MODULE 4 Ang Li Ai
560558 Group 3 - Mike M. Semester 2/2012
Chapter 1 - Ideation BushFires
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Ideation - Bushfires Generally, bushfires is defined as uncontrolled fires or burning of bush, forest or woodland area. It is one of the natural phenomena that if frequently happened in australia especially during the hotter months of the year due to Australia’s mostly hot, dry climate. Large areas of land are ravaged every year by bushfires, which also cause property damage and loss of life.
Research : Wood do not spontaneously catch on fire just becaus they are surrounded by oxygen. They needed to be heated to its ignition temperature which is 2600C for wood.
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In this stage, the compound molecules of woods absorb heat.
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As the wood is heated to 260.C, now, the compound molecules absorb enough heat energy to break the bond between each molecules and atoms. The compound molecules break apart.
The individual atoms (C and H) now will attracted to the oxygen atoms surrounding and recombine with the oxygen to form H2O and CO2 which in other words, they burn. At this stage, new bonds formed and heat energy released which is what the new heat that sustains the fire.
Ideation - Bushfires Based on the research, the formation of fire can be simplified in 3 basic process and can be explained in term of molecules bond and energy.
Concept ----- Forms By having the idea of these three simple steps, various sketches have been drawn to generate the pattern or form that follow the function and the context.
Questioning myself: How is heat absorption looks like? Since heat is something abstract and hardly simply draw heat, shift the main key at this stage to the word Absorption. Key Words: Combination and Releasing. Something separated meet at one ends and combine with each other.
Key word: Separation. This give me the idea of one object or thing that come in one but separated into two or more which will never meet.
Final Form
Rather than drawing skecthes in each step, i try to combine the skectches in order to create a form that able to explain the formation of fire.
Modifications
The model was quite flat. By extruding the model, it will be easier to generate a lantern with panels and create more interesting shape.
The separated ends are combined to simplify the form and thus only one branch left.
Clay modelling widen the idea and enable me to see either the model can be constructed in the real world. Clay modelling also enable me to explore ideas and making improvement as it is easily manipulated and change in shape compared to 2D sketches.
3rd stage : Bond Formation + Atom combined , Heat Released
2nd stage : Bond breaking + Atoms Separation, Equivalent of heat ( No Heat Absorbed or Released )
1st stage : Heat Absorption among the atoms
Reflection At the starting of module one, many concepts were introduced simultaneously – uncovering patterns in nature, identifying natural processes, and applying mathematics to rigorously analyse both these findings to generate new ideas. The lectures were very useful in demonstrating new ways to think about designing from a concept of natural process and became very useful when I was attempting to translate something intangible into a physical object. Initially, I was stuck for ideas as how I could make something which is very abstract in shape like fire into a physical object. However, the first two lectures especially the composite rules taught me that designing from a process is not simply about creating something which looks like it; instead, it’s about understanding the process so well that you can see past its basic form and into the underlying patterns behind it. In this module, this is the first stage in Virtual Environments and at this stage, I have totally no idea about what Rhino is and how does the 3D software works. At this stage, natural process is chosen and the background research about the natural process was the fundamental to the development to the next stage which is create a form. A good understanding on the natural process is needed in order to generate a form or pattern that associated with the natural process itself. In my case, the finalised form was significantly affected by its purpose which is a lantern and able to fir for lightning and hang over any part of human body. The form generated is basically based on the key stage of my original natural process which can be explained virtually but not literally.
Chapter Two Design
Digitization The next challenge was to transform the form that I moulded out using plasticine into digital model in Rhino. I felt that this is a relatively important step to keep the shape of the model as much as possible because if awkard shape formed, it may bring wrong message or representation to the audience. I started out by taking phoyos of front and top section of the model and import into Rhino. Due to curvy and uneven surface, i chose the tracing profile curve method to digitise my model. It is important to trace all the necessary profiles and minimize the unecessary profiles as it will affects the shape of final outcomes. There are some mistakes done during this steps and several trials have been carried out in order to create the final digital model.
