Digital Design - Module 02 by Justin Wang

Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Justin Haoqi Wang (955850) Joel Collins + Studio 21

Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age

Kolerevic described three fundamental types of fabrication techniques in the reading. Outline the three techniques and discuss the potential of Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication with parametric modelling. (150 words max)

The three fundamental types of fanbrication techniques Kolerevic described were subtractive, addictive and formative. Subtractive method is the removal of materials in a solid volume to generate desired geometries. For instance: lazercut. Additive method is to create 3D geometries by layering materials to generate wanted geometries. 3D print for example. Formative method is to use Computer Numeric Controlled machinery to deform the materials in order to generate desired geometries. CNC fabrication is very widely and heavily used in the industry because of its ability to control the materials and achieve complex shapes fast, efficiently, accuratly at a low cost. Extremely difficult and complex geometries could be created and visualised before it gets built. Changes could be made easily without further costs. Therefore mass production is made possible and so there is a large portential for parametric modelling.

Part A: SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE

SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation

In order to create surfaces with different curvatures and shapes, I used grasshopper to generate a box(150,150,150) and divide each line of the cube to five points.(“Divide Curve”) I listed four points(“list item”) for each surface and loft(“loft”) them to create surfaces. By using “number slider”, I can easily adjust the edges and select points to vary the surfaces.

Surface 1

Surface 2

SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation

The top surface provides cover for the pavilion creating a sense of secure and privacy. It also blocks sunlight serving as a shelter for the people to rest under.

People can lie or sit on the tilted bottom surface. The curvature gets steeper as it goes up and less accessible it is.

I tried out with different shapes and positions of the surfaces to see spaces they generate. The first iteration has an intersection of the two surfaces enhencing the interactions and coherence between two surfaces so that it creates an enclosed feeling to the pavilion. The shadows casted by sunlight will also form a soft threshold. People will intend to stay under the shades more.

The second iteration has twisting surfaces and a common point. It creates an interesting space and sense of enclosure when being inside the pavilion as one side the surface is overarching to cover the people the other side is opening itself up the the sky.

The bottom surface also creates a shelter for a private space. The lower space can be accessed by Children to play.

Surface 3

The surface at the bottom lies on the ground forming a threshold for the visitors to this pavilion.

The third iteration I tried to put three points on the ground so that it can support itself on its own. Threshold is created on the edges of the bottom surface. The top surface provides cover for the pavilion to make the space feel more private and secured.

Isometric View

My panelling is comprised of 14 different geometries as basic reference at-

The waffle is comprised of horizontal and vertical fins. 8 for each side. The nu-

tached on the final surface I chose from all my iterations. Using “dispatch” com-

meber of fins is just enough to support the structure and maintain the shape of

mand in grasshopper allowed me to break up the 25 grids and “list item” them

the surfaces. The waffle leans on one side towards the ground as the one of the

to select desired grids. Attractor points have also been a key to my panelling as

surfaces is designed that way.

it creates variations in height and direction of the panels.

SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Laser Cutting

Dashed lines are used so that it could be folded both ways.

The first time when I printed it, there were some being cut where it is supposed to be etched and I figured out that I had duplicated lines on the etch lines. So the lazercut machine recognises the lines twice on the same local and cut it twice. So the next time i printed it. I used â&#x20AC;&#x153;SelDupâ&#x20AC;? to check and delete duplicated lines. There are also some panels that were unrolled together with their adjacent panels. The line that connects those panels are supposed to be folded the opposite way as the other lines. Still using etch will be a bad option. So instead I used dashed lines so it could be folded both ways. The reason why I did not use dashed line for every etch is because I think a clean continuous etch will look better aesthetically than dashed lines.

Etches Cut Dashed Lines

Lofts

1.1

1.2 {105,0,150}

{0,0,150}

1.3 {150,0,150}

{75,150,150}

{150,150,135}

{90,0,150}

Key

1.4 {30,30,150}

{0,0,0}

{150,45,150} {105,0,150} {90,150,150}

{0,0,105}

{0,0,120} {150,0,105} {0,0,75}

{150,0,0}

{0,150,45}

{75 ,0,0} {0,0,0}

{75,0,0} {0,75,0}

{150,150,0}

{60,0,0}

{0,0,0}

{150,150,0}

{0,150,0}

{0,0,0}

{150,150,0}

Paneling Grid & Attractor Point

{Index Selection}

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

{134,130,110}

{196,68,86}

{-36,68,118}

{40,30,30}

Paneling

{Attractor Point Location}

{Index Selection}

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

{45,150,0}

{0,0,0}

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points

eling +

SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities

I wanted to create a structure that explores thresholds and circulations. Using the power of grasshopper, I was able to create something complex and to some extend, unexpected but yet with controllability. I used 14 different individual shapes to fill out my 50 grids on the two surfaces. Point attraction was used to generate a 2D-3D effect where the attraction points are on the top and all the panels would just lean toward the attractive points. Most of the panels have wholes which allow sunlight to shine through as the same time provides shading. The waffle structure is specially created to connect the two surfaces. As the grids on my bottom surface do not align with my top surface, I have to compromise the alignment of the waffle with the bottom surface to achieve the effect I wanted. As a result. The waffle holds the two surfaces just fine.

2D and 3D shapes are arranged in a way which gradual transition from bottom to top is achieved rather than a severe change from 2D to 3D. This is for aesthetic purpose as well as protecting people from getting hurt by the 3D shapes.

