Module 4 Mengqi Yu Student Number: Semester (1/2012) Group 8
Chapter 1: Ideation
Natural Process: Cloud Formation Cloud is composed by a mass of millions of small droplets of water or ice crystals suspended in the air. It is simply formed by the cooling of water vapour to liquid. Sun provides heat to the ground, which contains water vapour, and makes it rise above to the sky. A condensation happened to the rising warm air parcel while meeting the cool temperature on the higher sky. Then a cloud is formed when huge numbers of water droplets are composed.
Evaopration and condensation are two major processes in cloud formation. In order to produce evaporation and codensation for water, it requires heat and cool. The changing temperation between heat and cold modify the form of water vapour. The whole process of cloud formation is implicit, which no body can see. However, it is amazing that the results created by the invisible process are diverse. My design proposal is to visualise the invisible but powerful process by using the key elements of water, evaporation, condensation, heat and cool.
Chapter 1: Ideation
Proposal 2: Inspiring from the formation of cumulonimbus clouds, which is formed due to the increased atmospheric instability. The anvil formed on the top is like a big platform supported by a column of narrower clouds. It is very stylistic based on a trapezium shape. I used curly lines to express the atmospheric instability. I skewed its based trapezium shape to make it more abstract. It can be worn as a bracelet. Proposal 1:
Proposal 3
Small water-droplet-like tail, which is the start of evaporation.
In proposal 3, I captured the movement of a cirrus cloud blowing by wind. The direction of the wind is from left. The time-lapse drawing changs its shape and finally ended with an object with sharp stripes. The reason why I designed this is that I want to test the transformation between a soft object to a geometric one. However, this design lost the purpose of showing the formation process.
Light from the middle of the cloud adds heat to the water-droplet-like Proposal 1 tail. Then evaporation happened, which is expressed by the curly shape connecting the top and the end. The top part symbolized the cloud formed.
Chapter 1: Ideation
Proposal 2
Key Design Proposals: Idea Generation
Vortex Street Cloud By observing the satellite images of cloud, the special condition of cloud formation is created by the unsteady separation of flow of a fluid over bluff bodies. This formation is known as the “vortex streets”.
Key Design Proposals: Idea Generation
The “vortex street” cloud here involves the concept of “fluid”. A fluid form can describe a “going on” process of movement. Therefore, it can be used in further design. Proposal 5: During the exploration of design ideas, I have pursued too much irrelevant complexity and styles through the way. It is essentional to go back to the chosen natural process and initial design proposal, which is visualizing evaporation and condensation. Proposal 4: Inspiring from the "Vortex street" cloud. The "fluid" concept is applied onto this design. The vortices formed during the process are maintained in order to create a more complex and stylish affect. However, the over complex form does not very relevant the cloud formation process. It shows a fluid movement, but without showing any evaporation or condensation process.
Chapter 1: Ideation
From the investigation of Vortex Street Cloud, it is found that fluid form is the best way of expressing on-going movement. My initial deign proposal has a close link to those formation process. Therefore, I combined these two concepts and create a new proposal, which is simple but clearly defines my chosen natural process.
flow
Proposal 5
Voussoir Cloud by LwamotoScott
Precedents
Taichung Metropolitan Opera House by Zaha Hadid (2006)
The opera house designed by Zaha Hadid shows the concept of “flow”. One side of the house bends an implicit curve inside and the other side naturally flows away to the distance. The hollowed out parts allow the light to selectively highlight the beautiful silhouette of the building in the darkness. This precedent remind me to think of the position of the light, which is the origin of “heat”, which causes evaporation during the cloud formation process.
Chapter 1: Ideation
This architectural installation is created by architect, LwamotoScott. The way he visualised cloud is using arched shape structure panelled with triangle-like patterns. The entire shape of the installation is narrower below and gradually becomes wider up to the ceiling, which shows the process of “growing”. Inspiring from Lwanmotoscott, I intend to change the curvature of the surfaces of my design along the major fluid line.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
The contouring method I used for digitalization is tracing referencing pictures (top and right views). Initially, I lofted the model with both front and back point. However, it does not allow further panelling.
Right
Top
Initial Lofted model
Digitalization: Countouring & Lofting
In order to allow further panelling for the model, I use “extract/ socurve� command to create cross sections along the model. Then I lofted it the cross sections without either point at the front or back.
