ABPL30048 Architecture Design Studio: Air Journal Part B by Jun Ming Ting

STUDIO AIR 2018 SEMESTER ONE, DANIEL SCHULZ JUN MING TING

TABLE OF CONTENTS B1.0 Research field study

B1.1 RESEARCH FIELD 5 B1.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES

B2.0 CASE STUDY 1.0

B2.1 DESIGN EXPLORATION 1 10 b2.2 design exploration 2

B3.0 case study 2.0

B3.1 NINE BRIDGES COUNTRY CLUB 24

B4.0 Technique: development

b4.1 algorithmic design development 27

B5.0 Technique: prototypes 29 B5.1 MATERIAL STUDY B5.2 PROTOTYPE

B6.0 PROPOSAL

B6.1 THE PROBLEM 36 B6.2 THE SITE

B6.3 SYMBIOTIC COMMUNITY

B6.4 final design 38 b7.0 learning objectives and outcomes b8.0 appendix

B1.0 Research field study

B1.1 RESEARCH FIELD

strips & folding This research field consists of cutting material into strips which would be folded (or bent), arranged and assembled together to form a 3D shape. This field was chosen because the perceived design direction aims towards naturality and organic structure. In the natural world, things always flows smoothly, and they always have a reason for existing. By using a strip and folding method, one would hope to achieve organic-looking volume with undulating curvature. The process and objective of this research field can be very relevant to the concepts explored in Part A. The idea will be heavily influenced by the wonders of nature, while computational design and exploration will also be adopted as a major process. Structural and/or material optimisation may also be used as a mechanism for form generation, as used in the ‘Wooden Waves’ project. I believe that the direction of fluidity in organic design, or in a sense bio-mimickery, is the way to go when design for the brief, because as a habitat for animals in nature, the design should follows nature-like qualities in order for it to blend in to the environment, while being an artificial structure.

Image shows one part of the ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2010 Research Gate, ‘Innovation in Timber Architectural Structures and Digital Fabrication: A Cartography’, Research Gate <https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ICD-ITKE-pavilion2010-Suttgart-Achim-Menges-and-team-structural-scale-model-section_fig10_265166851> [20 April 2018]

B1.2 PRECEDENT STUDIES

SEROUSSI PAVILION BY BIO-THING

Nora Schmidt, ‘‘biothing’ – a transdisciplinary lobratory founded by Alisa Andrasek ‘, Dailytonic <https://www.researchgate.net/figure/ICD-ITKE-pavilion-2010-Suttgart-AchimMenges-and-team-structural-scale-model-section_fig10_265166851> [20 April 2018]

The Biothing Seroussi Pavilion is a structure characterised by the growth from self-modifying patterns of vectors based on electromagnetic fields. To put simply, the computational process that can be adopted to generate the form consists of using point charges to draw field lines that interact with the magnetic field of the charges. The lines would then be made into surfaces, before giving them a thickness on Weaverbird. The most logical construction technique would be to 3D print the form - this would allow the design to be holistic instead of having to assemble component parts together, and thus the form would flow in a more fluiid and organic way. The other way would be to fabricate strips of a bendable material, and assemble them together via connection joints, with sufficient structural support and pivot points to secure the strips correctly to their position.

PSEDO-CODE DRAWING

Draw curves

Divide curve

Apply point charge

Draw field lines

Loft and thicken mesh

ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION 2010 This pavilion is a bending-active structure constructed entirely out of extremely thin, elastically-bent plywood strips. The computational process for this project is directly driven by the material properties and characteristics. The computational process for this would be very complex, as it would need simulation to calculate how much the plywood would bent as well as other factoers. A simplified process of digitally representing the form would be by the use of interpolation of points to create curves and hence lofts, because trimming off intersected surfaces. Weaverbird could then be used to give the pieces a thickness. The construction process would be simple yet difficult to execute. The simple part is that all the component parts are planar, hence they can be manufactured by means of laser cutting. The difficult part would be that they rely on a lot of material testing to figure out how the form would look like as a finished product..

