ARCHITECTURE AS DISCOURSE -Design Journal-
STUDENT: YUHAN ZHANG (347664) TUTOR : FINNIAN WARNOCK ABPL 30048 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: AIR
CONTENT
Part I. Expression of Interest Week 1 – EOI: Case for Innovation: Architecture as a Discourse
P 1-2
Week 2 – EOI: Case for Innovation: Computation in Architecture
P 3-4
Week 3 – EOI: Case for Innovation: Parametric Design(Scripting/ Programming Cultures)
P 5-6
Week 4 – EOI: Research Project: CUT: Develop
P 7-8
Week 5 – EOI: Research Project: Personal research of Case Study Projects
P 9-12
Part II. Project Proposal P 13-14
Week 6 – Physical Model: Design Process
P 15-18
Week 7.1 – GROUP EOI(with personal further development)
P 19-20
Week 7.2 – GATEWAY PROJECT: Brief and Site Analysis
P 21-22
Week 7.3 – Group Analysis of Case Studies(with special considerisions of group EOI)
P 23-28
Week 7.4 – 90 Matrix
Part III. Learning Objectives and Outcomes: Final Week 8.1: Feedback of Midterm Review
P 29
Week 8.2 : Further Development and Research accoding to the Feedback
P 30
Week 9.1 : Further Research for Local Vegetation
P 31
Week 9.2 : Developing Core Constructing Element to Assemble a 1:50 Scale Physical Model
P 31-32
Week 9.3 : Produce Vector Drawings of the Evolution of Construction Detail and Design.
P 33
Week 9.4 : Detailed Documents of Material Used(ETFE)
P 34
Week 10 : Completed Physical Model & Video Exploring Performance in Reality
P 35-36
Week 11-12 : Feedback of Final Review
P 37-38
P 39-40
Week 12-13 : Refined EOI & Design Concept
P 41-45
Week 12-13 : New Materiality & Joinery
P 46-52
Week 12-13: New Physical Model for Final Submoission
P 53-54
Week 13: Final Inspiration and Reflections
P 55-56
Reference List
INTRODUCTION This journal is a recording of every week’s designing progression. With a gradually developed computational skill (via rhino, grasshopper, etc.), we are aiming to develop our gateway project design in connection with the Cut case studies. Although the design process should be done in group, the journal will generate a personal discussion and thinking towards the project as well. So this journal will focus on documenting the learning process, and more importantly, refining personal and group ideas of design to improve the design concepts and outcomes of the gateway project.
Week 1: Architecture as Discourse THE SPAIN PAVILION is a hand-
SPAIN PAVILION OF WORLD EXPO.
weaved wicker basket structure building which supported by the steel framework inside. It is “dressed” in more than 8,000 wicker panels in brown, beige, and black. To show the connection between Spanish and Chinese culture in this building, wicker weaving was used as a tradition in both Spain and China. [This method of making connection between two places are useful for making Geelong and Melbourne connection in the Gateway Project.] The design is also unique because of its black panels which form the shapes of Chinese characters - sun and moon, for instance. This adds more Chinese
-PERSONAL-
http://cubeme.com/blog/wpcontent/uploads/2010/10/Spanish_Pavilion_a
‘Architccturc needs to he thought of less as a set of speciaI material products and rather the pavilion more artistic. more as range of social and professional practices that sometimes, but by no means always, SOUTHERN CROSS STATION lead to buildings.’(Richard Williams, ‘ArchitecSOUTHERN CROSS STATION is the ture and Visual Culture’) culture flavor to the pavilion and make
most important railway station in Victoria and has been redeveloped by Civic
Nexus construction from 2002 to 2006. It illustrates the complexity of the cutting edge design and construction of the building.Its wave-sheped roof is the first wave structure to be built and the largest undercover concourse in the country. The
http://static.urbarama.com/photos/medium/590.jpg
design is doubtlessly innovative as it allows the roof to filter train fumes from the building without using industrial fans and promotes natural air flows.
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http://uploa
However the dynamic curvature roof of Southern Cross Station does not concerns much about the reality- Melbourne’s hail storm is so frequent in summer and such http://www.strategyco.net/newsletter/Images/SouthernCrossStation.jpg
roof would be damaged and leaked easily. [Climate protection, is an essensial issue that need to be concered in the design of Gateway Project, especially when the design
-STATE OF ARTS 1-
at_Shanghai_Expo_2010_3.jpg
KYOCERA DOME
ad.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4d/Kyocera_Dome_Osaka1.jpg
incluedes shelter/roof for the motor drivers passing underneath.]
‘Architecture ought to be seen as discourse. Buildings as material facts are a small part of the overal field of architecture, a field which is better regarded as a network practices and debates about the built environment.’ (Richard Williams, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’) SIMILAR to the Southern Cross Station in Mebourne, the feature of OSAKA KYOCERA DOME is also its curvature -shaped roof which named as ‘the Super-Ring’. This movable roof can go up and down for sound effects. [This can be linked with acoustic issues in the Project.] In addition, this creative shape of Kyocera Dome, together with its lightblue fences, provides visitors
-STATE OF ARTS 2-
with brighter feelings than in any other domed stadium.
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Week 2: Computing in Architecture
COMPUTATIONAL technology provides contemporary architectural design with creativity, efficiency, and flexibility in the design and construction process. The advantages were
MELBOURNE RECTA Architect : Cox Architects and Planners Location : Melbourne, Australia
pointed out in Kalay’s Architecture’s
New Media, which can be summerized as followed:
It allows architects to create geometric and dynamic forms of building that are much more complex than before. With the assists of 3D-modeling softwares such as Rhino, Maya and AutoCAD, designers are able to develop their architectural designs in one digital model rather than keep struggling on a series of handdrawing papers and phisical models. Futhermore, they could judge applications of the design in reality easily. For instance, loadbearing systems and material usage can be tested with accuracy to avoid possible damages caused by extreme weather, and to save building costs as well. Computational technology can also provides and tests experience for users(clients/ visitors) of the designed buildings before the real construction process. [So at the end of our design process, the experience of motor drivers would be tested through 3D modeling software to assist us making further adjustments in terms of functional uses of the Gateway in reality.]