60mm

SCALE BAR 1:1

SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model

The concept of my model is to explore the hard and soft threshold The lazer cut model was very precise and neat so it made it so much easier to put them together than handcut. Where the model interests me the most is the tilting gesture of the panels and the waffle. The curvature of the two surfaces are alike and They tend to lean and fall to one side but seem balanced in a way which the two surfaces are harmonically interacting with each other forming a â&#x20AC;&#x153;eye-shapeâ&#x20AC;? space inbetween if looking from the section. The cuts on the panels are all over the surfaces providing a lot of gaps for the light to shine through. At the same time, the rest of the panels are providing good cover for shades and wind. People can either go inbetween the pavilion or under the bottom surface to be protected from the wind and sun. The space under the bottom surface is more private while the space inbetween two surfaces is more communal. With the precise controls and a bit of unexpected trial and error, I was able to create something very complex and aesthetically cool.

Part B: SOLID AND VOID

Visual Scripting of Parametric Model

I started with a bounding box and generate a 4x4 grid with “Deconstruct Brep”. Then I used “Points Attraction” to make variations of the grids. With the help of weaverbirds and lunchbox, I was able to create extremely complex geometries to cut the solid with. The number slider connected to weaverbird/lunchbox allowed me to vary the geometry further to achieve desired complexity. “Boolean difference” is then excuted in rhino to cut the solid.

SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation

3D Model 1

3D Model 2

3D Model 3

After “Boolean Difference” the 150x150x150 solid, a 50x50x50 cube is made and put inside the cut geometry. With “Boolean Intersection” I could get very different results. Trial and error was kind of the method for this because of the unexpectedness of the results. Different geometries can have different thresholds and circulations. The standard which I based on when chosing my geometry.

Boolean Difference 1

Boolean Difference 2

Boolean Difference 3

Boolean Difference 4

SOLID AND VOID Isometric view

The geometry is cut by multiple varyingscaled polygons, which creates complex and random voids in the solid volume. This combination is likely to form a “pavilion” or “envelope” geometry when “Boolean Intersection” with the 50^3 cube. It is also likely to create large open space as public space. Thresholds and circulations can be seen through the porosity and permeability of the geometry. The different scales of the polygons being cut provides variations for possibilities of the outcome. There could be smaller wholes cut on the 50^3 cube where the smaller polygons are at and larger space would be created where larger polygons are at. New thresholds could be created at the intersections of those polygons.

Point Attractions

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

Key {0,0,0}

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points

Geometries Boolean Difference

{Point Attractor}

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

{Attractor Point Location}

{Index Selection}

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

Task B Matrix Task B matrix shows different experimentations with the attractor points, geometries created by plug-ins(weaverbirds and lunchbox), geometries after it is being cut by using â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boolean Differenceâ&#x20AC;?. Different geometries create different kinds of porosity and permeability. The experience of visitors is also different. Having that on the back of my head, I would choose the most interesting space for people to be in at changable scales.

SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities

Angled surfaces

The top surfaces form

serve as walls and

watch platform and open

form thresholds

to the sunlight and nature

Sunligh can come in through this gap

Threshold is created at the entrance

People can lean on the walls to rest

Thresholds 0

60mm

Circulations

SCALE BAR 1:1

People can look through at eye level

Thresholds are formed by the wholes allow the sun the shine through

Shadows are casted to provide shades

3D Model 1

Soft and hard thresholds are created where the shadows are at

People can go through the tunnel experiencing the threshold

3D Model 2

Light can shine through the whole from the ceiling

SOLID AND VOID

Photography of Model

Scale 1: Large scale, a sense of grandness and solemnity

Scale 2: Small scale, a sense of intimacy and privacy

Scale 3: medium scale, appropriate privacy and open space

Scale 4: Tiny scale, daily objects, (sofa, chair, bench)

By experimenting with different scale of the people, I was able to visualise the scale of pavilion and decide which works the best. The pavilion should be at an appropriate size which could accomodate a group a people to interact and do exchange activities in side or on top. At the same time, it should be not that large so it feels intimate and private for the visitors. A sense of secure is created at a smaller scale while a sense of grandness and solemnity is created at a larger scale. I wanted it to be a casual cozy attraction pavilion for people to come and rest or go by rather than a prodominent geomtry that feels cold and serious.

This is my final 3D model. The concept is to explore thresholds and openness. The geometry is created by â&#x20AC;&#x153;boolean intersectionâ&#x20AC;? a 150^3 cube that is cut by multiple weaverbirds pyramid polygons. Pyramids interlock with each other and create sense of porosity and permeability. The edges naturally form thresholds making different planes of surfaces. With attrator points being used, the pyramids cut out different angles of surfaces forming interesting structural form. Thresholds are once again generated upon the accessibility of the planes. Some are too steep to be floorplane, some cantilevers and overaching forming a spectating platform. The space is experienced on multiple levels and different openness. People go through a threshold when entering under the pavilion. A sense of enclosure and privacy is created while a large open space is formed at the top. Visitors can choose to stay under the pavilion away from the sun and rain or go up to enjoy the sunshine. The bottom space is more private and the top surface is more communal. The scale is finalised to comply my design intension which it stands at a medium scale.

Final 3D Model - Appropriate scale

Appendix

Process

The original position of the surfaces would have generated very few fins that are difficult to deal with because they are leaning to one side. So I rotated the surfaces to make it easier to create waffle structure as most of the fins will be more vertical and horizontal to surfaces. I then rotated it back with the same degree but negative to make the surfaces back to normal together with the waffle that had been created.

Appendix Process

Attractor points are used to vary the offset grids to make the gradual effect of the panels.

After “Morph 3D” each individual shapes on the surface I was able to have precise control of my panels over which grids I wanted with “List Item” .

Appendix

Process

I flipped the models to make them print with as little support as possible and export the stl file from Rhino to makerbots and submit to 3D print.

Thanks For Watching!