Final air journal zhuoqi xu 755991

AIR

ARCHITECTURE STUDIO SEMESTER 1, 2017 TUTOR: FINNIAN WARNOCK ZHUOQI XU (JACQUI) 755991

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TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION A.1 DESIGN FUTURING A.2 DESIGN COMPUTATION A.3 COMPOSITION/GENERATION A.4 CONCLUSION A.5 LEARNING OUTCOME A.6 ALGORITHMIC SKETCH BIBLIOGRAPHY IMAGE REFERENCE 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 TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL B.7 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES B.8 APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES BIBLIOGRAPHY IMAGE REFERENCE C.1 DESIGN CONCEPT C.2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES C.3 FINAL DETAIL MODEL C.4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

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INTRODUCTION

HELLO! I am Zhuoqi and I am currently studying the second year architecture at The University of Melbourne.

I was born in China, which is the biggest country in Asia with more than 5000 years of history and profound cultural heritage. It is common to see different kinds of buildings such as high-rise buildings in cities and lowstorey houses in countrysides. Because of various influence factors, like climate change, population spatial distribution, traffic serving level, buildings should satisfy many requirments.

I have been learning painting for about 10 years, and feel interested in designing. After the college entrance examination, I went to Melbourne for my further college study. Although I did not get any design educate before, nor my family have related background, I insist my interest. No wonder learning architecture is a big challenge for me, besides language, digital technique, essay writing...I still believe this is the best choice in my study life. Also, I personlly believe good designs can hold the balance between human and nature.

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A 6

CONCEPTUALISATION 7

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"Design takes on a determinate life of its own - designed things go on designing.''

----------------------Fry, Tony

DESIGN FUTURING 9

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DESIGN FUTURING

As for the main point of the design futuring, it refers to changing our thinking, then how and what we design.

It is important to understand the "dialectic of sustainment", renewable resource is the vital feature to distinguish creation and destruction.

This aspect diectly influence what materials we choose for designing objects. When we are thinking about the design, we need also connect with the "state of the world", such as climate change. In this view, design futuring is surrounded by slowing the rate of defuturing and redirecting us towards more sustainable mokdes of planetary habitation[1]. Maybe this also indicates the new trend of being more simple in architecture. Also, design represents the form of social background. on the other hand, design intelligence should satisfy changable envirnment of our dependence.

According to the authors, we have inspired by radical architecture and fine art for a long time, which means we are required to keep with the trend of the times. In fact, with populations continues to grow, inadequate resources can not be ignored. As designers, we need more pluralism in design, not of style but of ideology and values.

One of the most interesting opinions is what matters in design are not its purposes, on the contrary, it should have a sort of social usefulness. This is the main point of "critical design". in authors' view, critical design represent good design, designers will realize weakness in their objects and alter them after critical design. Also, we need to consider the reality for sale, this is another aim of critical design, which stimulates the designers achieve high quality.

In fact, architecture design is a completed system of thinking and communication. Therefore, Fry's opinion of "design intelligence" should be adopted in our design processes[2]. From drawing our initial thinking at the starting point, then writing down the additional ideas before model making with sketching plans and sections. After finishing all the steps, that is the design outcome. Moreover, to satisfy the requirement of design futuring, we need to consider about sustainability, which means minimize the negative impact to environment by improving design process more efficiently.

1. Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 2. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45 10

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SUSTAINABILITY OUTCOME

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SKETCH

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CASE STUDY A1.1

This is a nature boardwalk at Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. It was designed

by Studio Gang Arcgitects, who got inspiretion from the tortoise shell. This new boardwalk circumscribing the pond passes through various educational zones that explicate the different animals, plants and habitat found in each. I really like this ceiling structure because people can enjoy different views in different open angles. Its laminated structure consists of prefabricated, bent-wood members and a series of interconnected fiberglass pods[3].

On the other hand, this structure is stable by its wood members connect each other, which give support one by one.

Also, the man-made project creates a relationship the extraneous landscape surrounding.

The reason I choose to research the project is that the nature boardwalk not only provide a crucial, connective habitat for resident and migratory animal populations, but also it used as a functional, selfsustaining solution to Chicago's aging stormwater infrastructure. In this view, the design makes the balance between nature and architecture which achieve sustainability.

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This is a good example for design futuring, it makes people think about environmental relationship. In my opinion, another charateristic of design futuring is that the architect uses local benefits to make the project more sustainable.

3. The Design inspiration. (2011). Nature Boardwalk at Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo. <http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/nature-boardwalk-at-chicago's-lincoln-parkzoo/> [accessed 10 March 2017] 12

Project: Nature Boardwalk in Lincoln Park Zoo Architect: Studio Gang Date: 2010 Location: Chicago

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CASE STUDY A1.2

According to the architect, the aim of designing the Ford Calumet Environmental Center is to educate visitors about the Calumet region's unique industrial and natural importance. In order to achieve environmental friendly, the project was constructed of salvaged steel from the Calumet industrial region and other remnant, recyable materials such as slag, glass bottles, bar stock, and rebar[4]. In this aspect, this project keeps the balance between nature and humans, because this natural materials were used in new ways which highlights the sustainable principle.