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Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thepurpleempire/4557563054/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Kalay’s effective general methods of design:
‘Analyzing problems, setting goals, devising actions that might accomplish them, evaluating the efficacy of these actions, and communicating with others involved in the process is what designers do. Professional designers, like architects, differ from laymen in that they have been trained in solving a particular class of problems, have experience doing so, and often have demonstrated an aptitude for coming up with effective solutions.
NGULAR STADIUM MELBOURNE RECTANGULAR STADIUM was designed with a cutting edge bioframe roof. This unique sculptural form was achieved by using cmputational routines. Similar to the architectural projects discussed before, the dynamic curving roof of this stadium considers both aesthetic and functional aspects: the stadium takes the form of a bioframe dome with a lightweight steel structure which uses 50% less steel than the average cantilever roof. The structure encompasses a combination of glass, metal and louvers, utilising recycled building material where appropriate. A feature of the design lies in its il-
Digital Model of Melbourne Rectangular Stadium Part of their training involves becoming familiar with methods that have proved effective in accomplishing any or all of these actions. Learning such methods helps designers direct their efforts toward successful solutions rather than waste their time searching for unsuccessful ones; find and use sho`rtcuts; understand the afifordances of the situations they face; and understand the implications of their actions beyond the immediate solution of the problem at hand.’
luminative qualities; the stadium roof is covered with thousands of LED lights that light up the Melbourne skyline by night. Hence Cox Architects describe the stadium as a “unique and dynamic form that is innovative and memorable ”.
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Week 3: Scripting/ Programming Cultures
NATIONAL STADIUM IN BEIJING Location : Beijing, CHINA Team : Herzog & de Meuron, CAG Design Institute Beijing, ARUP, Beijing Urban Construction Group, Bouygues France
http://images.beijing2008.cn/20070516/Img214078107.jpg
SCRIPTING/ PROGRAMMING enables designers with unique opportunities for innovation, and assists them to customise the software around their own predilections and modes of working. It can allow for repetition and precision to help architects develop various interesting, geometric, and dynamic forms of architectural design. However, the parametric design has its limitation that can not be ignored during our design process. Firstly, due to the software limitation, the design would be physically inconceivable, and hence the project might be hampered or failed. Secondly, architects’ understanding of parametric design are usually superfical, as their innate skills such as sensitivity to spacial poetics might be distanced from the efficiency of the computer into two opposite schools. For instance, the National Stadium of Beijing has been criticized due to its paramtric design method and lack of design thinking.
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‘Scripting affords a significantly deeper engagement between the computer and user by automating routine aspects and repetitive activities, thus facilitating a far greater range of potential outcomes for the same investment in time.’ ---Burry, Mark (2011). Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming
BEIJING NATIONAL STADIUM is modeled with parametric inputs to create its unique bird’s nest form. During its construction, ‘The team built a parametric model inDigital Project of the stadium roof, beginning from wireframe roof geometry, and subsequently adding a suite of adaptable user components to build the box girder and connector element assemblies. The team then assessed different methods for curving the steel geometry in 3D space and compared resulting effects in detail. To meet value engineering requirements, the team subsequently reused the 3D Digital Project model to simplify the stadium roof structure and reduce steel quantities. Parametric modeling in Digital Project enabled basic redesign in a matter of weeks, and the stadium was completed on time.
http://www.infoteli.com/the-design-of-beijing-national-stadium. htm
From the discription above, it is quite obvious that relying on parametric modeling, the project was driven far away from its original design idea with no choice. And the developing process lacks further consideration due to
http://www.wallcoo.net/cartoon/3d_commercial_architectural_renderings/images/Birds_Nest_Beijing%20National%20 Stadium_Architectural_Renderings_8007.jpg
time limits, which leads to its unconventional
In relation to the Gateway Project, the structural, functional,
and potentially risky design. For example, over
and technical limitations of the Beijing National Stadium
70% of the building’s weight hangs over the
should be avoid. Scripting techniques should be regarded
audience’s head, and its construction may not
an assistant in design process rather than a requirement
be surpassed for decades even though it is
prior to other concerns of the design such as climate, mate-
originally designed to last for 100 years and
rial, and building performance. In other words, when the
withstand a force eight magnitude earthquake.
3D software is not able to achieve the design propose, the
In addition, architectural critics also pointed out
original ideas would never be abandoned. Instead, other
that most of its beams are structural, not deco-
methods can be used as replacement of scripting tech-
rative.
niques tin order to solve the problems.
http://www.topchinatravel.com/pic/city/beijing/attractions/beijing-national-stadium-12.jpg
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Week 4: Research Project CUT/DEVELOP 1. Using Surface Normal + Data Driven Extrusion This group is interesting because the height of each circle on the curved surface can be varied., which provides an opportunity of a more dynamic surface .
2. Overlapping Patterning+Using Sets
Research CUT/DEV
The density of circles can be changed to differentiate 5 neighboured areas. And they are all ordered by the same curve form. This component method might be useful especially in the lighting system of our design.
3. Curve Intersection+ Using Surface Normal The density and size of these circles is changable. Moreover, all these circles can ‘move’ on the curvature surface by changing the slider components of Domain, and hence looks pretty dynamic. In relation to the Getaway Project, this approach would be used to create the curvature roofs : 1)The movable forms(/lighting) on the roof surface will guide the motorists that they are approaching the service centre when they drive through. 2)It can also be lighting systems at night(along each side of the getaway) to performance the up-to-date distance between Melbourne and Geelong.
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Outcomes & Further Considerations: Through using the Slider components, the seze, function, density of points /curves/ circles
Project VELOP
can all be adjusted easily. On the one hand, this would help designers to organeze design outcomes efficiently. And in the meantime, it is also beneficial for a creative design in relation
***The 90 Matrix is on Page23-26, in the Group EOI & Presentation session.
to its performance as the design possibilities are dramatically enhanced by the computational techniques. However, other issues such as materials and functions of the design should not be ignored to put the whole outcome into reality. For the Gataway project, proper materials need to be chosen to make the curvature design achievable. More functional aspects of the form should also be explored to make it fits to the real life.