Top : The process of digitization by using tracing profile in Rhino
Panel Experimentation Experiment with various types of panels and trying out which concept best suits my natural process which is formation of fire. Lastly, i find out that triangle panels suit my model the most due to some reasons.
2D Box
2D Angle Box
Fire is formed based on three basic steps and only can be generated with the presence of three elements which are oxygen, heat and fuel respectively. Besides, due to the uneven and curvy surfaces, triangle best suits the model as it create planar and smoother surfaces .
3D Pyramid
3D Various Triangles
Ortographic View 2D Dense
2D Triangular
3DPartition
3D Cone
3D Triangle
3D Pentagon
Final Model I
Based on the idea of triangle pattern, experiements again been carried out to create the best suits panels of the model. As a result, I chose to use 2D panels rather than 3D as I find that 3D panels might too complicated for my model. Then, I create my own panels and apply on the model. Point attractors were located at the ends of the furthest point of the separation sections which result the largest holes in the middle. Modifications again been applied in order to create a smoother surfaces and suits my part of body.
Learn From Others
Fire Installation by Ply Architecture This is a project created by Ply Architecture in order to explore the element of fire namely Fire Installation which share the similar element with my chosen natural process. In this project, fire id embodied through different ways such as textures, colours, materials and also lightning effects. The used of aluminium reflects the light and the colour indicates the texture of fire. The outward curves indicate strong sense of fire and this provides me the idea to extrude the surface to create more sense of fire in my model.
Learn From Others (Continued)
SpaceFrame Installation by Davide Del Giudice and Andrea Graziano The structure was relatively similar to my 3D panels in my model which is triangles exturded outwards. In this installation, it had 3D triangular panelling that represent the direction and flow of water . These panellings are relatively similar to my panellings expecially the part where the triangles are extruded outwards. Besides, in this installation.I liked how the riangular holes within the triangles increasing in size as go from the bottom to the top part of the installation. This inspired me as I thought this idea might suit my natural process. The gradually increasing in size of the triangular holes in the panels provide gradation in light intensity and this can indicates the increasing and decresing of heat energy during the formation of fire. By having the greatest light intensity (largest holes) in the middle part which is the 2nd stage of my model represent the highest amount of energy contained in the atoms itself.
Modifications
Final Design II
2nd stage Key idea : Atoms separation + Equivalent of heat Prototype of Final Model I helped me to understand and have a clear idea of the real model in reality. The prototype is constructed and the result does not satisfied me as the panels are comparatively simple and does not relatively represent the key ideas of my natural process which are heat absoprtion and heat releasing. At the end, in order to satisfy my natural process,the model is refined by extruding the 2D panels to 3D panels and the digital outcome in Rhino is much more interesting and has a attractive appearance.
Panels : Different direction ends and flat surfaces represent bonds separated and heat being equal
1st stage Key idea : Heat Absorption Panels : The panels curve inwards represent being absorbed
3rd stage Key idea : Bond combined + Heat Released Panels : Separated parts become one and surfaces curve outwards represent heat being released
Final Design II - Ortographic Views
Top View
Front View
Perspective View
Right View
Reflection II Different media such as hand sketching, clay modelling, and 3D software are useful depends on the particular design inquiries. For example, clay modelling is much more useful in the first stage as original adaptations can be made as the ideas flow and physical impression can be understood while 3D software such as Rhino is useful at second stage where more precise details and data needed and end up able to fabricate the model. In Module 2, I learnt that digital software really efficient and can be manipulated in many different ways as long as we understand and has the good skills to play with it compared to the freehand sketching, drawing as well as hand made clay modelling. We are able to edit and manipulate our design in a short time and accurately and provides us a preview and able to make judgement before constructing it. I would say that 3D software such as Rhino extremely helpful as well as it contains large amount of details and has more accuracy and precision that hardly done by human. However, there are still some limitations and differences that are not comparable to clay modelling. As in one of the lectures, we were explianed how the mathematics can be one part of arts. The mathematics equation or theory can be used and manipulated to create extremely interesting and obscure shapes. Although in my case, the mathematics in 3D software unable to create what my natural process was, however, it did influence me to push mself to work with the Rhino and try all the way to create design that represent formation of fire.
