STUDIO AIR 2017, SEMESTER 2, TUTOR: DAVID WEGMAN TOW JOON HANM
Table of Contents INTRODUCTION
B PART C
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C1. DESIGN CONCEPT 8
C2. TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES
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C3. FINAL DETAIL MODEL
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CONCEPTUALISATION
INTRODUCTION Hey there! I am Joon Han. I am currently a third year architecture student in University of Melbourne. I have always enjoyed being an observer since young, observing the ripples made by every drop, how they interact with one another. As I slowly explore and figure out the intricacies of this world, one way or rather it has led me to Architecture, a physical manifestation of human interactions.
My fascination with Architecture began with understanding humans’ innate need for shelter, which then transcend through conception of forms & function, spatial programming to ripples affecting social/cultural aspect of the site. Nonetheless, there are so much more to discover and question.
In a world that is increasingly intertwined like ours, the line that once defined Architecture would slowly fade away.
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PART C: DETAILED DESIGN Part C details the rationalising of the project, manifesting the process and healing of the fear IMPERMANENCE. By using an architectural approach, the project hopes to resolve the irrationality of the fear and gives the user a chance to contemplate and be at peace with impermanence.
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C.1 DESIGN CONCEPT Upon the completion of Part B, there is a need to rationalise and further develop the proposal. By deconstructing the proposal, the crux of the process will be identitfied and the grasshopper skills acquired will be used to assist with the realisation of the project.
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PAVILION The elements of the proposal was rearranged into various pavilion forms. The elements were scaled randomly and intersection of the components with the default sun in Vray creates a scattering shadow, evoking a semblance of impermanence visually. Indivual elements can provide a new characteristic to the project. A pavilion made up of components allow for onsite assembly and demolition. The design development eventually led to the question:
“What if the pavilion experience impermanence?� A key quality of the pavilion is thus identified to be self dissolving, a pavilion that sits on the site, impermanently. 10
CONCEPTUALISATION
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IMPERMANENCE
Death is a common reminder of one’s impermanence. The loss of loved ones is a stark reminder that the time together is fleeting; moments evanescene. And throughout civilizations, societies have tried to heal the grief of those rudely awakened by impermanence. An example is funeral, where community come together and offer support to those in need. The human interaction helps in the process of healing.
The desired qualities of the pavilion was thus identified: 1. A dissolving Pavilion 2. Promote social interaction within the project 3. Evoking a sense of impermanence CONCEPTUALISATION 11
“What if the pavilion experience impermanence?�
WEATHER
PROJECT
HUMAN
System interactions onsite
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To create self dissolving pavilion, the interactions between the project and the site must be first considered. The natural elements such as the wind and the rain can help apply forces on the components. In addition, the project could consider leveraging on the human presence in assisting the weather with demolition of the project.
The dissolving components presents an opportunity to engage the users with the project, allowing users to actively partake in the evanescene of the pavilion.
HEALING
“How does the project heals the fear of impermanence?” By considering the interactions between the project and the users, can the project be a platform to encourage social interactions between her users?
USER 1
PROJECT
USER 2
Can the project creates interaction between her users?
How can a dissolved piece of structure achieve interaction between users? When the components can be reassembled into new form that serves new functions, it encourages user to explore and interact further with the project. And when the users are empowered to create, the project becomes a canvas and it exhibits the creations. This promotes users to interact with one another. “Perhaps modular components?” CONCEPTUALISATION 13
C.2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES C.2 details the process and struggles of materialising the project, and limitations of 3D fabrications. 14
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SCREEN?
BACK REST? CONTEMPLATION
BENCH?
STOOL?
“Perhaps modular components?” Can modular components inject new activities to the project?
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EX
PARTITION?
COMMUNAL
XPLORATION
A modular system offers a new perspective to the project. By adopting a modular system, the project is able to allow users to assemble the components and give the project new functions. It allow encourage new activities from happening. The scale of the arrangement changes the quality of the experience.
The users are empowered to retool the components to reshape their surrounding. It gives the users the authority to define their experience with the project. By asking users to approach the dissolving project in their own terms, it draws parallel to the way society approach evanescene. CONCEPTUALISATION 17
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“IDENTIFYING THE ELEMENT� Part B proposal contains an array of similar elements, to rationalise every element or creating a connection system between all of them is too time consuming. An element that best represent every component was selected for rationalising. Common characteristic of the elements: - Triangular - Smooth top with sharp ends - Conical - holes in the middle CONCEPTUALISATION 19
MID-CRIT COMPONENT DEVELOPMENT
The element is deconstructed to form the basic component. The desired outcome of the component is to create a self standing stool that is modular. 1. The base of the geometry is a triangular shape, a equilateral triangle was chosen to form the base. Equilateral triangles are suitable to be used in modular systems. 2.The top edge curves of the geometry is discarded after several failed attempt to create a 2 dimensional curve that reflects the original outline. 3. Hence, the equilateral triangle used in 1 serves as the basis to create a smaller outline. 4. The bottom and top curves are lofted together. 5. Additional control points are created at the top to replica the tapering of the original. 6. Variations are created to replica the original element. The selected component is the one that bears the closest resemblance.
