STUDIO AIR 2017， SEMESTER 2， JACK LIANGZI ZHAO
CONTENTS Biography A.1 Design Futuring A.2 Design Computation A.4 Composition/Generation A.4 Conclusion A.5 Learning Outcome A.6 Appendix
BIOGRAPHY I’m Liangzi Zhao, and you can call me linsey. I’m studying architecture at the University of Melbourne who comes from a small county in China. I have been interested in architecture since high school. At then, when I walked on streets or traveled to another city, I was fascinated by the local architecture those including modern skyscrapers and old cottages, which is pleasant to appreciate the connections among human, architecture and nature. At the beginning of studying architecture, due to my limited skills some designs and concepts with complex form always cannot be reached until I knew parametric design. I’ve already had some experience of digital technologies applied in the field in architecture when I was taking Digital Design and Fabrication. Studio Air will bring me much more potentials in the future. Digital technologies has revolutionize design industry, and it is irreplaceable nowadays. Thus mastering digital design is inevitable trend for our architecture student. I believe studio Air will bring me more experience and skills than I expect. So far technical skills I have includes Rhino, AutoCAD, Photoshop and Indesign.
Fig.1 Studio Earth project: Herring Island
Fig. 2 Digital Design and Fabrication Project: Second Skin
Fig. 3 labyrinths Cube in Stuido Earth
A.1
DESIGN FUTURING
Human being endlessly exploit resources from the earth which results in the future is sacrificed to sustain the present. Damages of earth caused by human are expanding every day, even if there is solution to fix those problems which still going to exist for a long term. Thus, we need to positively confront these problems and solve them through design. However, how can a future actually be secured by design? Fry illustrates that decreasing the pace of defuturing and redirecting us forward a sustainable way of living and thinking are two important tasks to complete in parallel. For present design industry, majority of design theory is commercial-dominant. This is superficial and narrow. What should be deeply take into account is environment. Design is expect to possess "sustain-ability" rather than be disposed soon after temporary consumption. Designers supposed to be the helmsman to steer the ship that redirect from “sustainable development" to "development of sustainment".
A.1 Case Study 01 Project: 2050 Vision of Paris as a "Smart City" Architect: Vincent Callebaut Architectures Location: Unbuilt
Fig.4 Vincent Callebaut's 2050 Vision of Paris as a "Smart City"
Fry (2008) states we are confronting our human being's nemesis- a defuturing condition of unsustainability. Defuturing situation includes exhausted unrenewable resources and polluted natural environment. Population explosion is regards as the major factor that contributes to current situation. It is hard to tack the population issue during a short term while defuturing is imminent. so we rely on design against the still accelerating defuturing condition of unsustainability. French firm Vincent Callebaut Architectures proposed a plural high-rise building which generate positive output. The plan consists of eight tower systems those intend to locate at in Paris and they fit in existing structure of city. Each of them tend to decrease environmental impacts when provide physical function for citizens.
Undoubtly, the proposal is revolutionary, as it transforms energy-use architecture to which provide dual functions. Positive energy output is based on the strategies of relieving demand on energy derived from natural resources and generating extra self-sustaining energy. Passive heating and cooling, solar panel (Fig.6) and rainwater collection are utilized in every tower, which significantly reduce energy use. Although it is a proposal rather than built already. Undoubtly, the proposal is revolutionary, as it transforms energy-use architecture to which provide dual functions. It is still encourage people to live in a eco-friendly life and contribute to a sustainable future
Fig.5 Conceptual sketches of the eight tower schemes.
Fig.6 Photosynthesis Tower
Fig.7 Mangrove Tower
A.1 Case Study 02
Project: Aequorea Architect: Vincent Callebaut Architectures Location: Unbuilt
Fig.8 Aequorea Bird View
Fig.9 Aequorea Underwater exterior
Fry presents polar ice is melting faster than we expect and vast area of land will be immersed in the water. So ocean is the best alternative of inhabitation for human being. Vincent Callebaut Architectures propose a concept -Aequorea, which is multi-function oceanscraper that built through 3D printing. The construction material is composite material that make of recycled waste produced by human being. Aequorea discard need for coal, oil, gas or nuclear energy to obtain light, as bioluminescence is adopted and used for double glazing of apartments, which derived from symbiotic organisms that emits light because of containing luciferin. In addition, there are a series of turbines array as star pattern, turning the currents into electricity. Regarding of heating and cooling system, Aequore plant microalgae that absorb CO2 generated by people's respiration. Through photosynthesis and biomethanation, more energy can be produced.
