[3]:[AIR] [Oliver Chen]:[391719]
Considered one of the masters of modern architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright was studied in Architecture Design Studio: Water and his ideas of the organic and Prairie-style architecture were thoroughly explored in relation to its design principles and ideas. Below are examples that are considered embodiments of his work. Firstly, the great masterpiece Fallingwater is striking in the way that it integrates with its natural surroundings so succinct and perfectly - its organic architecture coupled with massive cantilevers are reminiscent of a modern era in the early 20th Century. Whilst Prairie architecture was still an earlier concept of Wright’s work (before that of his Organic architecure), it was still extremely influential in regards to being the foundations of many canti ilever designs in his later career.
[1.1] project:water
Major examples of Prairie Style include the Frederick C. Robie House, which emphasise the horizontal plane through the use of large protruding cantilevers, coupled with continuous bands of horizontal glass and brick framework The Wingspread tower (image bottom right) was also designed and constructed during the Prairie School era. My design, following Frank Lloyd Wright, is a more contemporary take of an almagamation of these three works aforementioned. It combines that of organic architecture through its integration with the environment whilst also emphasising concepts of huge cantilevers and tall towers that protrude from the superstructure. Overwhelmingly, my design brings together all aspects of the works of Frank Lloyd Wright from different points in time, and not just only from a single era.
[1.2] the yas hotel
Hydra Pier is a permanent structure in Haarlemmermeer in the Netherlands also designed by Asymptote Architecture. The pavilion resembles the shape of frequently overflying airplanes, arriving and leaving the airport. The building is clad in metal panels, many of which are dually curved like the coachwork of cars. The same applies to the large glazed sections of the building. In the interior, too, right angles are rare. The main space for visitors is at first floor level and has a large window giving a panoramic view of the lake. The building incorporates an (artificial) waterfall that rushes down over the glazed entrance. The Pavilion is separated into two parts; one overhangs and shelters an outdoor landscaped space, the other, floating on the lake, encloses a multi-media space for public events and other functions yet to be determined. However, one of the most important aspects of the Hydra Pier is rhe “liquid” roof, accommodating a plane of cascading water, reflects and distorts the large sky overhead where large body airplanes are in constant state. It is a culmination of the fusion of nature and architecture into one - of organic architecture that advances architectural discourse in the same way as man is in an ever-increasing pursuit of being one of nature.
“A perfect union and harmonious interplay between elegance and spectacle” - Hani Rashid The Yas Hotel, in Abu Dhabi, designed and built by Asymptote Architecture, was envisioned as an architectural landmark that embodied various key influences and inspirations ranging from aesthetics and forms associated with speed, movement and spectacle, but at the same time, also adhering to the geometries and forms of Ancient Islamic Art. Hence, not only does the Yas Hotel advance architecture discourse through the combination of both Western architecture and Islamic art, it is also extremely significant in relation towards its engineering and technological aspect - 217-metre expanse of sweeping, curvi-linear forms constructed of steel and 5,800 pivoting diamond-shaped illuminating glass panels. These give the entire structure a grid-shell appearance whilst covering it in an atmospheric-like veil. This again advances architectural discourse in respect to how it visually connects and fuses the entire complex together while producing optical effects and spectral reflections that play against the surrounding sky, sea and desert.
[1.3] hydra pier
[1.4] casa da musica
VISUALISATION An architect’s work involves mostly visually represented data. Problems are often outlined and dealt with in a graphical approach. Only this form of expression serves as a basis for work and discussion. Therefore, the designer should have maximum visual control over the processes taking place within the design continuum.
“ A building whose intellectual ardor is matched by its sensual beauty” - Nicolai Ouroussoff The Casa da Musica is a major concert hall in Porto, Portugal and is designed by Rem Koolhaas. It is visually and spatially defined by its striking faceted exterior from which its conventional interior spaces have been extracted. The buildings 400mm thick faceted shell and the two 1m thick walls of the main auditorium are the buildings primary load carrying and stability system. The auditorium walls act as internal diaphragms tieing the shell together in the longitudinal direction. The building design has changed architectural discourse because within this century, there has seen an architecturally frantic attempt to escape from the tyranny of the notorious ‘’shoe-box’’ shaped concert hall. However, the acoustic quality of the Casa Da Musica is still of extremely high quality.
[2.1] maya
[2.2] 3ds max
The use of Maya 3D Modelling is a contemporary design technique that delivers an end-to-end creative workflow with comprehensive tools for animation, modeling, simulation, visual effects, rendering, matchmoving, and compositing on a highly extensible production platform. This allows us to form unique innovations through the manipulation of surfaces and structures - therefore forming the base of pre-visualisation and simulation. However, whilst programs such as CAD are geared more toward design and engineering, once built, 3D models can be taken into Maya and the visualisation process begins where the added texture, light and animation serves to add context to any visually-represented data.
Parametric design is a relatively new field within Architecture and almost all . One such software is Rhino and Grasshopper, where the two allows the combination of 3d renderings and parametric designs. This project called the “Ornament Sublime” by John Dolci, and is entirely written in Rhino and Grasshopper. PROCESS: Firstly, writing up a Grasshopper definition that created the structural wireframe for the entire building, and deforming it based on the location of gallery spaces. Secondly, piping the lines of the wireframe, changing the radius of each member based on its length and position within the building.
Thirdly, baking the pipes and manually connecting them in T-Splines using tsWeld. Fourthly, bringing the rough T-Spline mesh back into Grasshopper, and using the WeaverBird plugin’s Catmull-Clark Subdivision to smooth the mesh. The floors and ETFE cushions are of a similar process, except with no T-Splines. I think this project truly explores and delves into aspects of the sublime and shows true design intent of the Dolci using Rhino/Grasshopper as stepping stones of parametric design.