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3D VIEW OF FINAL COMPONENT
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MID-CRIT COMPONENT DEVELOPMENT MODULAR SYSTEM: BENCHES
The purpose of the bench development is to explore the workability of the modular system, and also to test print the components. 1. The components are laid out in a bench form, the equilateral triangle makes it easy to arrange the components together. 2. Half of the components is randomly selected. 3. Selected ones are capped to form the seats of the component. 4, Unselected ones. 5. Bench with 50% seatable area. (Due to the author desire to print an equal amount of capped and uncapped components, the bench only have 50% seatable area. It is possible to alter the ratio with the script.)
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MID-CRIT 3D PRINT REVIEW The requirement for the 3D print was for it to be printed in 1: 100 scale. However, due to the dimension of the components, printing it in 1:100 would result in the lost of details. Hence the print is in 1: 10 Scale. The thickness of the the 3D print is 2.1mm to adhere to the standard required by the machine ( Minimum 2mm)
INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT The component was printed accordiningly. No support was needed. However, due to the smaller base and triangular form, the component is not as balanced as hoped. The tapered body meant that the component has a high center of gravity. When a vertical force is applied (eg resting weight perpendicular to the seating face), it functions as expected. However, when the force tilts or shifts direction, and depending on where the force is applied, the component will lose it’s balance. This is concerning as the component was designed to be used as an indivual stool.
ISOMETRIC VIEW
DIMENSION: 480 mm x 493 mm x 455 mm
MODULAR SYSTEM: BENCH When the components come together, the system is able to handle slanted forces. However, the connection between the components has to be better thought out.
FRONT VIEW 24
CONCEPTUALISATION
CAPPED COMPONENT
PLAN VIEW
MODULAR SYSTEM
RIGHT VIEW CONCEPTUALISATION 25
ANOTHER APPROACH RATIONALISING COMPONENT
RATIONALISING, A FAILED APPROACH?
“IS IT OKAY TO KEEP THE IRRATIONALITY OF THE INITIAL ELEMENT”
If the rationalised component does not offer much more than the original element, is it still relevant? By rationalising, the organic form that was generated via grasshopper was distilled.
Instead of rationalising the imperfection of the generated form, would it be better to retain the shape of the element? 26
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Trimming the edges.
Adding the sitting top.
MID-CRIT COMPONENTS
Plan view.
CURRENT COMPONENTS
Isometric view
Front view
Side view
The current component made minimal, non intrusive alterations to rationalise the components. Although the new component is unable to stand upright on it’s own, much less function as a stand alone stool, but when drawing comparison to the mid-crit component, both share the same limitation of not being able to function as a stool. However, the new component does so in a form that is closer to the original geometry. Scale 1D to account for the height of the component.
Capping the remaining hole. Does the limitation of the component presents an opportunity for social interaction? Does the component requires 2 users to form the simplest arrangement? CONCEPTUALISATION 27
CONNECTION
The components depends on the wind, rain and human interaction to dissolve. Also, the components must be able to be dismantled and reassembled easily and intuitively.
WEATHER
HUMAN
In addition, the connection must be able to work in a small scale context (Public furnitures) but also large scale (Pavilion). 2 forces the connection has to account for: 1. Angled force/lateral (benches etc.)
Revisiting the system interactions onsite
2. Parallel force/tensile (Pavilion)
CASE STUDY: LEGO BRICKS
The world most famous modular system, Lego brick has one of the most simple and inituitive connection. The connection system does well with lateral forces, allowing for some tolerance before disconnecting. However, the tight fit does not create an optimal tolerance for handling of tensile force. 28
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Lego’s solution to connecting the bottom part together is great solution to the tensile limitation of the normal bricks. Although the addition of the rods does not directly solve the tensile forces, it provides additional tolerance for parallel forces. A good solution for the project would be to marry the two solutions together.
PROPOSED SOLUTION
The proposed solution marry the 2 connection solutions together.
Diagramatic connection
Ways the connection mitigates the identified forces. 1. Angled force/lateral - Extruded rods that is able to withstand perpendicular forces 2. Parallel force/tensile - Indented surface that allows for parallel tolerance Adding on to the modularity, the connections are evenly spaced out. The choice of using cylinder rods meant that the connections have no up or down side. The use of the connection can be observed below.