PSEDO-CODE DRAWING

Draw curves

Divide curve

Interpolate points

Offset and loft strips

Repeat steps 2-4 for the next set of strips

B2.0 CASE STUDY 1.0

B2.1 DESIGN EXPLORATION 1 INPUT GEOMETRY 1

INPUT GEOMETRY 2

Introduced spin force

Increased circle geometry radius

Altered graph mapper

Decreased no. of division points

* Extrapolated 10

INPUT GEOMETRY 3

INPUT GEOMETRY 4

Introduced spin force

Increased circle geometry radius

Altered graph mapper

Decreased no. of division points

* Extrapolated 11

best iterations 1

HABITABILITY FOR SMALL ANIMALS HABITABILITY FOR LARGER ANIMALS HUMAN INTERACTION FEASIBILITY AESTHETICS 12

OUT OF A MAXIMUM:

why chosen? 1. This outcome was chosen because of the intriguing form that it adopts. The high quantity of curvature increases the habitability of animals and its aesthetic quality. Whilst it reduces the ability for human interaction, several parameters could be altered to drastically improve that, while keeping the other criterias similar.

2. This outcome sparks interest in the way the large circles informed the final form. The inner circular spaces could be used for something interesting, such as a resting area for people, whilst others circular around them. The habitability is relatively similar, whilst it caters to larger animals rather than smaller ones.

3. The most simple out of the four. This was chosen purely because this is the more realistic outcome, and I can already start to visualise its scale, and how people and animals use them.

THE CRITERIA AND FINAL ITERATION The most important selection criteria at this point is maximum habitability and best aesthetical quality. The secondary criteria on which informed my choice is human interaction - this is because whilst human interaction is important, it is not certain that the animal community would benefit from human interaction, as well as the site has not been finalised yet. Lastly it is feasibility. I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t prioritise feasible as I am still in the diverging part of the design process, and feasibilty will be more carefully thought about when I converge my designs into more realistic outcomes. This ensures that I do not limit my designs purely due to their feasibility. I have chosen the second iteration because I feel likew whilst it already performs relatively well for the criteria, it can also be the most versatile in its function and form, as well as the most developable.

4. This was chosen because it forms what can be seen as something like an internal courtyard. This form is drastically different to the others. Whilst not being the most interesting in its form, it can be developed further to create a form that can work. This would be on a larger scale than the rest.

as a habitat...

b2.2 design exploration 2 landscape precedent study - cidade da cultura de galacia, Peter eisenman Cidade da Cultura de Galacia is a new cutural centre of the Province of Galicia in northwestern Spain. Its design evolves from the superposition of three sets of information - the street plan of the medieval centre of Santiago, a modern Cartesian grid, and the distortion of geometries using modelling software. The project emerges as a curving surface that is ‘neither figure nor ground’ - the architecture looks like it is part of the ground topography, but it also looks artifical at the same time, with the using of geometries and sharp solids and voids.

Archdaily, ‘The City of Culture / Eisenman Architects’, ArchDaily <https://www.archdaily. com/141238/the-city-of-culture-eisenman-architects>

hypothetical site in merri creek The hypothetical site is an open space, located next to the Merri Creek trail. The nature of the space - the lack of vegetation and its topologically flat surface - allows for freedom for exploration without much limitation in the design. This is classed as a hypothetical site because I was to try incorporating parametric design onto a site, and exploring the design outcomes. Maybe it can atler the landscape for the implementation of different programmes, maybe it could inhabit different animals, maybe it could alter pedestrian circulation.

ITERATIONS POINT CHARGES

GRAPH MAPPER

IMAGE SAMPLER

BASE SURFACE

FIELD LINES

PERFORATIONS

VORAONOI

CONTOUR

Four of the most topologically rich and interesting designs were taken and developed slightly further. 17

SELECTION CRITERIA The best design will be extrapolated and further visualised in the real world environment, and how it interacts with humans, animals, vegetation and the ground.

