Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Mehboob Madatali Chatur 903803 Shiqi Tang + Studio 30
Critical Reading: Kolerevic B. 2003. Architecture in the Digital Age
Kolerevic described three fundamental types of fabrication techniques in the reading. Outline the three techniques and discuss the potential of Computer Numeric Controlled fabrication with parametric modelling. (150 words max)
Kolerevic highlights on three techniques of fabrication: 1. Subtractive - the removal of materials from solids, which can be done electronically, chemically or mechanically. 2. Additive - the incremental forming done by adding material in a layer-by-layer fashion. 3. Formative - mechanical forces, restricting forces, heat or steam are applied to a material to form it into a desired shape through deformation or reformation. Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) fabrication uses a dedicated computing system to perform a controlled movement of a machine head using sets of coded instructions, known as G-Code. Common CNC machines have controls movement in 3 axes (X, Y and Z), however nowadays they can be available for up to 6 axes for more complex shapes. This allows for the production of complex geometries with accuracy at an affordable price nowadays, which allows for mass production or customisation.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
SURFACE: From the bounding box (150 x 150 x 150 mm), my surfaces were created by dividing each edge into 12 segments and joining the point created parametrically this led to thousands of different possibilities, which were narrowed down depending on my design intents and the brief restrictions. The resulting lines created between the points were lofted to create the full surface. WAFFLE: From the surfaces created, lines were created within them to be able to make the waffle structure as equal distances.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface and Waffle Creation
The firs image shows the usage of a point attractor to control where the pointy parts of the panel on the surface point towards. The second image shows the use of dispatch grid to be able to have more control of where the panels are places on the surface, and therefore use more than one panel type on the surface. The third shows the development of the waffle structure so that it corresponds with the shape created between the two surfaces.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface and Waffle Creation - Isometric
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE
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Laser Cutting
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Orientation and labelling was an important part of laser cutting, so as to ensure that the model making processing was coherent with the digital model.
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I separated my files into two different cutting files - one for the waffle structure and one for the surface panels. As they
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for Surface B
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for Surface A
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Surface A
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both required different material types. The first with mount board 1mm due to its stiffness for structural ability, and the later with ivory card, as it is easier to fold.
SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities Lofts
1.1
1.2
{150,0,150}
{150,90,150}
1.3
{60,0,150}
{0,0,150}
{150,90,150} {135,150,150}
Key
1.4 {60,0,150}
{0,0,0}
{0,0,150}
{135,150,150}
{135,135,150}
{0,150,150}
{150,30,150}
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Grid Points
{150,150,135}
{0,0,60}
{0,0,0} {0,30,0}
{150,0,0} {0,135,0}
{150,0,0}
{150,0,0}
{0,120,0}
{150,105,0} {150,135,0}
{0,0,0} {150,105,0}
{0,150,0}
{45,0,0}{0,0,0} {150,90,0} {150,150,0}
{150,150,0} {150,135,0}
Paneling Grid & Attractor Point
{Index Selection}
{Index Selection}
{Index Selection}
{Index Selection}
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4 {101,-21,148}
{-565,-339,0}
Grid A Grid A Grid A
Grid B
Grid A
Grid B
Grid B
Dispatch A Dispatch B
Grid B
Paneling
Grid A twisting on itself
{Grid locations with no point attractors}
{Attractor point for Grid B only}
{Point Attraction for Grid A, Dispach for Grid B}
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
+
I was interesting in the idea of twisting and therefore explored this with the surfaces that I had created - some of them therefore had undevelopable waffle surfaces, which meant they were unbuildable. I was interested in the relationship of 2D and 3D panels without the use of opening, as I did not want this to distract from the patterns of the panels on the surface.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Isometric View
The waffle is made to look like its twisting so that it can correspond to the twisted nature of the surfaces.
The variable parameter allowed to change points on the edges of the 150 x 150 x 150 cube in order to create various possibilities that the four corners would meet to create the surface. Point attractors and different kind of panels were used to explore the grid and create the desired design outcome
The panels combine a triangular-based pyramid with a flat surface triangle, to create a sense uniformity throughout the surface. A point attractor was sued to choose where the pointy parts face.
An angled squared-based pyramid and a flat square surface were used, The flat surface was used where there was a dramatic turn in the surface, whilst the pyrmaids were used to juxtapose the smoother areas on the surface.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
I was interested in the use of pyramid shaped panels and contrasting them with flat panels, which mirrored the base of the pyramid. On one surface, I used a uniform shape with a uniform distribution, however, I made them all point towards one direction, so as to emphasise on the curve of the surface. On the other surface, I used flat panels on the areas running diagonally through the surface, and shard long pyramids on the rest - this was too exaggerate the twisting on the surface. No openings were kept on the panels, as I believed the exposed area of the waffle structure was enough to let in ambient light through the structure and therefore make it seem like a very private area. If used as a pavilion, it can be used as a private nook to read or relax, or as a play tool for kids to climb on and feel the different textures.