In addition, geothermal heat pumps, earth tubes, besides water collection systems are integrated into the whole project. From the whole design process, I think the architect makes the most of the environment characteristic, for instance, the project let people enjoy the sunshine meanwhile it can prevent from bad weather using its location.

In conclusion, I think as for a good design, no matter how much smartly the building is, it should rely on the environment, reduce the negative impacts therefore it can exist in a sustainable way.

Fig.4 4. Ross barney architects. (2016). Ford Calumet Environmental Center. <http://www.r-barc. com/projects/ford-calumet-environmental-center/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 14

Project: Ford Calumet Environmental Center Architect: Studio Gang Date: 2004 Location: Chicago

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"Designâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s inherent optimism leaves no alternative but it is becoming clear that many of the challenges we face today are unfixable and that the only way to overcome them is by changing our values, beliefs, attitudes, and behavior."

----------------------Dune, Fiona

DESIGN COMPUTATION

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DESIGN COMPUTATION

Computational design represents a new design methodology in which computation in which computation act as a collaborator.

According to the readings, it shows that formation precedes form, through the logic of the algorithm it creates design[5].

With the changes of times and social progress, the level of architectural design becomes higner along with the development of the digital techniques and raising of aesthetic requirements of the people, which also indicates new energy and structural calculations are springing up[6]. Therefore, the use of computer maximsing efficiency in production and communication in modern architectural design, such as form generation, performance, morphogenesis, tectonics, materialization, fabrication and so on[7].

In conclusion, computation design requires us to think logically and in a step-by-step manner. I think computation is really useful for our further design because it can make the whole design process deivided into many steps that can be evaluated, revised, and improved.

5. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 6. Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 7. Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and Associates, pp 1 - 42 18

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CASE STUDY A2.1

The typical example of computational design is Blob Architecture, this refers to the buildings have organic building forms using computer-acided design. For instance, this is Sage Gateshead located in UK. Gateshead on the south bank of the River Tyne, in the North East of England.

It uses a curved glass and stainless steel building at the center. This project is consists with three seperate halls which do not touch[8]. From the facade, it looks like a cloud shape with irregular shells that can view outside. The organic curve is suitable for the surroundings. All these accurate works are done successfully thanks to computerisation.

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8. Engaging Places. (2014). Architecture in focus: The Sage Gateshead. <http://www. engagingplaces.org.uk/teaching%20resources/art72217>. [accessed 10 March 2017] 20

Project: Sage Gateshead Architect: Foster and Partners, Buro Happold Date: December 2004 Location: Gateshead Quays, UK

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CASE STUDY A2.2

Another example is the Beijing National A q u a t i c s C e n t e r, i n o r d e r t o m a d e relationship with Bird's Nest stadium, it came out a cover of cube with bubbles.

In addition, Water Cube is a steel space frame that is visually striking, energy efficient, and ecologically friendly. Through digital computation, the Water Cube has more than 4000 bubbles to built the crystalline structure as the figure shows.

During design development, it used Strand 7.0 finite-element analysis (FEA) software for structural analysis. Then it developed VBA scripts to export the analyzed and optimized MicroStation model to AutoCAD drawing files (DWG format), MicroStation TriForma drawings (DGN), and Excel spreadsheets (XLS) for data extraction.

The analysis data exported to MicroStation included end points and dimensioned section types. Scripts imported data files to recreate wireframe models, with annotations of element number and section type, for integrity checks and production. These were all used to create 3D primitives, constructed in an element-aligned local coordinate system before being translated back into the global coordinate system[9].

In conclusion, computation helps the designer expand the idea such as data into dital model, also the designers can add extra elements in the design thinking process.

Fig.11 9. The Australian Institute of Architects. (2013). Watercube - National Swimming Centre Beijing. <http://dynamic.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entry no=2008196910>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 22

Project: Beijing National Aquatics Center Architect: PTW Architects, CSCES, CCDI, and Arup Date: 2007 Location: Beijing, China

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"Computation makes possible not only the simulation and communication of the constructional aspects of a building, but also the experience and the creation of meaning."

----------------------Stan Allen

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COMPOSITION/GENERATION

With the development of computation technology, architectual practice has shifted from composition to generation.

This means computation technology is widely used and plays an important role in architectual design processes and idea generation. Compared to traditional sketching, when designers use computation technology, it will become more accurate and vivid. Composition is the basic organizing element of an artistic form, which coordinates parts with each other and with the whole.

On the other hand, generative design mimics nature’s evolutionary approach to design. It appeaars because the world is becoming increasingly infiltrated and mediated by electronic systems and devices[10]. According to Anthony Dunne, he regarded design as "relocating the electronic product beyond a culture of relentless innovation for its own sake, based simply on what is technologically possible and semiologically consumable, to a broader context of critical possible and semiologically consumable, to a broader context of critical thinking about its role in everyday life" [11]. Therefore, design using generative methods involves the creation and modification of rules or systems that interact to generate t h e f i n i s h e d d e s i g n a u t o n o m o u s l y.

