Design Studio : AIR Semester 1, 2018 NOOR LYANA NOOR AZMAN Tutor: Isabelle Jooste
PART A: CONCEPTUALISATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
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A.1. Design Futuring
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A.2. Design Computation
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A.3. Composition/Generation
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A.4. Conclusion
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A.5. Learning outcomes
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A.6. Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches
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References
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INTRODUCTION NOOR LYANA NOOR AZMAN architecture bachelor of environments, the university of melbourne I am currently in my second year in the University of Melbourne and is majoring in architecture. My interest in the world of architecture roots from my travelling ever since I was little. Having been to many different places has always fascinated me as I observe the various styles of architecture, each with a character of its own. Architecture intrigues me as it is able to capture any viewer’s attention at a glance through a mixture of creativity and also the nature behind it. As a child, I would draw buildings that pop into my head, and throughout the years, I have learnt to appreciate more of the nature of a design, as I will listen to my dad describing his appreciation for architecture, and going to home and architecture expos. This opportunity has given me the chance to expand my knowledge from the architectural point of view and I am very much willing to learn more deeply in order to understand more of the architectural wonders to be able to portray my own character into what I will design in the future. I started using more of digital tools when I did the International Baccalaureate program in college. However, I got to know and learn more of the programs such as CAD and Rhino in this university. It was a difficult process trying to get the hang of these programs, and I am still in the process of mastering them. However, I enjoy the possibilies and efficiency that they have to offer, and I am looking forward to gain more inputs and skills in these programs. Architecture Design Studio: Air (ABPL30048) is the first to have created the opportunity for me to test myself with Grasshopper, and while it is still a learning process, I am intrigued by the various possibilities that Grasshopper has to offer. I hope, that by the end of this course, I am able to use more digital tools more confidently and that I can express my digital skills through my designs.
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A.1.
A.1. DESIGN FUTURING Tony Fry has pointed out that human existence has come to a critical stage and our future can no longer be guaranteed. This is because humans are unintentionally inclined to destruction. This, hence, risks our own existence through human-centred civilisation and the inconsideration of nature in the use of technologies that has made this condition worse. Design futuring is a concept concerning humanity. It puts forward the importance of sustainable design in overcoming the problem of the world turning unsustainable day by day as a result of our disregard of nature’s context mentioned previously. Design futuring, therefore, puts forward the ideas of how design can play a role in ensuring the future survival and existence of humanity. It brings its ideas to slow down the rate of defuturing, and also as a way to redirect human habitation towards far more sustainable ways.
“Problems cannot be solved unless they are confronted and if they are to be solved it will not be by chance, but, as said, by design.”1 - Tony Fry, 2009
See Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice, by Tony Fry (New York: Berg, 2009), pp. 1 - 16. 1
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precedent project 1 KING ABDULLAH PETROLEUM STUDIES AND RESEARCH CENTRE (KAPSARC)
zaha hadid architects 2017 university road, riyadh, saudi arabia The building itself is a non-profit organisation that researches on strategies and solutions for the most effective and efficient energy utilisation, and towards more sustainable energy sources, to reduce environmental impact.1
the open cells of each of the building. The orientation of the KAPSARC was carefully thought out, as the interiors are protected from direct and harsh sunlight of the Riyadh Plateau through the design of the cells being higher towards South, West and East. The Sustainability is put forward in the design of courtyard, on the other hand, faces North and KAPSARC, where environmental context is taken North-West to bring in indirect sunlight, while into consideration to reduce the use of energy and also being shaded by canopies. resources. Active and passive systems are used for this centre, in order to reduce the energy usage.2 KAPSARC opens up Northerly and Westerly. This enables prevailing Northerly winds to KAPSARC integrates cells with a honeycomb cool the courtyard that the buildings surround, structure of hexagonal prisms to decrease the while connecting the section to the residential amount of materials needed. The hexagonal area in the Western part of the campus. structure also provides more connectivity compared to rectangular cells with only four sides. The solar panels placed on the rooftop can store huge amount of solar energy. Not only ZHA has use innovative hexagonal cells that that, potable water is recycled and reused interlock with one another like a honeycomb across the centre. forming KAPSARC, a campus that integrates five buildings into one, with each building varying in Overall, it uses passive, as well as active size to complement the use of each of them. This solutions to the building that reduce energy results in less materials used for its construction, usage by almost 50% through its orientation, and also in less construction waste. massing, optimisation of facade, system selection, solar PV array on the SouthernUsing passive design for the buildings, the campus facing roof and recycling and reusing of potable acts as a shell, blocking the harsh Southern Sun. water. Materials used for the construction of Passive daylighting is enabled through some of these building were also locally sourced, with some of them being of recycled materials.