4. Boolean Patterining +Math Function The circle shapes varies according to the domain slider. Besides, through the Fx components helps to create a variety of circle in diffrent sizes at the same time(see image on the bottom left) so that the surface seems to be more stereo than before. This might be used to perform a more complex and interesting shape for the Getaway roof .
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H
Week 5: CUT Case Studies
L a a m i T c s a
De Young Musuem
- Cooper façade simulates the light filtering though the tree’s canopy -Limitation of technology : restrict the minimum space between bumps - Weather in reaction: mimics the effects of natural environment in an attempt to harmonise the architecture with the landscape Salt-laden wind from pacific ocean
Articulated Cloud
- 3 storey steel-and-glass structure surrounded by a kinetic screen of tens of thousands of 5 1/2 inch translucent - Changing dynamatically with variations in light conditions, weather, and time of day - Each panel hangs on a stainlesssteel rod attached to an aluminum space frame that appears to float in front of the building - Skin acts as a protective outer layers to reduce heat gain on the glass façade and is visible throughout the interior of the new museum building.
Restaurant Aoba-Tei
- Soft boundary surface: takes the form of an organic membrane which responds to the pressures of adjacent spaces and is constituted as a continuous interior wrapper - The curvature of the steel surface: suggests the organic shape of the tree, the arrangement of the holepattern yields both the figure of the tree and the gradient lighting effects of its canopy- at once familiarly iconographic and uniquely spatial.
McCormick Tribune Campus Center
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Dior Ginza
- Double-layed skin,two 10mm thick aluminum surface - The outer layer, perforated layer, pro duced with a CNC MILLING MACHIN - The inner layer, printed layer by a 34 cm air space which is fiber-optically illuminated Hazy, moire effect - The silkscreened layered is scaled down 30%, combined with the literal offset between the two layers
Gantenbein Vineyard Facade
- Masonry infill between the concrete - 2 primary components: A 10,690 skeleton square meter, one-story building, - Werve as both temperature fuffer and sheathed in metal and glass, and a sunlight filter for the fermentation room 161 meter (530 feet) long stainless - 20,000 bricks were placed into 72 steel tube that sits directly above sub-panels that constitute the envethe building’s roof, significantly muf- lope fling the noise and vibration gener- - Each brick was1)laid with an offset ated by passing trains. that permits indirect light to penetrate - The interior layout: was inspired through the masonry wall, backed by pre-existing footpaths, that criss- up with polycarbonate panels to stop crossed under the train tracks. wind and rain from entering the inteiro spaces
Hills Place
- Light: Inspired by the art work of Lucio Fontana AL_A slashed the aluminium skin with large glazed areas orientated towards the sky to maximise and channel natural light into the office space. The facade is fabricated using curved aluminium profiles assembled on-site. Self cleaning glass and hidden gutters within the eyelids
Airspace Tokyo - Material: Dual-layer screen 1*2m rigid panels of aluminum composite materials (ACM) - Façade: a protective airspacea liminal atmosphere that mediates the natural exterior of the site and the artificial interior of the building - The screen façade : buffer the inhabitants from the street and veils the disparate functions of the building behind and exten-
Andre de Gouveia Residence - Translucent wall paper - A haze of lighting effects - Moucharabieh skin: invokes the rich material qualities of the ancient portugueses palace and residences
a
oNE 4
Carabanchel Social Housing
Spanish Pavilion, Expo 2005
- The repetitive unit of the bamboo screen provides the buildings with a continuous and unique material expression, as well as a variable ratio of opacity and transparency as the residents open and close the screen over the course of the day - Envelope becomes a register of difference within the community, erasing the the visibility of the individual units behind a homogenous skin capable of incorporating some gradation of difference
- A lattice structure comprised of hexagonal, glazed-ceramic tiles, a material common to both the Mediterranean Spanish coast and traditional Japanese ceramics - Tiles: are fabricated in two versions- with or without a center aperture- and organized into a larger, typical panel of six units, John Lewis Department Store fused together through the - Net-like curtain : priviodes primanipulation of the hexagonal vacy to the interior while introductin natural light and views - Four panels of varying density which meet seamlessly to produce a textile-like expression to the building’s envelope - Interior glazing: treated with a ceramic frit pattern while the mirrored frit of the exterior glazing reflects the surrounding city in gragments, the perception of which continuously shifts as the sun moves around the building
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Week 5: CUT Case Studies
Location: 1375 Washington Street, Boston, MA Year: 2006-2008 Architect : Office DA, Inc.
-Appearance-
The wall and ceilings were decorated by wave element made from unique pieces of threequarter-inch birch plywood adhered together in a scenario that likens to a puzzle. The geometry of the wood slats are also radiused in order to smoothen the relationship between other adjoining equipment, creating a seamless landscape. The functional aspects of a dining space are fabricated with warm woods and relaminated bamboo. (Material which can be used to create smooth and gentle curving forms in the project. However these interior materials might not be suitable in outdoors.) Furthermore, spacing between the visible ceiling ribs is variable to maintain visual densities of the overall surface as seen from different angles. (An important aspect that should be consider into the curvature gateway design.) In order to provide visitors with dynamic and continuous experience of this space as whole, certain areas of the ceiling “drip” and “slump”, acknowledging the location of to place exit signs, lighting features, and other details.(This can be used in our gateway project for the noticing of visitor centre etc. )
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BANQ Res
staurant
- Acoustic Aspects -
The waving wood ceilings were designed to solve acoustic problems in a restaurant that would be very noisy. Variable gaps between the wood ceilings and the waving shapes of surface will absorb sounds to create a more relax environment for dinning. (See Fig. C) (Such acoustic benefits are also appropriate in the gateway project because the motorcars’ acoustic problem relates to series safety issues.)
- Technique used to construct the curvature form -
It takes some serious skills to be able to install a ceiling like this. ‘The ceiling hovers away from all interior walls and instead finds its support in suspension from above. Nearly running the entire width of the space, each rib of the undulated ceiling is made from unique pieces of three-quarter-inch birch plywood adhered together in a scenario that likens to a puzzle; only one possible location for each unit, formulating the continuous member. These continuous members are fastened to the main structural ribs running perpendicular to the lattice, tracing both the overall ceiling topography and the steel supports of the base building.’(text by Office dA Architects) (This method of construction should be tested )
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Week 6: Physical Model: Design Process 1. The getaway design was inspired by a Shanghai Expo project 2011(See the site analysis part of Gropu presentation on Page of this journal). To form a tree-shape Getaway model, two circles were made and lofted in Rhino and Grasshopper. This simple shape of model needs to be developed to a more dynamic form.