Chapter Three Fabrication
Prototype Final Design I (2D Panelling)
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Following are the steps to construct the model : 1. Cut out the strips from the white ivory card. 2. Gather all the strips and rearranged according to labels so that easier to built. 3. Fold the strips according to the fold line created by laser cut. 4. Connect the strips layer by layer. 5. first prototype completed.
Before the modification of Final Design I, prototype with scale 1:1 has been sent to FabLab (laser cut) and constructed in order to see the model in reality. 200gsm white ivory card has been used to test out the material as well. This is my first prototype and this enable me to experience the model construction so that it will be easier for the next model construction. During the process of unrolling the surfaces, different unrolling methods have been tried out such as unroll layers horizontally and vertically. As a result, it is the fastest and easiest way to unroll and construct the model vertically layers by layers .
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Prototype Final Design II (3D Panelling) As mentioned in the chapter before, the panels have been refined in order to generate a lantern with form that can represent my natural process and consists the key elements such as absoprtion, released, equivalent and separation. Once i satisfied and finalised the panels, i started by making a prototype of scale 1:1 with an ivory white card, 200gsm, of the middle and end parts of the model. I needed to know which way is the best to unroll and stick my surface probably so that it does not create an awkard mess which i do not intend to. Due to the surfaces of the panelling, it is extremely hard to unroll in horizontal way.
Left : Unrolled Strips of Prototypes 1
Top : Light testing for Prototypes 1
Left : Folded strips
Learn from Mistakes After the construction of prototype of the Final Design II, I realised that there are some majot problems during the model construction. Compared to the first prototype which is the 2D panelings, this time, the 3D panelings prototype is much harder and challenging. More details that are needed to take into consideration and the process and time taken for the construction is more complicated and longer. However, mistakes make us better as we can learn from them and improve by correcting the mistakes. Below are some mistakes that occured during the prototype construction: Problem I : Underlying surface sections were being unrolled in all the strips and finally create too many unnecessary surfaces as well as generate double tabs situation. Solution I : Delete all the underlying sections and avoid double tabs situation.
Top: Unroll underface sections and generate double tabs
Top: Holes that toonear with the fold line
Problem II : There are some surfaces flipped and as a result, the strips were unable to connect to each other smoothly and generate big holes between the strips. Solution II : Look back to the unrolled surface and flip all the backface by using the “flip� command. Problem III : There were some holes thta are too near to the fold line and make the folding step harder. Solution III : Adjust the distance or the size of the holes manually. Problem IV : Uneven size of tabs due to the difference gap size especially the small gaps between the surfaces force to create smaller tabs compared to others. Solution IV : Unable to create 100% similar tabs but try to make all the size similar to each other with approximately 0.2 mm differences.
Top: Flip surfaces cause the two strips unable to connect
Top: Glued on the model surface create dirty looks
Problem V : Glued on the surfaces generates dirty looks. Solution V: Glue pen is used so that the amount of glue applied on the surfaces can be controlled much more accurately and easier.
Testing , Testing, Testing ... Materials Testing
The 300gsm black card was too think and hard to fold. The thick black card also disabled the light to pass through and this relatively dissapointed me as different from what I expected. However, I like the light and the shadows created in the dark.
The 200gsm ivory white card was used to test out the light and material strength. This material was preferred as much easier to be folded and the white card also enable the light to pass through and reflect the light. I like the effect as the models not only create interesting shadows but it able to emit the light itself.
