STUDIO AIR
2015, SEMESTER 1, BRAD PUI YEE CHEW
Table of Contents A.00 Introduction Part A A.01 Design Futuring A.01.1 Sagrada Familia in Spain A.01.2 Digital Cloud Skyscraper in Singapore A.01.3 Project Eco Link in Hong Kong A.02 Design Computation
Part B B.01 Biomimicry B.02 Case Study 1.0
B.02.1 Spanish Pavilion
B.03 Case Study 2.0
B.02.2 ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2011
B.04 Technique Development B.05 Technique: Prototype
A.02.1 Swiss Re
B.06 Technique Proposal
A.02.2 ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2011
B.07 Learning Objectives and Outcomes
A.03 Composition/ Generation
B.08 Bibliography and Appendix
A.03.1 Subdivided Columns A.03.2 Beijing National Aquatics Centre
Part C C.01 Design Concept
A.04 Conclusion
C.02 Tectonic Elements and Prototypes
A.05 Learning Outcomes
C.03 Final Detail Model
A.06 Bibliography
C.04 Learning Objectives and Outcomes C.05 Bibliography
INTRODUCTION
About Me Pui Yee Chew. From Malaysia. Third Year Bachelor of Environments (majoring in architecture) in University of Melbourne. From the age of 9, I started following my father to the construction sites. Feeling excited when looking around and exploring all the interesting things at the construction sites. Father is a builder. Thus, he taught me how to mix cement, how to lay bricks, how to saw timber etc. This is how my passion in architecture started.
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I adopt simplicity as my philosophy in architecture. I like to explore the form of buildings and its spatial arrangement. Like most of the modern architects, I believe form follows function. Decoration is minimal. Good architecture allows us to live/ work in a comfortable environment, making our life better. It is interesting to see how human and architecture interacts. Like Winston Churchill once said, “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.�
Computational Design The emergence of technology has shifted towards digital. Knowing that computational design is an essential skill in architecture, I have learnt a few programmes in my first year. I have learnt Rhinoceros in the subject Virtual Environment, using it for modelling and fabrication. I have also learnt Illustrator, Indesign and AutoCad in the subject Visual Communication. Also I have taken the initiative to self-learn Photoshop, SketchUp and Revit. With the lack of knowledge in these programme, I always got frustrated when I could not get the product of what I want. It constrained my design outcome. Thus, my aim for this year is to brush up my computational skill. I believe that Studio Air provides a great opportunity in developing computational skill.
Rhino Illustrator
Indesign
AutoCAD Photoshop SketchUp
Revit Grasshopper
FIG.1: MY KNOWLEDGE IN PROGRAMMING SKILL
DESIGN FUTURING
Architecture: a kind of problem solving The definition of architecture is controversial. Many people claimed that architecture is an art piece. However, I believe architecture is not just about aesthetic and not just about appearance and style. Instead, architectural design should be functional and critical. Critical architectural design uses critical theory as an approach to design.[1] “We are more interested in critical thinking, that is, not taking things for granted, being sceptical, and always questioning what is given. Designers start by identifying shortcomings in the thing they are redesigning and offer a better version.”[2] Thus, design should help us in solving our problems in life. Architecture, the design of space, is to allow people live/ work comfortably. The space is designed to suit our life.
[1] ANTHONY DUNNE & FIONA RABY, SPECULATIVE EVERYTHING: DESIGN FICTION, AND SOCIAL DREAMING (MIT PRESS, 2004), P. 34. [2] IBID., P. 35. [3] IBID., P. 1. [4] TONY FRY, DESIGN FUTURING: SUSTAINABILITY, ETHICS AND NEW PRACTICE (OXFORD: BERG, 2008), P. 4.
“It is hard to say that what today’s dreams are; it seems they have been downgraded to hopes-hope that we will not allow ourselves to become extinct.”[3]
The problem of today’s world: environment The persistence of the global environment is highlighted for the recent years. Many people have realised on the environmental issues as there are many alarming signs of the unsustainability such as global warming, speeding climate change, rise of the sea level etc. Population growth is continuing. However, the resources are not able to sustain. Likewise, the planet’s renewable resources are being used up at a rate 25 percent faster than they can be renewed.[4]
Design for sustainability
“Architecture is an expression of values. – Norman Foster”
We certainly need to think about how to sustain the world with the scarce resources. If we ignore this problem, our future will be at risk. There are two elements: design intelligence and technology that can help us in moving the world towards sustainability.
