A I R
Matthew Greenwood 2014
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION 2 DIGITAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE 3 DESIGN FUTURING 4 DESIGN COMPUTATION 5 COMPOSITION & GENERATION 6 CONCLUSION 7 ALGORITHMIC SKETCHBOOK 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY 9
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INTRODUCTION
Matthew Greenwood Hi my name is Matt I am 23 and I am studying my Bachelor of Environments at the University of Melbourne with the aim of starting my Masters of Architecture in 2015. My journey in Architecture began at the university of Tasmania studying a Bachelor of Environmental Design, there I learned a variety of Design Communication tools such as Archicad, Google Sketch Up, Adobe Creative Suite and hand technical drafting skills. Having lived in Tasmania all my life and thinking about future employment opportunities I applied to the University of Melbourne and relocated in 2013. Here I have learned the use of Rhino 3D modeling software in Virtual Environments and my knowledge of Architectural Design is growing. I love the works of Herzog & De Meuron, Zaha Hadid and I am absolutely taken by the beauty of historical works suchs as the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. I believe the future of design is sustainability through technological and scientific advancement, I want to shape the world around me and I don’t want to limit that to buildings or installations.
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DIGITAL DESIGN EXPERIENCE
Most of my digital design experience comes from my studies at university. At UTAS (University of Tasmania) the majority if my digital design work was using Archicad, Photoshop and inDesign. Once moving to UniMelb I started experimenting with Rhino 3D modelling software in Virtual Environments to creating a lantern. In this class we went through the process of modelling with clay and paper models and importing them into Rhino to form the basis of our 3D models. From there we tweaked and perfected our models for further fulfill the brief. The next step was to a pre made grasshopper formula that created tabs on the paper model for construction. From there is was a process of printing the flattened models and assembling it for exhibition (Right). Rhino was a fantastic tool for prototyping models. Sections of the model could be isolated flattened and printed to test lighting effects and structural integrity.
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DESIGN FUTURING CH2 - Melbourne Mick Pearce with DesignInc.
The Ch2 building in Melbourne has become a focal point for sustainable design in Australia. The building achieved a 6 star energy rating and the Architect describes the process of design as a form of biomimicry. Biomimicry is expressed in the design through how the building reacts to the external environment. For example the wooden panels that make up the ‘Face’ of the building change there angle depending on the sun position and time of day. It creates its own energy using wind turbines and solar panels. I am unsure if it is a good example of design futuring however is certainly paves the way for future constructions to explore sustainable design.
East Gate Centre - Harare Mick Pearce
Designed by the same Architect as Ch2, the East Gate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe again follows the inspiration of biomimicry. In this project the architect looked at termite mounds and how they used opening and closing tunnels to control the internal temperature of the structure. In termite mounds the insects need to control the temperature to grow a specific type of fungus which they eat. In the East Gate Centre, Pearce uses the same techniques albeit mechanical with the aid of fans to regulate the internal temperature of the structure [2]. I see this structure as a better example of design futuring than the Ch2 building as it more closely relates to the natural inspiration rather than energy saving techniques being ‘stuck on’ to achieve a goal. [1] City of Melbourne, About Ch2, <http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/sustainability/ch2/aboutch2/Pages/AboutCH2.aspx> [accessed 15 March 2014]. [2]Abigail Doan, ‘BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds ’, Inhabitat, (2012), <http://inhabitat.com/buildingmodelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-in-zimbabwe/> [accessed 15 March 2014].
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DESIGN COMPUTATION THE BENEFITS OF USING COMPUTERS IN THE DESIGN PROCESS.
Computing is the design tool for the future and already the majority of design work is produced on computers. By using computing as a design tool we are able to easily share work and collaborate in a team environment. Information can easily and instantly be sent to contractors and plans can be altered without having to redraw the entire design. As access to design software becomes even more widespread the need for education of these tools is required, Design Studio Air is a perfect example of this. With the growing use of mechanical fabrication techniques the application of computation design is widening. Now people are able to buy 3D printing plans online and granted they have a 3D printer at their disposal can create anything from decorative ornaments to wearable items such as shoes. A major benefit to using computer software is that geometries that would be difficult or painstaking to model physically can be created with relative ease on a computer. This can then be fabricated using a number of methods.
Top Pavilion by french architect Marc Fornes, an example of some of the interesting forms achievable through computational design [1].
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Bottom Research Pavilion at Stuttgart University demonstrating material oriented computational design [2].
[1] Biomimetic Architecture <http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2012/nonlinlin-pavillion-by-marc-fornes/> [accessed 25 March 2014]. [2]Futures Plus, ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2010 â&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Inhabitat, (2012), <http://futuresplus.net/2011/12/14/icditke-research-pavilion-2010-stuttgart-university/> [accessed 25 March 2014].