Extract/ socurve
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Panel 2D Grid: Angel Box
Panel 2D Grid: Wave
Panel 3D Grid: Wedge
Panel 3D Grid: Pyramid 1
Experimentation: Panelling Tool Exploring Custom Panels After experimenting on the default panels in Rhino 5, I started to create custom panels inspired from the natural process.
Panel 2D Grid: Tribasic
Panels in Rhino 5 Point Light
In the initial experimentation, I panelled the entire surface with both 2D and 3D panel grids in Rhino. By trying different panels, I gained the basic ideas of how to create my own panels.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Top 2: Removing panels along the curve to create different light effect.
Exploring Custom Panels As the main element of cloud is water, I researched some patterns of water texture and clouds. It is observed that water surfaces are basically either irregular polygons or ripples, while water droplets are circular. Through combining the fluid form and irregular water texture together, a movement of water is expressed (evaporation is actually the movement of water molecule). I considered adding curve lines in the panel. However, the curve lines in each panel will make it extremely hard for the real model making.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Prededents
National Library in Astana, Kazakhstan / BIG
I paid attention to the patterns used for panelling. Even though the structure of the building is a circular spiral shape, the single panel used is in a straight-lined geometric form. They created a few similar patterns to panel the curve. According to the precedents analysis, I intended to modify the curve lines in my panel to straight lines.
Ryuji Nakamura’s Paper Works cornfield (Installation at the National Museum of Modern Art
Tokyo, 2010): Different view, amazing structure and details As the precedents above, the curly surface of the installation is constructed by straight lines as well. The transitional density of the installation shows the movement and change. This inspired me to use “offset face boarders� with different edge distance in rhino to change the distribution of holes for the panels.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Experimentation: Folding & Lightening Basic Concepts: Dividing the Paper
Folding Techniques: Basic Pleats
V-Pleats
“One way to give a sheet of paper or a flat textile three dimensions is to fold it. Another way is to work at the edge, making fringe that flutters, wiggles, and curls,� ---Emily White
According to the videos demonstrated by Paul Jackson and produced by Laurence King Publishing. These are some basic folding techniques, which helps me be familiar with the texture of paper and its light effects. Spans and Parabolas: X-Form Spans
Above: By changing the light source direction of the object, there is a different light effect and shadow projected by the object. The light can be either diverged or converged. Moreover, by slicing the object, a beautiful free form shadow can be created.
Removing triangular panels along diagonal to create different light effect.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Cutting the traditional Japanese Masu Box. Creating V shape light effect.
Triangle components
Square Base
Dividing Points
Curve: Lines are similar to curve when divided into more parts
Cutting Parts
Exploring Custom Panels
Pattern in Rhino
This is the extending idea of water texture and refined the curve lines in the pattern. The cutting parts are for lighets to go through and projected various shadows. Moreover, by using the “offset faces borders� command, the triangular surfaces can be hollowed out in various ways.
Tesing light effect for panels with different numbers of holes. The gradual changing density of the light is very clear.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Exploring Costum Panels Point meets point while panelling. It will be a problem of connecting panels in fabrication process.
fig. 1
Initially, I fixed the “point to point connecting” problem by getting rid of the top left pyramid and adding a larger triangular surface with more edges connected with each part of the panels.
fig. 2
Delete
This is a further exploration of custom panel. More triangular faces are extruded to points and create pyramids. However, this model contains 500 surfaces, 1000 curves and 300 polysurfaces, which is hard to be unrolled and made within 2 weeks. Moreover, the sharp angles of pyramids express an aggressive feeling, which is not suitable for the “shy” property of evaporation.
Chapter 2: Digitalization
Furthermore, the panel are simplified to a 2D pattern, as 2D pattern is more appropriate to visualise the implicit evaporation and condensation processes.
fig. 3
Final Model Orthographic View (Scale: 1:1)
Pespective
Chapter 2: Digitalization
I offset more face borders in a distance of 0.5 on its tail. Then the numbers of face boarders be offset are reduced and the holes dig are smaller. Then more sufficient light can be created on the tail, which symbolized evaporated water vapour. Then the gradual decreasing of hole densities with less sufficient light symbolize the process of condensation.
Chapter 3: Fabrication
Unfolding Model Before
After
I manually drew the surfaces at the front to close the “mouth� of the lantern in order to leave some space for batteries and switch.
Unfolding surfaces into strips horizontally . Colours symbolize different layers.
