Digital Design - Module 1 Journal

SANAA- Serpentine Pavilion 2009

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Mannik Singh – 877805 Isometric 1:100 0

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Digital Design - Module 01 Semester 1, 2018 aluminium roof

Highly Reflective Aluminium Roof

Mannik Singh

877805 Xiaoran Huang + Studio 03

Event Space

translucent acrylic glazing

Primary Circulation Space

Randomly organised stainless-steel columns Circulation paths

Cafeteria

translucent acrylic glazing

Light grey concrete flooring

Week One

Reading: Zeara Polo, A. 2010. Between Ideas and Matters.

According to Zeara-Polo, the diagram does not play a representational role in the design process but provides an organisational and can have a performative quality depending on how it is deployed. Explain how Diagram is different from Signs and Symbols? (100 words Maximum)

Using Pierce’s semiotic classification, Zeara-Polo asserts that icons are not arbitary and therefore share a resemblance to what they depict; they are “material” expression of the “qualities, functions and properties” of their dynamic object. On the other hand, symbols carry no resemblance between the signifier and signified, and the connection is usually culturally learnt. Unlike both, indexes capture evidence of their dynamic object, e.g. the deflection in the needle of the Barometer. Zeara-polo attests that diagrams are mere organisational tools used to communicate ideas, and are hence non representational, i.e. they don’t correspond directly with the form of the built outcome. The diagram is a reductive graphic device that instead highlights spatial, temporal or abstract properties of an idea.

In this sense, a diagram describes a network of relations as opposed to signs or symbols which demonstarte a singular idea. Diagrams therefore comprise several signs and symbols composed in an association.

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Week One

Precedent Analysis

(Extreme Left) The Serpentine Pavilion by SANAA (Top Left) The Plan used for outlining the footprint of the pavillion.(Bottom Left) The Longitudnal Section which helped in the undulation of the pavilion Longitudinally.

(Top) The contour lines that were traced in Adobe Illustrator, after being distorted in photoshop to accurately/ smoothly identify the slope of the pavilion. Found at http://arqa.com/english-es/architecture-es/serpentine-gallery-pavillion-2009. html Most of the plans/sections given on the LMS didn’t have a clear scale written, therefore aligning plan and sections accurately was impossible. However, http://arqa.com/english-es/architecture-es/serpentine-gallery-pavillion-2009.html had a lot of information about the total area, minimum and maximim dimensions, etc. Using Rhino and Illustator to map out the footprint, we figured out the scale by dividing the dimensions on the model and the actual pavilion. The same website had information about the contours, using the minimum and the maximim height, contour interval was generated which, later in Rhino was used to patch the roof surface. Columns were added according to those given on the plan by simple extrusions of circle and then trimmed using the trim command.

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Week Two

Reading: Hertzberger H. 2005. The in-between and The Habitable Space Between Things, from Lessons for Students in Architecture.

Herzberger discusses how design should not be extreme in its functionality. Use your precedent study to explain how the pavilion allows for an appropriation of use. (100 words Maximum)

Hertzberger insists that the design should not over-specify how the space is to be used for the risk of reducing range of possibilities. He states that since a design is viewed from different perspectives depending on who is looking at it – to overspecify how to use a space can conflict with the interest or views, resulting in people steering away from it. In regards to the 2009 Serpentine Gallery Pavilion by SANAA, the designers have been motivated by the surroundings to undulate their design. The Pavilion is essentially a floating aluminium sheet that wraps itself around the trees, reaches up towards the sky and sweeps down almost to the ground at a certain place. The reflective canopy unfolds across the site, and expands the horizons, working as a field of activity with no walls, the serpenting pavillion offers uninterrupted view across the park and encouraging access from all sides and giving the user the authority ot use the space as they intend to.

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Week Two

Isometric

SANAA’s Serpentine Pavilion This isometric view shows the undulating aspect of SANAA’s pavilion the most accurately. Viewing this from any of the other side would not have done justice to the organic shape the pavilion was taking.

