6. Process - PreProcesses

Week 06

People, Process & Technology

Process

Pre-Process

By Amal Shah Faculty of Design CEPT University

Teaching Associates Chandni Chhabra, Sachi Motiwala & Shikha Mehta

IR3609 | Monsoon Semester 2020

The Process In contemporary practice, where anything is technically possible, the opportunity for engagement, mastery, and relevance of architecture is through these three governors: representation, material, and process. In support of describing and unpacking the interrelationship of these three themes, we will look at 8+8 precedents.

Chosen as representative samples, they are diverse in their methods undertaken (both graphically and materially) but connected through the rigor and method of translation from drawing through material process into building.

Each case study is a focused chapter of graphic and textual analysis. They are systemically unpacked in terms of their types of representation, their fundamental interrelationship of tools. the associated implications of materials and the primary implications on their systems of construction.

Through the working, tooling, manipulating, and operating on and with the material, their process emerges. The precedents are organized around four primary categories of point, line, surface, and mass. These then each have four subcategories that systemically cover an array of subsystems within their broader geometric boundaries.

Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Categories of systems and Geometry Point (node) 1. unit (element) 2. aggregation (tectonic unitization) 3. module (bay) 4. network (field effect) line (straight and curved) 1. stick/ member (element) 2. grid (field) 3. frame I cage (lattice) 4. field effect (array)

surface (mesh) 1. wall (plane) 2. facet (triangulation) 3. shell (continuous surface) 4. serial (superimposition) mass (volume) 1. cast I solid (continuity of form) 2. void (subtraction) 3. inversion (positive / negative) 4. series (unit and aggregation)

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Recap: Pre-Processes in Design

Conceptual Process

Pre-Processes

Schematic Design Process

Design Development Process

Research Process Analytical Process Visualization Process Iterative Process

Space Planning Process Iterative & Visualization Process Representation Process DFA/DFM Process Space Planning Process Drawing and Model-Making Process Communication & Representation Process 4

Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve

Africa, 1950

Logic : Point as a Module 5

Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve

Africa, 1950

The Maison Tropicale is an innovative take on prefabricated, mass-produced solutions to architectural production and product delivery.

Designed as a flat-pack house made of folded sheet steel and aluminium, three prototype Maisons Tropicales were originally erected in the Republic of the Congo between 1949 and 1951. Originally designed to address a shortage of housing in French colonies in West Africa during the 1950s, the project was site less in specificity, but incredibly calibrated to the contextual responsibilities of climatic performance and efficiency of production.

Focused on affordability and speed and efficiency of manufacturing and delivery, the essay in componential construction and economy of design through modularity and seriality provide repetitive efficiencies with calibrated technical responses. For ease of transport all the parts were flat, lightweight, and could be modularly and efficiently packed into a cargo plane.

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Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve

Africa, 1950

Focused on the intense demands of climate, the basic form included a veranda with an adjustable aluminium sunscreen. The inner walls were made of both fixed and sliding metal panels perforated with a regimented field of circular, blue glass portholes to protect against ultraviolet sunlight. A double roof structure with an articulated ridge vent was carefully integrated to amplify natural ventilation. Though designed for mass production, the prototype did not afford any financial savings. This, in combination with the intensely industrial aesthetic which did not appeal to the conservative tastes of the expatriate French bureaucrats intended to occupy the􀬒, meant that the house never went into full production.

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Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve

CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Social : Lack of mass-housing in Africa, Aordability to user group

Design for mass production and transport to Africa

Political : Introduction of French culture, aesthetic in African colonies for invasion

Streamlined process for reproducibility and repetitiveness

Flat pack assembly and designing kit of parts. Idea of modules Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Technological : Climatic Performance of built, Lack of resources

Ideological: Architects vision, beliefs & philosophy

Response to ventilation and light

Material integrity, industrial aesthetic, Prefabrication approach

Contextual and climatic response throughTechnique and method of spatial organisation production

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Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve Derivational Factors for Form, shape and spatial organization Process of Standardization - Technique & technology of production dictating form, order in space

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Contextual, Climatic Response Aperture type 1 : For adjustable airflow

Aperture type 2 : View, Light

Bilateral symmetry to produce lateral continuity of light, ventilation and flexibility of space.