Architecture reflects the culture of the society: A change in culture
a) Design intelligence Design intelligence is important in realising the qualities of form and content of the designed environment.[5] This is a sense that helps us in judging about actions that increase or decrease the sustainability.[6] With the design intelligence, architects would not sacrifice sustainability for the sake of aesthetics. Architects, as involved in part of the action, have the responsibilities in creating the buildings that have no harm to our environment.
b) Technology With the advent of technology, many works are becoming easier. As such, the rapid prototyping in industrial design, rendering programmes in architecture, photographic retouching programs in graphic design and fashion to the full-blown design ‘democratic software’.[7] They are able to show us the details of the architecture and how the architecture affects nature. Also, with the technology like pre-fabrication, resources are fully utilized.
[5] IBID., P. 12. [6] IBID., P. 12. [7] IBID., P. 14. [8] DUNNE & RABY, P. 8.
During 1980s, building is designed to generate wealth and to provide a layer of designer gloss to every aspect of our daily lives.[8] This capitalism has driven the overuse of resources. However, in today’s world, green buildings are the new trend. For example, we can see that few modern buildings in University of Melbourne campus such as The Spot, Alan Gilbert and MSD are environmental friendly. This is because the society has realised the importance of sustainability. Thus, when designing a space, we should not only look at the behavioural and social science, but also the environmental aspect. “The mother art is architecture. Without an architecture of our own we have no soul of our own civilization. – Frank Lloyd Wright” The first precedent focuses on the design process takes many factors like material, structure system into consideration. The second and third precedent look at two examples of sustainable architecture, how these architecture are designed for sustainability.
SAGRADA FAMILIA IN SPAIN
Interior The interior’s columns designed by Gaudi look like trees and branches. The branching helps supporting the load of the building. The columns are formed by different geometric shapes. As evidence, one column starts from a square base evolving into octagon, 16 sided form and then ended up with a circle on top. The interval of the transformation gets proportional shorter as going up to the column.
FIG.: THE EXTERIOR OF SAGRADA FAMILIA (SOURCE: WWW.TRIPANDRATE.COM)
The Sagrada Familia located in Spain is designed by Antonio Gaudi. The construction begins at 1882 and the construction is ongoing now. The Sagrada Familia combines Gothic style and curlinear Art Nouveau. There are a total of 8 spires and 3 facades. They are decorated with the sculptures of traditional symbols.
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FIG.: THE INTERIOR OF SAGRADA FAMILIA (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.ARCHITECTURAL-REVIEW. COM/GAUDIS-SACRED-MONSTER-SAGRADA-FAMILIABARCELONA-CATALONIA/8633438.ARTICLE)
The reason why the columns are designed like that is because to supporting the load of building as mentioned earlier. The branches connect with the ceiling at several points, allowing the load transferred down to the columns. Apart from that, it is to suit the interior surface that is rich in ornamentation of abstract shapes. It is believed that these columns are inspired by nature. “All forms are developed from the transformation of basic geometric shapes without discontinuities, as Gaudi found in nature.”[1]
Vault-and-pillar system These columns are the result of Gaudi’s research -- the vault-and pillar system. “It is a knotted rope construction in which the columns correspond to the ropes. He turned the construction of the pressure points and hung small weights to stimulate pressure gradients in the columns.”[2]
Material
FIG.: THE INTERIOR OF SAGRADA FAMILIA (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.ROVENKO.COM/2011/10/27/ INTERIOR-OF-THE-SAGRADA-FAMILIA-BARCELONA/)
These columns are made up by different materials. The longest and thickest columns are formed by red porphyry (a kind of hard volcanic rock). Smaller ones are made up of basalt, granite whereas others are made up by the soft rock from the mountain of Barcelona.
Influence Richard Rogers’s split columns and Estudio Lamela’s Terminal 4 at Barajas Airport in Madrid are under the influence of this design.
