STUDIO AIR OBSERVATORY AIR - PART C INGRID AAGENAES OLIVIA GUDE SEMESTER 1, 2015
CONTENTS
C.1 DESIGN CONCEPT C.2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES C.3 FINAL DETAIL MODEL C.4
LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES
The site analysis was divided into two primary criterias which determined ten potential zones on site: 1. 2.
SITE ANALYSIS
Human activity in relation to the bicycle path Tree and vegetation density
The concentration of activity on site determined where we proposed to place the observatory installations on site, primarily the installations require a moderate to high amount of activity to achieve a successful rate of interaction with pedestrians, however the installations are also designed to create connectivity between active and inactive zones on site, thus supporting the design in responding to issues such as fragmentation in relation to human activity on site. In order to satisfy both aspects of -human activity and interaction, a moderate tree density bracket was selected. By placing the installations’ in moderate tree density zone, a fusion of both objectives can be achieved: the re-connection of inactive zones without discouragement caused by dense vegetation and tree lines. Tree and vegetation density furthermore influences how the installations can be placed on site as the design shall be hung or attached to/or from an object such as trees or existing structures (walls). Tree density affects where we could place our location zones as the density cannot discourage the approach to the installations – as this shall compromise the success of interaction between users and site.
10 POTENIAL LOCATIONS ON SITE
FOOT TRAFFIC
TREE DENSITY
INGRID
FABPOD
From Ingrid's precedent project, the Fabpod algorithm was adaopted to drive Part C. This was the most developed grasshopper script. We shall continue this throughout our new design proposal as this also best represented the aesthetic and structural qualities of the Fabpod algorithm.
ANNA
PART B
Anna's project feedback primarily supported her response to on site issues such as litter pollution - By taking this example we have researched into social onsite issues: Connectivity, fragmentation and human interaction on site appears only within certain spots along Merri Creek, moreover transitional activities such as running and cycling are the most common actions on site.
OLIVIA Context sensitivity, green surfaces (incorporating vegetation) and creating a relationship based on the significance of site and user was positively pointed out from Olivia's precedent project, which we shall continue throughout the new design development for part C.
C.1 DESIGN CONCEPT
The initial design start of Part C began from reflecting upon the key feedback points from the Part B interim presentation: The new project focuses upon context sensitivity in regards to making users aware about the existence and significance of the ecological components that essentially create Merri Creek. By capturing a selection of ecological elements that users can physically observe up close, an interactive relationship between site and user is formed and the ecological system of Merri Creek can be publically valued and appreciated. Currently on site there appears to be a lack of interaction with the natural
system of Merri Creek, and we feel that this social issue shall be addressed with the new observatory design installation. The design installation is designed to encourage engaging interaction as opposed to others observed such as transitional interaction: cycling or running. Recycled plastic bottles shall be used to facilitate how ecological elements shall be placed within the design and furthermore adopting a material re-using system, supporting sustainability in regards to material life. The project shall be proposed as a head-height installation, which allows users to enter the enclosed space and observe contents within the head space.
The project shall be designed so that plastic bottles will sit within each panel. Nine panels shall create the complete model. Within our design the largest panel contains thirteen openings, created to hold thirteen recycled bottles and therefore, hosting thirteen different varieties of Merri Creek’ s ecological system. The project overall shall feature bottles and natural elements. The value of the project shall be that the installation can exist independently or with a collection of other installations. The purpose for this is so that the model can customize its quantity according to a space. The installation can be observed from the external and internal side,
from the external side each bottle shall feature a bio-focal lens within the neck of each bottle, allowing users to observe the ecological elements at a macro scale. However from the internal side, the base of each bottle shall feature as a coffered like ceiling feature – show casing each element from the eye. The observatory targets any user on site, without limitation to language, gender or age. As a spot for observation, each ecological bottle can provide a form of engagement between children, teenagers, adults and the elderly which fundamentally provides a wide audience and likewise suggests how important the installations can be on site.