Systemic passive systems.

Panel as a modularized element of standardized apertures addressing functions of light, view and ventilation

Componential nature of building’s conception & performative responses is evident through the modular articulation of discrete manufacturing pieces

“The individuated articulation of diverse functions and the idea of manufacturing provides ornament, scale and functional expression and performative celebration.”

Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve Derivational Factors for Elemental Development Effect of modular concept and method and idea of systems and construction on space

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Process of Design for Manufacturing

All components designed and detailed to be flat, lightweight for being neatly packed in a cargo plane.

Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Flexibility of space and configuration 10

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT FOR POST PROCESS

Maison Tropicale by Jean Prouve Derivational Factors for Elemental Development Applying Traditional technology, knowledge and people skills

Conception of elements as systems

Constraints Machine presses and cargo plane could handle max 4 m widths, 100 kg max for 2 people to carry.

Elements & form optimised accordingly

Dimensional and proportional system within module derived from material eďŹƒciency in the scale of fabrication and anthropometric response during assembly Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Constraints Sloped sites, ooding, For groundwater, vegetation Raised deck and on-site columns also enabled formal expression and structural stability

Application of Conventional construction techniques & technology, and thought of integrating local labour for on-site construction during post process for speed & precision

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De young Museum by Herzog de Meuron San Francisco, 2005

Logic : Point as a Network

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De young Museum by Herzog de Meuron Derivational Factors in Conceptual process - Form Derivation

CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Response to Immediate & city context

Envisioned for user to experience constant re-orientation between N, W,E,S geometries in the ascent to the tower Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Process of language and form derivation Considering factors of movement, mass and void

Using idea of deviation, “ the final composition becomes expressive of the technique of visual representation and formal derivation.”

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De young Museum by Herzog de Meuron Derivational Factors in Elemental Articulation

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Process of Abstraction - Response to Immediate context Process of Image-mapping a grove tree that previously occupied the site to maintain continuity with the landscape

Material of copper to naturally patina and be in tune with the surroundings

Process of Pattern derivation in Panel perforations : Natural grid derived by a staggered shift

1 Image is contrasted and isolated

2 Mapping of perforation type and pixelation to translate to removal of material

2 Creating a connected surface for production

14 Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

De young Museum by Herzog de Meuron Technological & Production Factors

Process of Standardization

Process of superimposition and overlay to create individuation in each panel Deformation Perforation

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Combination

Use of material technology and properties to create solid-void, surface and shadow Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Postprocess considerations with thought to manufacturing processes in standardization of panel;s

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Jean Marie Tijbou Cultural Center by Renzo Piano Building Workshop Indonesia, 1998

Logic : Line as a Stick/Member (Element)

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Jean Marie Tijbou Cultural Center by Renzo Piano Building Workshop

CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Political, Social : Cultural centre associating with its locals to smooth tensions with Government

Traditional technology + Modern Technology Vernacular response with technical expression

Contextual, Cultural : Addressal of Vernacular sensibilities, Response to site

Derived expressions of culture and place through form and material

Technological : Climatic Performance of built.

Ideological: Architects vision, beliefs & philosophy

Form + Individuated element + Scale + Material as comprehensive singular response

Intense articulation of individual components & systems, language and method of assembly

17 Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Jean Marie Tijbou Cultural Center by Renzo Piano Building Workshop Derivational Factors for Process of Form generation

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Site responsive form derivation

Drawing from local sensibilities, cultural, historical traditions, indigenous construction techniques of the people,

Technological systems & their impact

Form, scale and detail as responsive systems to passive techniques.

Site placement & form determined as such to optimize natural airow, prevailing easterly winds, solar heat gain and calibration of sunlight.

Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

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Jean Marie Tijbou Cultural Center by Renzo Piano Building Workshop

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND DETAILING

Derivational Factors for Process of Elemental Articulation Considering Technological systems, Climate, Culture, Material & Production

Arc of the glue-laminated timber in relation with the intensity of standardized elements of the brise-soleil, providing visual variation.

19 Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Falk House/ House II by Peter Eisenman

Logic : Line as a Grid (Field)

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CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Falk House/House II by Peter Eisenman Grid : The form is initiated with a series of parallel lines to define a grid.

