Design Studio Journal: Air
Kaixin Zhang Semester 1, 2016 Tutor: Sonya
Table of Content
Table of Content B.1 Research Field
B. Criteria Design
B.2. Case Study 1.0 B.3. Case Study 2.0 B.4. Technique: Development B.5. Technique: Prototypes B.6. Technique: Proposal B.7. Learning Objectives and outcomes B.8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches Reference List
B.1. Reseach Field
Strips and Folding
Strips and folding is an interesting area of exploration, its high involvement with mathematical expressions gives more computational possibilities for architectural discoveries. Strips and folding have been widely studied and applied as a form of art, not limiting to architecture, but also in fashion, engineering and even in Japanese origami inspired structures (Herr, Gu, Roudavski, Schnabel, 2011). Strips and folding therefore offer great potential, it looks to nature for inspiration, such as biological forms and result in undulating and curious forms through specific relationships between strings and strips to create weaving and folding. It is highly concerned with physical property and performance, exploring different load types through materiality, and tests for computation and realization possibilities. Its interest goes beyond to look at the intersections between these individual but interdependent elements. Strips and folding offers labyrinthine spatial experimentation, its most prominent example is the creation of biothing, where freely sprawling designs are established by computational algorithms. However, its potential to generate more intriguing free curvilinear forms is appealing, and inspires me to choose this branch of research in Part B. Considering the close relationship of strips and folding to nature, it is highly possible to mimic the fluidity and flexibility forms that are typically found in natural elements, such as flowing water and dynamic movement of living things. This gives the opportunity for examining complex organic architecture that is merged into its surrounding environment.
B.2. Case Study 1.0 Biothing - Seroussi Pavilion
Species 1 Changing Graph Mapper to sine summation
Changing Graph Mapper to sine summation
Reducing number of circles and extruding
Flattening data structure
Changing height parameter
Species 2
Brep wires of lofted surface
Connecting end points and lofting
Sweep
Pop 3D, interpolate and extrude
Explode tree, connect act and lofting Voronoi and extrude
Species 3
Chaning charge to -1 Field spin
Changing charge to 5 Changing to Gaussian graph
Changing charge to 3 Changing to Bezier graph
Extruding in Y direction
Changing to conic graph Deacreasing circle quantity and extruding
Species 4
Explode tree and changing direction
Changing height parameter
Piping
Parabola and Gaussian graph
Fit circles and extruding
Species 5
Fitting circles of various sizes
Lofting the left iteration
Pop Geometry and interpolate
Lofting surface
Lofting surface
Species 6
Curve Array Polar array
Selection Criteria 1. Facilitates interactions between human and nature. (I.e. what types of activities can be conducted and what spatial experience can the form offer)
2. Possesses spatial and architectural quality that can adapt to Merri Creek site condition.
Polar array and extusion
3. Structure is not limited for human use but also for other creatures of Merri Creek.
4. Form provides possibilities for further experimentation and manipulation.
Curve array and pipe
4 successful iterations This iteration is chosen because it provides an interesting folding effect through intersecting strips, it offers a labyrinthine spatial experience by its meandering form. Users could be drawn into the space and be overwhelmed with the possible route that they could take within the form. It provides an interesting foundation for material exploration, where rigid material would provide a fixed structure, but a flexible and elastic material would offer user experience by interfering with the location and shape of the strips.
This iteration demonstrates potential development for a canvas that is constructed underwater specifically for aquatic fauna. It can be used as a habitation structure, the altering transparent and opaque area can provide protection from predators but at the same time allowing sunlight to pass through, human can also see through the structure for observation and learning purposes, bringing human and other natural creatures closer. The form is easily accessible and free in its spatial configuration, providing smooth route for aquatic fauna.
This iteration possesses fluid quality through sprawling of individual tubes. The form has the potential to expand, contract and alter its shape according to surrounding conditions, such as the effect of wind or flow of water. Thereby interacting with the dynamic ecological condition of Merri Creek, and possibly mimicking biological behavior. This structure does not only provide design opportunity for human, but also for both aquatic and land fauna of Merri Creek.
This iteration is interesting because it mimics the form of petals. It can be applied as a walking platform, the center can be an area of gathering, weather for fauna or human, the social interactions are facilitated through the form. The structure can also be used as a shelter if inverted and applied with a soft membrane cover. It again has the quality of undulation and fluidity that epitomizes spatial interest.