2. The second Rhino model was developed by adding one more circle at the middle of the first model. The surfaces of interior and exterior of this digital model were smooth and plane, which looks quite boring. So more components should be added to create a more complex and dynamic surface. At this stage, according to the 90 matrixs we have tested before, many assosiations and outputs can be used in our model: multiple maths function, image sampler, data driven rotatiom, shading, etc. 3. Maths Function provides the surface with a more dynamic and complex form. The model was then divided into many horizontal layers consist of circles(/ cylindars) with various diameters. The sizes and numbers of these circles can be adjusted by the grasshopper slider. Image Sampler component can also be conmbined into this function to make the surface display some diagrames for the motor drivers, such as the recent circulations of vihecles on site, the image that represent Melbourne or Geelong.
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4. Through the analysis of BANQ Restaurant as case study, we found that the gaps between the waving-shape ceilings was designed to absorb sounds. Similarly in our getaway model, the gaps between the plastic cylindars would be able to solve acoustic issues on the freeway. 5. The huge canopy of this getaway was designed for recieving solar energy efficiently at day time. 6. Material of the getaway is transparent so as not to block the service centre behind. Such transparent material will also create shadows and reflections with 7. Two or Three models in different sizes can be connected at the top, and then put on both site A and B to create a bridge-like area for the vihecles passing underneath. 8. Since the material used in the getaway design was to produce a flexible, light feeling, the building can be waving when wind blows just like a tree in nature.
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Week 7: Completed EOI
Expression of Interest -Yuhan Zhang(Yuki)(347664)-Xiangmei Xu(Amy)(351338)-Tse Fong Yik(Eric) (346136)-
Expression of Interest Client’s aspiration
Iconic feature Sculpture landscape Daytime and night time viewing (in term of lighting) Back dropped by a large scale service centre From suburb to city Acoustic issue for both motorists and the residential surrounding area
The audience
Motorists (visit from Melbourne or from Geelong )
There is no residential surrounding area of the site. Instead of considering the acoustic effects for residents, lighting and sounds influences of the gateway project on the moteor drivers and the wetland reserve area should be considered further.
How? Sculpture landscape
Creating the curving roof with a form in relation to the surrounding landscape, hence to provide motorists with an experience of driving in the landscape. Rhino and grasshopper can be used during this design process to transfer the landscape image to the actual roof form. Test the form through grasshopper components such as image sampler (week 4 tutorial) and the fundamental ‘graft’ and ‘flatten’ operations (week 5). Furthermore, the experience on site can be performanced through 3D video(as one group has done in week 7’s presentation).
Daytime and night time viewing
This photo shows one possible form of curvature roof gateway.
- Shaping the direction of the shadow to show the time duration of the daytime(no need to use in the final design concept) - Storing the solar energy for the night time lighting.
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Week 7: Completed EOI Back dropped by a large scale service centre
Guide the motorists to the service centre by a gradually changed form or colour of the getaway design. Instead of doing this, maybe it’s better to think of designing the gateway without blocking the service centre behind. Glazing or transparent materials can be used to achieve this idea.
From suburb to city
Transition of feeling - Forms (featured landscape or landmarks of each city) - Material (thought the variety or different colour: for example using warm colour on the pattern to stand for the direction of Melbourne which can express relaxing feeling)-Using various colours to create experiment, but not simply choose ‘Green and Blue to represent earth and sky’.
Acoustic problem
- Acoustic barrier at the residential site(no residential site, ->wetland reserve) - Creating some kind of form to reduce the unexpected noise.This is quite hard to achieve, and might not be neccessary to achieve. - Using the material which can block or absorb the noise For Example: • Acoustical Foam Panels
•
Sonora Fabric Wrapped Panels
The images above shows different Rather than block the sounds, the gateway project can lighting and shadow effect that a also aim to create interesting sounds, such as the Singing Ring- building could create in its space.
ing Tree Project done by TonkinLiu(See case studies on Page 30). Such sound effect can enrich the design concept in terms of the motodriver’s experience, and making connection between the project and the surrounding natural environment.
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Deliver the vision
- Creating the digital model by Rhino and Grasshopper - Express the light effect on the design by the software such as Photoshop(Usig small LED lights when taking photos of the physical model). - Making a scaled physical model by exporting the digital version from the computer to the fabrication machine. Laser Cut was not used in our first physical model. In the final one, we can use Laser Cut to create a cylindar object which is put in the middle part of the existing model.
Why using computing design?
- Testing different forms in various condition (e.g testing lighting by 3D software) - Create form of complicity with efficiency and accuracy - Creating more complicated and abstract design - Achieving rational visual outcome Constrains - Safety issue in relation to the lighting - How to make the design to be well integrated with the surrounding area - Adherence to the regulations imposed by VicRoads in relation to siting, view lines, setbacks, material, colours etc - Budget - Acoustic control to avoid interrupting the drivers
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GATEWAY PROJECT: Brief and Site Analysis Client’s aspiration:
Iconic feature Sculpture landscape Daytime and night time viewing (in term of lighting) Back dropped by a large scale service centre From suburb to city Safety and Acoustic issues for both motorists and the residential surrounding area
About the Site:
- limited electricity supply --> solar enerny might be considered. - no water supply on site - the Melbourne Water Western Treatment on the south area as wetland reserve -->should not disturb this area in terms of acoustic and lighting effects. Design concept might be linked with the environment of this area. SITE A: the largest part of the 3 available sites, with a small hill surrounded SITE B: in front of the service station SITE C: a slender small area that might
Circulation on Site - It is better to locate the Gateway on the busiest part of the site. So site A and B are more appropriate than site C. - In the client’s aspiration, the project should not block the backward service centre. Furthermore, it should aim to lead the motordrivers going into the service centre as well. Thus if Site B is selected as the location of gateway, such aspects should be carefully considwered. However there is no such need for the other two sites as the motorcars driving close to Site A and C will not be able to access the service station.