Use of geometric systems is paramount established

by Le Corbusier but its extension volumetrically increases complexity.

Planes : Dividing wall planes are in conjunction with lines and columns,

Methodologically modified planes introduce a complexity of remaining wall, cage, infill and void.

Iteration : The rule set method of set geometry determine the space and form.

Composition: The compositional method produces dynamic spatial intensity through complexity of the multivalent overlain fields.

The primary set of rules translate into articulated architectural solutions.

The translations of system through various set of drawings into form is the architecture.

21 Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Falk House/House II by Peter Eisenman

Oset

Stepped plans and volumes

Subdivided volume

Grid of columns

Super imposed line and plane

Re-subdivided volume

Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Lateral and longitudnal wall

Superimposed voume and plane

Connective Circulation

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Falk House/House II by Peter Eisenman DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND DETAILING

Iterative Divisions From these primary moves, the generic actions translate into architectural solution.

From the simple ruled systems, layered and repeatedly operated upon the composition emerges.

The rule set methods of the drawn geometry determine the space and form. The whole together system is fully architecture.

23 Courtesy : Borden, G. P. (2014). Process: material and representation in architecture. New York, NY: Routledge.

Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe

Spain, 1929

Logic : Surface as Wall 24

Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe

Spain, 1929

CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Grid : Organisation of the orthogonal grid to unify the space.

Designing the unified void as a spatial experience

Planes : Vertical planes marking out the connections between inside-outside

The two corners bound the east-west extension

Elements within the plan are resultant of the imposed orthogonal gird

Technological : each detail speaks toward the relationship of the perception of the space as emergent through the drawn geometry.

Tectonics: Details derive the representational and compositional dominance of the grid

Response to ventilation and light

Reinforced through the material choice, articulation, and compositional detailing to emphasize the experience and abstraction of the space

Horizontality dominates the spatial configuration

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

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Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe

Spain, 1929

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Geometry : “The line of symmetry resides at the midpoint of the central bay maintaining the relationship with the ground plane. The center wall is the only wall that is split into two instead of three. It becomes symmetrical on the space and breaks free from the module of the plan.”

Structure: “The eight, chrome, cruciform columns are governed in position by a standard, three-bay, square module.

The repetitive array of the serial objects establishes an implied and repeated spatial bay within.”

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Excerpt From: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.” iBooks.

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

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DESIGN DEVELOPMENT FOR POST-PROCESS

Barcelona Pavilion by Mies Van Der Rohe

Spain, 1929

Space to Plane : “The spatial perception of the infinite grid is established through the modularized ground plane. Conceptually extended through the infinite extension of the relentless standardized gridded plane, the system extends itself through visual dominance and cognitive mapping.”

Excerpt From: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.” iBooks.

Space to Wall: “As the grid of the ground plan establishes the horizontal compression and outward extension of the space, the wall planes located freely on the ground plan offer direction and spatial extension into the depth of field along the plane. Emerging from and extending the material module, the treatment and articulation of the surface module establishes a hierarchy of plane.”

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

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Los Manantiales Restaurant by Felix Candella

Mexico, 1958

Logic : Surface as Shell 28

Los Manantiales Restaurant by Felix Candella

Mexico, 1958

CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Geometry : Groined vault shell composed of four intersecting hyperbolic paraboloid saddles.

Producing structural stability with minimum material

Technology : Structure and form synthesize to create a uniďŹ ed interior space

Avoid subdivisioning of space and yet create a self-stabilized structural system

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

Form : Continuity of arches created with binding glass planes

Material: The shell maintains a continuity of material cross-sectional thickness as optimized surface.

Response to ventilation and light

Exploring concrete as a spanning material

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Los Manantiales Restaurant by Felix Candella

Mexico, 1958

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process Geometry : “Using simple, repetitive, of set arrays, the diagrid of the surface creates and depicts the shell surface of the vault. The two highlighting lines represent lines of symmetry, moments of inflection, where the opposite sides produce repetitive inflections”

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Excerpt From: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.” iBooks.

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

Form: “A single parabolic shell establishes the triangular bay which is then repeated and rotated eight times about a centralized point to establish continuity of structure and form. The simplicity of the repetitive plan establishes a dominance of the bay and eliminates a hierarchy of directionality.”

