Journal Architecture Design Studio Air Nicole Lindley #391457
Contents
Contents Introduction Weekly Tasks Materials In Architecture task 2 Soumaya Museum Cut Definitions Cut Development Research Project Expression Of Interest
Introduction
Materials in Architectu Task One:
Water Cube
The Beijing water cube is a great example of how improvements in technology can effect design in terms of material use and computer software. The Cube’s exterior is made of a transparent dual ETFE cushion envelope, which forms shapes like bubbles. The bubbles respond directly to the design idea, of encapsulating water. These bubbles are framed by steel geometric patterns which link together, just as crystals form themselves. This simplified idea from nature would not have been possible before the use of computerised software and advances in technology. We are able to generate and fit, repeated unconventional geometric shapes together, utilising modular forms. Computer design enables more flexible materials to be used as they are processed and laser cut to precise dimensions. The box or square is a symbol of chinese tradition and mythology. The simple shape is made alive by the state of the art materials, without these or the aid of technology designs buildings such as these would not exist.
ure Birds Nest
The Birds Nest in Beijing is another example of how material used can transform the design of a building, Just like the Water Cube the Birds Nest uses inspiration from naturally occuring structures Using welding the strips of steel are wrapped across and around each other creating a nest emerging from the ground. The structure was called ‘breath taking’ and ‘inspiring’ by many in the architectural world as it took architecture into the next realm of design. Technology and especialy the aid of software is advancing architecture beyond the imagination of many. Buildings such as these on paper could never be calculated to stand at such a magnitude. It is just a taste of what is about to emerge of new age architecture. __________________________________________________________________________
Personal Work
In design studio earth we were asked to create a wall and veil. I experimented physically with materials using elastic bands and pins to stretch my ‘veil’ across. I believe this design could be envisened much like the Birds Nest, using criss crossing elements to connect the shape. The design casts shadows, playing with light and form. The use of computer software could turn this structure into reality, being able to form curves across shapes holding
References: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2008/feb/11/architecture.chinaarts2008 http://www.architecture.com.au/awards_search?option=showaward&entryno=2008196910
Soumaya Museum Task three:
Fernando Romero
The Soumaya Museum in Mexico was designed by architect Fernando Romero Enterprise. ‘The structure is a continuous skin that wraps a very economical substructure which is connected by a series of ramps’ The design of this building creates much interest as it seems to have been created from inside out, ‘wrapping’ the outside around form and motion of the interior ramps. The computer software use of parametric design would have enabled this movement and fluidity to follow each curve and twist.
The architect wished for the building to be a filter between the city and the art inside. Without visiting the building it is hard to see how this literally translates. To be a filter from outside I would assume the outside would be inserted throughout the museum via small opening, where as this design seems to act as more of a divider between museum and the external environment.
Aims of Design: to design a building to best represent the diverse collection of works from 24 different artists from the 11th century through to the 20th century. ‘We thought the museum should have a circulation that doesn’t expose all the content at once in a grand vestibule instead we wanted to allow the collection to be discovered slowly’ Discovering the museum slowly allows each element or work of art to be separately explored. The element of discovery and surprise will create interest and intrgue patrons to travel the whole 6 floors of discovery. Influences: Many museums were analyzed for circulation but the building was manly influenced by the specific environment and mexican culture. The architects desire was to recreate the interesting place Mexico once was for art, design and architecture.
REFERENCES: http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/13930/ soumaya-museum-now-open-fernando-romero-interview.html
Cut Definitions Task four:
Initial Discovery
The first couple of tries of combining definitions was relatively unsuccessful. There was always just one component that did not quite work how wished. As you can see in this example when moving the points of the grid the extruded circles did not follow. This is because the grid was from a point. In adding a surface divide component and linking the surface of the grid to this component, the larger image is what followed. This used an input of Surface Divide, an association of Image Sampler and an output of Circlewith an added extrude component. A colour change option was also created via CMYK and Custom preview components. This design plays with extruding and manipulation of surface, it could be used to design projects requireing a modular outer shall that wraps around an internal structure.
Cut Development Task five: