Module I: IDEATION

Matthew Greenwood Student Number: 641211 Group: 4

Semester 1/2011

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TASK 1.1

Patterns in Nature

I researched natural patterns online finding many examples in the petals of flowers. Spiderwebs also provided and example of patterns in biological structures.

The spiraling shape of a nautilus shell stood out to me amongst the rest. As the creature and the shell grows small chambers are created progressively getting larger.

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BALANCE/SYMMETRY

PROGRESSION OF SCALE

MOVEMENT/FLOW

Recipe Step 1.

Choose a point from witch the pattern will expand.

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Step 2.

Create a spiral that starts looping around the centre point very tight and expands as it gets further out, this creates a curved “funnel”

Step 3.

Create small curved lines that span the “funnel”, these curved lines become thicker and further spaced as they progress.

TASK 1.2

RHINO TUTORIALS

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TASK 1.2

Refelction on Reading

In this weeks lecture we looked at how through virtual representation, we can see information and patterns not normally perceivable to our eyes. The images we were shown provoked a lot of thinking about how we see are world, how the world is structured and how virtual modeling of these patterns will be able to influence the work I do as a designer.

Our first tasks included researching patterns in nature, analysing how they are structured, and in doing so creating a recipe on how they are created. I wanted to choose something other than the copious amounts of flower patterns that I was founding so I settled on the well known shape of a nautilus shell. The small compartments created as the animal grows fascinates me and creates a beautiful pattern.

To guide us through the analysis of these patterns we were provided with a reading on “Tooling” by Benjamin Aranda and Chris Lasch, This reading told the story of Wilson Bentley who studied snowflakes for 45 years to discover that no two snow flake crystals are identical. He asked questions of why every single example of snowflake was governed by the ‘rule of six’ having no knowledge at the time of his research of the atom. In the reading Aranda and Lasch outline the seven algorithmic (Aranda, Lasch, 2006) techniques of Tooling: spiraling, pacing, weaving, blending, cracking, flocking and tiling. These techniques can be used to describe and dissect patterns in our world.

The remainder of the reading gives us examples of how Aranda and Lasch implement ‘tooling’ to create analytical drawings of patterns as well as constructing recipes on each of them.

Aranda, B, Lasch, C, 2006, Tooling, Princeton Architectural Press, New York

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Snowflakes (Aranda, Lasch, 2006)

TASK 1.5

Paper Model 1

Progression of the pattern continued on the tutorial with the construction of paper models using the same processes as in Rhino. This included extrusion, rotation, copying and scaling. The first models created were very simplistic, abstracting basic shapes from the patterns. My original model needed to be stuck to the pattern as it had no way of supporting itself. The result was a model that mimicked the flow and movement of my chosen pattern.

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TASK 1.5

Paper Model 2

The second model followed a more regimented pattern and began to explore the idea of scaling and rotation.

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TASK 1.6

Rhino Model

I developed another recipe for my Rhino model: 1. Copy Triangle 2. Scale by 5m 3. Rotate 20ยบ 4. Move into place so in plan form the inside edge creates a consistent spiral curve 5. Repeat steps 1 through 4 till desired spiral is achieved.

6. Copy and Mirror to Experiment

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TASK 1.7

Reflection on Reading- Pattern Formation in Nature

Thompson argues that limitations and physical forces shape natural patterns as a result of mathematical analogies. I theorise that my patterns formation in nature is due to the need of the Nautilus to grow and the chambers needed to keep it buoyant. Obviously a spiral shape is a mathematically logical evolutionary form as we find it in many shell shapes.

My pattern shows emergent behaviors on multiple occasions, such as in the first model and again when I was modeling it on Rhino. It was shaped through experimental process and then reaction to a positive or negative outcome. Through this process I created a number of patterns based on my initial paper model, in a simple way it was trial and error.

My models symmetry is in its smaller triangular sections, as a whole it hasn’t got much symmetrical balance. However later in my experimentation I mirrored the entire object multiple times and created symmetry. My next step in the design process will be to utilise some of the rules mentioned in the reading such as branching, attraction and repulsion.

My model has branched away from its original recipe but still retains many similarities. It has been simplified and become much more geometrical.

Ball, P, 2012, Pattern Formation in Nature, AD, Architectural Design pp. 22-27

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TASK 1.8

Precedent Research

Meeting Center in Rikuzentakata by Kengo Kuma In earthquake devestated Japan, Kengo Kuma has put forward plans for a meeting space in Rikuzentakata for the elderly.

The design takes influence from a lotus leaf and the wood lattice design builds upon a natural looking pattern which most likely has a very precise mathematical makeup as well as a recipe of its own. The spiral shape is very similar to my own pattern for this module, I believe I can take inspiration from this and apply it in my model experimentation.

IMAGES AND INFORMATION: Chan, K. Kengo Kuma Joins Japanese Rebuilding Effort with a Meeting Center in Rikuzentakata Chan, K. (2013). Kengo Kuma Joins Japanese Rebuilding Effort with a Meeting Center in Rikuzentakata.

Architizer, Retrieved from: http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/40303/kengo-kuma-lotus-leaf/#.

UUbwv7RxjG4 [Accessed: 18/03/2013].

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TASK 1.10

Volumetric Study Models - Workshop

The workshop further developed our thinking in regard to scale and volumes. By completing the different tasks we were pushed to explore new ideas and paths that we may not have considered. This came about as a result of using a new medium, plastacine. The exploration of scale produced drastically different models using the same original pattern.

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TASK 1.10

Volumetric Study Models - Further Development

This model is the result of guiding another student through the creation of my lantern. Although the form is basic it has many development opportunities.

Using the idea of my previous paper model as if it were 1:1 I created this basic shape, a coil that can be held in the hand in any position.

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We were asked to create a model as if our paper model was at 1:20. A tiny part of the lantern. This model shows many spirals woven together to generate a very active, undulating form.

A development of the first diamond like model with more activation of the surface. This one I would later use as one of my developed concepts.

A second model using the concept of my paper model as 1:1. This model would be held by the “Handle� at the top with a dangling disc like form.

TASK 1.10

Volumetric Study Models - Developed Design

After completing multiple models I found it hard to choose which one to develop further as I was fascinated by many of them. In the end I narrowed it down to two idea paths. One which is the adapted diamond shape that now remind me of ram horns.

The second looks more like a tradition torch if held at the narrow end and the pattern creeps around it like a snake.

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TASK 1.11

Light and Shadow - Architectural Inspiration

I looked at the Suntory Museum by Tadao Ando as inspiration for the lighting of my torch. I love the way the vertical elements in the windows cast an almost skeletal shadow on the interior wall. By placing the lights within the spiral of my lantern and leaving slits for light to escape I hope to create a similar shadow on walls that my lantern may be near. The gap between the overlaps in my paper model provides such an escape for the LED lights. The next step will be to develop that into a more enclosed solid form.

IMAGES AND INFORMATION: Architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com.au.

MY ARCHITECTURAL MOLESKINE®: TADAO ANDO: SUNTORY MUSEUM Architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com.au. “MY ARCHITECTURAL MOLESKINE®: TADAO ANDO: SUNTORY MUSEUM.” 2012. http://architecturalmoleskine.blogspot.com. au/2012/11/tadao-ando-suntory-museum.html (accessed 25 Mar 2013).

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TASK 1.11

Light and Shadow - Sketching

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