ArchDaily, (2017) ‘King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre / Zaha Hadid Architects’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily.com/882341/king-abdulahpetroleum-studies-and-research-centre-zaha-hadid-architects [accessed March 4, 2018] 2 Dezeen, (2017) ‘Zaha Hadid Architects reveals honeycomb-like oil research centre in Riyadh’. [online] Available at https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/26/zaha-hadid-architectsking-abdullah-petroleum-studies-research-centre-riyadh-saudi-arabia/ [accessed March 4, 2018] 3 See Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice, by Tony Fry (New York: Berg, 2009), pp. 1 - 16. 1
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A.1. design futuring
IMAGE 1: KAPSARC
IMAGE 2: Plan
IMAGE 3: Perspective 1
IMAGE 4: Interior IMAGE 5: Perspective 2
All images sourced from ArchDaily Available at https://
A.1. design futuring www.archdaily.com/882341/king-abdulah-petroleum-studiesand-research-centre-zaha-hadid-architects
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precedent project 2 pelli clarke pelli architects 2017 san francisco, california, united states The Salesforce Tower is the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. The architects Pelli Clarke Pelli architects won a competition to design this Salesforce Tower and the Salesforce Transit Centre at its base. These buildings provide a new strategy to the collaboration between public and private sections, as well as in terms of sustainability in urban setting. Pelli Clarke Pelli architects stresses on sustainable design, the development of neighbourhood and feasibility of finance.1
SALESFORCE TOWER
the tower. Sustainability is also included in the tower through the innovative water recycling system that is the largest of its kind to be used in a commercial skyscraper. A highefficiency air-handlers are also installed in the building to enable fresh air to flow on every level of the tower.
The tower is designed in the structure of an obelisk, with glass walls and metal accents. Axis was played in the accents, which progressively become narrower horizontally and vertically to highlight the curved glass corners. It appears to dissolve into the sky, and the top of the tower will be lit at night. A public park is connected to the Salesforce Tower, acting as the main part of the neighbourhood, and as the main component for the sustainable design strategy of the project. Lighting (but with a minimised solar gain) and a maximised view will be provided through the integration of metal sunshades on each floor. Cooling load, on the other hand, is reduced through the use of efficient glazing using low-emissivity glass in the building and heat-exchanging coils enclosing the foundation of
IMAGE 1: Salesforce Tower
ArchDaily,(2018) ‘Salesforce Tower / Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects [accessed March 5, 2018] 2 Dezeen, (2018)‘Salesforce Tower by Pelli Clarke Pelli completes in San Francisco’. [online] Available at https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/24/salesforce-tower-pelliclarke-pelli-completes-san-francisco-tallest-skyscraper/ [accessed March 5, 2018] 3 See Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice, by Tony Fry (New York: Berg, 2009), pp. 1 - 16. 1
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A.1. design futuring
IMAGE 2: Elevations
IMAGE 3: Exterior
IMAGE 4: Plan
IMAGE 5: Perspective
A.1. design futuring
IMAGE 6: Innovative water system All images sourced from ArchDaily Available recycling at https:// www.archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke5 pelli-architects
A.2. 6