REFERENCE [1] DAVID COHN, GAUDI’S SACRED MONSTER:SANGRADA FAMILIA, BARCELONA, CATALONIA (2012) <HTTP://WWW.ARCHITECTURAL-REVIEW.COM/GAUDIS-SACRED-MONSTER-SAGRADAFAMILIA-BARCELONA-CATALONIA/8633438.ARTICLE> [ACCESSED 18 MARCH 2015] [2] BARCELONA.DE, THE INTERIOR OF THE SAGRADA FAMILIA <HTTP://BARCELONA.DE/EN/
DIGITAL CLOUD SKYSCRAPERS IN SINGAPORE
The digital cloud skyscraper by Kay Ngee Tan was a pavilion design for World Expo 2010. The design has a theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;My Dream, Our Visionâ&#x20AC;? to bring in the Singapore culture: efficient, dynamic, progressive, and futuristic.
The users will first enter a dark underground space with services in the city as background noise (signifies the city), then this space will lead them to the bright digital cloud where the users can post their dreams.
This design uses a total of 3866 blocks to form a sculpture. More blocks are arranged differently and most of the blocks are accumulated at the upper part to give a feeling that these blocks are floating like clouds.
This design promotes the spirit of transforming life. It captures the culture of Singapore trying to promote.
FIG.2 DIGITAL CLOUD SKYSCRAPERS
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FIG. 4: IT IS LOCATED AT THE SLOPE TO ALLOW THE VISITORS TO HAVE A FULL VIEW OF SITE. FIG.3: THE TRANSPARENCY LEVEL OF EACH CUBE IS DIFFERENT. IT MAKES USE OF NATURAL LIGHT.
REFERENCE [1] DESIGN FOR TOMORROW, SINGAPORE’S STUNNING DIGITAL CLOUD SKYSCRAPER (2009) < HTTP://WWW.DESIGNINGFORTOMORROW.ORG/PROJECTS/VIEW/SINGAPORESSTUNNING-DIGITAL-CLOUD-SKYSCRAPER> [ACCESSED 11 MARCH 2015]. [2] SHARN, SINGAPORE’S STUNNING DIGITAL CLOUD SKYSCRAPER (2009) <HTTP:// INHABITAT.COM/?P=22155> [ACCESSED 11 MARCH 2015].
PROJECT ECO LINK IN HONG KONG
FIG.5: PROJECT ECO LINK
Project Eco Link by Junkai Jian and Jinqi Huang is a passenger terminal building sited on a river side (Liantang/ Heung Yuan Wai Boundary Control Point). The design form is asymmetrical and organic. The design connects both sides of the river with the use of spatial elements like nodes, branches and collective spaces. Apart from that, design also focuses circulation, viewpoints and accessibility.
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Sustainability? The crisscross form allows natural light enter to the building. It has solar panel roofing for power consumption (create zero carbon environment), rainwater harvesting for irrigation and a self-sustain green landscaping system.
Functional It allows people to reach the other side of river easier as it joins distant destinations with rail and wheeled conveyances.
FIG.6: PROJECT ECO LINK IN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
FIG.7 & 8: PROJECT ECO LINK MAKES USE OF NATURAL LIGHT IN ITS DESIGN TO CREATE SHADOWS
REFERENCE [1] ECOFRIEND, PROJECT ECO LINK: THE NEXT GENERATION ITERATION OF NATURAL AND SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE (2011) <HTTP://WWW.ECOFRIEND. COM/PROJECT-ECO-LINK-THE-NEXT-GENERATION-ITERATION-OF-NATURALAND-SUSTAINABLE-ARCHITECTURE.HTML> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015]. [2] AMELIA ROBLIN, THE PROJECT ECO LINK BUILDING BRIDGES CITY AND NATURE (2011) <HTTP://WWW.TRENDHUNTER.COM/ TRENDS/PROJECT-ECO-LINK> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015]. [3] WORLD ARCHITECTURE COMMUNITY, ECO LINK – INTERNATIONAL DESIGN
IDEAS COMPETITION FOR LIANTANG/HEUNG YUAN WAI BOUNDARY CONTROL POINT PASSENGER TERMINAL (2011) <HTTP://WWW.WORLDARCHITECTURE. ORG/WORLD-BUILDINGS/MPHH/ECO-LINK-INTERNATIONAL-DESIGN-IDEASCOMPETITION-FOR-LIANTANGHEUNG-YUAN-WAI-BOUNDARY-CONTROLPOINT-PA-BUILDING-PAGE.HTML> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015].