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Idea A: Site A - Steel/ Glass pannels around the site boundary : these fence-like pannels will be lined in various heights to create curvature forms. - Solar energy will enable the lighting systems on the pannel to display driving routes(between Melbourne and Geelong) for the drivers especially at night. - As the glazing pannels are used, the gateway will neither block the service station behind nor the surrounded sceeneries. - However, the light reflection might be a serious problem as the glazing system will easily reflect the car lights from different directions, and causes safety issues. - Tree- shape building consists of curvature line frames not only connect the design with the previous gataway projects(‘Seeds Of Change’ at the Eastern Interchange, Princes Freeway, Hoppers Crossing), but also link with the Melbourne
Idea B: Site A+ B
Water Western Treatment.
‘Seed of Change‘
- Three/Two parts of same tree shapes (but might be in diffrent sizes) will beconnected together at the top. - The frames of the building will display various colours/ lights to show the car circulation/the surrounding geometric environment dynamicly. - Solar energy will be used.
***Diagrams above need to be remade and developed through CAD or Illustrator to show the site analysis. From Shanghai Expo 2011
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CUT Case Study : 1. Curvature Form
The wall and ceilings were decorated by wave element made from unique pieces of three-quarter-inch birch plywood adhered together in a scenario that likens to a puzzle. The geometry of the wood slats are also radiused in order to smoothen the relationship between other adjoining equipment, creating a seamless landscape. The waving wood ceilings were designed to solve acoustic problems in a restaurant that would be very noisy. Variable gaps between the wood ceilings and the waving shapes of surface will absorb sounds to create a more relax environment for dinning.
2. Fabrication Techniques This project well explores the relationship between the computer generation of surface, manufacturing, and the visual effect. The design was faced with a limited program which was the inherited structural and mechanical systems that could compromise the interior. Therefore the cheapest solution would be to paint over all the ductwork and mechanical work in the ceiling. The CNC mill is the technology that was used in this project and it is an up and coming trend in design. It is a computer based mill and once the design, dimensions and other relevant data is inputted into the computer, the machine then can cut flawless pieces quickly. However, it has the limitation on the size of the material that goes through the machine and also the certain geometries. Computing design and fabrication techniques is taking off to new level and more possibilities are going to grow.
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BANQ Restaurant
3. Spatial Expression The restaurant interior offers unique experience for guests. The ceiling of the restaurant is a striated wood-slatted system that conceals the view of the mechanical, plumbing, and lighting systems on the longitudinal axis, while offering a virtual canopy under which to dine. The columns and the wine storage, in the middle of the hall, serve to uphold the fiction, and appear to be suspended from the ceiling. Spacing between the visible ceiling ribs is variable; compressing and releasing to maintain visual densities of the overall surface as seen from different angles. The longitudinal axis emphasizes the seamless surface, and the lateral views offer striated glimpses into the service space above, and demystify the illusion. To underline this strategy, certain areas of the ceiling “drip” and “slump”, acknowledging the location of to place exit signs, lighting features, and other details. Below the ceiling, the functional aspects of a dining space are fabricated with warm woods and relaminated bamboo amplifying the striping affect already at play throughout the space. Striations of the ground, the furnishings, and the ceiling all conspire to create a total effect, embedding the diners into the grain of the restaurant.
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CUT: 90 MATRIX
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CUT: 90 MATRIX
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Week 8: Feedback of Midterm Review
According to the feedback above, the design proposal should be improved in the following aspects: - Make diagrams to properly document the siting and site analysis. - Document the form generation. *(Done on Page13-14) - Research old vegetation of the site. *(will be done in week9)
*(will be done in week9)
- Test and analyse if the acoustic design concerns will work in reality. *(Done on Page16-18) - Look at Tonkin Lui’s project, can the object make noise? *(Done on Page 30) - Test the lighting by using small LED lights and take photos instead of colouring the transparent materials. *(will be done in week9 and 10, during model-making process) - For the middle part of the model, a neon light with cylindar shape can be put to provide a variety of lighting effects. The surface of this neon light should be arranged by grasshopper components and physical model can be made by laser cut. *(will be done in week9 and 10, during model-making process)
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http://w
Singing Ringing Tree HILL-TOP MUSICAL SCULPTURE, 2004 Architects: Tonkin Liu Client: Mid-Pennine Arts Location: Crown Point, Burnley, UK
‘the wind swirls around the tree on the hill each gust plays a new chord as the story passes from ear to mouth to ear.’ The Singing Ringing Tree is a musical sculpture standing in the wind on a hill overlooking Burnley. From far and wide, the tree’s profile is visible on the horizon, appearing and disappearing in the mist. Families and friends journey to Burnley to hear the tree sing. The tree is constructed of stacked pipes of varying lengths, orientated to lean into the directions of the prevailing wind. As the wind passes through the different lengths of pipe, it plays different chords. Each time you sit under the tree, looking out through the wind, you will hear a different song.’
www.tonkinliu.co.uk/projects/singing-ringing-tree/
Structure: The pipes cantilever from steel rings, and the loads transfered from ring to ring to ground. This load-transfering system is useful for our
physical model although our model consists of vertical ‘pipes‘ instead of horizontal pipes. Steel rings are still helpful for the joints of the model.
Acoustic: Can the getaway model make sound as this Singing Ringing tree? Objects similar to the stacked pipes might be added as a part of our design. If such acoustic design is taken into account, transparent cylindars in the
model might be adjusted to longger shapes, and to different directions (rather than just laid vertically).
Performance: It is obvious that this musical sculpture is much more dynamic than our getaway design in appearance. In additrion to the acoustic concerns, the form of our model should be developed for a dynamic form as well.
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Week 9: Developing Core Construction Element of the Physical Model Research for Local Vegetation of Wyndham City: -Higher proportion of grasses lower proportion of eucalypts and much lower proportion of orchids than state average. - Local rare plant: Senecio macrocarpus-large headed firewed - Local Tree: Eucalyptus Leucoxylon subsp. connate- Melbourne Yellow Gum.