A.2. DESIGN COMPUTATION Design computation is the processing of information, that simulates real-world properties. Computers are excellent analytical engines, that drives itself to a logical conclusion through reasoning, according to its program. However, computers are not capable of creativity, which then causes us to question the use of computers in designing - that demand both rationality, as well as creativity. The fact that computers play a role in design process is due to the symbiotic relationship between humans and computers. This is because humans’ capability to recall memories is lesser as compared to computers. Hence, a symbiotic relationship is born when the faults of humans are covered up by computers’ advantages (rationality), while the faults of computers are covered up by humans’ advantages (creativity). This relationship, therefore, benefits the design process greatly.1 Design process becomes faster and more efficient with the use of digital computation. Computers are able to represent designs in a more communicable way. Digital computation enables the exploration of materials in architectural design, which is a transition due to the fact that materials are now a integral in design process. Therefore, computing has definitely redefined practice in terms of material design. The possibility of experimentation with various design solutions. Parametric design creates the possibility of new rules and algorithms, creating variations in design.2 Designers will also be alerted if an error happens to occur in the design. This enables an efficient manipulation of design for an optimal performance and quality, to find the best solution to a design.
“Buildings, prior to the Renaissance, were constructed, not planned” - Yehuda Kalay, 2004 Computation has redeveloped the traditional role of an architect as a master builder to being authorised with digital creations. Besides that, it has redeveloped the creative collaborative design between architects and engineers in the design process2 and has also allowed for the communication between buildings and clients.
See Architecture’s New Media, by Yehuda Kalay (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2004), pp. 1 25. 2 See Theories of the Digital in Architecture, by Rivka and Robert Oxman (London and New York: Routledge, 2014), pp. 1 - 8. 1
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precedent project 2 HYGROSKIN-METEOROSENSITIVE PAVILION achim menges architect, oliver david krieg, steffen reichert 2013 orléans-la-source, france This pavilion is a climate-responsive design, consisting of a meteorosensitive architecture that opens and closes according to the weather. It does so without the aid of any mechanical and electronic devices.
to be successful, in terms of being in a state of moisture equilibrium.
Its design computation is derived on the elasticity of the materials used for the Pavilion. Therefore, the material used for this pavilion This pavilion functions through the dimensional defines its structure. instability of its organic, untreated timber that was used as its skin. This pavilion expands to a period of more than five years of design research to analyse the Design computation has enabled the functionality biomimetic concepts. A precise morphological of this climate-responsive architecture, where articulation is used to change the change weather-responsive openings are inserted in the the shape of these openings according to the digitally fabricated module’s concave surfaces. weather. Design computation is used to program this responsive characteristic of the openings -
“Materially programming the humidityresponsive behaviour of these apertures opens up the possibility for a strikingly simple yet truly ecologically embedded architecture in constant feedback and interaction with its surrounding environment,” Menges explains.2 Computation is used to derive the skin of this pavilion, made of elastic woods. The woods’ capability to absorb atmosphere’s humidity when they are dry and release moisture when they are wet is computed to enable the design
IMAGE 1: Openings based on humidity
ArchDaily, (2013) ‘HygroSkin-Meteorosensitive Pavilion / Achim Menges Architect + Oliver David rieg + Steffen Reichert’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily. com/489604/dongdamun-design-plaza-zaha-hadid-architects [accessed March 5, 2018] 2 Architecture and Design, (2014) ‘Pavilion’s meteorosensitive architecture opens and closes in response to weather changes’. [online] Available at http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/pavilion-s-meteorosensitive-architecture-opens-and [accessed March 5, 2018] 1
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A.2. design computation
IMAGE 3: Thermal representation
IMAGE 2: Hygroskin-Meteorosensitive Pavilion
IMAGE 4: Closed openings
A.2.