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DESIGN COMPUTATION
Computer is not just a tool in communicating ideas. Many people will think that computation comes after architects identify issues of the site, research and come out with idea (or solution). Computation is to communicate the ideas in mind, and then document it and fabricate the design. The former is actually computerization. In this new era, computer is used during the design process. This means that it provides assistance designing. As such, architects can insert the parameters found from the site into computer and the computer programme can help generate a range of solutions. These solutions can then be modified after the architects judge the solutions. Thus, there are generally two forms of design process: come out with design ideas and then computation and use computation to come out with design ideas.
[9] RIVKA OXMAN AND ROBERT OXMAN, THEORIES OF THE DIGITAL IN ARCHITECTURE (LONDON, NEW YORK: ROUTLEDGE), P. 3. [10] IBID., P. 3. [11] IBID., P. 7. [12] IBID., P. 4.
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There are many benefits of using computers in the architecture design process. Firstly, architects are able to use their algorithmic thinking to understand parameters of the site and materials.[9] With inserting these constrains (site and materials), computer is able to generate a range of solutions.[10] This can stimulate the creativity of the designers. As computer can generate different forms of solutions, we saw a shift in the design style, from imaginable and achievable geometries into a more organic form of design. Also, with computers, architects are able to see the 3-dimensional form of the design. As our brain may not be able to imagine the form of the design, computer can assist us in this way. Apart from that, manufacturing process is easier now as the presence of digital fabrication[11]. Every parts that are produced with the use of computer would be more accurate and less time consuming. The material used can be minimised and cause less wastage. Not forgot to mention, the dimension would be very accurate if we communicate our design in computer. Last but not least, we can know the workability of the design. We can know the performance of the design before we construct the design.[12]
Change in design process
Architecture in the near future
Other than the advantages mentioned earlier, computation has changed the design process. People involving in the architecture (not only architects, but also engineer, builder) are brought together at the design phase to work out how to design/construct the architecture. The design outcomes then are more integrated compared to the ‘normal’ design process. Before this, architects design the architecture and the engineers only come in during the construction phase. In that case, engineer and designer need to reach a compromise before building the architecture.
With computation,
The integrated design process is important because the decisionmaking process is non-linear. It involves many elements and complex relationship between the elements. Not forgot to say that some of the elements are variable. Everything is co-related.
“The dominant mode of utilizing computers in architecture today is that of computerization; entities or processes that are already conceptualised in the designer’s mind are entered, manipulated, or stored on a computer system. In contrast, computation or computing, as a computer-based design tool, is generally limited.
The symbiotic relationship between computer and architects
–Terzidis, Kostas (2006), Algorithmic Architecture (Boston, MA: Elsevier), p. xi.
The relationship between computer and architects is described with the word symbiotic.[13] This is because computer is good in rational and analysis. But it cannot feel and lack of creativity. Human can feel the site, is able to identify the problems and is creative. Thus, computer and architects should work together.
Precedents
[13] YEHUDA KALAY, ARCHITECTURE’S NEW MEDIA: PRINCIPLES, THEORIES, AND METHODS OF COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN (CAMBRIDGE, MA: MIT PRESS, 2004), P. 3.
1. We will have more complex form of architecture. 2. We will have more pre-fabricated buidings. 3. The possibility to have green buildings is higher as we can have the performance test of the buildings.
The two precedents focus on the benefits of computational design. At the same time, the approaches architects used is studied.
SWISS REINSURANCE COMPANY IN LONDON
FIG.9: THE DESIGN OF SWISS REINSURANCE COMPANY IN LONDON FIG 10: MAIN ENTRANCE OF SWISS RE (SOURCE: HTTP://MING3D.COM/DAAP/ARCH794SU2011/?P=85)
Swiss Re, is also named as Gherkin, is located at the financial district of London. This building is designed by Foster and Partners. It has 40 floors and 180 meters high.
Problems of the site There are many old low rise buildings surrounded Gherkin.
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So while designing this building, the architects need to consider how this building can fit into the limited land, and also avoild passengers be affected on the sidewalk. The other concern the architects have is the existence of turbulence at ground level if architects adopt the normal rectangular shape. These two issues are the parameters of the design brief.
FIG.12: THE DESIGN OF THE CEILING (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.FLICKR.COM/ PHOTOS/770/2111972360/)
Form
FIG.11: MODEL OF AIR CURRENTS FLOWING AROUND THE GHERKIN (SOURCE: HTTP://PLUS.MATHS.ORG)
With the use of computer tool, the architects got a range of design solutions: curved shaped buildings. The building is narrowing at the bottom so that it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t take more space at the ground level and that allows the passengers can still walk around the building. Computer also can help the architects in testing with the wind digitally.