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A.2
DESIGN COMPUTATION
Before understanding the real meaning of computation and computerization, it seems like the difference is ambiguous. Architects use digital technologies to alter existing project or copy and store it, which is defined as "computerization". While "computation" is enabling designers to increase capability to solve complex problems. Sean Ahlquist and Achim Menges define computation as "the processing of information and interactions between elements which constitute a specific environment; it provides a framework for negotiating and influencing the interrelation of datasets of information, with the capacity to generate complex order, form, and structure." Peters presents that computation is redefining the practice of architecture. Computer participate in design through input the algorithms of model and output a set of various options that designer can tradeoff among those outcomes. Sometimes computation generates unexpected results and provide architect more design potentials. In some advanced architectural firm, computation design has already integrate initial practice and design process. Followed by simulation that evaluate performance and provide feedbacks, which produce more design opportunities. Thus, we can say the trend of using computation in an unconscious way is inevitable.
"When architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for architecture." -Brady Peters
A.2 Case Study 01 Project: Research Pavilion Architect: ICD/ITKE Location: Stuttgart Date: 2012
Fig. 10 ICD/ITKE Research Pavillion 2012
This research pavilion was designed and fabricated by ICD/ITKE in 2012, which conducted both biomimetic design strategies and digital fabrication and construction. The research aimed to research morphological principles of arthropods' cuticle (fig.15). Form finding is developed by simulation and iterations. Certain aspects of simulation rely on computation and calculation, which includes complex geometry of the shell, fiber orientation, fire arrangement. Based on the standard computational finite element analysis (FEA), the first model was completed first, which followed by its performance evaluation, and then making tentative adjustment and improvement. After this, iterative simulation commenced until the results reaching optimization.
Compared to traditional process of physically prototyping, computational simulations use only a few hours to harvest much more results and optimize the strategy as soon as possible. Regarding to robotic filament winding process (fig.14), weatherproof manufacturing environment is built. The robot is coded with parametric definition of the winding motion paths. The collaboration of form finding methods, the computational simulations and innovative robotic fabrication breed a high quality performance of the pavilion.
Fig 11. Fibre layout
Fig 13. Fibre Orientation
Fig 15.
Arthropods' cuticle.
Fig. 10-15: http://icd.uni-stuttgart.de/?p=8807
Fig 12. Evaluation of performance
Fig 14. Robotic construction
A.2 Case Study 02 Project: digital grotesque Architects: michael hansmeyer and benjamin dillenburger
Fig.16-19 http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/projects/digital_grotesque.
Digital grotesque is a 3D-printing architectural object. Viewing from outside it is a fade cube (fig.17), while inside there are intricate details. The room's design facets illustrates architecture design and its construction has been shifted to digital tools. Due to the limitation of 3D printer, the room is divided into single parts which laid on one by one (fig.19). As details of this room is very fine, which is undrawable. During the process of design, Michael Hansmeyer abandoned pen replacing by CAD on computer. CAD design assists designer to reach a higher standard of visual perception. All detail of the project is materialized by custom designed algorithms. Input is altered repeatedly and finally create 260 million individually specified facets, which is an amazing task. This project is a combination of computational design and additive manufacturing. Computational design allows designers have more design potentials. Also, digital tools construct complex shape that was impossible before. Fig.16 Fig.17 View from outside
Fig.18 Artificial process
Fig.19 construction preocess
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A.3
COMPOSITION / GENERATION
Generation is a fast method of exploring design possibilities. Generative deign is a process that input design goals and optimize the results through generating innumerable design alternatives. Also, generative design is a form finding process that inspired by nature's approach and design through genetic variations. Generative design became more important nowadays in many design fields. Firstly, along with the parameters includes materials and constrains, computer generate innumerable iterations a short time. It is time-saving and productive. Secondly, traditional fabrication or construction is revolutionized by new digital tools such as 3D printing, which accomplish complex forms that cannot be done previously. Overall, generative design is an effective design process that is applied widely.