Light Testing LED bulb is not bright enough if only one bub used at one time. Experiment with various number of LED bulbs show the light intensity. Lastly, 3 LED bulbs chosen and connect them in one to generate sufficient light intensity to light up the lantern model. Parallel circuit has been chose rather than series circuit. Parallel equation of current: IT = I1= I2= I3 Equal light intensity generated using parallel circuit. Besides, parallel circuit reduce the risk as when one LED light broken, it would not affect other LED lights.
Unrolling and Labelling After realising the mistakes and make the corrections, I carried on with a 1: 1 full scale final model. Since the way I unroll the surfaces is the easiest, thus, i chose the same way to unroll the surface for the final model which shown as below. Basically, all the vertical layers divided into different layers and each layers unrolled into 2 to 3 strips. Also, the layers have been coloured so that easier to differentiate .
Final Model Construction
After realising the mistakes and some skills in order to result in a better fabication, the final model has been constructed as steps shown in the images above. As for the final model construction, this time seems to be better and easier for me due to the prototype construction before. The material used in this final model is the 200gsm white ivory card which has been tested before.
Final Model
Reflection III
This reading by Gersheld is mainly about the process realisation of the idea and design which is by cutting the material into shapes. This realised me that designing is not all about design but dealing with different materials as well. In this reading, “equality fabrication� as a process without waste has been discussed. Through this, I realise that by knowing the applicable tools will reduces challenges faced and thus increase the efficiency (lower cost, less time consuming, minor errors). Firstly when I unroll the surfaces, I make a total number of 18 pages of ivory cards which I think something is wrong. After look back to the unroll process, I realise that I unroll too many unnecessary sections which are under the surfaces and creates a lot of double tabs. After making corrections and rearrange the strips to achieve minimal material waste, I able to fit all the strips into 7 pages. Besides, I did some experiment by using the laser cut in RMIT University and the machine is only able to produce cut line but not score line for ivory card due to the thickness. This decrease the efficiency as cost of materials is the same but as result, increase the time consumed and inaccuracy as I have to make the score line myself. In reading by Macfarlane, it shows that how the digital design and technology influence the design process and design outcome where I find it quite similar to the virtual design which include digital software, digitization and fabrication. In the reading. the project of Restaurant Georges in Pompidou Centre has been discussed and I find the reading quite interesting and useful. In this project, due to the technology limitations at that time, the phototypes play an extremely important role as this enable them to analyse the material, the shape, the support and the effect in real world. With my design, prototype enabled me to analyse the mistakes and provide me idea to improve the design. As shown in prototype slide, i discovered the material properties and thus comes out with final decision of which materials should be used and how is the effect. Prototypes also enabled me to improe my design which is from 2d to 3d in order to achieve a better fnal outcomes that meet the design properties.
Overall Reflection At the beginning of this subject, I was so excited and look forward the course how interesting it will be. Imagine that I am going to design a lantern that can be hang over my body and walk around and I cant believe that I actually did it!! However, during the beginning of the subject, I was so confused with what should we do and how should we do it and did not really know what is actually going on and why should we read those readings. Until the period after the week 3 where I start to work on Module 1, it started to make sense and seems to be clear for me that what should we do . All the readings and lectures were meant to help us to explore and understand the impossiblities to possible outcomes and explore new ideas based on the natural process which in other words : LEARN FROM NATURE. When I was doing this subject, I realised that our world was keep chaning over time and by the introduction of technology and digital software, how much our world and change as well as the building design and structure. This really inspired me as I hope that I can be an architect in the future and how the designs formed give me inspirations to deisgn more and more in the future. thanks to Virtual Environments as this subject really teach me about design from ideation, manipulating, editing, changing and designing that I believe will be extremely useful in the future. I do realise that designing is not all about just designing but is just the case of never give up and keep trying and improving yourself. This is what I experienced from this subject and nothing is impossible in the design world. Now the module has vcome to the end but I believed that learning is something that will never end and it is an ongoing process throughtout my whole life. And Finally, Thanks Mike !=)