Structure Like all other skyscrapers, it has a steel framework structure. Walls are suspended.
Material Although this building has a curved shape, however, but the glass used is flat (only the cap at the top is curved). Computer is also used in the fabrication. It transforms the building into individual flat pieces of glass.
Sun Apart from that, parametric tool is also used to experiment the curvature of the building. This is to ensure the building got right amount of sunlight entering the building. As a result, the building is just like a bullet, has a big circumference at the centre and got narrow down to the top and bottom of the building. With this approach, more light can be penetrated to the offices in the middle part of the building.
FIG 13: THE WINDOW FACADE SHOWING THE FLAT WINDOW (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.FLICKR.COM/ PHOTOS/770/2111972360/)
REFERENCE [1] MOLLY WIMMEL, PARAMETRIC THINKING AND NON-LINEAR DESIGN (2011) <HTTP://MING3D.COM/DAAP/ARCH794SU2011/?P=85> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015]. [2] GIUSEPPE DOMINIJANNI, NORMAN FOSTER, GHERKIN (2008) <HTTPS://WWW. YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=UZKD31GX5WO> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015].
ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION
FIG 15: THE INTERIOR OF THE PAVILIO
(SOURCE: HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22 ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/
FIG 14: THE SITE OF THE PAVILION LOCATED (SOURCE: HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22/ ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/)
Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) have done many parametric design and fabrication. One of the famous examples is the Pavilion 2010.
How design came about? In 2011, they came out with a pavilion with the biomimicry of
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sea urchinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s plate skeleton. The presence of computer-based design has allowed the architects to transform the principles of sea urchin to different types of geometries. Also, the study of material (in this case, 6.5mm of plywood) generates the parameter for design in computational design process.
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FIG 16-19: FABRICATION PROCESS (SOURCE: HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22/ ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/)
The morphology of sand dollar The basic principles of sand dollar were realized before design came about. The skeletal shell of the sand dollar is the modular system. These modules are connected with the finger-like calcite protrusions.
Testing performance Computer is also used in testing the performance of the design especially the spatial and structural material-system. This design has proven that it is a strong structure that can withstand high bearing load. This is because the idea of three plate edges meet at one point trans misses the shear forces at the rigid joints (no moments). Due to the material used (very thin and lightweight), it is needed to anchor to the ground to resist wind loads. Before construction, the joints were tested.
Fabrication For the fabrication, computer modelling tool allows the adaptability of the plate components and the fabricated finger joints. We are able to know how these plates are connected with the finger joints. These plates are prefabricated before construction. All the digital information is computer numeric machine controlled. This project has fabricated 850 plates of different sizes and 100000 joints. Then all these modules/elements were jointed together.
FIG 20 & 21: USING COMPUTATION IN DESIGN PROCESS (SOURCE: HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22/ ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/)
REFERENCE [1] MOLLY WIMMEL, PARAMETRIC THINKING AND NON-LINEAR DESIGN (2011) <HTTP://MING3D.COM/DAAP/ARCH794SU2011/?P=85> [ACCESSED 10 MARCH 2015].
COMPOSITION/GENERATION
The emergence of computation has led to a shift in architecture practice. Many of the architecture firms not only use computer to express the imagination of the architects but also use in the design process. Computation helps us to sort the complex information and interactions of the elements and thus generate solutions. This is refered to generation.
Why do computation? Today’s world issue, sustainability, is a complex issue. Sustainability is not just dealing with nature, but also human interaction with nature, social influence time and so on. Computation can increase our capacity to solve these complex problems.
[14] BARDY PETERS, ‘COMPUTATION WORKS: THE BUILDING OF ALGORITHMIC THOUGHT’, ARCHITECTURE DESIGN, 83 (2013), 2 (P. 4). [15] IBID., P. 4. [16] IBID., P. 4. [17] IBID., P. 4. [18] IBID., P.4.
