Winnie Ngai Lan Tam
ALPHABETS
REPRESENTATION selection of works in digital and photographic form that explores the Helvetic font
2018-2019
CONTENT 1. 2. 3. 4.
typography variation & mutation 3D fabrication counters, containers, renders
01
TYPOGRAPHY
an application of geometric logic to treat the Helvetica font as an abstract system of geometric elements, and formulate new forms
Geometric Logic extract the system embedded within the overall geometry of the English alphabet in Helvetica font (N,n,c) with elements such as axes of symmetry, angle, radial logic, and points of importance
ARC182: Representa�on II Alphabets
Exercise 01A Winnie Tam
Overlapping Copies using underlying geometric logic of the overlaying of independent grids, arcs, and complex lineworks together, overlap three letters (N,n,c)
ARC182: Representation II Alphabets Exercise 01B Winnie Tam
Nested Details through scalar shifts, densification, and detail, nest the overlapped figure at a smaller scale within its whole self
ARC182: Representation II Alphabets Exercise 01B Winnie Tam
02
VARIATION & MUTATION
an exploration of systematic and iterative transformations of the elements of the Helvetica font along with their methods of fabrication
Primitive Forms rearrange 3 letters (C, N, n), and explore techniques for 3D digital models such as the faceted, curved, and piped
ARC182: Representa�on II Alphabets
Exercise 02A Winnie Tam
Swept Profiles using the “Sweep2” command in Rhino, sweep two, then three, then four sectional profiles of simplified letters together to explore geometric control
Block Rearrangmenet cut up 3 letters (C, N, n), rotate and rearrange them to create a new 3D arrangement with moments of continuity in consideration
BLOCK ARRANGEMENT 1: BLOCKS ROTATED ONLY IN PLAN
BLOCK ARRANGEMENT 2: BLOCKS ROTATED ONLY IN SECTION
ARCH 182: REPRESENTATION II ALPHABETS EXERCISE 02B WINNIE TAM
Boolean Sectional Profiles using the “Boolean” command in Rhino, construct two closed profiles shapes with simplified or partial letter profiles
BLOCK ARRANGEMENT 3: BLOCKS ROTATED IN PLAN AND SECTION
producing analytical and systematic 2D drawings of objects from swept profiles, block rearrangements, and boolean sectional profiles
PROFILES ROTATED IN PLAN
PROFILE A: EXTRUDE
PROFILE B: EXTRUDE
PROFILES ROTATED IN SECTION
BLOCK REARRANGEMENT RESULT
3 VIEW TOP
4
Drawing Geometric Logic & Construction Process
PROFILES CUT
ELEVATION
1 2
TOP VIEW
ELEVATION
B A ARC182: Representa�on II Alphabets
Exercise 02C Winnie Tam
B A
PROFILE A+B EXTRUDE
BOOLEANED RESULT
SWEEP PROFILES 1:2
SWEEP PROFILES 1:3
SWEEP PROFILES 3:4
SWEEP RESULT
PROFILES CUT
PROFILES ROTATED IN PLAN
PROFILES ROTATED IN SECTION
BLOCK REARRANGEMENT RESULT
PROFILE A: EXTRUDE
PROFILE B: EXTRUDE
PROFILE A+B EXTRUDE
BOOLEANED RESULT
TOP VIEW
ELEVATION
3
4
TOP VIEW
ELEVATION
1 2
TOP VIEW
ELEVATION
B A ARC182: Representa�on II
throguh analytical drawings, unpack various inherent logics or systems of the architectural objects and clearly communicate them
Unfolding, Serial Sectioning, Contouring, Kit-of-Parts
32”
18”
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
18”
Laser Cut Files: 2 Sheets ARC182: Representation II Building Facts/Building Fiction Exercise 03A Winnie Tam
ARC182: Representation II
32”
6 2 1
5
18” 7 4 3
8
Laser Cut Files: 1 Sheet
ARC182: Representation II Building Facts/Building Fiction Exercise 03A Winnie Tam
1
1
2
3
1 4 9 8 76 5 32 1 4
4
5
6
4 9 8 76 5 32 1 4
7 7
8
9
32”
32”
A2
B5
A7
A8
B4 3 B B1
A5
A6
B2
A A 3 A1 2
A4
4 5 A2 A2
6 B1 5
B1
4 B1 2 B1B11 0 B1 B9 8 B 7 B 6 B B6
3 A A222 1 A A 2 A1 19 0 A 8 A1 17 A 6 A 15 A1 14 A 3 A 12 A1 11 0 A9
B 19 B 18 B 17 B
2 B2 21 B 20
A A 31 A 30 A 29 A 28 A2 27 6
18”
18”
Laser Cut Files: 4 Sheets
ARC182: Representation II Building Facts/Building Fiction Exercise 03A Winnie Tam
03
3D FABRICATION
a physical representation of the booleaned profile object as a laser cut eggcrate model
physical model designs in architecture represent the scale of the model, the material, the fabrication method, etc. each decision is a design choice, and will communicate different things about the object, building, or design that is being modeled.
eggcrate models are essentially bi-directional contour models. a system of perpendicular planes notch together to create a rigid, sturdy model that articulates mass, complex curvature, and structure well.
04
COUNTERS, CONTAINERS, RENDERS
a further exploration of the potentials of the objects to develop ideas of interior and exterior, thickness, fenestration, envelope, cosmetic, and environment
Counters explore “counters,” also known as “holes” of the Alphabet to develop ideas of interior and exterior, and thickness of the object
SPHERICAL & ELLIPTICAL SOLID HOLE
EXCAVATED HOLE
CYLINDRICAL HOLE
Containers & Renders Containers can operate as protection and disguise. They are thresholds between interior and exterior. They simultaneously reinforce identity and hide true character. They are symbolic of events and exaggerative of features. Here, the idea of containers is employed to both collect and unite these autonomous masses under or within a single envelope. The alphabet objects are now conceived as interior volumes that situate themselves among and against each other, together forming a collection of parts within one building envelope. They are then placed in an abstract and realistic setting to better visualize and communicate their qualities.
Exerior Object “Shell”
Interior Object III
Interior Object I
Interior Object II
Winnie Tam ARC 182 Representation II Exercise 4B Axon
Exerior Object “Shell”
Interior Object
Winnie Tam ARC 182 Representation II Exercise 4B Plan Cut
Interior Object
Exerior Object “Shell”
Interior Object
Exerior Object “Shell”
Winnie Tam ARC 182 Representation II Exercise 4B Section Cut