For example, Blob architecture needs designers using computation technology to thinking design process.

10. Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 11. Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences (London: MIT Press), pp. 11, 12 26

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CASE STUDY A3.1

The Heydar Aliyev Center shows a fluid form which emerges by the folding of the landcape's natural topography anf by wrapping of individual functions of the center. According to the designer, the project establishes a continues, fluid relationship between its surrounding plaza and the building's interior. The plaza was well designed as it is accessible to all as part of Baku's urban fabric, and rises to envelop an equally public interior space[12].

To analysis specifically, the monotonous array of designs can be generated by the same design methods. For instance, the curve shape can be created by grasshopper.

In my views, this irregular facade has elaborate formations such as undulations, bifurcations, folds, and inflections, it seems really unsuitable with surroundings, on the contrary, it makes the whole site more harmonious. With a slight look the Heydar Aliyev Center gives the feeling of being whole, without structure, but their shapes make extreme engineering. The designers were focus on its fluid form that emerges by the folding of the natural topography of the landscape and wrapping of individual functions within.

According to the research, the flowing parametric shapes are the symbol of the Zaha Hadid's design. I think this element may can use in my further design.

Fig.14 12. Archdaily. (2013). Heydar Aliyev Center / Zaha Hadid Architects. <http://www.archdaily. com/448774/heydar-aliyev-center-zaha-hadid-architects/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 28

Project: Heydar Aliyev Center Architect: Zaha Hadid Date: 10 May 2012 Location: Baku, Azerbaijan

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CASE STUDY A3.1

This is dine-in restaurant with rigid geometries design. From viewing the facade, it combines the qualities of a dome and surface, the hybrid form employs the structural strengths of both applications.

According to the research, the project used the wooden armature with rough textured plywood.

The architect started designing with a parametric exploration as the figure shows. As the computation design we mentioned before, the architect used CNC routing and systematic assemblage[13].

During the design process, the architects adjust different materials, for example, threaded steel rods affixed into a double thickness vertical plywood panel were used in slab for it can improve the efficiency of the structure.

In my opinion, this object inspires me of computation design. It is difficult to show the these grid curves by handdrawing, however, digital drawing can do any random curves or angles we want.

Meanwhile, computer modelling is also a good way to test materials. In order to matintain accuracy during production and assemblage we can sourced from the natural materials and encompassed digital generation besides fabrication.

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13. Marija Bojovic. (2013). Parametric Undulating Structure For The Indigo Deli / Sameep Padora And Associates. <http://www.evolo.us/architecture/parametric-undulating-structurefor-the-indigo-deli-sameep-padora-and-associates/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 30

Project: Indigo Deli Architect: sameep padora and associates Date: 2012 Location: Mumbai, India

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CONCLUSION

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After studying part A, I think I need to redefine "design". In our college design studio, sometimes we may focus more on the smart ideas, but actually, when we design a project, we need to consider a lot of influence factors, such as the materials, climate, client profile and so on. As we mentioned in design futuring, we should use limited environmental materials to maximun efficiency, because sustainability is the core topic during the design process.

On the other hand, design computation is becoming common used in architecture. we can use computational tools evolved from its plane to become a generative form. It is really helpful to create new deesign, and we can also use these tools to improve our design. Digital models are much easier to to make revisions for insufficiency.

CONCLUSION

According from my task, ceiling, as a common component in interior design, I may start with its material, as the material is an important part for both structure and aesthetic. I will use computational tools to choose the most suitable one.

For the following steps, I may consider about the surrounding and client profile.

For instance, I will think about the shape to make the whole site more harmonious by using rhino and laster-cutting. Also, client profile is important to embady the design become humanized, like the number of the client, the type of the occupants.

From the last part, it is necessary to draw the inspiration down, and then we can use computation design methods to make it more completed. As the author claims that computation should be integrated as a intuitive and natural way to design, not a mere tool to generate unusual forms, that is to say the most important part of design is thinking.

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

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After three weeks' learning, I gradually learning to use grasshopper. The emerging of digital tools creates lots of benefits for architectural design. I will spend more time to learn them. Another important part for me is thinking. Architecture is not only simply model making, but the inspiration behind the design. We need to tranfer our ideas into the actual life with considering a lot of factors and then get the outcomes.

Furthermore, before starting design a project, I will go to the liabrary to search related resources. For an architect, the impulse to be genuinely useful is one that we should cultivate, encourage and celebrate. During the design process, we need to ask ourselves, what does it really mean in reality? I think this is the ambition and makes me keep thinking.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As for my present works, I think I did not finish them very completed. Rather than digital tools, I often used hand drawing, but actually computational sketching is more direct-viewing. For instance, in my Water studio, I want to show fluid curve surface, but handdrawing cannot show it accuately, for now I will try to use grasshopper to show the iterations.

Although I still need to improve a lot in both thinking and computation, I will try my best and keep learning. All these design methods will keep me reminding the relationships and compose aesthetic in my deisgn.