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Shift in architecture practice 1: All sorts of computation programme are developed Due to the increasing importance of computation, computation programme has been developing from initial “Sketchpad” in the early 1960s to Grasshopper/ Revit computer programme. The scripting languages are then become important. Architects need to understand the scripting language and use it to write algorithm. Shift in architecture practice 2: Architecture firm structure has changed The term ‘computational designer’ is used in today’s architecture firm. There are 4 ways of how computational designer is integrated with design process: internal specialist, external specialist consultancy, computationally aware and integrated practice, and the lone software developer/designer.[14] Internal specialist is the most common approach among all whereby the computational designers work separately with the design team.[15] Other than this, computational designer can be hired as consultant for architecture firms.[16] The third approach is that computation is fully integrated with design.[17] The last approach, which I believed will be the future trend, is hybrid software engineers/architects.[18] This is because importance of computational design is growing.
“ When architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for architecture”[19] Shift in architecture practice 3: Architecture literature shapes future thinking
Benefits 1. Generation approach allows us to generate complexity. 2. The interconnected relationship of the elements (nature, human) is well studied and analysed. Thus, more relevant to the site and it produces more integrated design.
Many of the architects introduce computational design through architecture (physical form) and architecture literature. This architecture literature talks about the advantages of using the computational design, encouraging the society moving towards this practice.
Short comings
Generation-Good or Bad?
2. Architects might impose unnecessary constraints on the design process so that the outcome looks novel to them. This might leads to redundant forms.
“Generative systems offer a methodology and philosophy that view the world in terms of dynamic processes and their outcomes. It offers a paradigm shift for the process of design and the expression of that process. Conceptualisation shifts from primacy of objects to envisaging interacting components which in turn generate new artefacts”[20] By studying the interrelated elements and developing the algorithm, we generate and explore architectural spaces and concepts.
1. The use of generation approach does not preclude the architect’s recognizable style. Thus, every building is unique in a way that they are formed by different parameters of the design brief. However, they look similar as they all formed by the adoption of complexity.[21]
Process Generative design process always starts with idea. The abstraction of idea forms the algorithm. These parameters form source code and thus generate output. Architects therefore hold the role of judging the output and make modifications.
Precedents The two precedents focus on the approaches architects used.
[19] BARDY PETERS, ‘COMPUTATION WORKS: THE BUILDING OF ALGORITHMIC THOUGHT’, ARCHITECTURE DESIGN, 83 (2013), 2 (P. 12). [20] JON MCCORMACK, ALAN DORIN, TROY INNOCENT, ‘GENERATIVE DESIGN: A PARADIGM FOR DESIGN RESEARCH’, PROCEEDINGS OF FUTUREGROUND, 2004 < HTTP://CITESEERX.IST.PSU.EDU/ VIEWDOC/DOWNLOAD?DOI=10.1.1.146.3398&REP=REP1&TYPE=PDF> [ACCESSED 16 MARCH 2015] (P. 1). [21] ABID., P. 7.
SUBDIVIDED COLUMNS BY MICHAEL HANSMEYER
FIG 23: THE FORM OF COLUMNS (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/ PROJECTS/COLUMNS_INFO.
FIG 24: THE DETAILS (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/ PROJECTS/COLUMNS_INFO.
An abstracted doric column, which contains topographical and topological information, acts as the input of subdivision processes. Before subdivision, these columns have data of proportions of the columnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shaft, capital, supplemental base, fluting and entasis.
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Subdivision defines the column order with ornament, generating the form that we saw now. This allows us to differentiate the individual components.
FIG 24: DIVIDE INTO SMALLER SURFACE (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/ PROJECTS/COLUMNS_VIDEO.
FIG 25: DIVIDE INTO SMALLER SURFACE (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/ PROJECTS/COLUMNS_VIDEO.
FIG 26: SUBDIVISION WITH DIFFERENT DIVISION RATIOS (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/ PROJECTS/COLUMNS_VIDEO.
This is generative approach, different from just designing the column. With the information of proportions of column, fluting and entasis, the parameters are found. Then these parameters generate the form of the columns. Subdivision process generate from overall until the very detail part of the column.
REFERENCE [1] MICHAEL HANSMEYER, SUBDIVIDED COLUMNS (2010) <HTTP:// WWW.MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/PROJECTS/COLUMNS_INFO. HTML?SCREENSIZE=1&COLOR=1> [ACCESSED 16 MARCH 2015]. [2] MICHAEL HANSMEYER, SUBDIVIDED COLUMNS (2010) <HTTP:// WWW.MICHAEL-HANSMEYER.COM/PROJECTS/COLUMNS_VIDEO. HTML?SCREENSIZE=1&COLOR=1> [ACCESSED 16 MARCH 2015].