Possible configurations
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MATERIALITY Due to the nature of the project, the material used to produce the component requires certain characteristic. The material needs to be: 1. Lightweight 2. Durable 3. Cheap 4. Ease of fabrication (Mass produced) 5. Weather Resistant
Injection Molding allows for easy and cheap fabrication
PROPOSED MATERIAL: Polypropylene (PLASTIC) Plastic comes to mind as the general characteristic of plastic is similar to the characteristic identified earlier. However, there are various types of plastic with varying characteristic. Three of the more common plastic for making everyday objects. 1. Acrylic - Plastic of varying hardness, Acrylic can altered to be very hard to resist bending, however the hardness will make acrylic more prone to shattering. 2. Melamin - A thermoset plastic. It means that the plastic can be easily molded to different shape and sizes. 3. Polypropylene - A tough and cheap plastic. It can also be used in injection molding manufacturing. Most stacking chair uses this plastic. Stacking chair uses Polypropylene to manufacture
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As the component’s qualities highly resembles ones of stacking chairs, the choice to follow the industry is clear.
COLOUR OF COMPONENTS
Colourful LEGO blocks
The component wants to evoke a sense of playfulness; a sense of familarity with lego. The vibrant colour scheme also reflects the creativity happening within the pavilion. The vibrant colours stands in stark contrast with the surrounding nature, allowing the dissolving of an inorganic structure to be more prominent. Fortunately, Polypropylene can be produced in full range of colours.
The structure of the component is also considered. The base and the top of the component will be injection molded seperately. The two pieces is then welded together. Perspective section of component
The internal structure consist of vertical supports. This is to support the weight of users sitting on top of it.
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ANOTHER APPROACH PAVILION
SITE CONTEXT
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SCALE 1: 1500 0
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SITE PLAN - MERRI CREEK
LEGEND PROPOSED LOCATION OF PROJECT SUN PATH WIND PATH TRAFFIC PATH The location of the project is chosen to be close to the major axes cutting across the site. This is to encourage users to explore the installation and interact with the pavilion. The orientation of the determined by the sun path. The entrance/exit located at each longitudinal end faces the east and the west. The movement into/out of the project during sunrise/sunset is framed by the pavilion, the components cast a scattering play of shadow. One of the entrance/exit faces the wind path from the west. This will allow the wind to interact and dissolve the pavilion.
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ANOTHER APPROACH RATIONALISING PAVILION
DERIVING THE FORM The project requires components to be self sufficient in creating a pavilion structure. The pavilion is expected to depend minimally on additional structure. Hence, the initial shape of the pavilion is an arch.
To populate the form with equilateral triangles, the rectangular strips are flattened and are populated with triangular grid. They are then converted into polysurfaces before converting it into mesh. The mesh is then put through Kangaroo physics simulation, where the unary force will shape the mesh. Thus the form is generated.
Arch - good loading bearing structure
The initial form was created by overlaying 2 rectangular strips with aan arch profile. The “hood” effect is created to allow more natural light into the pavilion
GENERATED FORM INITIAL FORM 34
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A script is used to check for deformed triangles. The tolerance is derived from the connection system design previously. Each triangle will have ther edge length tested, deformed length will generate a false output. The answers are then multipled, (FALSE=0, any triangle set with at least a false value will end up with 0) any deformed triangle will then be identified. The surfaces are culled according. The process from generation to rationalised form is a looping cycle. Most of the time the generated form contains mostly deformed triangles. By using parametric software, the pavilion is thus made possible. The form is converted back to polysurfaces and is trimmed to remove unnecessary elements that were uncontrollable with the script.
RATIONALISED FORM
REFINED FORM
The salmon and turquoise represents the triangles within tolerance. The components will then be trnasfer over via a grasshopper script. The grey triangles will be converted to scaffolding. As the components are opaque, the use of scaffolding will allow for natural lighting to enter the project.
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ANOTHER APPROACH INCLUSION OF NETTING SAFETY CONCERNS
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ESCAPE CHUTE SYSTEM
Although the idea of a self dissolving structure is made feasible, the safety concern of falling components has yet to be addressed. The space underneath the pavilion will be sheltered by a lightweight, translucent netting, with 3 “escape chute system� redirecting the faling components. The escape chute system was designed to provide a new and faster alternative during fire evacuations. By redirecting the dissolved components into one of the three chutes, the chutes became a social space in the project, where users congregate to collect new components. CONCEPTUALISATION 37
FINAL CRITIQUE CRITIQUE
“HEALING OF THE IMPERMANENCE” The project highlights 3 aspects that is relevant to impermanence
WITHERING
1. Impermanence. where the pavilion slowly dissolves.
IMPERMANENCE
2. Social Interaction. By approaching impermance as society approach evanescene. 3. Withering. The scattering petals fallen off a withering flower sometimes reveal a fruit; reminding us of the natural cycle, and perhaps impermanence is just a state of mind.
