Matthew Law 2013 Semester 1 Virtual Environments Group 4 (Michelle) Student Number: 641246
Ideation.
Research & Abstraction of Natural Process
Design Brief: The aim is to make a lantern which can he hold by hands. The volume of the lantern should not be larger than 500mm x 500mm x 1000mm. Lantern must accommodate battery powered LED lights, in a total of 10 LEDs as the maximum amount of lights bulbs. Lantern must be fabricated from paper or card. (White and/or black only). The natural pattern that I chose exists in the stem system, which is shown in the pictures. This is the leaf pattern in which contains the stem system. The function of the stem system allows vines to branch out on the leaf surface. This branching allows the nutrients to spread out on the leaf surface, allowing the leaf to grow healthily. This branching movement of the pattern creates multiple angular geometries, which is similar to the Y-shape.
Recipe: 1. Create a set of Yshapes (6) 2. Combining the Y-shapes together (Corner to Corner) 3. Forming Hexagons
Analysis of Natural Process This model focused on the blossoming nature of the leaf pattern. Starts from the pointy base, the model spreads out like a flower. This idea is generated from the analytical drawings of the leaf pattern. Trying to emphasize the movement of the pattern and investigate the potential form of this geometry. This model is based on the thoughts on how the model will work with my body (my forearm, according to the design brief). I am inspired by Rockman/Megaman, which is a Japanese Cartoon Character. His weapon (Rocket Launcher) is installed in his right forearm. I feel that this method of installation can refer to the spreading out idea of the leaf pattern as the form of his launcher also has a sense of blossoming.
In the stem system, the balancing of the pattern is obvious. Although the stem system is all about branching out and spreading, there is still a particular order of a leaf pattern. The middle vine as acting as the main supply of nutrients, and is also the balancing line in the leaf system. Moreover, it does not only act as the balancing line, but also the symmetry of the pattern. The movement of the leaf pattern is the branching out action that occurs in the stem system. Slicing through every area of the leaf, making sure the nutrients can be spread out evenly. According to the analysis that I discovered while the drawings are drawn, I started to build the paper model, trying to develop the concept of the spreading out on a 3-Dimensional model. I tried to build a vertical model in which involves the spreading motion (Y-shape). Y-shapes always join one another at the ending point of each stroke. By stacking up the Y-shapes vertically, I am able to observe the layering of Y-shapes and what geometries it can create. The spacing that this paper model creates different sizes of geometries which interests me.
Architectural Precedents
Big.dk is a Denmark architectural firm. The following photos are their ideation of potential buildings. I am inspired by the spacing between each building block. This photo also becomes my ideal lighting effect that I hope my model can creates. This architectural precedent has shown the possible geometries that the Y-shape can create. These building blocks has fully demonstrated the effectiveness of rotation, movement of objects, and scaling. In which I also established in my model design. I have learnt a lot of scaling, how it will affect the spacing and the overall visual of the model. Although the precedent above happens to be unrelated with light effects, but it also give me an understanding of Y-shapes can also be organic forms instead of geometric.
Development of Pattern
Discovering the form of beehives, understanding that hexagons performed as the only constructing element, acting a consistent shape. This inspired me in the thinking of breaking this consistency. Expecting interesting forms. However, the uneven size of hexagons will result in gaps in between each hexagon (shown in diagram on the right). To solve that constraint, each hexagons must have space in between them.
Design.
Transition from Physical to Virtual Process of Digitalise
DIfferent Tests of Lofting
1. Using the command ‘PictureFrame‘, importing Pictures of the Clay Model onto Rhino. 2. Then trace the curves from the original picture, to create a set of curves in Rhino. 3. By using command ‘Loft‘, creating surfaces that joint the curves together, forming a 3D form.
Natural Loft, creating a smooth surface along the curves.
Straight Sections Loft, a lot more geometric than other types of lofting.