‘Tree’ form Getaway: - Creating artificial vegetation sceenery to fulfill the bare landscape on site. - Making connection between Melbourne and Wyndham City as the Yellow Gum tree exists in both cities. - Linking with the Previous Getaway Project ‘Seeds of Change’ - According to the 2011 plan of Wyndham City, the city is aiming to ‘Create a healthy, safe vibrant, proud and harmonious community, while respecting the environments‘. So the iconic of tree also suggests the healthy and sustainable growth of city development. - Each circle is interconnected with circles beside to construct the whole tree structure. This represents that the City and its community wil achieve its collective vision by individuals who are working together and forcing an approach to community governance, as Wyndam City’s vision statement: ‘Our people, One community, Our future‘.
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According to the Mid-term feedback,
1. we replaced the colourful circular layers by transparent layers. 2. we also developed our digital model to help us clearify the connection points between the circles. 3. In addition, new connection method was used to create a more achievable structure in reality(see the construction details below).
4. In terms of the joinery method, the small circles on the same layer were connected with each other by wires in the models. This wire can be replaced by steel joints in reality as shown in the detailed section above.Small sticky panels were used to represent steel/aluminium panels which connect the upper layers with layers underneath. This method was inspired by the steel ring connection of the ‘Singing Ringing Tree’.(See Page 30)
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Week 9: Developing Core Construction Element of the Physical Model
5. It is hard to find a transparent material such as glass/plastic that can be curved as one piece. So we thought it would be better to make the circles consist by several connected flat panels(as shown in the image on the left).
6. General section and elevation were drawn to indicate the joinery and actual scale of the getaway project in reality.
ELEVATION
MATERIALITY: 7. Meanwhile, we were considering for a proper material to construct the building. - This material should firstly be transparent so that the getaway won’t block the sceenery on site as well as the service centre behind. - Also the material should with light-weight and high strength to prevent the building from different climate conditions. Hence ETFE was selected as the main construction material of our project.
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SECTION
ETFE ( Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene, a fluorine based plastic): Advantage:
- High corrosion resistance and strength over a wide temperature range. - For the covering of electrical wiring used in high stress, low fume toxicity and high reliability situations( the film absorbs a large proportion of infra red light transmitted, a quality which can be exploited to improve buildings energy consumption, adding additional layers of ETFE foil to a cushion also allows light transmission and solar gain to be controlled.) - Exhibits a high-energy radiation resistance - Wide service temperature range(-200 to +150C) - High transparency - Lightness: only 1/100 the weight of glass - Low water absorption - Low gas and water vapour permeability - Excellent life expectancy in excess of 50 years as it is unaffected by UV light, atmospheric pollution and other forms of environmental weathering - Safety: As a flexible material, it can take very high loadings for a short period of time which makes it an ideal material for use in locations where there is a risk of explosion. (If vandalism is a threat, ETFE foil is also an advantage as the cushions will not break or fall from the extrusion frames if damaged.) - Non-stick characteristics with smooth surface, virtually self-cleaning, little needs for maintenance. (This smoothness reduces the amount of dirt retained on the ETFE foil surface and allows the rain to wash away the majority of bird droppings etc. As a result, we advise that ETFE foil cushions are cleaned externally every 2-3 years.) - Low cost: can be installed roughly for half the price of a conventional high performance glass roof
A. Eden Project Winter 2008
Disadvantage:
B.Beijing National Aquatics Centre
- Acoustic: transmits more sound than glass, and can be too noisy for some places[This problem is not so important as the site is on freeway] - Usually applied in several layers that must be inflated and require steady air pressure. - Working with ETFE is too complex for small residential projects. Sources: 1.Architecture landrell(http://www.architen.com/technical/articles/etfe-foil-a-guide-to-design) 2.ETFE FOIL CUSHIONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GLASS FOR ATRIUMS AND ROOF LIGHTS, by Stephen Tanno, BSc(Hons),CEng, MIEAust, MICE
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Week 10: Completed Physical Model & Video Exploring Performance in Reality CAD SITE PLAN traced from google map:
Getaway location on site:
TOP VIEW of model 8. Identify the variety and location of the buildings on site. - ‘Trees‘on both side of the freeway to provide the drivers with a Corridor-like experience while passing through the building. - ‘Trees’ on site B are less than that on site A so that they won’t block the service centre behind. - ‘Tree‘ sizes varied from small to large so as not to shock the drivers suddenly
9. Test the lighting effects of the getaway by putting a small LED lights inside the physical model.
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Fig. 11.01
Fig. 11.02
10. Two phisical models were made to present the artificial trees located on both side of freeway. Fig. 11.01 represents the condition when a car approach the getaway at night. Fig. 11.03 indicates the shadow created by transparent material. And Fig. 11.02 is a general view of the getaway on site.
Fig. 11.03
11. The images on the right are photos of the stopmotionanimation demonstrating model, which performance under environmental conditions.
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Week 11-12: Feedback of Final Review
According to the presentation feedback, the design proposal should be improved in the following aspects: 1. WHY TREE? The reasons for using the trees as a symbol is insufficient. The text explanation is very generic. Discuss and work out sufficient and appropiate design concepts for using tree as symbol. Otherwise, drop it.
**Firstly, the previous EOI covers too many aspects which need to be refined and improved. I’ll look at the EOI again to address the conceptual aspect of the project, as there are more content at mid term review than what is currently on the panel. In order to find out sufficient reasons for using the recient tree form of design, I will also look at the project brief and the site analysis part of the journal. Further research is required.
2. JOINERY TECHNIQUES & STRUCTURAL STABILITY The model is not strong and stable enough to stand up. The upper layers of the building are heavier than the lower parts, which will make the structure easy to collapse in reality. Proper research needs to be done to make sure the connection method is achievable for the detailed construction joinery. Each ‘tree’ structure should be interconnected so there are structure stability.
**New joiney system would be explored for a stronger and stabler structure. Maybe it’s better to decrease the numbers of upper layers for the stability of the whole building. New physical model needs to be completed with new connection method. Look at the case study of FOA Spanish Pavillion 2005 Nagoya on Page 9 and see if the joinery system in that building is suitable for the getaway project. [See Page 41-42]
3. MATERIALITY ETFE is not suitable for the project because it usually applied in several layers that must be inflated and require steady air pressure. And it’s not strong enough to hold the steel joinery panels.