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APPENDIXALGORITHMIC SKETCHES 41

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APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

The more information refers to the sketch book 43

WEEK 2 UK PAVILION

WEEK 1 ATTRACTION COLUMNS

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BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. The Design inspiration. (2011). Nature Boardwalk at Chicago Lincoln Park Zoo. <http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/nature-boardwalk-at-chicago's-lincoln-parkzoo/> [accessed 10 March 2017] 2. Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 3. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45 4. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 5. Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 6. Issa, Rajaa ‘Essential Mathematics for Computational Design’, Second Edition, Robert McNeel and Associates, pp 1 - 42 7. Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 8. Definition of ‘Algorithm’ in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil, eds (1999). The MIT Encyclopedia of the Cognitive Sciences (London: MIT Press), pp. 11, 12 9. Engaging Places. (2014). Architecture in focus: The Sage Gateshead. <http://www. engagingplaces.org.uk/teaching%20resources/art72217>. [accessed 10 March 2017] 10. The Australian Institute of Architects. (2013). Watercube - National Swimming Centre Beijing. <http://dynamic.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entry no=2008196910>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 11. Archdaily. (2013). Heydar Aliyev Center / Zaha Hadid Architects. <http://www. archdaily.com/448774/heydar-aliyev-center-zaha-hadid-architects/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 12. Wikiarquitectura. (2017). Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center. <https://en.wikiarquitectura. com/building/heydar-aliyev-cultural-center/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 13. Marija Bojovic. (2013). Parametric Undulating Structure For The Indigo Deli / Sameep Padora And Associates. <http://www.evolo.us/architecture/parametricundulating-structure-for-the-indigo-deli-sameep-padora-and-associates/>. [accessed 11 March 2017] 14. Ross barney architects. (2016). Ford Calumet Environmental Center. <http://www. r-barc.com/projects/ford-calumet-environmental-center/>. [accessed 11 March 2017]

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IMAGE REFERENCE 1.2.3. http://thedesigninspiration.com/articles/nature-boardwalk-at-chicago's-lincolnpark-zoo/ 4.5.6. http://studiogang.com/project/ford-calumet-environmental-center 7.8.9.10. http://www.engagingplaces.org.uk/teaching%20resources/art72217 11.12. http://www.arup.com/projects/chinese_national_aquatics_center/watercube_ overview_1 13. http://thecreativeleadershipforum.com/creativity-matters-blog/2008/8/9/creativeleadership-and-the-water-cube-at-the-beijing-olympi.html 14.15.16. http://www.archdaily.com/448774/heydar-aliyev-center-zaha-hadid-architects 17.18. http://www.evolo.us/architecture/parametric-undulating-structure-for-the-indigodeli-sameep-padora-and-associates/

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CRITERIA DESIGN 49

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RESEARCH FIELD 51

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RESEARCH FIELD As for research field, i found a few parts that interested me, When I started to do parametric design, rather than only chose one part, we decided to combine different techniques into one design. Under this idea, I selected three categories in research fields, sectioning, folding and patterning..

Strips and Folding: This is an algorithmic technique in which a single surface is transformed into a volumn. It is a succesion of transformation in which the counity of the material is emphasisedยน. The main form of this technique is curve and it is common used in the ceiling design. Meanwhile, compare with other techniques, this can reduce weight and thinness of the ceiling material. In this view, strips and folding is more economical for it can reduce waste when fabricating. In terms of design, for instance, Slicing Opacity Pavilion shows the folding shape for it can be demonstrated from its layers of sections.

From bottom to top, each layer is connected by each other and support the whole structure, in addition, it becomes smaller from bottom to top. On the other hand, during the design process, folding can be changed, added or omitted

Fig 1 Front view of Slicing Opacity Pavilion

1. Nikolas Davies, Erkki Jokiniemi, Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, 2011, Access 17th March, < https://books.google.com.au/books?id=r4R2Sl_hbTwC&pg=PA405&lpg=PA405&dq=strip+and+folding+architecture&source=bl&ots=0Hv987cS7D&sig=Iv6uldyW4kV8aTXZBljP9ZxdPM0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQ84yeuMnTAhXGjLwKHcq0BeY4ChDoAQhAMAY#v=onep52 age&q=strip%20and%20folding%20architecture&f=false>.

Sectioning:

Sectioning focus on using pragmatic way to makes the geometries and form of the architecture better fabricating. It often use planes to offset at a specific destance apart². The Institute for Computational Design (ICD) demonstrates an alternative approach to computational design for both physical behavior and material characteristics. This structure is characterized by a shell structure supported by the elastic bending behavior of birch plywood strips. It contains delamination and tolerants higher damage compare to other structures.

Another benefit is its automated and low-cost manufacturing.

This benefit depends on geometry, during the computational design, it reduces waste in fabrication owes to accurate calculation. Meanwhile, during the process of construction, this is a very lightweight system because of storing energy and morphological differentiation of the joint locations. When we use sectioning in the design, it is effective and economical in digital production.