IMAGE 5: Opened openings on a sunny day
IMAGE 6: Robotic arm in the process IMAGE 7: Concept sketch All images sourced from ArchDaily Available at design computation https://www.archdaily.com/489604/dongdamun-design-plaza-zaha-hadid-architects
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precedent project 1 DONGDAEMUN DESIGN PLAZA zaha hadid architects 2014 jong-gu, seoul, south korea Dongdaemun Design Plaza is the first public project in Korea to make use of digital means in its construction. The structure of the buildings as a whole was defined by the requirement of each building - that sets how the various features of the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (including digital requirements as well as engineering works with one another). Design computation enables the design of the project to be experimented and adapted to the client’s requirements, and also to the requirements of engineering and construction aspects of the project. This technological advancement aids the design process in terms of maintaining the initial design goal throughout its construction, as well as in terms of ensuring that the building is efficiently designed through the enabling of design decision-making within a short period of time.
control for the design of envelope.1 All in all, design computation can be seen to benefit the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, allowing for the efficient design of the building. The Plaza acts to protect the conditions of the site, and remodel South Korea as a greener city.
IMAGE 1: Plan
Besides that, design computation also allows for more design control, which benefits the project in terms of its construction, where the model is able to be refined whenever needed. Not only that, the difficulties of designing the envelope of the plaza made of thousands of various curving panels of different sizes is overcome through design computation. It allows for quality
IMAGE 2: Elevations
ArchDaily, (2015) ‘Dongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily.com/424911/hygroskin-meteorosensitive-pavilionachim-menges-architect-in-collaboration-with-oliver-david-krieg-and-steffen-reichert [accessed March 5, 2018] 1
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A.2. design computation
IMAGE 3: Dongdaemun Design Plaza
IMAGE 4: Interior
All images sourced from ArchDaily Available at architect-in-collaboration-with-oliver-davidkrieg-and-steffen-reichert
A.2. design computation
IMAGE 5: Curving panels of different
sizes
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A.3. 12
A.3. COMPOSITION/GENERATION Design process has definitely been redefined by computation. It has created opportunities in design processes. Computation has enabled the potential of handling extremely complex design cases. The exploration of various design solutions is possible through computation, as computers are able to use algorithms to process datas and informations efficiently. Designers are able to use algorithmic thinking, parametric modelling and scripting cultures as a tool that can be altered in conjunction with their own designs, and finding solutions to a design problem - hence making them a huge part of a design process. Computation techniques are required to be adaptable to the every-changing design parameters in order to be useful (Peters, page 11). It cannot be denied that complex designs are able to be represented and simulated through computation. Computations then enables the performance of a design to be more accurately simulated, to increase the quality of the design. This way of tackling a design gives opportunities to architects to explore more possibilities in a design. The advantages of computation has made it an integral part in architectural practices, especially for large projects. All in all, computation has allowed for the efficiency in finding a design solution and for the better representation of designs through algorithms.
See Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought, by Brady Peters (2013), pp. 10 - 15. 4
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precedent project 1 GROWING SYSTEMS aa school of architecture 2016 london, england Growing Systems is a thesis project developed by the AA School of Architecture. It looks into the exploration of sustainable building systems through digital fabrication and the generative method of special printing. The project focuses on 3D vertical extrusion, a new design method, that allows for the creation of precise prefabricated elements that can be manipulated to adapt to site. This 3D vertical extrusion utilises the behaviour of biodegradable plastic used for this project in the design process. This biodegradable plastic is looked at as functional due to its properties, being durable, flexible and lightweight. This allows the possibility to find new geometries that is beneficial in terms of material usage, aesthetic and uses less energy. The project explores alternative methods of 3D printing, where the robotic arm functions as the intelligent tool in the project’s construction. The usage of this robotic arm shortens to construction period, as well as increase accuracy with minimal errors in the process, while also being sustainable due to the minimising of waste. This intelligent tool is capable of providing a feedback based on the environment and the printed geometry, as well as providing the optimal solution through the usage of generative algorithm when an issue
occurs in a design. The special printing is done through generative methods that generates various spatial arrangements for the biodegradable plastic. The adaptive design of Growing Systems adds additive and subtractive capabilities for the project, and therefore, enables future changes to be done on the structure. This is achieved with the ability of the material to change its phase, such that, it becomes sticky when heated, thus is able to be connected to a new part of a structure. The material can also be subtracted from the structure by melting it. Not only that, interchangeable material for a balanced system is possible through this method, where one structure’s part (in which the structure needs to shrink) can be subtracted and be added to another structure part (in which the structure needs to expand). The generative approach of this project creates a variety of possible solutions for the optimal design solution, as well as to practice a sustainable design through the efficient construction that this method provides.
