminate along curved seams. It is a site specific installation designed for the Southern California Institute of Architecture gallery, Los Angeles.1 It uses the form of petal as basic element of the structure. The complexity of the composition and installation becomes clear considering that each petal has a slightly different geometry where it is difficult to calculate every single piece of petal. A computational script was developed to calculate the curvature of each piece. Each vaults rely on each other and the three walls to present its natural ppure compressive form which need to precisely calculate the edge length, area and curvation of the petals.
"Voussoir Cloud" explores the natural structural precedent of pure overall compression with the initiral material system. Each vault is comprised of a Delaunay tessellation that both capitalizes on and confounds the structural logics — greater cell density of smaller more connective modules, or petals, gang together at the column bases and at the vault edges to form strengthened ribs, while the upper vault shell loosens and gains porosity. Delaunay tessellation (the Delaunay triangulation in the plane) is another fundamental computational geometry structure. The Voronoi diagram and its dual Delaunay triangulation are shown on the right.
image resouse: http://www.personal.kent. edu/v~rmuhamma/Compgeometry/MyCG/ CG-Applets/DelaTessel/delacli.htm
Fibrous Tower From the rearsh last week, I become intersted in the natural structure. Fibrous tower is one of the kokkugia architecture studio's recent project exploring the concept of structures as a skin. It is based on algorithmic design methodoloies, exploring ornamental, structural and spatial order. This project compresses the structural and tectonic hierarchies of contemporary tower design. It is believed that the shell itself is load bearing without columns each floor. It is a good attempt to creat a structural surface instead of just a visual surface, although someone may doubt its rigidity. This skeleton structural surface is designed asisted by computation. The initial topology of the skeleton shell is algorithmically generated though a cell division procedure regarding to the town geometry. It operates as a non-linear structure with load being distributed through a network of paths and light-weight floor plate.
image source: http://www.kokkugia.com/
A.3. PARAMETRIC MODELLING “Parametric modelling introduces a fundamenal changes: ”marks”, that is, part of a design, relate and change together in a coordinated way.”1 We used pencil, eraser and paper as tool in archetypal design originally. All design comes from addition and subtration from pencil and eraser respectively. And these processes are ‘irreversible’ untill we applied parametric medelling in the design process. Paametric modelling will record the changes and provide us convenience as decisions that should be changed can take too much work to change in conventional design. Parametric modeling also has enabled us to create new complex geometries which becomes the new page of contemporary modern architecture. It is based on the multiple variables and their relations. After input into computer script, computer can then come up a visual geometry result. The complex geometries that were created by computer bring numerous challenges in architecture industry and construction process. With algorithms we can input the defining properties of a component as a parameter
and deliver a computational model as an output. As in previous architectural industry, we produce brick, tile in volume production. While in parametric modelling, each piece got their unique size and shape, which increase the amount of time and money to design and produce. However, it brings us amazing geometries instead of just a solid cube. For example, to make a sphere by parametric modelling is to transfer the curved surface into several flat triangular pieces as shown in the left images. Parameteric design as an emerging concept of design process, it brings a lot possiblities and flexbilities to architecutre. Parameter is a factor that helps to define the overall limits and performance of a system in the use of the specific algorithim. Such algorithm can be regarded as a langauge and a discourse. In Grasshopper, we use a series of containers and constructor to store and operating data which may be some points, lines and geometry.
Carpenter center puppet theater Carpenter center puppet theater used parametric modeling to triangulate the exterior surface by creating an algorithm to systematically layout a series of diamond panels across the surface. The diamond panels are now filled with vegetations. The panels were digitally fabricate off site, transported and then assembled on site. There are 500 panels fabricating from a flat sheet of polycarbonate and then folded carefully one by one to create space. Each panel unique in shape as shown in the bottom images. The seams need to be fastened together. The methods of whole installation are completed precisely through computer. There also the changes in design process as a result of parametric modelling.
Beijing National Aquatics Centre The design, engineering, and construction of the Beijing National Aquatics Centre, or Water Cube, also depended heavily on parametric design. ArupSport, the designers, based the building’s unique structure on a natural pattern of organic cells and the formation of soap bubbles. Bubbls have its rigid form and stabilities. With parametric modelling in these design elements, the design process would be greatly conceivable and feasible. Designers don't just satisfy the visual outcome of such parameter design. They do think it in an engineering way and make it functionable. The Watercube demonstrates how improvements in technology can affect design in terms of material use and computer software technology employed. The entire geometry is based on a unique lightweight-construction. Behind the totally randomized appearance hides a strict geometry as can be found in natural systems like crystals, cells and molecular structures.
The bubble cladding lets in more light than glass and thoroughly cleans itself with every rain shower.
A.4. ALGORITHMIC EXPLORATIONS In my first few week’s exploration in Rhino, I found that grasshopper is such an convenient tool for us to start thinking about parametric design. Grasshopper is a node-based algorithm editor integrated with Rhino’s 3-D modelling tool. It is as functionable as Rhino and related to each other. It consists of input, processing constructor and output after a series of algorithms. As I am interested about the structural form of the Bird Nest, I do some further exploration of the random skeletion structures which might help me further understand the parametric design process. It uses Bounding Box and then pop3D region to fill box with random points. Also in my research on Voussair Cloud, Delaunay
triangulation in the plane is a fundamental computational geometry structure. The Voronoi diagram and its dual Delaunay triangulation are created a collection of points by the command of Voronoi 3D. Once it comes up a set of voronoi shapes, it is easy to unfold and produce the connecting surfaces for the installation.
Voronoi 3D Grasshopper Exploration
As there is too many variables in Rhino, not evertime we can do offset to the geometries.
Bird Nest Grasshopper Exploration
A.5. CONCLUSION
It is found that nature has creat all the magical pattern, colour and structures of the creatures. There should be a logic or intelligent rules behind waiting for our exporations. Architecture should learn from nature in terms of structure, the loadbearing ability and also the culture innovations. I understand how points, lines and surface can arrange to create complex geometry. These are the starting point of architecture. My design approach should be inspired from the natural environment or some research regarding biomimicry based on computational modelling.We can use grasshopper to explore some complex organic geometries into our design and increase the accuracy of the deisgn process.
A.6. LEARNING OUTCOMES With the reading from Woodbury, I got an deeper understanding about the mathematical perspective of the new technology of computation. We will use a lot variables - parameter to define our possible outcome. It should have an initial shape and expect before it come out. From the first few week of study, I realized computer really come help us solove a lot probles and save time once we got familiar the set of language it is using. Thus. I found that there still much unkown to learn and next few weeks should put more effort.
REFENRENCE Definition of "algorithm" in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil eds(1999) in The Mit Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (London: The MIT Press) pp.11-12 Woodbury, Robert (2010). Elements of Parametric Design (London: Routledge) pp. 7-48 Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture's New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of ComputerAided Design (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2004), pp. 5 - 25; Beijing National Stadium, Arup 2012, viewed April 3 2013, <http://www.arup.com/Projects/ Chinese_National_Stadium.aspx> [parametric]design, viewed March 30 2013, <http://www-scf.usc.edu/~eprins/catia.html> â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Voussoir Cloudâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; by IwamotoScott with Buro Happold, 2013 Archivenue, viewed March 30 2013, <http://www.archivenue.com/voussoir-cloud-by-iwamotoscott-with-buro-happold/> Sydney Opera House Architect, 2012 Sydney Opera House, viewed April 4 2013, <http://www. sydneyoperahouse.com/about/the_architect.aspx>