Fig 2 Interior view of ICD

2. Architecture 101: What Is a Section?, architizer, , 2016, Access 17th March, < https://architizer.com/blog/ architecture-101-what-is-a-section/>.

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B.2.1

CASE STUDY 2.0

Project: Banq Restaurant Designer: Office dA Date: 2008 Location: Boston

Fig 3 Front view of Banq Restaurant Banq is a restaurant which locates on the base of the old banking hal in Boston.

It gives guests strong impression on its wall and ceilings, they are decorated using smoothing curve shape made from unique pieces of three-quarter-inch birch plywood adhered together in a scenario that likes to a puzzleÂł. This is a good example of using sectioning technique in parametric design with various ways.

In order to create the walls and ceiling into a total effect, firstly, a point grid should be established on the surfaceâ ´, and the locations of points depend on the form of the surface. After that, these points are moved in vertical direction to create different levels in Z-dimension. To setion the urface, perpindicular lines are needed to created on the referenced surface. Finally, using a digraid structure incorporated into curved surface. Digraid structure is important as it allows to adjust when parameter changes.

This project is interesting for its expansion, it is an excellent example of parametric sectioning. I think this unique form of each wooden panel inspires me focus on the lighting effect. and give an idea of making the ceiling fluid and moveable. The whole structure is consist of the load bearing columns, the interior walls and the main structural ribs across each other. Also, this structure is easy to fabricate and covered by a wood-slatted system, which pushes me to use organic materials.

3. BanQ / Office dA , archdaily, 2009, Accessed 20th March, <http://www.archdaily.com/42581/ banq-office-da>.

4. Mihai, Amazing Restaurant Interior Design : Banq Restaurant in Boston, 2009, Access 20th 56 March, < http://freshome.com/2009/11/30/amazing-restaurant-interior-design-banq-restaurant-in-boston/>.

Fig 4 interior view of Banq Restaurant

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B.2.2

EVOLUTION CRITERIA

LIGHTWEIGHT In order to better installation, lightweight structure provides both visual effect and convenience. That is to say material should satisfy thinness and functionality. This inspires us in the context of a ceilikng feature as the perforations would conform to the material qualities of timber veneer. Meanwhile, lightweight also reduce wastes.

LIGHT EFFECT When people insert lights inside the project, it can produce very interesting visuals effects and provide the project with so much more depth and variety. When lights go through the strips, there will be leave different shapes of shadow. In our model, we tried use different colors of lights and block some grids, with different levels of ribs, it showed different levels of brightness.

AESTHETICS Aesthetics is an important issue in architecture design, it will directly effect people's impression. It becomes a challenge for designer, as shows in this pavilion, it looks simple and spreads from the central point. In this case, we may consider to use simple geometrical shape but create an effect of vividness.

CONSTRUCTIBILITY There are always quite a lot differences between digital models and physical ones. Therefore, we need to consider the process of fabrication in advance which means we may avoid creating too complex panels at the same level.

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ITERATION MATRIX

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CASE STUDY 2.0 63

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CASE STUDY 2.0 Project: The Absolute Tower Designer: Burka Architects & MAD studio Date: 2012 Location: Mississauga

Fig 5 Outview of the Absolute Tower The absolute tower is one of the famous architectures in Toronto, it wins the first international design competition held in the Toronto area in over 40 years, the architect put forth a radical design for a curving and biologically inspired design. From the out view, it is a central core, a straigntforward and economic structure with a glass facade. I think this is one of the project's successes, to satisfy people's visual requirements.

Another unique feature of the project is rotating structure. The rotating design means that every floor was unique and it requires extensive collaboration among all the construction disciplines throughout the process. The first and tallest tower starts to twist from below and increases its rotation initially by 1 degree to a maximum of 8 degrees rotation per floor for a total cumulative floor plate rotation of 209 degrees. For the second tower, the rotation was 4 degrees for every floor for a total cumulative floor plate rotation of 200 degreesâ ľ.

For ceiling installation, I wanna design rotating shape using grasshopper, this shape looks lightweight, further more, this can connect with lighting effect. When lighting install in the rotating shape, it can reflect different shapes of shadow.

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5. Absolute World Towers, Mississauga, ctbuh, 2013, Accessed 20th March, < http://www.ctbuh. org/TallBuildings/FeaturedTallBuildings/FeaturedTallBuildingArchive2012/AbsoluteWorldTowersMississauga/tabid/3840/language/en-US/Default.aspx>

Fig 6 South view of the Absolute Tower

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B.3.2

REVERSE ENGINEERING

Step 1: Using the first definition to create a cylinder surface, with a curve to represent equally space and then generate the project along the curve.

Extruding the intersection events for the brep we set before will get the frame outcome.

Step 2: After copy amounts of curve in the straight direction, we need to rotate them. we input rotate and give an expression of rad.

Step 3: Because the surface is planar we can extract a frame from the surface and use it as the offset plane for its corresponding curve.

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Step 5: Then we need to create a solid with curve to achieve sectioning structure. After finishing all these steps, we can get the outcome.