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**Research for other transparent material which are achievable. If the ‘trees‘ are not touching one another, the material must be lightweight like the plastic. Research for light-weight material such as carbon fibre, etc. [See Page 41-42]
4. GRAPHIC PROBLEMS
The model photos are not well presented to show lights and shadows. The scaled persons in the general section of the digital model should not be in different sizes. For the panel layout, there are too many unneccesary colours and images on the panel. **Take new photos of the model and photoshop them with good quality. Redo the section to make the scale correct and clear. Simplify and redo the panel layout. Look at good example of architectural graphics, see what works and what doesn’t and redesign your panels accordingly. Discuss and develop the effects that your installation could produce. [See Page 43-44]
NEW PANELS
The main image on both panels is taken form far higher than what a person in a car would see it from. **Lower the camera.
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Week 12-13:Refined EOI & Design Concept 1. Cultural Benefits: An Iconic Reflection of City History The City of Wyndham has a significant immigration history as this place was originally occupied by aboriginal people. During that early period, the aboriginal people formed a healthy social network (the red circle). However after the huge crush of immigrated population, there was a serious conflict between immigrates and aboriginal residents, which disturbed the harmony and the further growth of the society (the smallest black circle). Several years after the disaster, people gradually realized that the only way for social growth is communication and cooperation. Thus the conflict reduced and new opportunities of social development finally appeared (the largest blue circle).
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The form of our getaway project represents not only the aboriginal history of Wyndham City. It also expresses our personal design interest: curvature form, digital fabrication technique, and the experience of visitors, which have been continuously refined through the whole process of design to satisfy the project brief as well. For instance, selection of transparent materials is always one of our primary considerations, because the building id designed not to block the motorists’ view from local scenery and the backward service centre(experience of visitors).
3. Environmental Benefits: A Sculpture Landscape of Sustainable Development for the City Future
2. Social Benefits: A Metaphor of Cooperation between Individual and Community According to the design brief, this getaway should aim to make connection between residents and the Wyndham City. So several small circles are designed to be intercepted and constructed the large whole building structure. This is a metaphor of individuals who cooperated and worked with each other for the sustainable growth of both community and society.
For the light effects at night, there are lights in the middle bottom of each building. The lighting system will use solar energy for the sustainable concerns. Meanwhile, the new getaway is eye-catching and unique by its sculptural transparent appearance. This applies to the ‘sculpture landscape’ in the design brief as well. It inspires a motivation of growing feature as the structure performs upward, which also suggests the rapid growth of Wyndham City in the future.
Also as the general shape of this building is quite similar to a tree, motorists who travelled through Princes Hwy would be reminded to another Getaway project of Wyndham City with leaf structure: the ‘Seeds of Change’. Making this new getaway as a continuous serry with the previous ones will develop a strong positive iconic for the City of Wyndham.
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Materiality
Week 12-13:New Materiality & Joinery
Material is always one of the most important driving forces for the evolution of architecture. Nowadays, architecture is facing greater challenges than ever in the contexts such as climate changing and urbanization, but also is given greater opportunities with the emerging of new materials. Carbon fiber is one of those ‘Pioneer materials’ with the advantages such as lightweight, good continuity, excellent tensile and the construction process that closely linked with the automated machinery.
A structure made out of a carbon fiber hose, which shows its transparent appearance.
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http://www.contractdesign.com/contract/gallery/ Designers-Rate-Mila-5517.htm
Light weight material such as plastic is mostly required for the getaway project. The proposal project is rising gradually by circular layers with several interconnected circles in each layer. Therefore, the entire object tends to be heavier when it getting higher. Although glass material such as freeform glass (mentioned in our second ver. of presentation panel) has high transparency, it is still to heavy and would cause structure collapese. According to the comments from tutors and our further material research, Carbon fibre vinyl sheet is the ideal material for construction in reality as its light weight property will benefit the selfsupporting structure of our project.
Carbon Faber can be shaped in any form and span, so that the curvature and circular forms of the building will be easily constructed. In addition, this material is five times as strong as steel and two times as stiff (yet weights just about two-thirds less). The great strength would protect the building from natural damage such as hail storm.
[The structure weakness of Southern Cross Station is an example of architecture projects has not fully considered weather protection even with dynamic form of curvature roof. See Page2. for case study of Southern Cross Station in Melbourne]
http://www.indianhomedesign.com/2010/11/modern-stair-case-designscarbon-fibre.html
Carbon Fibre Stairs Designer: Geoffrey Packer This staircase indicates the excellent tenssile and strength of Carbon Fabre, which can be curved easily as well.
‘Invisible House’ Team: Australian firm EnterArchitecture Location: Sydney http://en.uk.allconstructions.com/portal/categories/15/1/0/1/article/457/invisible-house-to-be-built-using-carbon-fibre-in-australia
The carbon structure of this ‘Invisible House‘is super-lightweight at just 100 grams per m2 and has borrowed technologies as well as materials from Formula 1 and Aerospace industries. Paper thin carbon walls can support three times the ordinary weight which further reduce the structure’s dominance in its environment.
However, as all the other materials, carbon fiber is not a material of perfection—it has weak compressive strength. Carbon fiber is a petroleum product and is therefore unsustainable as a ubiquitous replacement for conventional construction materials.
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Joinery
Week 12-13:New Materiality & Joinery
Fig. 12.01
Fig.
During the model-making process, we’ve tried two joinery methods to stable the connections between transparent circles as well as each layers of circles. However, the previous joints were not stable and strong enough for the structure, which makes the construction techniques in reality unachievable. So after chosing Carbon Faber as main construction material, this third attempt was made to achieve a stable self-standing structure. Each transparent circle is formed by a sheet of carbon faber, and intercepted with the circles beside by aluminium alloy, just like the black wires used in the physical model. Meanwhile, each circular layer is interconnected with the layers above and below as shown in Fig. 12.02 and Fig. 12.03.
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Also, we have reduced the actural size of the buildings to assure the stability of the project, and to make it fit the scale on site as well.(The height of the tallest block was reduced from 20metres to 15 metres. And the upper width was shrinked from 16m to 12m.)
