AIR
KEVIN ADHITYA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction 5 Conceptualisation 7 A0. Design Futuring A1. Design Computation A2. Composition/Generation A3. Conclusion A4. Learning Outcomes A5. Appendix A6. References
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INTRODUCTION
Welcome!
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Now, I have gained knowledge of how to utilise Rhino + Grasshopper more efficiently. I have learned that, it is much more efficient to use Grasshopper prior to Rhino due to its parametric function. Parametric function, personally, refers to the ability to alter a design through a series of system. This system is then altered through interchangeable numbers that can, again, alter the design. Designing in Rhino alone will cost a lot of time and effort, thus, Grasshopper has also become a handy tool to aid that.
Digital Architecture should also thank various software for achieving its current state. Largely commercialised software programs, such as Rhinoceros (the one that I am currently using), Revit, AutoCAD, has become a staple in current Architecture industry. Numerous tutors on the campus also suggests learning these software programs so that we, as students, become competent in Digital Architecture industry. These programs have also replaced the conventional drawings (not sketches). Drawings are now commonly drafted through a digital software instead of conventional hand drawing. This change, in my opinion, also relates to the efficiency and error-proof aspect of digital software programs.
ello, my name is Kevin Adhitya. I am currently undertaking third year Bachelor of Environments at University of Melbourne, majoring in Architecture. My experience with digital design dates back to the first year whilst undergoing Virtual Environments subject. I was introduced to Rhino basics and just a little portion of Grasshopper plugin. My project was related to how students conceived personal space through design. Thus, my friends and I, as a group, designed a body suit that reacts to touch. It was a good experience.
igital Architecture has become increasingly utilised through the last decade. For me, this is apparent in prefabrication technique. With this, a building can achieve a highly intricate design with less budget and labour. Digital Architecture from here on will progress even further with some of the previously unachievable geometries and engineering.
Introduction
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CONCEPTUALISATION
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“[W]e need more pluralism in design, not of style but of ideology and values” (Dunne, 9).
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A0. DESIGN FUTURING
PRECEDENTS
Church of The Light + Sendai Mediatheque
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Tadao Ando Church of The Light
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he Church of The Light delivers a significant idea in its use of light as a metaphor of higher power (in this case , God). Although this may not involve any digital and computational aid, Tadao Ando managed to create a space with such beauty and serenity.
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hat is interesting to note here is that Ando’s design follows a modernist and reductivist, and yet, it conveys that much power in terms of experiential aspect. Its simplicity allows the users to meditate in such serene space. The east-facing cross window allow light to enter every morning bringing a unique experience, which is extremely symbolic to Christian followers, to the void and dim space inside.
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Toyo Ito Sendai Mediatheque
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oyo Ito’s design on Sendai Mediatheque was a responses to the earthquake that happened in Sendai. This was apparent in his use of the organic columns that holds its structure when earthquake strikes. In design theory, Sendai Mediatheque is built to cater various use of the building, such as libraries, theatre and galleries. It was also built with clear glass facades that
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s a part of modernist architects, Ando proposed a radical building design that focuses on the use of light through a minimal use of materials.
Conceptualisation
Conceptualisation
A1. DESIGN COMPUTATION
BENEFITS OF DESIGN COMPUTATION
Gardens by the Bay + Eden Project
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esign computation allows designers to explore numerous possible divergent design ideas simply by tweaking a certain element (eg. a number slider). From here, designers narrow down the outcomes (convergence) to several interim design ideas that suits elements of the project (eg. site, brief ). Similarly, computation can aid construction process in regards to certain alterations towards construction elements, such as numbers of columns, louvre shadings, or even window frames. This can be regarded as advantages in efficient designing (once it passes through the communication process, that is), in which designers do not have to redraw and recalculate the proposed design due to constructional constraints.
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Computation may have eased a design process. However, this does not suggest that designers suddenly laze around. This advance will open opportunities to create much complicated and construction-defying geometries that also express new architectural discourse.
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wo precedents displayed here are Gardens by The Bay by Wilkinson Eyre Architects and The Eden Project by Grimshaw Architects. Both of these projects relates to sustainability through Design Computation. In this case, sustainability refers to the building performance in regards to the impact of its construction towards the natural environments. Computation allows to simulate the performance of a certain building to reduce its negative impact and give back to the nature. This is apparent in Gardens by the Bay, in which utilises natural elements, such as sunlight and wind to create a green leisure space to generate a living ecosystem in the site that doubles as a leisure space, as well.
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Grimshaw Architects The Eden Project
Wilkinson Eyre Architects Cooled Conservatories at Gardens By The Bay
Conceptualisation
Conceptualisation
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A2. COMPOSITION/GENERATION
SHIFT FROM COMPOSITION TO GENERATIVE AND ITS DISCOURSE
Beijing National Stadium + Metropol Parasol
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enerative design, as aforementioned, has achieved numerous forms that can be considered as its main advantage. It is also helps to creates efficient buildings, by reducing its costs and improving its performance. This has certainly become a discourse in architectural design by showcasing what is expected of a building.
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Herzog & DeMeuron Beijing National Stadium
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Generative design has found its place in current design industry. As of 2015, personally, every designer has knowledge of using design software programs. However, if compared to those in my home country, Indonesia , such programs has touched very little designers. Also, there are very little use of prefabrication (as part of generative design) in Indonesian construction; they still use human resources and manual labour to construct, for example, a residential building. Thus, generative design will continue to develop and create various forms and unique spaces.
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omputational design or generative design is a relatively new method of communicating a design idea. It can be classified as a shift from the conventional and manual medium of communication to a computerised and algorithmic one. To simply put it, algorithmic design is the ‘it‘ trend right now on the current practices. Personally, computation has been largely helpful in aiding design process. Prefabrication is an advance in the construction process as an example of generative design. It extracts the digital file and prints the desired parts of a building and, lastly, transports them to the site. It is considered as a cost-effective, material-minimal method of construction.
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Both examples displayed here, Beijing National Stadium & Metropol Parasol, has achieved that. Both are designed through a computer program, tested in regards to stability and forces, and using the prefabricated tool to a certain extent. It is noted that both building would have rquired manual construction so that it is fixed on the site.
J. Mayer H. Architects Metropol Parasol
Conceptualisation
Conceptualisation
A3. CONCLUSION
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n conclusion, generative design has reached its discourse in current time. It creates numerous possibilities and opportunites of what a building should look and feel like. Ideas, such as sustainability and building performance has emerged as a response to the global climate change. Other ideas such as reductivism (although it is out of the realm of generative design) has created poeietic and even political statements in relation to architectural design.
A4. LEARNING OUTCOMES
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really enjoyed playing around with generative and computing design. One of the reasons is that I am very good in the artistic department and more of a logical person. I have been playing around with design software programs since last semester due to its relevance in the industry. In addition to that, it also gradually becomes my interest for the next year or two.
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would like to approach design from its relation with the nature (considering the site is close to natural environment). In saying that, sustainability extremely interests me. I will consider creating a system that could benefit the community around the site, such as solar panels or rain water collector.
Conceptualisation
Conceptualisation
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A5. APPENDIX
ALGORITHMIC SKETCH
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Conceptualisation
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Conceptualisation
A6. REFERENCES
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Conceptualisation
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Conceptualisation