Los Manantiales Restaurant by Felix Candella

Mexico, 1958

Derivational Factors in Conceptual process

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Structure Material Geometry : Undulating forms made of parabolic arches creating foundational touch points that span the shell.

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

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Tres Grand Bibliotheque by Rem Koolhaas, OMA

Logic : Mass as Void

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CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Tres Grand Bibliotheque by Rem Koolhaas, OMA Organization : Conventional horizontal slices derived from a solid figure from which spaces are removed

The plan series acts like a filmstrip evolving vertically through a cinematic evolutionary space.

Grid : Based on classical nine-square configuration.

The nodes of grid become moments of vertical connection.

It simultaneously governs three important systemsMass, Circulation and Structure

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

Solid - Void The mass and fill made by dense array of books is carved with complex organic shapes.

Composition: The systems collectovely collaborate to produce a juxtaposed composition

The spaces become isolated and fully formed figures and serve as congregation spaces

All these systems collaborate to produce a composition and interdependence lies upon datums of formal and functional continuity and regularity.

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Tres Grand Bibliotheque by Rem Koolhaas, OMA Derivational Factors for Process of Form generation

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Program to space and form

Volumetric Figurative Clipping and Compositional derivatives

The programs to space and form separates and isolates each of The volumetric clipping reveal the role of exterior boundary figurative voids to demonstrate and illustrate their individual as a form finding plane specifics 34 The circulation is collectively held by its organizational geometry and standardised grid.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND DETAILING

Tres Grand Bibliotheque by Rem Koolhaas, OMA

The details remain conceptually driven. The plan illustrates systemic deployment of the diverse systems.

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

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Brother Claus Field Chapel, by Peter Zumthor

Logic : Mass as Inversion

Mechernich, Germany, 2007

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CONCEPTUAL - Research, Analytical, Visualization

Brother Claus Field Chapel, by Peter Zumthor Accelerated Perspective: The scalloped walls created a ribbed texture that extrudes upward across the surface.

Designing the unified void as a spatial experience

Negative Materiality : The outer remains relatively conventional

Planar with regularized incremental form ties.

Source: Gail Peter Borden. “Process: Materials and Representation in Architecture.

Mechernich, Germany, 2007

Inner to Outer Form : Its interrelation on inner and outer forms illustrates to Juxtaposing in geometry

Material and Texture:: Limits of Budgets and level of sophistication possible.

The dynamic resonance between two different surfaces remain linked.

Interrelationship with form and craft with material system.

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Brother Claus Field Chapel, by Peter Zumthor

Mechernich, Germany, 2007

SCHEMATIC DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Sectional Process Layers and Sequence of Construction

A rational flat faced form work is incrementally erected, filed and compacted, then extended, filled and compacted and so on. The floor is incrementally cast in lead to provide a deep patia and irregularly organic form.

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Brother Claus Field Chapel, by Peter Zumthor

Mechernich, Germany, 2007

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT AND DETAILING

FORM and TEXTURE

A lean-to of angled ruled surface logs that increase in diameter as the depth of entry increases.

The surface, established by this transitional plane, form the space and deďŹ nes the broad continuity of the inner shape

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How to create diagrams?

‘For Analysing’

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Prepare a checklist

Pick a method

Prepare a checklist of what you want to analyse and how?

DeďŹ ne your method for diagramming. Keep in mind that it represents the maximum information

Choose a style A diagram can only become self-explanatory if the information is demonstrated in a simple yet informative format

Geometry

Plan, Section, Elevations

Rendered

Form

Isometric/ Axonometric

Line-Drawing

Structure

Perspective View

Colour-blocked

Concept

Blocks/ Abstractions

Partially rendered

Context

Site Plans

Overlayed 41

Choose a style: Line-drawing Pick a style that displays maximum information without creating a chaos

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Choose a style: Colour-Blocking in line-drawing Pick a style that displays maximum information without creating a chaos

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Choose a style: Abstract Pick a style that displays maximum information without creating a chaos

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Choose a style: Rendered Pick a style that displays maximum information without creating a chaos

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Begin with basic, Add multiple layers of information

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Begin with basic, Add multiple layers of information

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Subtle scheme, More analytical Information

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Make it complex, Do not Complicate

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