Step 4: After finishing rotating the curve frame, we need to divide curves into equal length segments in order to create surface. Then create an interplotated curve though the points.

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TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT 69

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TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES 73

B.5.1

TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES

Group work is quite an effective way because we can collect every members' idea and combine the design more potential and complete.

In our group, Henry decides to use waffle strucuture, as he did waffle structure last semester, he thinks waffle can be better shown in fabrication and allows the edges of surface geometries.

This can reveal a potential to produce both surface and structure. And I want to do elegant curve shape surface of ceiling. I am focus on the folding, I want to create fold structure which can achieve a fluid and dynamic outcome in an surface therefore to further push the design possibility. Rather than make the flat ceiling, I use curve shape to decorate the surface and try to fit the original site. I wanna use strips form to reduce the thickness of the material, rather than massive structure, I prefer design a lightweight structure. And when I use curve shape for ceiling, there will be different heights to create different angles of shadows and lights.

Finally, we decide to combine our ideas together, on the base of waffle structure, we add folding curves intersect into rhombus grids. Meanwhile, we consider to connect lighting issue into ceiling design, using the broad lighting on the surface of ceiling, then the light can go through the different shapes and sizes of grids which can achieve different levels of brightness.

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B.5.2

MATERIAL TEST

PLASTIC: -Easy to work and shape, we think it should be flexible to make curve on the ceiling.

-Have a low production cost.

- Acceptable acoustic insulation, which can prevent noise from adjacent levels.

-Good thermal insulation, but most can not withstand very high temperatures⁶.

Fig 7 Our intial plastic work

Howevere, when we use plastic to fabricate our madel, the result made us disappointed, because some are not biodegradable or easily recyclable, and if they burn, are highly polluting with bad smelling.

6. Plastic Properties Table, curbellplastics, 2011, Accessed 20th March, < https://www.curbellplas76 tics.com/Research-Solutions/Plastic-Properties>

Then, we changed to a more organic material-plywood.

PLYWOOD: -Increased stability Plywood offers all the inherent advantages of the parent wood plus enhanced properties in its laminated structure.

-High impact resistance Being a wood based material, plywood has the ability to accommodate the occasional short-term overload; up to twice the design load. This is useful where seismic activity or cyclonic winds can occur. This property is also effective when used as ceiling installation. Plywood's laminated structure distributes loads from impact over a larger area on the opposite face, which effectively reduces the tensile stress.

-Surface dimensional stability The cross laminated construction of plywood ensures that plywood sheets remain relatively stable under changes of temperature and moisture. This is especially important in flooring and formwork construction where moisture exposure is very likely.

-High strength to weight ratio With high strength and stiffness to weight ratios, plywood is very cost effective to use in structural applications.

-Panel shear The panel shear of plywood is nearly double that of solid timber due its cross laminated structure. This makes plywood a highly effective material to use in gussets for portal frames, webs of fabricated beams and as bracing panelsâ ˇ.

7. Plywood, woodsolutions, 2011, Accessed 20th March, < https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/ Wood-Product-Categories/Plywood>

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B.5.3

IDEA SYNTHESIS

When we finish model making, we want to test the light effects. Waffle grids are cut into different sizes. Meanwhile we find the shadow in plywood model is more thick and darkness than plastic. We think this result reflects the depth variable of sectioning.

Then we discuss that under different situations, people have different requirements on lighting. For instance, in front of the screen, the lights should be a little bit darker than other spaces. So we add some block on the grids.

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Meanwhile, we find it is hard when using strobes and continuous lighting sources, especially if a halogen and pulse lamps. The greater the depth and the narrower the grid repectively, the narrower the lighting spot.

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PROPOSAL 81

B.6

PROPOSAL

Sometimes, when we get a design task, we often lask reasons for why we were doing things.

While running an algorithm that generates ideas which approximats a curve is intersting, it may lack meaning and for purely an aesthetic motive.

However, our case study had generated an interest which had a profound aspect on our direction. A ceiling installation certainly provides the opportunity to play with light and shadow effects.

We consider under different situations to create different levels of brightness to satisfy different requirements. Different level of ribs can effect different angles, and then guide lights into virable shadows.

By using the proposed technique of sectioning and folding, we will further develop the concept of the lighting effect on lightweight ceiling design. We hope to generate a piece of architecture that respopnds to the guests' requirements towards lighting.

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B 84

.7

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES 85

B.7

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

During the past four weeks working on part B with my group, we develop a design concept, grasshopper technique etc, it is an exicting experience for me to enjoy the whole process, from generating ideas to physical model making. I think my knowledge and skills for digital model making had improved.

Feedback from presentation is that our model is massive and kinds of basic. This may due to we did not think deeply and were restricted to simple geometric design. Also, the material we chose was not lightweight enough. For the follwing tasks, I think much more exploration needs to be done not only for materials but also for structural itself. we will continue focus on our concept and connect with real life.

Because actually in real life, we should not only consider about digital technique, grasshopper is only the starting point of algorithmic design.