A.3 Case Study 01
When design the Textile Hybrid M1, for generative design process, materiality based modelling environment was created through man In order to achieve optimized performance, design team compare stiffness and pre-stress between composite rods and textiles. An open permits topologies of particles and springs can be changed swiftly according to the feedbacks. After deciding the material type, different macro-level rods and membranes commenced to be considered. The parameters are input and creating overall geometry.
Generative design set designers free from fussy tasks. Computer is in charge of almost every detail of the project including stiffness of r even the degree. Previously, architect spent long time to get feedback from built iteration, however, design generation provides swift an they adjust scenarios response to that. This is an effective and efficient process.
Fig.20-22: http://icd.uni-stuttgart.de/?p=7799
Fig.20 Description of cutting patterns and arrangement of membrane surfaces
Fig.21 Form-finding sequence in Sofistik
nipulate material parameters. n programming environment topological arrangements of
rod, arrangement of rod and nd creative iterations, so that
Fig.22 Intergration of bending as leaf-shaped rod and tensile fabirc`
A.3 Case Study 02 Project: National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters Architect: Foster + Partners Location: Kuwait Date: 2007
Fig. 23-25: Peters, Brady. 2013. "Integrated Computational Design: National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters." Architectural Design 83 (2): 34-35. Accessed August 19, 2017. doi:10.1002/ad.1550
As located at the areas with one of the most harsh climates on the earth where is extremely dry and temperature reach 40 degrees in summer, architects take the responsibility to deal with the problems caused by environment. The fundamental geometry is determined by fins profile of the edge fins, sawtooth cladding between the fins, and the arcs that form the north facade. Fins are built at east and west facades to function as shading. In parallel, fins provide structural suport for floor plates. Physics team adopted parametric model that links the geometric relationship between its elements, which enables team to quickly generate different scenarios and evaluate each performance, and architects adjust the location of fins according to those feedbacks. Eventually, the optimisation leads to the most sustainable and comfortable results. Through computational design the scenario developed as an effective response to the extreme local climate.
Fig.24: Evaluation of all aspects of the building
Fig.25: Parametric model and physical model
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A.4
CONCLUSION
In part A, I explored advanced architectural design through both theory and practice. As pioneer of revolution, architects should engage to push design towards a more sustainable direction. Design is an effective method to let people gradually aware of importance of sustainability in daily life. As long as design is redirected and redirecting people's thinking, the nature which support human being's activities can be sustained. Computational design shift design composition to generation. Generative design enables designers to create more complex form and brings more potential of materiality. For formfinding process, it is not a purely creative anymore, as in parametric design through change the parameters, innumerous iterations can be generated, which followed by evaluation of each iteration and the best one can be selected among those. Parametric design and digital fabrication is going to be the dominant and prevailing in the near future. As unexpected results of design they provide and good creativity that sometimes beyond human's, so we are going to rely on these new methods.
Prior to taking Studio Air, I did several subjects about design concept and model making. However, due to limitation of skills, a couple of preferred scenarios had been cancelled. One of the scenarios is materiality cannot be achieved which was caused by lack of research of material. Now I gained more confidence to use Grasshopper to designer alter existing procedures, which is time-consuming previously. I'm glad that I have more opportunities to explore more intriguing geometry, as I found it was complicated and even impossible to do in Rhino.
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A.5
LEARNING OUTCOME
A.6
APPENDIX
Box porth-Bounding box-Surface Box
Delaunay Edge-populate 3D-pipe
Populate Geometry-cone
REFERENCING Fry, Tony (2008). Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg), pp. 1–16 Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 Knippers, Jan, Riccardo La Magna, Achim Menges, Steffen Reichert, Tobias Schwinn, and Frédéric Waimer. 2015. "ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2012: Coreless Filament Winding Based on the Morphological Principles of an Arthropod Exoskeleton ." Architectural Design 85 (5): 48-53. Accessed August 19, 2017. doi:10.1002/ad.1953. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 Peters, Brady. (2013). "Integrated Computational Design: National Bank of Kuwait Headquarters . " Architectural Design 83 (2): 34-35. Accessed August 19, 2017. doi:10.1002/ad.1550