B.3. Case Study 2.0 ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2010
The ICD Pavilion is an innovative structure that demonstrates a material-oriented computational design and production process. In real world, form is inseparable to material and structure behavior, however in computational modeling, this material and physical property is often less integrated (Fleischmann, Knippers, Lienhard, Menges, & Schleicher, 2012). The driver of structural form of the ICD Pavilion is the notion of elastic bending, the structure is made of extremely thin plywood strips alternating and intersecting in bending and tensioning fashion to create the woven effect. The project studies the properties of plywood under the FEM (Finite element analysis) model, which tests the real-world reactivity of product to a variety of physical effects (Autodesk, 2016). In this case, the elasticity and the level of deflection is investigated in this project, connection points are determined as seen in Fig 1. This is the key in achieving this interesting structure of great complexity but high load bearing (Fleischmann, et al., 2012). This project is very successful in its attempt to embed physical and material property into computational design, rather than adopting the traditional geometrically-driven design motives. The performance capacity of plywood is explored to a great level to deliver an interesting torus spatial configuration, a surprising undulation journey that demonstrates the concept of strip and folding explored in Case Study 1.0.
Fig 2. FEM simulation mode (Fleischmann, et al., 2012)
Fig 1. ICD pavilion (Fleischmann, et al., 2012)
Reverse Engineering
Reference two circles in Grasshopper
Generate lines along plane of each arc
Connect arcs between two circles
Extrude arc along line draw
Working with two sets of data to create intersections of arcs
Final outcome
Similarites and differences of reverse engineering product to ICD pavilion There are similarities in the general torus form, both are based on a serious of arches intersecting one another. However, the ICD Pavilion are modeled through extremely sophisticated analytical process, the reverse engineering product lacks the physical and material properties of the real structure. The location of intersection also differs significantly.
Taking this definition further... To take this definition further, I would like to explore the following to the reverse engineering product: -Geodesic -pattern -surface morphing
B.4. Technique: Development
Species 1
Species 2
Species 3
Species 4
Species 5
Species 6
Species 7
Most successful iterations
This iteration interests me because it creates a stepping stone effect. The structure was generated from exploring contouring, it can be adapted to a variety of conditions, such as above water for users to walk on, with alterations of individual sizes, materiality and texture can create exiting spatial experience. For example, it could mimic how land fauna feel about land waste accumulation in their habitation area by creating surfaces that are difficult to walk upon for human to contemplate their impact on the environment. The structure can also be placed under water as a manmade habitation for fish. It can be adapted to Merri Creek considering its rough surface texture and response to surrounding landscape such as basalt rocks near Dights Fall.
This iteration was created by the weaving component, changing the angle of weaving and the amplitude of weave. It creates a structure that starts off as individual elements but merges together as an unidentifiable mass in the center, thereby generate enclosure and openness depending on where you are. The opened space facilitates exposure and interaction with nature, while the enclosed space can create isolated feelings. The strips also have the potential to move according to the dynamic condition of Merri Creek, for example it is possible to possess lively behavior that respond to nature by the fluid quality of strips being unfixed at a certain point. It also has the potential to be partially emerged in water, I could imagine users walking along the top path. More design possibilities could be generated by altering the thickness and position of strips.
B.5. Technique: Prototypes Prototype # 01
Structure: This prototype tests the idea of folding and looks at a pinned joint that allows flexibility in its form. The cardboards create a layered affect and can be moved freely to form new structures. If rigid supports are given, as shown in the image on the left, it can create a more opened space that allow movement through the structure. This prototype is adaptable to both land and water, however recycled plastic material would be used to allow for a light and flowing effect on water body.
Material and fabrication: Recycled cardboard, steel wires and straws are used. Card-
boards are fabricated identically to standardize the outcome. The steel wires create a pinned joint through punched holes in the cardboard and the straws give height definition to individual layers, as well as providing rigidity for the wires.
Prototype # 02
Structure: This prototype looks at the connection of an array of strips. The parametric model
demonstrates connection made in the middle section of each strip; however I wanted to achieve a dynamic structural connection rather than a fixed connection. Although the net and strips are firmly tied together, the net being highly adaptable, can be twisted, stretched and contracted back to its original position. Each strip do stay in the middle section of neighboring strip, but still have the freedom to move around. The weaving pattern is interesting and can be adapted to Merri Creek, such as allowing aquatic fauna to pass through the net or collecting rubbish.