HABITABILITY FOR SMALL ANIMALS HABITABILITY FOR LARGER ANIMALS HUMAN INTERACTION OUT OF A MAXIMUM:

RICHNESS OF TOPOGRAPHY DEVELOPABILITY

OUT OF A MAXIMUM: 19

B3.0 case study 2.0

B3.1 NINE BRIDGES COUNTRY CLUB

Archdaily, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Nine Bridges Country Club / Shigeru Ban Architectsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, ArchDaily <https://www.archdaily.com/490241/nine-bridges-country-club-shigeru-ban-architects>

NINE BRIDGES COUNTRY CLUB Architect: shigeru ban The ceiling installation and columns in the atrium space of the Nine Bridges Country Club are consists of hexagonal timber strips which connects the ceiling and the columns together to create a holistic effect. This design concept allows ambient ceiling light to pass through the gaps created by the hexagonal patterns, and hence generates an interesting visual effect. The space is meant to be perceived as an open space, so the abundancy of voids, along with help of glass panels around the perimeter of the atrium, really accentuates the idea.

REVERSE ENGINEERING

first attempt

second attempt

The first attempt of reverse engineering the design was unconvincing and much difference is seen. No.2 was then taken as the starting point for the second attempt, which resulted in a more realistic result. Although there are some similarities, such as the presence of hexagons, the majority are differences. They include how the pieces undulate

downwards to be part of the columns; equal spacing of strips at the columns; the gradual convergence of the strips at the columns; and how the strips end at the bottom of the columns. I could not figure out how to adjust my script for a more comparable reverse engineering attempt. 25

B4.0 Technique: development

b4.1 algorithmic design development I decided to start off where I left off on the first attempt, because that script is more developable than my second attempt,

B5.0 Technique: prototypes

B5.1 MATERIAL STUDY PATTERN 1

PATTERN 2

PATTERN 3

MDF 3.0MM

BAMBOO VENEER 2.8MM

For this material test, I decided to test the bending abilities of 2.8mm bamboo and 3.0mm MDF across three different patterns. Because of the bending results, and if the size of the project permits, the smallest constituent parts will be strips of material that are manufactured by means of laser cutting. 2D manufacturing may be suffice as bending and assembling can result in a complex and intriguing form. The constituent parts can be connected by external joints or by notching. The shape of the form will be determined not only by anchor points, but also by how the material bends. It may also need a secondary structure to hold the pieces in place if they are turn out to be not self-supporting. The patterning on the material will have a major impact on visual effects, and it can also create intriguing compositions by means of solid and void. 30

ONE-DIRECTIONAL BENDING (KERFING)

PATTERN 1

PATTERN 2

PATTERN 3

MDF 3.0MM

BAMBOO VENEER 2.8MM

The results show that bamboo will bend better (given that the bend is across the grain) than MDF due to failures seen across all the MDF sheet pieces as cracks in the middle. Pattern 2 gave the best bending abilities and the straight linen gave the worst (most stiff), whilst the hollow patterns evoke intriguing visual effects.

B5.2 PROTOTYPE

The prototype tests several aspects - the ability for the material to bend - the ability for the panels to be fitted into the support structure to be held in place and how well they retain their form - visual effects created by the patterns - visual effects created by the arrangement of panels - varying pattern abundance

bending ability This prototype pushed the bending capabilities of the bamboo pieces to their limits. There were several failures whereby the bamboo pieces snapped or cracked when the curvature was too sharp. Solution 1: Implement the kerfing patterns at a smaller scale to increase the bending capability Solution 2: Decrease the maximum curve amount to reduce chances of breakage, however this comes at a price as it is a design limitation

Structural support Most of the pieces were relatively easy to fit into the grooves. However, the more the panel needs to cuver, the harder it is to fit into the support piece. This was the main reason for the bending failures. I also came to a conclusion that 2 pieces of bamboo stacked on top of another was required to hold the vertical panels in place without the risk of breakage. This is due to the resistive forces exerted by the bent pieces onto the support piece. The pieces were also successful in retaining their bent form. Solution 1: Increase the tolerance of the curvature by increasing width of grooves

VISUAL EFFECTS CREATED BY THE PATTERNS When bent enough, the patterns protrude from the surface, giving surface texture to the pieces. However, the patterns did not create many other visual effect. Solution 1: Creating perforations with the patterns could result in interesting visual effects created by the interplay of light and shadow, especiallly when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re being bent. Solution 2: Exaggerate the curvature on the input pattern geomtry so that they protrude more for a given amount of deflection.

