Digital Design (M1) : Radix Pavillion Journal

Digital Design - Module 01 Radix Pavilion (2012)

by Aires Mateus

Semester 1, 2019 Mehboob Madatali Chatur 903803 Shiqi Tang + Studio 30

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?

Zeara-Polo highlights that a diagram is a tool that describes the relationships and prescribes performance in space. It is therefore seen to be an organisational function that is used to communicate ideas and concepts, and does not have to be necessarily correspond with the final design. It is merely used as a communication tool.

Signs and symbols is the platform in which a designer and the audience can communicate. It is the material expression of the qualities, functions and/or properties that a certain object has. Signs and symbols can be used in diagrams in order to make the communication amongst parties more precise.

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Week One

Precedent Analysis

Top Left: The cuboid is created without any of the elliptical voids.

Top:

All

the

different

elliptical

shapes are made so that they can create the voids into the cube.

Left: The elliptical shapes are layered into the cube to match the plans and section, and then cut out to create the final pavilion.

Saieh, Nico. Radix Pavilion, 2012, photograph. Venice Biennale, Venice. Accessed March 08, 2019. https://www. archdaily.com/267567/venice-biennale-2012-radix-aires-mateus/bnl_aima_13.

The Radix Pavilion was used as part of the Venice Beinalle in 2012. The architect, Aries Mateus, wanted to borrow the classic arches from the neighbouring galleries and have a modern approach to it. To do this, he took a steel cuboid and cut off elliptical voids within it to mirror the arches and create lightness to the structure.

To create the digital model of the pavilion, firstly I analysed the given plans and sections and got the dimensions of all the geometries involved. The cuboid is constructed, and then the three eclipses are kept in the correct place, and then used to create a void within the cuboid. This results to the final design of the pavilion,

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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)

Herzberger despises extreme design as it is inflexible in use, and prefers design that allow for multiple types of appropriation by the users.

Radix pavilion allows this by giving visual continuity of its surrounding buildings by using arches and a similar colour palette. The pavilion has two main entry points, one by the galleries and one by the river bank. One of the arches overhang over the stairs at the river bank to allow users to use the stairs as a seating space whilst enjoying the view. On the other side, the area is shaded from the sun and allows users to gather underneath the structure to also look around the various buildings.

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Week Two

Isometric

Radix Pavilion by Aries Mateus The isometric of the pavilion is taken from the south west view. The view shows the all the different voids, and how the pavilion relates to the site. One of the arches overhangs over the river, which creates a shade for people to sit on the stairs and enjoy the view.

The different intersections of the elliptical shapes create voids within the cube and create openings, which then define the spaces in the pavilion. Since they are all elliptical shapes, they change in height, and create spaces with can or cannot be accessed by people. The intersections divided into two sections: one that is continues at the ground level, whilst on the other side it is the connection between the ground and the river canal.

The key concept of the pavilion is a modern interpretation of the neighboring galleries built in a classical architecture style. The spherical voids mirror the arches. The brown colour of the steel suits the red bricks used in the galleries. It acts as a threshold between the river bank and the ground. The largest opening overhangs over the river.

What I found intreguing when I made the model is that the pavilion touches the ground at 3 points. This adds to the contrast of the heavy material in a rigid shape and the smoothness of the curves created.

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Week Two Diagrams

Open Spaces:

Base Shape:

The open spaces that are creat-

The base shape of the pavilion is

ed by the elliptical spheres in the

a cuboid, which creates disruption

cuboid. They create two spaces of

in the general landscape due to its

intimacy within the structure.

rigidness. This is a threshold.

Restriction in Circulation:

Open Voids:

Where the spheres meet each

Open spherical voids with the

other, there are areas of restriction

cuboid, which adds smoothness

within the cuboid. This splits the pa-

and lightness to the pavilion.

vilion into two main areas.

Circulation paths:

Main Areas of Threshold:

The main circulation paths are

The main areas of threshold be-

shown, with three points of entry/

tween the outside of the pavilion

exit. The potential points of gath-

and the inside are shown. These

erings are also shown - which are

are: between the river bank and

inside the voids and the stairs near

the ground, and between light

the river bank.

and dark.

Circulation

Threshold

The diagram shows how the pavilion dictates the circulation around it and how it can create possible spaces of gathering within it. The voids within the cube create an open space that is inviting.

The solid and heavy structure feels light once you enter, due to the smoothness of the internal voids. It also creates a nice transition from the land to the river canal.

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Appendix

Data collection and analysis

Getting the dimensions of the elliptical spheres from the plans and sections. Also, architectural and structural analysis of the structure and how it relates to the landscape around it.

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Appendix

Exporting from Rhino 6 to Adobe Illustrator

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4

7

The following shows the steps to exporting the file from Rhino 6 onto Adobe Illustrator, i.e from 3D to 2D. The south-west isometric view is chosen as it shows the major threshold of the river bank to the pavilion, and also shows the major entrance points into the pavilion. It also involves the changing of line thicknesses and types and the colours.

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Appendix

Creation of circulation and threshold diagrams

Generation and analysis of the circulation within the pavilion - showing the paths and the restrictions within the site. The thresholds in the pavilion are also highlighted, both structurally and by experience.

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