Material and fabrication: Recycled cardboard and plastic net are used to create the weav-
ing pattern. Cardboards are fabricated at the same width as the net openings, together with the frictions between two material, each pieces are fixed in place tightly.
B.6. Technique: Proposal
Prototype # 03 Cardboard is used with foam board to create this structure. This connection considers how strips can be joined together in its rigid place. Slots are created to accommodate for the connection of strips of equal width. This structure is comparatively less fluid in its ability to alter its shape according to site conditions, however it still allows movement in-between the strips. This prototype has the potential to create interesting spatial experience if multiple sets are placed in adjacent to each other, fauna or human can meander through the gaps.
Site location: Dights Fall
(Google Map, 2016)
Site observation and analysis
Fig. 03 Existing fishway at Dights Fall and its surroungding geological condition.
Fig. 04 Rubbish accumulation near the existing fishway.
User of Site : joggers, trail walk, observation groups Stakeholders of design proposal: - Merri Creek Management Committee - Fauna species of Merri Creek - Potential new species - Users of Merri Creek for recreational or educational purposes.
Fig. 05 Fast river current created by man-made weir of Dights Fall.
Site response
Identified problems: 1. Existing viewing platform do not provide sufficient view. 2. No real observation can be made due to the level of sediments and environmental damage done to Merri Creek ((Melbourne water, 2016).
3. A more integrated system can be achieved that possess greater spatial and
architectural quality that draws more attention and awareness to environmental damages.
Fig. 06 fish species and migration pattern(Melbourne water, 2016)
Existing fishway Fishway is an artificial pathway that allows for fish species to pass through barrier in Merri Creek (Melbourne water, 2016). The current fishway of Dights Fall consist of vertical slots that are gradually sloped. Merri Creek supports 17 species of native fish and 11 species migrate downstream and upstream during their lifecycle.
Proposed Brief: To redesign the fishway and integrate a viewing platform for human observation of the migration process in order to parreciate and care for our natural surroundings.
The existing fishway structure provides great opportunity for folding structure, it is essential that the slot is divided into segment chamber to slow down the water flow. Therefore I could use the idea of folding to generate final design for Part C.
B.7. Learning Objectives and outcomes
In Part B of Studio Air, my ability for exploring algorithmic possibilities greatly improved over the repetitive process of iteration generation with provided definition. I was able to specialize in specific parametric techniques that had its own limitations and potentials, and understood how the outcome could be applied to final design through culling design iterations by the selection criteria I listed. Reverse engineering was a challenge because the result was given and we had to work within limited framework, rather than creating iterations that could have infinite possibilities. However at the same time I gained more understanding on how parametric modeling can benefit and assist the design process by providing a variety of possible outcomes. I lacked performance in digital fabrication, although interesting results are produced using traditional model making method, lase cutting would pose potential problems during the actual assembling of parts, as changes cannot be easily made through traditional trimming or editing of model parts. I will make sure to experiment with digital fabrication the following Part C.
B.8. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches
Reference List Autodesk. (2016). Finite element analysis. Retrieved April 24th, 2016 from http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/finite-element-analysis C. M. Herr, N. Gu, S. Roudavski, M. A. Schnabel. (2011). Circuit Bending, Breaking and Mending: Proceedings of the 16th International Conference on Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. Association for Computer-Aided Architectural Design Research in Asia. Retrieved from http://cumincad.scix.net/data/works/att/ caadria2011_001.content.pdf Fleischmann, M., Knippers, J., Lienhard, J., Menges, A., & Schleicher, S. (2012). Material behaviour: embedding physical properties in computational design processes. Architectural Design, 82(2), 44-51. Google Maps. (2016). [Merri Creek. Melbourne, Victoria] [Street map]. Retrieved from https://www.google.com.au/ maps?q=merri+creek+google+map&ion=1&espv=2&bav=on.2, or.r_cp.&bvm=bv.120551593,d.dGo&biw=1920&bih=940&dpr=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi-ooelrq3MAhXFQpQKHefHDaAQ_AUIBigB Melbourne water. (2016). Fishways fact sheet. Retrieved April 25th, 2016 from http://www.melbournewater.com.au/whatwedo/projectsaroundmelbourne/Documents/Fishways_Fact_Sheet.pdf Melbourne water. (2016). Artist’s impression. Retrieved April 25th, 2016 from Melbourne water. (2016). Fishways fact sheet. Retrieved April 25th, 2016 from