Above Columns designed by Micheal Hansmeyer. Each is unique through various generation parameters [2].
COMPOSITION & GENERATION The generation of idess in Architecture is moving away from traditional composition towards a more generative process. Traditionally architects would use a computer program to mimic the same process as hand drawing techniques. They can viualise the desired end result and within the boundaries of that design idea work towards a solution. As discussed in the reading by Peters, 2013 [1], this form of design can be reffered to as ‘computerisation’. ‘Computation’
however allows the designer a new prccess in which to tackle design. By using algorithms as a sketching tool we can come to a design conclusion through unexpected results and inspiring new forms can be discovered that we unintentional. “ We are moving from an era where architects use software to one where they create software” - Peters, 2013. I believe that the generative process can produce incredibly beautiful designs and really break the designer free of linear constraints. The only time I can see generative design not being able to be used to its fullest is when there are very restrictive design breifs. However prehaps these situations need to be looked at as a way to educate clients and fellow designers to move forwards into a new process of design.
[1] Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15. [2] DesignBoom.com, ‘ornamented columns’ by michael hansmeyer’, Inhabitat, (2012), <http://www.designboom.com/architecture/michael-hansmeyerornamented-columns/> [accessed 27 March 2014].
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From what has been discussed in Part A I can start to think about the direction of my design for the brief. Not so much in the desired outcome of the installment but the process in which to come to the solution. In order to go about this I will need to further practive in Rhino and Grasshopper and begin to create my own algarithms and codes in which to create my desing. As a group we are looking at harnessing the suns energy in order to create power, so in my algarithm ill need to consider the angles of the sun, how to maximise surface area in to harness the most energy. In constrast to this prehaps ill want to have as little surface area as possible in the areas in which no sunlight hits the buildings. These are just two examples of data that I could input into
CONCLUSION & LEARNING OUTCOMES
Grasshopper when generating ideas. I am really excited about the prospect of an unexpected outcome that I really like. As we have learned in Part A, its about designing the prcess rather than desiging the outcome. A greater understanding of grasshopper and computational design would have been very helpfull in my Virtual Environments subject in 2013. I know that I was too focused on the final shape of my design that it limited my discovery of new forms. The inspiration for the design brief was nature and biomimicry and using a more cumpotational design method could have helped me a achieve a much more organic and natural looking outcome.
Image Baoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an Internation Airport. The facade treatment is the outcome of paramteric data controlling the size, slop and positioning of openings. [1].
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[1] I am Architect, studio fuksas expands shenzhen baoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an international airport <http://www.iam-architect.com/studio-fuksas-expands-shenzhen-baoaninternational-airport/> [accessed 27 March 2014].
ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES
â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Shell Shelterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; This shelter idea was the algorithmic task for week 2. I chose it to display here as I really suprised myself with ow fast I was able to create it.
Structure 1 This was my first outcome with the week 3 task. I imagine it to be a standing structure with shade and room to stand underneath.
Structure 2 My second attempt at the week 3 task produced an object that looked more like a sculpture than play equipment or a shelter.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Biomimetic Architecture. 2012. NonLin/Lin Pavillion by Marc Fornes - Biomimetic Architecture. [online] Available at: http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2012/nonlinlin-pavillion-by-marc-fornes/ [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014]. designboom | architecture & design magazine. 2014. michael hansmeyer: ornamented columns - designboom | architecture & design magazine. [online] Available at: http://www.designboom.com/ architecture/michael-hansmeyer-ornamented-columns/ [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014]. Doan, A. 2014. BIOMIMETIC ARCHITECTURE: Green Building in Zimbabwe Modeled After Termite Mounds. [online] Available at: http://inhabitat.com/building-modelled-on-termites-eastgate-centre-inzimbabwe/ [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014]. Iam-architect.com. 2014. studio fuksas expands shenzhen baoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;an international airport. [online] Available at: http://www.iam-architect.com/studio-fuksas-expands-shenzhen-baoan-international-airport/ [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014]. Melbourne.vic.gov.au. 2014. [online] Available at: http://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/AboutCouncil/ MediaCentre/CH2HighRes/CH2_2_HR.jpg [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014]. Peters, B. 2013. Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought. Architectural Design, 83 (2), pp. 8--15. Plus, F. 2011. ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2010 - Stuttgart University. [online] Available at: http:// futuresplus.net/2011/12/14/icditke-research-pavilion-2010-stuttgart-university/ [Accessed: 27 Mar 2014].
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