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SOLID AND VOID
Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
The grasshopper script for started off with creating the main bounding box, which is 150 x 150 x 150 mm. Inside the box, a grid was placed, which could then be distorted further using attractor points. From there, we are able to justify the spaces in which shapes can fit, and therefore we use the centroids of the spaces created to find out where the shapes can be - which can also be controlled using an attarator point or curve. We can also adjust the radius range that we want fro our desired shape, so as to create our desired intersection points. The shapes are then fed into a single brep container. These are then baked, and using Rhino, we can find the Boolean Difference and examine interesting spaces that can be further broken down into the 50 x 50 x 50 mm box.
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SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation
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=
From the visual script, the grid can be distorted to create a much more interesting way in where the shapes are inserted. There shape centroids can further be controlled by adding attractors, such as a point attarctor. The radii of the shapes can be chosen to be within a certain so as to control the sizes of them. I also created a new centroid point for which to input spheres, which was moved X units away from the dodecahedrons.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric view - Sectional
Thick external ‘wall’ to create a stringer threshold from the exterior space and the interior space.
Exploring the relationship between how the dodecahedron and the sphere intersect to create an interesting threshold. Circular openings created externally by the sphere. Internal spaces are contrasted by the rigidity of the dodecahedron and the smoothness of the sphere.
‘Edgy’ openings internally created by dodecahedron.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric view - Whole
In the whole cube, I wanted to explore the transition from a very edgy place to a more rounded place. Therefore I used spheres and dodecahedrons, and kept the spheres between the dodecahedrons. External openings were important to me, so I chose places with circular openings from outside, but internally the space was quite edgy due to the dodecahedron. The juxtaposition of the smoothness of the sphere and the edginess of the dodecahedron was an important aspect, and this is what dictated how the voids were created. I also wanted to keep the areas mostly closed off in three areas, and mostly open in the other three.
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SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities
Grid Distortion
1.1
1.2
1.3
{265,-75,71}
1.4
{265,-75,71}
Key {0,0,0}
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Grid Points
{97,32,0}
{169,260,0}
{69,68,81}
{169,260,0}
{169,260,0}
Geometry/Geometries Boolean Intersection
{Point attractor points}
{Point attractor points}
{Point attractor points}
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
{Sphere used only}
{Tetrahedrons used only}
{Octahedron and sphere used without control}
{Using a tetrahedron and placing a sphere between them}
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
{-144,249,-116}
{Point attractor points}
{-144,249,-116}
I started off with experimenting with different shapes that might be interesting internally and also be able to create openings externally. I later on wanted to explore the relationship between the two different shape qualities - smoothness and edginess. I explored with two different edgy shapes, however one of them (3.3) was too edgy, and I therefore settled for the other (3.4). I found the relationship between the openings and the internal spatial experience to be quite interesting - as they had created an interesting contrast and allowed for an element of ‘surprise’.
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SOLID AND VOID Isometric - Final Section
Circular openings created externally by the sphere, which creates an element of surprise due to the contrast it has internally. Framed views created by the openings on the exterior thick walls. Sloping planes internally which invite the space to be used for play - making it a child-friendly area.
Enclosed pace to create ambient light within, and give a sense of privacy in the structure.
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SOLID AND VOID Photography of Model
From left to right: The left model explores the roundness and smoothness that a sphere makes with its associated openings. The middle model explores the edginess and rigidity of the dodecahedron. The last model attempts to see the connection between a sphere and an dodecahedron with more edges.
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SOLID AND VOID
Photography of Model
The main concept was to highlight the roundness and smoothness of the sphere/circle externally, and contrast that with the edginess and rigidity of the dodecahedron internally. The openings on three faces are made of small circular voids, and at the other three faces they are made with the dodecahedron. This controls the light that enters through the shape and allows it to have its own ambient lighting - which creates a sense of privacy within it. If used as a pavilion, the space evokes a playful characteristic within it, due to the changing and slanting planes, which can therefore be used by children. Or it can be used as a private nook in an open space to allow people to feel a sense of privacy.
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Appendix
Process
Some iterations of the surfaces that were generated parametrically using Grasshopper.
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Appendix Process
Grasshopper script used to dispatch the grid and essentially divide it into two different surfaces so that I can have 2 patterns on the same surface. The red is Surface A, which had the 3D pyramid panels on them. The green is Surface B, which has the flat 2D panels on them.
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Appendix
Process
Model making process for Task A - the model did not turn out how I had expected it to be, as the panels on one of the surfaces were of varying sizes, which make it extremely difficult to join.
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Appendix Process
The top Grasshopper script shows how I moved the sphere centroids by X units and then generated them, so that they are able to be in between the dodecahedrons. The bottom script is for the dodecahedron using WeaverBird to generate the shape.
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Appendix
Process
Using MakerBot Print to print the file using custom settings generated specifically for this subject. The orientation was changed as well, so as to save material, cost and time. The printer bed was shared amongst me and some other people so as to save on cost.
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