Furthermore, the thresholds formed by the Acrylic sheets while maintaining a visual continuity is best viewed from this side. Adding on to the thresholds, the threshold between the footprint of the pavilion and the site can also be judged the best from this side.

Having no walls to direct the flow of people, it is approachable from any direction, however the concrete path towards the west forms a formal entry/exit way for people. Acrylic sheets is used as wind breaks at certain places. While it acts as a protection from the elements, it not only acts as a threshold that promotes visual continuity, it also affects the circulation patterns at certain places, which now can only be approached by taking a ‘Detour’.

The construction is quite simple in its form. Acting as a monolithic slab, the aluminium roof spans across the stainless steel columns which are are randomly arranged and spaced two to three meter apart. The columns are attached using bolts drilled into the roofing (Higly reflective aluminium sheeting sandwiching stainless steel disks at the point of connections with the columns and the Birch Plywood) and to protect it from water, silicon caps are used to seal it out.

Since the detail would not have been visible at 1:100 scale, I only modelled what was important – The columns, the roof sheeting, and the concrete walkway.

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Mannik Singh – 877805

Mannik Singh – 877805

Week Two

Diagrams

Isometric 1:100 0

4000 Isometric

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1:100

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aluminium roof Highly Reflective Aluminium Roof

aluminium roof

Highly Reflective Aluminium Roof

aluminium roof

Randomly organised stainlesssteel columns

Event Space

Event Space

translucent acrylic glazing

Primary Circulation Space

Primary Circulation Space

Randomly organised stainless-steel columns

Circulation paths

translucent acrylic glazing

Randomly organised stainless-steel columns

translucent acrylic glazing

Circulation paths Cafeteria

translucent acrylic glazing

Cafeteria

translucent acrylic glazing Light grey concrete flooring

Light grey concrete flooring Light grey concrete flooring

Circulation 1:200

Thresholds (Permeability) 1:200

Circulation 1:200

Thresholds (Permeability) 1:200

Circulation Diagram

Threshold DIagram (Permeability)

Owing to the fact that it doesn’t have an envelope, the Pavilion is

There are three particular thresholds that can highlighted in the pavilion. Maintaining the visual

approachable from any direction, however the concrete path towards the

continuity is at the heart of the pavilion’s idea. The Highly Reflective roof forms a threshold with

west forms a formal entry/exit way for people with major axis of circulation

the surroundings, while simulataneously mirroring the surroundings. Another one is formed by the

being W-E. Acrylic sheets also affect the circulation patterns at certain

acrylic sheet used as windbreaks at certain places. Adding on to the thresholds, the threshold

places, which now can only be approached by taking a ‘Detour’.

between the footprint of the pavilion and the site is also certain with the change in materiality.

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Appendix

Process

Using picture frame imported the plan, traced it with arc tool.

Used extractpoints command to extract points for patching.

Used photoshop to distort the contour image and then illustator

Scale2d the contour lines to fit the plan, and then elevated

to get the contour lines.

them by a set interval.

Patch command created a smooth surface.

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extruded the site boundry cover to trim off the excess surface.

Appendix Process

Used plan given in the lms to draw the circles to be imported

using the surface of the roof, i trimmed off the excess columns.

into rhino and then extruded into columns.

after completing the model, Used make2d command.

Used plan to draw curve for the acrylic wind break and then extruded it to create the same.

Exported the 2D Drawing into illustrator at 1:100 scale.

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Changing line weights in Illustrator to fit the conventions.

Appendix

Process

Used Phtoshop to distort the image above, for tracing of the

Used Illustrator for the line weights and tracing of the final

Used photoshop to give some light colour to define materiality

panelling.

isometric line work.

and the undulations. (Removing flatness)

Used Illustrator to change line weights and opacity for the diagrams.

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