Loose Loft, not necessary attaching the assigned curves, but still has a smooth surface.
Uniform Lofting, is smooth all along the curves, but when curves are close to one and another, uniform lofting will create unnatural forms.
Evolution of Design in Digitalise Environment Sketching to show how will the design interact with my forearm.
However, I made an adjustment of creating another loft based on my arm’s size, creating a set of grid for 3D Panelling.
Using command “PanelCustom3D“, Using Hexagons as my base shape, panelled into the lofted surface.
Using command “ExtrudeAlongCurve“, altering the sizes of hexagons into irregular sizes.
Further Development on the command “ExtrudeAlongCurve“.
Evolution of Design in Digitalise Environment
Trimmed the model into its 1/3 of its original size, for the model to be able to interact with my forearm. This model will sprial up my forearm as illustrated in the diagram on the right.
Response to Module 2’s Readings In Thomas Heatherwick’s presentation, he mentioned about large, bulky buildings being souless and cold. Thomas and company has won a competition in ShangHai. There are 250 exhibition pavilions, 250 countries competiting along with Thomas, who is representating Britian. He has the idea of spreading out, combining nature with the exhibition centre. Seeds are chosen as the only element for this exhibition centre. Like our project, Thomas has able to foresee the final form of the building through a basic element in which is a glass tube, with seeds stored within. The idea of spreading out has helped me a lot in terms of developing my lantern form. In the Scheurer and Stehling Reading, it talked about Architecture being a process of communication. Recently the trend of design has changed from being solid and regular into more of an abstract form of shape. Architectural Design does not stop even though you can define the shape of the overall shape. Other desinging components can have big impacts towards the ultimate form of design. For what you have consider as the final form of shape for the design, the outcome can be absolutely different. This can be applied to my design as I often tend to stop the design thinking process once I have completed a certain design in which might be parts of the entire project. Design thinking never stops during a design process, concepts and ideas can be changed in anytime during and design process, therefore as a designer we has to be always alert and think critically.
Fabrication.
Prototyping & Design Refinement Rhino Files For 1st Model
Brief Description By using command ‘ptUnrollFaces‘, allowing me to then add tabs for model building. However contrains appeared as faces contain gaps in between each of them. Therefore has to be adjusted manually in preventing size differences in which may lead to errors in building hexagon blocks.
Prototyping & Design Refinement
Model Making Process
Light Effects
Assembly Drawings
Using Gumball, allowing me to pick up hexagon blocks in an isometric view. Using command “Polyline“, linking the hexagons to the base surface. Using command “Make2D“, creating an isometric drawing to illustrate how the parts of my model is assembled.
Prototyping & Design Refinement Rhino Files For Final Model
Brief Description Contrains appeared again as mentioned above. Solving this constrain by maunally over trace the unrolled faces, in order to use grasshopper to create tabs successfully.
Prototyping & Design Refinement Model Making Process
Assembly Drawings Using Gumball, allowing me to pick up hexagon blocks in an isometric view. Using command “Polyline“, linking the hexagons to the base surface. Using command “Make2D“, creating an isometric drawing to illustrate how the parts of my model is assembled.
Reflections.
Reflection Back to the Architecture Precedent, I think my design fits the elements that i found in this Precedent. However I have added the volume difference for the hexagons, in order to add a bit of visual richness to my design. Overall I have successfully achieve the light effect that i wish to have. Light penertrating in between the hexagons, shining in a spread-out way. Although the size of my design is relatively smaller comparing with my fellow classmates, this shows the level of detail in the model. The most toughest part of the model making process, is the light wiring part. Due to the smaller scale of modelling, wiring became tougher and requires more accuracy and precise. Throughout the journey of Virtual Environment, I have learnt a lot. Not only just understanding Rhino 5.0, but I also establish the virtual part of the designing journey. I realise how the virtual side of designing will impact the overall design. I am glad that I have took this subject as my Architecture Learning.