We need to consider the connection with walls, visual effect ect.

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B 88

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ALGORITHMIC SKETCH 89

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B.8

ALGORITHMIC SKETCH

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REFERENCE LISTS 93

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B.9

REFERENCE LISTS

Architecture 101: What Is a Section?, architizer, , 2016, Access 17th March, < https://architizer.com/blog/architecture-101-what-is-a-section/>.BanQ / Office dA , archdaily, 2009, Accessed 20th March, <http://www.archdaily.com/42581/banq-office-da>.

Facts about plywood and lvl, ewpaa, 2012, Accessd 21st March, < http://www.ewp.asn.au/ library/downloads/facts_about_plywood.pdf>.

Mihai, Amazing Restaurant Interior Design : Banq Restaurant in Boston, 2009, Access 20th March, < http://freshome.com/2009/11/30/amazing-restaurant-interior-design-banq-restaurant-in-boston/>.

Nikolas Davies, Erkki Jokiniemi, Dictionary of Architecture and Building Construction, 2011, Access 17th March, < https://books.google.com.au/books?id=r4R2Sl_hbTwC&pg=PA405&lpg=PA405&dq=strip+and+folding+architecture&source=bl&ots=0Hv987cS7D&sig=Iv6uldyW4kV8aTXZBljP9ZxdPM0&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQ84yeuMnTAhXGjLwKHcq0BeY4ChDoAQhAMAY#v=onepage&q=strip%20and%20folding%20architecture&f=false>.

Plastic Properties Table, curbellplastics, 2011, Accessed 20th March, < https://www.curbellplastics.com/Research-Solutions/Plastic-Properties>.

Plywood, woodsolutions, 2011, Accessed 20th March, < https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/ Wood-Product-Categories/Plywood>.

FIGURE REFERENCES Fig 1: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=Slicing+Opacity+Pavilion&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjpx93lvMnTAhWIVbwKHWJgDG8Q_AUIBigB&biw=1355&bih=691#imgrc=AP5Uax2VX7kXuM:&spf=204 Fig 2: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=ICD&hl=en&site=webhp&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjYiq3KvcnTAhXMjLwKHWyDBXkQ_AUIBigB&biw=1355&bih=691#hl=en&tbm=isch&q=icd+pavilion&imgrc=LNsHMoIaLnWGhM:&spf=384 Fig 3&4: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=sN2%2fJ1Kt&id=B7F25B168EF066D645D399F1B27DADCBDAD144F4&thid=OIP.sN2_J1KtE2JZVYOQ9_ANPAEsCb&q=banq+resranrant&simid=608035128520675087&selectedIndex=0&ajaxhist=0 Fig 5&6: https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=X%2b4lEfnw&id=E4927D550EDF342ECD2E5910E16534DD0C2E0CAA&thid=OIP.X-4lEfnwkSdK-yGrZf0TWADgEs&q=the+absolute+tower&simid=608044092120827188&selectedIndex=4&ajaxhist=0

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DETAILED DESIGN 97

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DESIGN CONCEPT 99

C.1.1 REFLECTION OF INTREM

Based on the feedback received from the last presentation, we realized that we have too much time focusing on our attention on the experiments, instead of making critical design decision. MDF made the whole ceiling structure look somewhat massive and heavy weight.

Meanwhile, our initial design was based on waffle structure without many creative developmments. At these points of the project, it would be beneficial in our favour to develop our design and change our material. Doing so would allow us to form, analyze and develop innovative solutions that would work for the design. Thus we believe that after we improve these problems, we would be able to produce a better solution for the ball room project.

In order to better fit in our concept, nature, we consider to use flexible timber veneer to present a more smooth and fluid form inspired from texture of tree. Rather than MDF, timber veneer is more bendable and works better in forming curves without the outside forces such as humidity.

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C.1.2 TECHNIQUE DIAGRAM

External plywood panel Base Geometry Pattern + Form Base Surface

Surface Use the earth contour landscape as the base surface

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Distrib points curves

Create triangles on the panel

Loft these curves

Outcome

buting s on s Offset the length of timber veneer sheets

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C.1.3 LIGHTING DESIGN For the whole ballroom, covering about 500 square meters, lighting is one of the most important issues which needs to be solve. Firstly, we intended to create lighting shadows like tree shadows, that is the reason why we designed various triangular shapes on the plywood as well. However, when we tested the lighting effect digitally, we found only when the point light was placed quite far away from the ceiling, it would work.

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In fact, the main goal of ballroom lighting is most often to set the mood so that guests can enjoy an immersive and entertaining experience. Meanwhile, there is a screen setting in the front of the ballroom hence we might need to create a dedidated viewing experience and guests will not be distracted and can focus on the action on the screen.

In this term, we planned to set point lights randomly placed in the carved triangles to meet various situations. When we turn all lights on, the whole room is full of light. On the other hand, when we have specific requirments, we can merely use what we need.