12.02
Fig. 12.03
Fig. 12.04
SECTION
Furthermore,since the lightweight material will make the whole structure very light, connecting the single structure with the structures beside will provide the building with better stability, and hence, protect the building from extreme weather(such as wind or storm). Fig. 12.04 is the new section which shows not only connection points between each small circles, but also the intersection between different blocks.
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1:50
PHYSICAL MODEL
Week 12-13:New Physical Model for Final Submission
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Week 12-13:New Physical Model for Final Submission
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PHYSICAL MODEL 1:50
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SUNLIGHT &SHADOW PERFORMANCE
Week 12-13:New Physical Model for Final Submission
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Week 12-13:New Physical Model for Final Submission
PHOTOMONTAGE
The lighting system is installed at the middle bottom part of each building. These lights can varies in gradient colours to create experience of approaching to Melbourne City for the motorists (as a part of our original EOI on Page 17). Meanwhile, the light colours will change by different times at night(such as 6.00 -9.00p.m, 9.00-12.00 p.m.etc.). This changable performance will give the drivers an interesting and dynamic exprience everytime when they pass through this getaway. Through the previous observation of the ‘Seeds of Change‘, we found that the lack of constant interest in the getaway site become a major problem in the static leaf structure. So the variable lighting effects of our project was designed for people’s interest and experience when they drive through.
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NIGHT TIME PERFORMANCE
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Week 1-8 PROCESS
Week 13:Final Inspiration & Reflections
INSPIRATION / REFLECTI
Week 1 – An original personal EOI was formed through analysing architectural projects with similar curvature forms. Besides, technical issues were discussed as an important aspect in construction of such waving forms. Week 2 – With an interest on curvature, the Melbourne indoor stadium was chosen as example of computational architecture. The design process by using digital software was analysed in relation to its advantages and weakness. Week 3 – Beijing National Stadium was picked as case study of scripting techinique in architecture. Again, the process of using paramatric software was examined as it is quite similar to our Cut studies(Rhino and Grasshopper). Week 4 – 30 grasshopper matrix were tested, and I emphazed on some typical components as I thought they would be useful in our design process. Week 5 – Case studies of modern architecture used digital techiniques help us to think of putting our digital design into reality, especially in terms of material and structural issues. Week 6 – Digital model and physical model were made and developed gradually. Week 7 – Working in a group assists me to recieve many useful suggestions towards the previous ideas, and hence, have a good oppotunity to improve them. Week 8 – According to the feedback given by our tutors, more research were expected, and we are inspired by some great new ideas from tutors and fellow classmates(such as lighting systems in this project).
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Week 9 -13 REFLECTION
IONS 13.1 Personal Background & Learning Objectives Initially, I was very infamiliar with 3D modeling techniques such as Rhino and Maya. So my primary purpose was gaining practical knowledge and skills of these computational tools. I know how to use Indesign, but was not very good at it. Meanwhile, I was quite confident with my skill of photography, using photoshop and CAD software. Hope these skills would assist me to present our design concepts with good quality.
13.3 Learning Outcomes -As we’ve been practising Indesign for our journal, I’m quite satisfied to present my design ideas by using this software (such as edicting posters and journals). -Rhino and Grasshoper skills are still not proficient, but at least I’ve learnt kind of beginning points for further observing these 3D model making softwares in the future. -After seeing works from my peers, I also realized that my skills of photography and photo edicting (photoshop) still need to be improved. -The structural and material failures we experienced during the design process alarmed me to become more cautious while analysing and researching for design briefs, site conditions and materials.
13.2
Learning Progress
The process of design is usually full of difficulties, mistakes, and even failures. And we were really tortured by all these uncertainties. DESIGN PROPOSAL: As beginners of both Rhino and Grasshopper, we experienced various technical problems when we were struggling to transform our design interest and parametric patterns to the actual design. One reason of chosing the original getaway form is that it seemed to be easier to create in Rhino. Weakness of computational skills limited our design ideas. JOINERY: Although the general form of our design can be easily achieved in digital model, we then realized that the intended connection methods of transparent small circles were hard to make both in physical model and in reality. (Page 32, Page 43-44) MATERIALITY: During design process, we’ve been keeping exploring for an appropriate material which is both transparent and lightweight. However most of the materials we observed were not achievable because our research has always ignored some key weakness of them. (Page33-34, 41-42) Fortunately, the enlightment and suggestions from my tutors really assist me to refine the design concepts. I’m truely grateful for these critical suggestions.
13.4 Future Work As I mentioned before, the lack of control for the digitalizing techniques has limited my design outcomes. Hence my next step will put emphasis on further learning and practising with Rhino and Grasshopper. Furthermore, Studio Air has enhanced more possibilities and oppotunities of design through introducing various computational techniques. It encourages us to practice with new skills, and in new ways of thinking as well.
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reference list: Burry, Mark (2011). Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming (Chichester: Wiley), pp. 8 - 71. Department of Infrastructure (DoI) 2002, Assessment of the Victorian Freight Task, prepared by Maunsell Australia in association with National Institute for Economic and Industry Research, DOI, Victoria. ETFE FOIL CUSHIONS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO GLASS FOR ATRIUMS AND ROOF LIGHTS, by Stephen Tanno, BSc(Hons),CEng, MIEAust, MICE Richard Williams, ‘Architecture and Visual Culture’, in Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, ed. by Matthew Rampley (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2005), pp. 102 - 16. Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2004), pp. 5 - 25 http://www.tonkinliu.co.uk/projects/singing-ringing-tree/ http://www.contractdesign.com/contract/gallery/Designers-Rate-Mila-5517. http://en.uk.allconstructions.com/portal/categories/15/1/0/1/article/457/invisible-houseto-be-built-using-carbon-fibre-in-australia http://www.indianhomedesign.com/2010/11/modern-stair-case-designs-carbon-fibre. Architecture landrell(http://www.architen.com/technical/articles/etfe-foil-a-guide-to-design)
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UED
CONTIN E B O T
readings expression of interest case studies getaway project
computational techniques
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THANK YOU!
STUDENT: YUHAN ZHANG (347664) TUTOR : FINNIAN WARNOCK ABPL 30048 ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO: AIR