HOLISTIC VISUAL EFFECT Due to the failures of several vertical panels, larger gaps have been created where there is no panel. A visual effect is created from the varying brightness in the model - it lets through more light where there is a larger gap. Also, the use of only a bottom support pieces creates an undulating curvature on the surfaces of the model. Solution 1: Experiment with varying gap widths and the interplay of light and shadow to create more intriguing outcomes.

VARYING PATTERN ABUNDANCE I varied the amount of kerfing on a given area depending on the amount of bending required in that area. Some advantages are that it creates more interesting visual effects; it is cheaper to fabricate (lower cutting time); the pattern abundance can be controlled systematically to achieve different effects. Disadvantages are that because bending depends on kerfing, if there is an error in misplacing the patterns, the bending wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go as planned. Several of my pieces could not fit into my prototype because I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t put enough patterning on them. Solution 1: Be more careful when deciding where to put the patterns Solution 2: A more aesthetical solution would be instead of either having pattern or not on a give area (which is what was done to the prototype), a gradient of patterning could be implemented instead to improve its visual effects.

LEARNING OUTCOMES After making the prototype, I have obtained more information regarding the limitations of the material, whilst being able to experiment with visual effect. I will take the results and produce improved prototypes to test. 34

B6.0 PROPOSAL

B6.1 THE PROBLEM A vast variety of animals in Australia inhabit in places like trees. These habitats not only the animals main source of shelter, it also allows them to hide from predators, a place to mate, as well as a gateway to finding their food sources. A great example is the hollows created in tree, dead of alive, dude to both internal and external conditions, and they provide the needs for a suitable habitat as they shelter the animals from all sides, while still letting in light during the day. Unfortunately, due to the rapid increase of climate change and the direct result of deforestation, many animal species such as the yellow rumped thornbill and many insects such as ants and caterpillars are now being displaced from their natural habitat which poses a problem for the wildlife biodiversity in Australia. It is vital to sustain the balance in the biodiversity of animals as a small change could cascade into a large scale endangerment of multiple wildlife species. Not only that, the wildlife will also heavily effect the ecosystem at Merry Creek, hence it is vital to protect them.

habitats that allow the birds and insects to thrive, being displaced, we are able to save many other species as well from eventually being extinct. This would hopefully promote and sustain a healthy ecosystem at Merri Creek.

We have the power to create and design solutions to counteract this issue at hand. By artificially creating new

B6.2 THE SITE MERRI CREEK (OFF THE BIKE BATH) The site is situated in between the Merri Creek river and a bike path. There lies an off-track path that allows people to walk into highly vegetated areas. This site was chosen because it features a high density of trees, which would make for an ideal place for my chosen animal symbiotic community. Its location also allows the growth of the River Red Gum, which is commonly found next to rivers. Because it is off-track, this area would be less populated with people, hence it would less disrupt the habitat for the animal community.

B6.3 SYMBIOTIC COMMUNITY

EUCALYPTUS Camaldulensis The river red gum is a specific type of tree in the Eucalyptus species. While it commonly resides on river banks, providing habitats sea animals, it is also home to many flying species such as birds and bats.

YELLOW-RUMPED THORNBILL It is a sparrow-sized bird that mainly feeds on the ground. It is insectivorous, feeding off insects such as spiders, flies and caterpillars. The main threat for this bird species is their vulnerability when looking for food,

LYCAENIDAE CATERPILLAR This species of caterpillar feeds on leaves, fruits and flowers. Their habitats are located mostly around areas with ant nests and their preferred species of plants, hence they are very localised, from which poses a high threat of extinction.

