P A R T
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GENETICS According to John Frazer, the concept of biological growth, in which rules of living organism are encoded in strands of DNAs, can be applied as the generative process for architectural form as well. This can be done through the digital encoding of architectural concepts which are oftenly expressed as a set of generative rules. These rules are then used to produce a large number of prototype forms which are usually unexpected and are then evaluated according to a set of predetermined criterias.
Recursive Aggregation
The genetic algorithm, where various parameters are encoded, is a key driver behind evolutionary architecture. Selected organisms produced from the algorithm are crossbred to further enhance the forms and it’s traits. To achieve the best traits, small increments should be made over the different generations so as to being able to monitor the changes and how it affects the form.
Due to the ongoing mass adoptation of design computation, methods such as the L-systems are being more oftenly used by achitects as it helps to simplify and automate the design process through digital encoding.
Various systems exists to aid designers in achieving the effects of genetics architecture. The Lindermayer System (L-system) is a generative logic being used in digital modelling software. It is used to simulate plant-growth and are based on a recursive, rule-based branching system where complex forms are generated through a set of rules. The rules, though simple, can produce a complex object after a few level of recursion.
B 1 R E S E A R C H F I E L D
B 2 A L- S Y S T E M S & L O O P S The different iteration were achieved through different sets of lengths and angles
Each drawings has different angles which dictates the form.
The angles are changed for each drawings.
The length is different for each iterations which resulted in the different branches.
To experiment with the process of genetic algorithm, four sets of 9 drawings were produced, each with different parameters. The Anenome and Hoopsnake plugin for Grasshopper was used to achieve the desired designs. Both the software is based on the L-system, where a certain set of rules are being repeated through recursive aggregation.
SET 1
SET 2
SET 3
SET 4
B 2 B P R O J E C T A N A LY S I S
BLOOM PROJECT The bloom project, first commisioned for the 2012 London Olympics and designed by Alisa Andrasek and Jose Sanchez From The Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London, is an example of the use of recursion and L-system to design a structure. The structure however, will never be completed as it is dependant on the visitors to alter and amend the form of te structure, thus never having the same forms at different location. This can also be attributed to the fact that recursive aggregations will react to the environment and as such it will adjust and grow according to the site conditions. By using a single component, multiple different iterations can be achieved for the form of the structure through the different rulesets. The rulesets are also the main determinant for the form of the structure as the rules will determine the growth of the form. The project is also a fine example of how design can be used to foster interaction amongst the users. It also displays the potential of using genetic algorithms to produce forms for different components such as benches and art installations.
B 2 C M A N U A L R E C U R S I O N
To further experiment with the concept of genetic algorithm,a manual recursion technique was used to formulate 4 different iterations, each with a different component that consists of 3 sockets and a different ruleset for each component. The end result for each iterations demonstrated how the rulesets and components will affect the form of the final iterations
COMPONENT 1
ITERATION 1
ITERATION 2 COMPONENT 2
COMPONENT 2
ITERATION 3
COMPONENT 1
ITERATION 4
STEP 1 The main component of the bloom project is being drawn out in rhino and once the desired shape is achieve the shape is extrude to form a 3d component.
STEP 2 Join the components into the sockets according to possible connection points with a right angle line attached which will act as a branch for the component. STEP 3 Tag the lines as the handle branch in grasshopper. A plane will then be drawn as a reference for the orientation of the branches. STEP 4 Set the axiom by using the branch for the main component and redraw the heuristic handle of the branches.
B 3 R E V E R S E E N G I N E E R I N G RECREATING BLOOM PROJECT
STEP 5 Enter ruleset into grasshopper and establish the loop with the anoneme plug in.
STEP 6 Set the number of times for recursion and run the loop. An aggregation will be produced at the indicated start point. This is in replacement of using the orient3pt command in manual recursion technique.
STEP 7 Check for any collisions and cull if any. Edit rulesets and rerun entire loop till desired form is achieved
B 3 R E V E R S E E N G I N E E R I N G AUTOMATION PROCESS
Draw out the desired components and extrude. Ensure sockets are included.
Draw a dummy branch and attach to the components.
Connect the c together from along with t bran
Once desired outcome is achieved, bake the geometry and render to personal preference.
Cull any collided components and evaluate form. Re-enter ruleset and re-orientate if results are not desired.
Start the loop plug
components m the sockets the dummy nch.
in anenome in.
Set the real branch for the components in grasshopper, along with the axiom and start point.
Redraw heuristic handles according to the finalised components.
Enter rulesets in grashopper.
Draw a plane at the end of each line for both axiom and branches which will be used for orientation.
