Digital Design - Module 02 Semester 1, 2019 Mingjie Zhang 910787 Joel Collins Studio 21
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)
The three techniques described by Kolerevic are additive, subtractive and formative. Additive fabrication involves incrementally adding material to form volume/mass, and the most relevant example is 3D printing, using materials ranging from plastics to liquid polymers. Subtractive technique is treated by taking material off from the volume to create a desired outcome, lasercutting and CNC milling machines operating on 3 or 5 axis are appropriate and widely used examples. Formative fabrication utilises heat or mechanical forces to reshape/reform objects, e.g. pipes could be rolled into complex arrangements with this technique. Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) fabrication with parametric modelling is becoming increasingly popular as it provides accuracy and flexibility unmatched by traditional means. It has the potential of becoming a crucial part of large scale construction and designs of buildings.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
Utilising both attractor points and curves to influence grid.
Forming 150x150x150 cube
Controlling location of verteces of panel along edge of the cube.
Using distance to attractor point to remap the offset grid.
Using genepool to select patterns and arrange different BREPs according to the pattern
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Two edges of the panels are connected, forming a ridge on top. This alludes to the imagery of nature’s topography.
A pattern formed along the diagonal lines of the panel. The height of pyramids are increased incrementally towards the centre row, creating a sense of growth. More porosity and flatter panel types could be explored.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Surface Creation
The panels are arranged to symbolise growth with the varying height of the pyramids. The panels also have a relatively uniform direction of growth, displaying an upwards direction.
This iteration explores the possibility of symmetry and 2D panel types. However, the transition between flat and 3D seems abrupt and could be smoothed out.
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Isometric View
The final paneling uses a set of symmetrical panels with their top and bottom vertices connected. Their side vertices are extending apart from each other, suggesting an opening of space. The panels are increasingly becoming taller from the centre to the edge, suggesting growth and encirclement of nature within structures.
The waffle is a balanced structure with 10 rows in X and Z axis. It is quite a dense structure to accomodate the bending of the physical panels - more contact points means the panel and waffle could bound with each other better.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Laser Cutting
The laser cutting creation is made much easier with grasshopper scripts, the process of manually creating tabs and labels could be done almost instantaneously with scripts. One shortcoming during this process in hindsight is perhaps how the panels fold. I have chosen to have fold lines lightly etched, it works well most of the times but it is a one directional fold, meaning some folds bending the other way are harder to fold. In the future, this could be done with perforating dash lines on fold lines to create a two directional fold.
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Lofts
1.1
1.2
1.3
Key
1.4
{0,0,0} {150,150,135}
{0,0,150}
{75,0,150}
{150,0,75}
{150,150,90}
{0,150,30}
{0,0,0}
{150,0,75} {150,0,90} {0,150,75}
{0,150,0}
Grid Layout
2.1
{0,0,0}
{0,0,0}
{150,0,0}
{150,150,150}
{150,150,150}
2.2
2.3
{0,0,150}
2.4
{0,0,0} {75,75,130}
{0,0,0}
{180,10,78}
{0,0,0}
{0,0,0}
Paneling
{Null}
{Attractor Point}
{Attractor Curve}
{Genepool Pattern + Attractor Pt & Crv}
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
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Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves
{150,150,0}
{0,0,150}
Grid Points
ayout
{0,0,0} {75,75,130}
{0,0,0}
{180,10,78}
{0,0,0}
{0,0,0}
Paneling
{Null}
{Attractor Point}
{Attractor Curve}
{Genepool Pattern + Attractor Pt & Crv}
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Matrix and Possibilities
The waffle and panels are mirrored from the centre in both X and Y axis, creating a symmetrical composition. The bottom and top vertices intersect while the side vertices are repelled from one another. This alludes to the idea of convergence and divergence being employed in the form creation of architecture.
Panel modules at the end vertices start splitting from one pyramid to two, further reinforcing the concept of growth from the centre.
Panel modules are selectively matched with pyramids of varying heights. Combined with an attractor point and curve, this creates a sense of growth starting from the centre.
The two bottom panel modules on either sides of the waffle are stretched to form a four point stand, intended to stablise the structure according to the orientation shown here.
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The Task A showcases four iterations of form creation with their own parameters. They are respectively panel type, attractor point, attractor curve and genepool pattern.
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SURFACE AND WAFFLE STRUCTURE Photography of Model
The laser cut model of the waffle is quite intriguing to me due to its repetition of elements and the porosity of the structure. The interconnection of strips using notches as their joints to form a strong and dynamic structure is a fascinating concept to me. This photograph captures some of the monumental qualities of the structure with appropriate scales.
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Visual Scripting of Parametric Model
Forming 3x3x3 box
Using attractor points to influence form of the grids
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Altering centroids of the 3D grids
Inserting boolean geometry according to their distance to point attractor
SOLID AND VOID Surface Creation
The boolean of polyhedrons create a highly complex but interesting composition. The central pillar in this section contains some natural qualities as it resembles a tree, which generates a vague sense of threshold under the canopy. The ends of polyhedrons interesect to form a long strip of vertical opening, which could be imagined as a source of light.
This object could be interpreted differently according to its scale. At a larger scale, it could be seen as an overhang to create temporary shelter from the weather; at a smaller scale, it resembles a seating solution.
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SOLID AND VOID Matrix and Possibilities
Grid Mapping Centroid Distribution
Module 2 TASK A Matrix #2
1.1
1.2
1.3
Key
1.4
{0,0,0}
Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z) Attractor / Control Curves Grid Points
{3x3}
{Increasing Density: 5x5}
{Altering Geometry}
{Combining Geometry}
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
{243,192,212}
{243,192,212}
{243,192,212}
{243,192,212}
Boolean Intersection
Mingjie Zhang 910787
{3 Attractor Points}
{4 Attractor Points}
{4 Attractor Points}
{4 Attractor Points}
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
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A selection of 4-side pyramids have their top ends meeting at the same point. This creates a scene of divergence/convergence, and the intersection of prisms create a space resembling rocky chasms. This alludes to the concept of light permeating through a small opening to reach a wider space below.
SOLID AND VOID Isometric view
Many iterations have been tried out with different parameters. This includes density of boolean, geometry types, locations of attractor points/curves, etc. Ultimately this iteration is selected due to its unique combination of polyhedrons and pyrimids. The two types of geometry used here is icosahedron and square-based pyramids. While icosahedrons occupy more volumes and suggest porosity in space, the pyramids are arraged that they converge into a single point at the top, suggesting the transmission of light through a space.
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Scale - small pavilion
Scale - large urban landscape
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SOLID AND VOID
Photography of Model
The three parts illustrated in the photo above depicts a transition of porosity, from the most porous to the least. The intersection of spheres create a vast and intriguing compositions within this space; the idea of threshold is not clearly defined, giving visitors a greater degree of freedom in exploring the functionality of elements. Furthermore, the location of openings on top of the structures gives access to varying degrees of light.
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Appendix
Model Photography
This selection of photos showcase interaction between light and shadow in the context of the panel.
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Appendix
Model Photography
This selection of photos showcase the interaction between panel and waffles, working in unity.
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Appendix
Model Photography
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Appendix Process
The grid is divided using genepool (0=off, 1=on), then cull pattern filters the result to arrange the pattern.
The vertex points of the panel is shown using this script.
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Appendix
Process
The objects are oriented so that print time is optimised, and support material is minimised.
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