B6.4 final design

THE SOLUTION

While we cannot prevent predators from hunting down the birds, we can inhibit the process. By providing vertical panels for the birds to rest on while trying to feed on ground insects such as the caterpillar, they would be out of reach from ground predators such as cats or foxes, or in the case that they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t, they have a better chance of escaping. The panel also provide visual blockage for the predator, hence making it safer for the birds to trot around. As for the caterpillar, we can ensure that their food sources are not taken away, as well as provide better shelter so that they are not as prone to being eaten by predators such as birds. The gaps between the vertical panels allow the caterpillars, due to their miniature size, to hide in them. The decrease amount of sunlight penetrating in these gaps means that it will be more difficult for the birds to spot their prey. The vertical panels may also help the caterpillars in their travels to the nearest forage in search for food.

balance Whilst the design will prevent the loss of birds and insects sch as caterpillars, it does not completely protect them from being preyed upon. The balance of the biodiversity is of utmost importance for the maintanence of the ecosystem in Merri Creek. Whilst the birds are more protected by the vertical panels, ground predators can still climb them to catch the birds, and since birds travel around a lot, they would still loiter around the existing open spaces rather than stick near to the panels. If the bird count is not kept to an equilibrium, the number of insects living in the area would drastically decrease, hence destroying the food chain. Moreover, if the number of caterpillars are not controlled, the increase in number may spark a more competitive nature in their community. The vertical panels can be easily ascended by the caterpillars, from which at the summit they are susceptible to predators.

THE DESIGN The panels are tightly packed together to create a microbreeding and feeding ground with high surface area. The small gaps also limit the amount of sunlight penetration during the morning and late afternoon hours. The main concept is the increase in gap width as seen in the central left part of the plan view. This creates an enclosed and protected feeding ground for the birds to prey on insects such as the caterpillar. It also transmits more sunlight through hence it gives the birds better visibility. The smaller gaps are to protect the insects from the birds, as it is more difficult for the birds to see them due to the dark nature, as well as inhibits the entry of birds into those areas. The curvatures increases the amount of surface area within a given area, hence increases the area for feeding or breeding. The lack of perpendicular support pieces maintains the undulating wavy nature of the surface, making it look more organic, yet artificial at the same time.

PLAN VIEW

ELEVATION

b7.0 learning objectives and outcomes

RESEARCH and modelling I have learnt a lot through research. While going through the process of design exploration, the precendents that I have research helped me a lot in different ways. They allow me to visualise and apply design concepts; they teach me the what can be done through parametric design, while showing me the true limitations of it; they give me a better understanding of how different designs can be done through a series of different parametric processes, which made it easier for me to explore in my design process. Several scripts also gave me starting points in parametric design, and this really helped especially because I started off being clueless about what parametric design is and what can be done using it. I could then apply the knowledge I gained to design for a specific brief in a more successful manner.

PROTOTYPING Several material and prototype testing gave me more inside to the limitations of fabrication. It also made me more aware of fabrication processes during the design process. Whilst the main objective it to design something spectacular, it also has to be feasible, so it will definitely help me in the converging stage of my design process, where I carefully choose which designs should be developed further. I can now progress further into the design process, and really start to consider the fabrication process required to manufacture my design.

b8.0 appendix

BIBLIOGRAPHY Archdaily, ‘Nine Bridges Country Club / Shigeru Ban Architects’, ArchDaily <https://www.archdaily.com/490241/nine-bridgescountry-club-shigeru-ban-architects> Archdaily, ‘The City of Culture / Eisenman Architects’, ArchDaily <https://www.archdaily.com/141238/the-city-of-culture-eisenmanarchitects> Nora Schmidt, ‘‘biothing’ – a transdisciplinary lobratory founded by Alisa Andrasek ‘, Dailytonic <https://www.researchgate.net/ figure/ICD-ITKE-pavilion-2010-Suttgart-Achim-Menges-and-team-structural-scale-model-section_fig10_265166851> [20 April 2018] Achim-Menges-and-team-structural-scale-model-section_fig10_265166851> [20 April 2018] Research Gate, ‘Innovation in Timber Architectural Structures and Digital Fabrication: A Cartography’, Research Gate <https:// www.researchgate.net/figure/ICD-ITKE-pavilion-2010-Suttgart-Achim-Menges-and-team-structural-scale-model-section_ fig10_265166851> [20 April 2018]