ArchDaily, (2016) ‘AA School of Architecture Designs Adaptable Structural Plastic 3D Printing Method’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily.com/793054/aaschool-of-architecture-designs-adaptable-structural-plastic-3d-printing-method [accessed March 14, 2018] 1
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A.3. composition/generation
All images sourced from ArchDaily Available at https://www. archdaily.com/793054/ aa-school-of-architecture-designs-adaptable-structural-plastic-3d-printing-method
IMAGE 1: Growing Systems
IMAGE 2: Generative design
IMAGE 3: Digital model
A.3. composition/generation
IMAGE 4: 3D print
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precedent project 2 BIONIC PARTITION PROJECT the living 2016 hamburg, germany The Bionic Partition Project utilises generative method and 3D printing to create a partition for airplanes that mimics the structure of cells and bones. This project produces the largest metal 3D-printed airplane partition in the world. The design was created through the combination of topology efficiency and generative design. The Living, firstly, plans the desired outcome of the airplane panel, before using custom algorithms that then creates multiple outcomes to the design of this panel. These outcomes are used to mimic the structure of cells and bones to maximise their efficiency and functionality. Not only that, the use of this generative method has enabled the minimisation of errors and faults in the 3D printed parts of the airplane partition, and therefore, the parts are fit to one another.
airplane is a tedious and difficult task due to aviation design challenges. This method of design also enables sustainability as it is able to make adjustments and will then derive to a possible outcome that is lightweight, stronger and minimises fuel consumption. Plus, the method of combining topological efficiency and generative design has enabled the production of minimal loadbearing structures. This way of tackling a design can be practiced in architecture by maximising the efficiency of materials used in a building, which then leads to design futuring.
An efficient and most sustainable outcome is therefore, able to be achieved through generative design. This results in a reduction of the total weight of the partitions created, which then results in fuel-saving, as well as carbon emission reduction in long-term. The generative design, hence, provides different outcomes to a design, that then ensures the structural efficiency of the design, especially due to the fact that designing elements of an
IMAGE 1: Layers of airplane partition
ArchDaily, (2016) ‘The Living’s 3D Printed Airplane Partition is Designed to Mimic Bone Structure’. [online] Available at https://www.archdaily.com/780661/the-livingsparametric-3d-printed-airplane-partition-is-designed-to-mimic-bone-structure [accessed March 14, 2018] 1
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A.3. composition/generation
IMAGE 2: Bionic partition
IMAGE 5 : Various outcomes through the generative design
IMAGE 3: 3D printing of the partition
IMAGE 6 : Finding optimal design
IMAGE 4: Details of the bionic partition
IMAGE 7 : Chosen optimal design
All images sourced from ArchDaily Available at https://www.archdaily. com/780661/the-livings-parametric-3d-printed-airplane-partition-is-designed-to-mimic-bone-structure
A.3. composition/generation
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A.4. CONCLUSION Part A has allowed me to understand more of the design futuring, design computation and composition/generation concepts. It gives me the ideas of how architecture has been redefined through the advancement of technologies that affect the field in many ways. I find the idea of design futuring very intriguing and I would like to see more of its application in the built environment. This way of designing, to me, is significant as it is crucial for us to decrease the rate of defuturing in today’s world, and I believe that its application does not only benefit us and our current generation but also the generation to come.