OVERALL SHAPE: SELECTION As we wanted the design to be a mini museum that could hang from the trees we explored three different ways it could be used related to the overall shape.
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1. A design that for multiple people used as a hanging tent. 2. As a second skin that covers the whole body.
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3. As a headpiece. A mini-museum for one person.
Best related to our design was the headpiece for one person. As we wanted our design to be ap-proaching and self-explanatory number two would be difficult to get into and with number one people not want to get into the design if a stranger is already there. The third is easy to get into something that makes it approaching.
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PROCESS: GRASSHOPPER
The geometric rules used in the FabPod project, established by Daniel Davis, guarantees planar intersections between the hyperboloids(1). All the hyperboloids are then distributed on a sphere pointing towards the spheres center. Several spheres that are intersected is the foundation for the final form of the project. Where the mid sphere is left and the others trimmed away. The shape is panelized using a spherical algorithm(1).
By using the same trimming method as the FabPod when creating the overall shape it ensured us planar surfaces. To start off with, we created 9 points to be the center of 9 intersecting spheres.
Reference: 1. Davis, Daniel. FabPod. June 2013. Found at http://www.danieldavis.com/fabpod/
The middle sphere worked as a cutting object leaving all the surfaces of the other spheres.
The bottom part of the geometry left is then timed away by a bounding box, leaving the geometry with the right size. As the design is a headpiece the height we set for the geometry was just under a meter.
Each of the nine surfaces have to be dealt with separately. To be able to create a vornoi pattern we referred back to the sphere center. Drawing lines on to the surface from the center point.
A vornoi pattern is created using the lines as a “ guide� . This pattern is determining the cone location and density.
Two Layers of cones is created. First from the vornoi pattern and then offset to another layer.
In order to create opening in the cones, cylinders are created with chosen diameter to use as a trimming object.
The finalized surface: two set of cones with different size openings responding to a bottle.
All nine gether to
surfaces put tothe final design.
GRASSHOPPER:
CUSTOMIZING THE MODEL TO BOTTLE DIMENSIONS
Radius = 14.5mm Radius = 36.62mm
Length / Distance between cones = 18.5mm
EXPLODED DIAGRAM
13 BUTTERFLY
BOTTLED ECOSYSTEM
LEAF MIX
MAPLE TREE PODS
MORNING VINE
GRASSES
LONG WATER REEDS
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MOSS kk FENNEL 13
12
10 11
8
9 5
2
NETTLES
7
6 4
5
EARTH WORM SYSTEM 3 1
ALGAE
2 PLANKTON HIERACHY OF THE ECOSYSTEM 1-13
GROWLING GRASSIFROG SPORN
C.2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES
MATERIAL AND CONNECTIONS MATERIALITY
WHITE POLYPROPELENE (0.6 MM)
BALSA WOOD (3.0 MM)
CONNECTION POINTS
SIMPLE TABS
INTERLOCKING TABS
BUTTERFLY PINS
PROTOTYPE: CONE STRUCTURE
BUTTERFLY PINS
SIMPLE TABS
INTERLOCKING TABS
END RESULT: CONE TEMPLATE FOR MODEL FABRICATION
CONNECTIONS:
DISC CONNECTIONS AND TABS
SIMPLE TABS X 3 PER EDGE BUTTERFLY PIN CONNECTIONS
FABRICATION PROCESS: FABRICATION PROCESS: PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF THE MODEL PRIMARY ELEMENTS OF THE MODEL
MDF DISK CONNECTIONS
Three elements of the model consist of MDF, Polypropelene and recycled plastic. The MDF framework and disk connections create the structural shell of the model - A sturdy, non-brittle material that successfully works in compressive and tensile forced was required to hold the structure and cone system in place. Polypropelene was required due to its flexible nature and light weight - Two material characteristics are required to successfully hold the concave and convex shape of each cone system without failure from material characteristics such as brittleness or elasticity. Polypropelene in this case is the most appropriate material choice for the model after prototype experimentation. Recycled plastic make up the bottle system in which facilitates the concept of material recycling and furthermore holding fragments of the local ecological system at Merri Creek.