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TECTONIC ELEMENT & PROTOTYPES 107

C.2.1

PRECEDENT PROJECT

The precedent project we studied for fabrication method was One Main, it comprises two planes-the floor and ceiling. This smoothing surface expresses both the digital genesis and the seamless fabrication logic, with the architect providing actual machining files to the fabricator.

Another important point is that ventilation grilles and shrouds for the bright LED lights gave a detail finesse to the ceiling. This gave us an inspiration to slove lighting effect.

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Project Name: One Main Architects: dECOi Architects Date: 2009 Location: Cambridge, MA, USA

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C.2.2

VITRUVIAN WORKFLOW

Generating Form

Site Analysis

Various Views morph

create a surface to ensure the volatile of the curves

Tectonics

Structure

Base on waffle structure

Image sample

Fabrication

Installation 110

Material test

Combine two elements together

Laser cut

Cost calculation

n

Lighting effect

Offset for length

Generating site model Moving model to site height Connection between timber veneer and plywood

Loft

Plywood panel

Timber veneer sheets

Final outcome

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C.2.3

MATERIAL TEST

When we considered about the concept, we firstly came up with the idea of using timber. However, because we were not fimiliar with timber type, we tried MDF, timber veneer and plywood and made a list to compare their properties.

After examine, we found timber veneer made the best performance in forming curve, and plywood panel was better to make the base. In addtion, timber veneer is from a natural and renewable resource competing with non-renewable commodities like steel, aluminium and plastics.

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C.2.4

PROTOTYPE

When we finished creating these curves, we were confused about how to hang them on the ceiling, we tried a lot of ways, such as using string to suspend; gluing those curves etc. The connection system involves a number of recesses that would come prefabricated in the timber veneer sheets.

Then we came up with the idea of creating a panel to support these curves. The curves would then simply slide into the groove on both edges.

Timber veneer

Plywood panel

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FINAL DETAIL MODEL 117

C.3.1

PROTOTYPE 1

After finishing the design and prototyping outcome, we started to frabricate the unique installation in the ballroom.

To reflect our concept, nature, we used brush box Timber veneer and fine grain Plywood to create a more organic and visually result.

Fabrication Process Summary: 1. Got timber veneer (Brush Box) from the factory.

2. Rhino Design File sent to Laser Cutting Machine to be pre-cut.

3. Individual cut pieces, ready for assembly.

4. Use pre-defined connection to combine them together.

Material Summary: A plywood panel is stronger, in some respects, than a single board of the same thickness.

The cores of veneered panels may be made of softer, lighter, and cheaper sheets than can be used for solid construction.

Connection Summary: The layout of the trangulated elements on the plywood was placed on the top. Each timber veneer sheet was carefully divided and set on the edge of the plywood. We glued in every connection to ensure its stability.

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This is the nested Rhino fabrication file sent to be lasercut in order to create 1: 50 scale model. We placed each timber veneer sheet on the grain of plywood. Meanwhile, in this way, we could calculate very accurately the amout of material required, therefore minimising waste and off cuts.

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C.3.2

PROTOTYPE 2

In order to connect with the ceiling, we used a plywood as the supporting layer. We fabricated a part of the whole structure. Rather than use a number of different artificial connection method, we constructed timber veneer strips hang on the plywood. Plywood has the most compressive strength, out of the materials tested, when cut along the grain. Meanwhile, we engraved various sizes triangles to let ceiling lights go through.

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PROTOTYPE 2

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES 137

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C.4

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

Interrogating a Brief

Material Testing

During this semester, I developed an ability to change our brief while improve the design. Through exploring the parameters of parametric software that I could learn better about its capabilities. Meanwhile, I found along with the development of the design, we considered about our brief in advance hence it gave a deeper understanding between the design and brief.

Another important thing that I learnt form this project was that having a clear understanding of materials would substantially benefit the design. In order to made a more fluid curves, we went to the timber factory. This was an intersting experience for us, and used timber veneer to get a more elegant form solution.

Three-dimensional Skills Also, I learnt to explore various computational design tools including parametric modelling using grasshopper, digital fabrication and composing diagrams for the project. It was interesting to look back to the original definitions we reverse engineered. We set out pre-requisites for the structure, refined the selection criteria to develop, like our final digital model was derived from the original waffle structure, This could avoid to create too surprising forms and was close to our expectation.

Architecture and Atmosphere After the presentation of part B, we were nattative on our simple design, we add more complex precedents. To develop an understanding of relationships between architecture and air, we emulated theoretical and analytical development in our final design. This point required us to create a desirable atmosphere for the ballroom. It is equally important that the design responds to the site context, and the brief.

Analysing Projects This project was the first instance in which we had to think about realistic constructability as well. Sometimes we have creative ideas, but they are difficult to realize in actual life. Although computation design allowed us to test various techniques before construction, we were required to consider many practical problems, such as connections, materials and etc.

Finally, this project taught me the importance of group work. During the design process, we contributed our ideas and help each other solve problem. It was crucial for me to get feedback from others hence I could improve the design.

Although we are still in the behinner stage in the deisgn, we look forward to manipulate for the future works.

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