B 3 R E V E R S E E N G I N E E R I N G FINAL OUTCOME
B 4 T E C H N I Q U E : D E V E L O P M E N T
ITERATION 1
After recreating and experimenting with the forms, a few different iterations were developed each for a different purposes and with different forms. The iterations were mainly inspired by the bloom project and are meant
COMPONENT 1
COMPONENT 1
IT
TERATION 2
ITERATION 3
COMPONENT 2
COMPONENT 2
ITERATION 4
COMPONENT 3
ITERATION 5
COMPONENT 3
EA RT A ITOI O I TI ET R N N3 6
30
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 31
ITERATION
COMPONENT 4
7
34
CONCEPTUALISATION
COMPONENT 4
ITERATION 8
CONCEPTUALISATION 35
B T E C H N P R O T O
POSSIBLE FABRIC
COMPONENT 1
COMPONENT 4
METHOD 1: LASER CUTTER The most feasible and cost efficient method to fabricate components. Different types of material can be used such as plywood and perspex, howrever for this paticular component, perpex will be used to fabrictae the components as it is more durable and safe. The perspex also comes in different colours thus giving more choices.
36
CONCEPTUALISATION
5 N I Q U E : T Y P E S
CATION METHODS
COMPONENT 2
COMPONENT 3
METHOD 2: CNC ROUTER More feasible for cutting components with uneven surface raher than a flat surface. Fabrication method is also much more expensive. METHOD 3: 3D PRINTING Fabrication method is the least feasible amongst the three methods as it has lesser choices when it comes to material colors and end product may not be as sturdy and strong as compared to the end product of the oher two method. CONCEPTUALISATION 37
B 5 T E C H N I Q U E : P R O T O T Y P E S CHOSEN FABRICATION C
B
A
D COMPONENT 2
A C CONNECTIONS D B The components are each connected to each other by the tooth socket that is cut into the components. In order to ensure that the components fits in nicely and are not loosely attached, the thickness of the tooth has to match those of the material thickness to ensure that the connections are firm. It has to be ensured that the tooth are deep enough and not too shallow so that the components will not easily disconnect from each other.
CONN
FA B R I C A T I O N M E T H O D: L a s e r Cutter MATERIAL: Perspex Laser cutter was chosen as the preferred fabrication method as it is the mosr cost effective, durable and flexible method. By laser cutting the components, a series of components can be cut together and the shape and integrity of the component will not be compromised. It is also the most flexible method due to the wide array of materials and colours available.
NECTION METHOD
CONCEPTUALISATION 39
SITE: Uni The idea behind the desig for dogs to run about and little pocket of spaces w down and rest. This space in the structures which cre the nest-like structure wh s
+
AGGREGATION 2
AGGREGATION 1
C L I E N T: D o g s imelb Dulux Gallery gn is to have an open space d interact while also having where the dogs can just lay es are created by the cavity eates a labrinth underneath hich will make the dog sfeel secure and safe in the nest.
B 6 T E C H N I Q U E : P R O P O S A L
FOOTING COMPONENT
ELEVATION
BRIDGING COMPONENT PLAN
42
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 43
B 7 L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S
Throughout the project, a key consideration I made for each design proposal iterated was “is the design feasible and practical and how do I improve on it?� By doing so, it made me question my own designs and ensure that I have a solid reason to justify and support my design ideas. Throughout the whole assignment, the amount of research and write ups done assisted in me having a braoder mind and inputting me with ideas on how to make me designs better. An exmaple will be the use of comptutation to fabricate components instead of manual fabrication which will help to greatly reduce the time spent on fabrivation and allow for a more complex structure. A key takeway from the whole exercise will be the various computational techniques learnt. Though the various videos we were tasked to watch were very insightful and educational, much self learning was also done in order to pick up an array of other grasshopper skills that were not covered in the video series. An example will be the use of various other plugins such as Fox and specific culling, particularly the culling of elements when it touches a plane and the culling of colliding components. This various self leart techniques helped me to better manage my design and help to cut down on the need of manual work. They also helped me to come out with a better design that takes the site context into consideration and a design that adapts and reacts to the site that it is in. Apart from computational design, fabrication was equally as important and the need to get the fabrication method was as crucial as it has to be ensured that the fabricated components are sturdy and meets the requirements that are part of the design process. Without a proper fabrication method, the right scale and effect may not be achieved. This can only be tested through a series of prototyping and through a method of trial and error. Overall, this assignment has further enhance my skills in grasshopper and helped to have a better understanding of the relationship between architecture and it’s surrounding environment. It also highlighted the emerging importance of three dimensional media by making us test out a prototype of our own design and the necessary connections and joints to make the structure work or fail.
B 8 A L G O R I T H M I C S K E T C H E S
SKETCH 1
For the algorithmic sketches, different methods and components were experimented upon based on the L-system of recursion. Methods used to produce sketches includes the Hoopsnake and Anemone plug in for Grasshopper and a manual recursion method using the “Orient 3pt� command in Rhino.
SKETCH 2
SKETCH 3