MDF DISK CONNECTIONS
MDF FRAMEWORK
MDF FRAMEWORK
WHITE POLYPROPELENE CONES
REYCLEDPLASTIC PLASTICBOTTLES BOTTLES REYCLED
CONNECTION POINTS
MDF DISK CONNECTIONS
PIN & TAB CONNECTIONS
BOTTLE FIXING & CONE CONNECTIONS ON FINAL MODEL
MODEL NO.1 THE ASSEMBLY PROCESS INVOLVED THREE PRIMARY CONNECTION COMPONENTS WHICH COLLECTIVELY, MADE THE COMPLETE MODEL:
FRAMING SYSTEM
CONCAVE / CONVEX CONE SYSTEM
CONE TO FRAME SYSTEM
3D POWDER PRINT
The purpose of the 3D print was to depict the complete model (all nine panels) as a head piece. Scale in relation to a user and the model is further depicted.
C.3 FINAL DETAIL MODEL
ON SITE AT MERRI CREEK
C.4 RESPONSE: FINAL CRIT PANEL
After reflecting on the final presentaton two main forms of criticism to the project were appointed: the vulnarability of the installation to public vandalism and long term materiality. In response to this, the future development of the project would focus upon solutions to these concerns. Firstly, negative social behaviours such as grafiti can be resolved with the addition of a transparent graffiti proof vinyl or lacre (1) to the external and internal skins of the installations. By doing so this shall entirely eliminate the problem without compromising the clean, minimalistic nature of the design. Furthermore additional infrastructure such as lockable fencing could be placed around the installations to discourage acitivity during
night hours for example. Long term materiality of the design required deeper thought as this shall essentially influence the aesthetic impression to the public. Two materials were chosen to repond to this issue: laminated wood and opaque fibreglass. The two materials provide better performance against long term problems such as weathering and furthermore can easily adapt to the geometrical nature of the observatory. Two materials were chosen to repond to this issue: laminated wood and opaque fibreglass. The two materials provide better performance against long term problems such as weathering and furthermore can easily adapt to the geometrical nature of the observatory.
Reference: 1. Spec-Net, Graffiti Proof Vinyl. June 2013. Found at http://www.spec-net.com.au/press/0714/vip_300714.htm
LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES
In conclusion to Part C, I have developed my skills in terms of applying my own knowledge to self-guided algorithmic desinging, fabrication processing and createing aesthetic layouts/themes. My algorithmic designing may be related to Grasshopper which drove the basis of the Observatory. As apart of a group I worked on the program to create the detailing of the model, particuarly the connection points. In this sense I have been able to create realistic based design requirements that have a physical,structural function, compared to part A where virtual based designs were created during my exploration of Grasshopper. Furthermore the design process as a result of algorithmic designing developed very differently, Part C especially changed according to our restrictions: bottle diameters, types, material choices and connection types - This typology of problem based designing within such a short time bracket proved challenging yet rewarding. The fabrication process of the final model relied upon laser cutting and 3D printing, however the true test of the model layed within the actual assembly stage - as fabrication had to be incredibly accurate (Down the to millimetre) in order for the skeletal system of the model to fit together.
This aspect proved successful due to our grasshopper script, which parametered the dimensions of each element precisely, for example the simple tab system was designed so that every edge had three tabs, meaning that each tab along each edge of a cone matched up with other cones in order to make the assemblly of the model simpler.. Had this of not working the cone systems would have not connected together. In sumary to this, I can relate my Part C progress to learning objectives 1,3,4, 6 and 7. I can relate the Observatory project progress to how architecture and air relate to eachother in terms of parametric design. Tools such as Grasshopper provide a mathematical realm in which parameters are created and used to manipulate and create bespoke qualities about a design proposal. Part C in particular can relate this to the cone system of the model - The concave/convex cone system was created in order to hold the plastic bottles within the structure of the model - without this system the model would not project the same impression or constructional sense.