SOCIAL INTERACTION
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ROOF LEVEL +11.000
TOP OF NETTING +4.000
END OF NETTING
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SCALE 1: 150 0 38
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SECTION
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MORNING! A new day. The newly installed pavilion begins to serve the community . Below is a timeline, and the timeline serves to explain how the 3 aspects come together. The installation of the pavilion reflects the budding of a flower. Users go about doing their daily routine, to be greeted by a new structure. The state of impermanence and social interaction has not yet set in.
The inclusion of the central netting not only provides safety to the users, but more importantly, it resolves the interior quality of space. The project now has a central platform for users to engage in activities together.
As users slowly starts to appreciate the space, blooming has began.
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“WITHERING” 40
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The pavilion starts dissolving.
Noon time. The pavilion slowly withers. The components start to be picked up and used by the public. Users get into a friendly competition to create the funkiest furniture.
The abundance of components encouraged users to be proactive with their surrounding. A couple of users decide to make a bench and recluse themselves from the rest. CONCEPTUALISATION 41
“SCATTERING”
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Sunset. The sunset shine onto the withered pavilion, creating scattered shadows. Users slow down their pace and sits on the furniture, resting and contemplating. They begin to appreciate the pavilion, or whats that’s left of it. Perhaps this secluded pavilion could be their new hangout. They then bid goodbyes to their newfound friends before leaving.
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“BUDDING”
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A new day. New users began to explore the installation. Odd it seems, that a park would install half assembled installation like this.
What seemed impermanent may just be a state of a larger cycle. What’s important is how users decide to make sense of it.
Funny how the new day starts with the end state of yesterday.
The pavilion offers the users a chance to view impermanence with their own perspective.v
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“Impermanence is just another state of the cycle.” Is it though?
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C.3 Final Detail Model Due to the nature of the project, current method of 3D fabrication is not possible. The following C3. is a detailed break down of the issues and difficulties of fabricating the project.
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FABRICATION DOCUMENTATION INDIVIDUAL COMPONENT DAMAGED DURING PRINT
BLACK 1: 10 PRINT
WHITE 1: 10 PRINT
600 SCALE 1: 10 30 50
10 40 0 60CM
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INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS INDIVIDUAL COMPONENTS 60CM
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Despite connection not function as intended, the component was still able to be arranged.
The individual component fabrication did not meet the expectation. Most part of the component fabricated well. Except for the connection system.
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The red circles highlighted the issue with 3D print. The machine was not accurate enough and display some undesirable behaviour when printing edges or parts smaller than 2mm.
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At the edge of the cylinderof the connection, the 3D printer ended the print with remnant of the 3d material. In addition, the hollowed part face similar issues. It is not possible to include realistic tolerance for the inaccurracy of the machine while making the component work. However, despite the issue, two components had lesser than average deformity and was thus able to assemble into a sitting arrangement.
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FABRICATION DOCUMENTATION PAVILION
Original Design
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Model for 3D Print The original design had too many elements. By printing the pavilion in 1: 100 Scale, many of the component will not be able to meet the 2mm minimum thickness requirement, Thus a remodelling of the model was required. Due to the scale, most of the details of the pavilion will not be visible. The component is swapped with generic pyramid shapes. However, to meet the 2mm thickness requirement, the shell is further offset to allow for 2mm thickness. Also, the Scaffolding is reworked into a brep wireframe. To ensure the printability of the model, the thickness of the wireframe is set to 4mm to reduce chance of failure. The estimated time was 17 hours. CONCEPTUALISATION 53
FABRICATION DOCUMENTATION PAVILION
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The pavilion was split into 2 parts as both structures require additional support. The received 3D print is as shown. Despite the amount of support printed to hold on to the pavilion, and the increased in thickness, the wireframe was unable to survive the printing process, breaking halfway while printing.
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No wireframe survived the printing process. The 3D print is supported by the 3D print supports.
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There are many unwanted “furry” lines from the 3D print. Trying to remove the bits risks destroying the model further.
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The supports destroyed what’s left of the details of the components. The blue rings show the result of removing the structure from the pavilion. On the left, the piece was printed upside down, without touching the supports, hence the details were retained.
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END OF PART C
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