Chapter 3:Fabrication
Precedents Shenzhen International Energy Mansion by BIG Architect This is the model of Shenzhen International Energy Mansion designed by BIG Architect. The light illustration of the model creates a soft and misty atmosphere. This gentle feeling is very suitable to apply on my model.
The Three Baskets Of Knowledge By David Trubridge David Trubridge, industrial designer from New Zealand displayed a light installation as part of Milan Design Week. In this lightening installation, the bottom part is hollowed out and the body part is translucent. Light shines through the bottom projects clear patterns of shadows. The combination of transparent and translucent effects shows a gradual change from blury to clear.
Chapter 3:Fabrication
Fabrication: Nesting & Protyping Nesting strips:
-Using Grasshopper to create tags and folds - Material chosen: 5 White Ivory Paper - Using black cut lines and red score lines
Prototype: Aluminium wire is used to to support the front structure.
Prototype: Inspiring from the precedents above, I chose tracing paper to add some variation to my light effect. The reason that I chose it is that tracing paper is translucent, which dims the light and makes it like the model of Shenzhen International Energy Mansion. However, I still leave some holes to project clear shadow patterns, which allows stronger lights shining out. Stronger light symbolizes more heat.
Chapter 3:Fabrication
translucent, soft, hazy hole, transparent
clear projected light
Precedents Santa Monica Parking Structures by Cliff Garten Studio In 2009 Cliff Garten Studio completed the lighting for Santa Monica parking structures. It was done in collaboration with Pugh + Scarpa Architects and the City of Santa Monica Public Art Program, Cultural Affairs Division. This changing colour of light inspired me to organize the position of tracing paper on my model. The brighter light can indicate “heat” with more energy, while the dimming light can indicate “cold” with less energy. Looking back to the rule of cloud formation, warm air arises and meets cold air, then condensation happened to form the clouds. I decided to dim more light on the big front of my model by adding tracing papers.
Chapter 3:Fabrication
Cut from white ivory card
Fold score lines
putting wires to support structure
Join 2 strips
Light installation
Fabrication: Process Connecting two major parts together
Chapter 3:Fabrication
Final Model Light Effect
Chapter 3:Fabrication
Final Model Chapter 3:Fabrication
Reflection
Reflection: From the subject of Virtual Environments, I went through a whole design process from ideation, digitalization to real fabrication. Collin (2008) explores that design requires self critiquing. Through the development of initial idea, it is important to link back to the design proposal. Otherwise, the exploration of idea might fall off the track and become unrelated to the chosen natural process. Each further exploration needs to be a refinement of the previous design, but not just adding complexity. The virtual world developed by computer has become a “replacing place” of the real world (Mitchell 1969). The application of software has become one of the essential skills in design field. The use of Rhino breaks the limitation of hand drawing and helps to achieve above the sketching design proposal. The paneling process is exciting, as even a simple pattern and be paneled into an amazing effect. Digitalization also enables the transformation from 3D model to 2D patterns. The unrolling and nesting process provides accurate model templates for future paper cutting. Digitalization founded the base of fabrication process. In the fabrication process, there are lots of limitations of materiality. The quality of ivory card is not hard enough to support my 1:1 scale model; therefore, I need to use wire to construct an internal structure. Even though hand making is not accurate enough, due to the accurate machine cut on paper, a desired outcome can still be achieved. Overall, my model has satisfied my design proposal from both of its scale and form. The fluid form with smooth 2D panels express an implicit invisible cloud formation process. The scale of the model is 1:1, with 1.1m length and 0.5m width, symbolized the large size of clouds. The different densities of holes on the panel create a changing density of light. Strong light on the tail shows the source of the heat. The gradual dimming of the light shows the energy changing from hot to cold, which involves the processes from evaporation to condensation. Learning Virtual Environments is very beneficial for future study. I understood that design is not only creating aesthetic project. It is also a process involving logical thinking, self critiquing, problems solving and aesthetical creativity. The designed outcome has a form of meaning and functions. To become a good designer in the future, we need to become a “super thinking” and always inject passions into your design. Reference: Colin, W 2008, 'Creative Meta-seeing', in Visual Thinking for Design – for Design, Elsevier (eds), pp. 147164. Mitchel, WJ 1969, ' Replacing Place', in The Digital Dialectic, P. Lunenfeld (ed.), MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, p. 112-127