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A.5. LEARNING OUTCOMES I have learnt about the idea of design futuring and the application of design computation and composition/generation. The precedent projects that I have researched on have provided me with inspirations in architectural practices. Digital design and computation has allowed for so many benefits to designers, in that it helps in the optimal way of finding a solution to a design problem, as well as creating an efficient and less time-consuming design process. The process of experimentations that I had to do on Grasshopper was interesting, and it taught me things that I did not think I could achieve. I am looking forward to learn more about Grasshopper throughout the rest of the course.
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A.6. APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES WEEK 1
VORONOI CREATING CELLS
OcT producing a number of boxes according lines
METABALL + LOFT THE BIOMIMICRY OF MUSCLE 20
METABALL PRODUCING VARIOUS SHAPES ACCORDING TO NUMBER SLIDE INPUT
WEEK 2
AA DRIFTWOOD 21
REFERENCES ArchDaily, ‘AA School of Architecture Designs Adaptable Structural Plastic 3D Printing Method’, 2016 https://www.archdaily.com/793054/aa-school-ofarchitecture-designs-adaptable-structural-plastic-3d-printing-method [accessed March 14, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘Dongdaemun Design Plaza / Zaha Hadid Architects’, 2015 https:// www.archdaily.com/424911/hygroskin-meteorosensitive-pavilion-achim-mengesarchitect-in-collaboration-with-oliver-david-krieg-and-steffen-reichert [accessed March 5, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘Elon Musk, Architects David Benjamin and Kate Orff Among Rolling Stone’s “25 People Shaping the Future”’, 2017 https://www.archdaily.com/tag/theliving [accessed March 15, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘HygroSkin-Meteorosensitive Pavilion / Achim Menges Architect + Oliver David rieg + Steffen Reichert’, 2013 https://www.archdaily.com/489604/ dongdaemun-design-plaza-zaha-hadid-architects [accessed March 5, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Centre / Zaha Hadid Architects’, 2017 https://www.archdaily.com/882341/king-abdullah-petroleumstudies-and-research-centre-zaha-hadid-architects [accessed March 4, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘Salesforce Tower / Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects’, 2018 https://www. archdaily.com/889519/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pelli-architects [accessed March 5, 2018] ArchDaily, ‘The Living’s 3D Printed Airplane Partition is Designed to Mimic Bone Structure’, 2016 https://www.archdaily.com/780661/the-livings-parametric-3dprinted-airplane-partition-is-designed-to-mimic-bone-structure [accessed March 14, 2018]
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Architecture and Design, ‘Pavilion’s meteorosensitive architecture opens and closes in response to weather changes’, 2014 http://www.architectureanddesign.com. au/news/pavilion-s-meteorosensitive-architecture-opens-and [accessed March 5, 2018] Dezeen, ‘Salesforce Tower by Pelli Clarke Pelli completes in San Francisco’, 2018 https://www.dezeen.com/2018/01/24/salesforce-tower-pelli-clarke-pellicompletes-san-francisco-tallest-skyscraper/ [accessed March 5, 2018] Dezeen, ‘Zaha Hadid Architects reveals honeycomb-like oil research centre in Riyadh’, 2017 https://www.dezeen.com/2017/10/26/zaha-hadid-architects-kingabdullah-petroleum-studies-research-centre-riyadh-saudi-arabia/ [accessed March 4, 2018] Fry, Tony, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (New York: Berg, 2009) Kalay, Yehuda, Architecture’s New Media (Cambridge: MIT Press, 2004) Oxman, Rivka and Robert, Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London and New York: Routledge, 2014) Peters, Brady, Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought (2013) The Living New York, ‘Bionic Partition”’, 2017 http://thelivingnewyork.com [accessed March 15, 2018]
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