CASE STUDY 01 Project: Heydar Aliyev Centre Architect: Zaha Hadid Date: 2007-2012 Location: Baku, Azerbaijan In 2007, Zaha Hadid was appointed as design architects of the competition of the Heydar Aliyev Centre, which not only designed to express the sensibilities of Azeri culture and the optimism of a nation that anticipate the future, but become a building for the nation’s cultural programs. The centre has been selected as the shortlist for the World Architecture Festival Awards and the finalist for the inside 2013 interior design awards. The white curving form becomes an important signature in Baku. It is designed with its flowing white lines is continued in the interior. Allowing sunlight goes into the interior space through the glazed facades with the white neon on the ceiling. Zaha Hadid Architects adopted digital drawing early on. digital drawing early on. She explored and contributed to the possibilities of parametric design, bringing the
idea of architecture as seamless flows of energy and matter. She has been changing our general concept of space since she was studying in London at the Architectural Association School of Architecture. It is not only influence in a physical sense, but also socially and culturally. She has explored a number of dynamic forms, patterns, and curving shapes. Nature’s shapes and forms become the source of inspiration for Zaha Hadid along with her strong conceptual and historical awareness. Zaha Hadid is kind of leading the way in parametric design at the moment. Some architects, such as, Sou Fujimoto, ÂKengo Kuma, follow the idea of digital design closely. They bring off some graceful results by combining parametric design toolw and traditional
manufacturing.
CASE STUDY 02 Project: Starbucks coffee Architect: Kengo Kuma Date: 2008 Location: Dazaifu, Prefectura de Fukuoka, Japón This Starbucks stands on the main approach to the Dazaifu Tenmangu, one of the most important shrines in Japan. It has been worshiped as ‘the God for Examination’, and became a popular spot for the visitors. Thus, the project achieved making a structure that harmonizes with the townscape, by using a system of weaving thin woods diagonally. The building is made of 2,000 stick-like parts in the sizes of 1.3m – 4m length and 6cm section. Total length of the sticks reached as far as 4.4km. Kengo Kuma Architects uses the diagonal weaving to bring in a sense of direction and fluidity by slightly changing positions of the fulcrums, in order to solve the complicated joint issue. They divided four sticks into two groups to avoid concentration on a single point. This method was greatly improved in combination with state- of-the art technology to the future architecture. Kengo Kuma Architect has taught a variety of universities in Japan and the U.S. Some students from Columbia
University were assigned to design a tea house with using advanced techniques of parametric design and digital manufacturing. They tested different concepts, methodologies and materials that had been developed in the meantime. Some quality designs were done by the three teams. They include exploring triangular composition with sunlight, in order to create pattern on the floor, and the idea of taking the technical qualities of pressboard to its limits, bending it as much as possible to obtain a curvature effect. Kengo Kuma comes out a number of impressive architectural designs with using parametrical method. 2020 Olympics Nationa Stadium in Tokyo is one of the hottest examples. However, Kengo Kuma (architectmagazine, 2016) states that ‘Parametrically driven software is basically another tool for us designers to use. The software is powerful, but it is only a tool. I find that most students still like to use their own hands. This has not really changed over the years, and the tendency of making things by hand is returning.’
References: http://www.archello.com/en/images/popup/callback/1464914 http://www.archello.com/en/images/popup/callback/1464914 http://www.archello.com/en/collection/parametric-architecture http://www.archello.com/en/project/heydar-aliyev-center-0 http://www.arcspace.com/features/zaha-hadid-architects/ http://www.architectmagazine.com/design/q-a-kengo-kuma-on-his-design-approach_o http://www.archello.com/en/project/starbucks-coffee-dazaifu-tenman-gu http://shop.gestalten.com/patterns-layering.html http://www.archdaily.com/211943/starbucks-coffee-kengo-kuma-associates