Result/Outcome and then fabrication The columns formed have high complexity and very detailed. They do not have a single motif in common. They are different. These columns were fabricated by using 1mm cardboard. They are then undergo lasercutting and stacked together.
BEIJING CHINA NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTRE IN
FIG 22: THE EXTERIOR OF BEIJING NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTRE (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.DAILYMAIL.CO.UK/NEWS/ARTICLE-2183785/BEIJINGS-AQUATIC-CENTRE-THE-CUBETRANSFORMED-MULTI-COLOURED-WATER-WORLD-HIGH-SPEED-RIDES-FLOATING-JELLYFISH.HTML)
National Aquatics Center was built in 2003 for the Olympics 2008. Its construction finished in 2008. It is located at the Landscape Avenue in Olympic Green, next to the Bird’s Nest National Stadium.
Design concept National Aquatics Center has a soap bubble-like structure. China’s tradition conceptualised Earth as square and Heaven as round. Its shape has allowed it to work in harmony with Bird’s Nest by Swiss architectural team, providing a visual of ‘yin and yang’.
FIG 22: THE INTERIOR OF BEIJING NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTRE (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.DAILYMAIL.CO.UK/NEWS/ARTICLE-2183785/BEIJINGSAQUATIC-CENTRE-THE-CUBE-TRANSFORMED-MULTI-COLOURED-WATERWORLD-HIGH-SPEED-RIDES-FLOATING-JELLYFISH.HTML) 24
Structural It is a combination of architecture and technology. A total of 3065 bubble-like cushions of all sizes are used. They are hold with the external structural framework, forming roof, ceiling and walls. The internal steel frame is based on geometry of biological cells. Polyhedrons if arranging in recurring pattern can create space (Weaire-Phelan structure)
Material used The material used in the façade is Ethyl tetrofluroethylene (ETFE). This material contains only 1% of glass. It is a very good thermal insulator and it puts off fire immediately when fire is approaching. (1) Material used help in passive design As the material used (ETFE) is a very good thermal insulator, part of the solar energy is trapped inside the architecture for heating. During the day, sunlight enters the architecture to light up the space. With that, it can save up to 55% of the energy load. ETFE is in blue to reflect sunlight. At night, it is like LED-lit bubbles. (2) Performance based Material encounters problem because ETFE is a bad sound insulation. Several tests is undergo to reduce the acoustic impact.
Elements related to environment 1. Water recycling system: the wastewater pass through two-stage filtration system before returning it back to the swimming pools.
REFERENCE [1] ARUP, NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER (WATER CUBE) (2013/2014) <HTTP://WWW.ARUP.COM/PROJECTS/CHINESE_NATIONAL_ AQUATICS_CENTER.ASPX> [ACCESSED 14 MARCH 2015]. [2] TRAVEL CHINA GUIDE, NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTER (WATER CUBE) (2015) <HTTP://WWW.TRAVELCHINAGUIDE.COM/ATTRACTION/ BEIJING/WATER-CUBE.HTM> [ACCESSED 14 MARCH 2015]. [3] DESIGN BUILD NETWORK MARKET, WATER CUBE - NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTRE, CHINA (N.D.) <HTTP://WWW.DESIGNBUILD-NETWORK. COM/PROJECTS/WATERCUBE/> [ACCESSED 14 MARCH 2015]. [4] ANGUS W. STOCKING, GENERATIVE DESIGN IS CHANGING THE FACE OF ARCHITECTURE (2009) <HTTP://WWW.CADALYST.COM/ CAD/BUILDING-DESIGN/GENERATIVE-DESIGN-IS-CHANGINGFACE-ARCHITECTURE-12948> [ACCESSED 14 MARCH 2015].
2. Thermal insulation system: vent regulates indoor temperature of the building through heat exchange. During winter, the vent is sealed off.
Construction A total of 22000 stainless steel and 12000 spherical steel nodes are prefabricated and then bolted together onsite.
Design approach Generation approach was used on the building’s design, engineering and construction. Arup used MicroStation, MicroStation TriForma, Bentley Structural and Bentley’s generative design technology in designing the building. Unlike parametric design that generates multiple outcomes for architects to decide which the best is, National Aquatics Center uses complementary approach. Architects use computation to look for the structural solutions. They are formed by the genetic algorithm. “Arup wrote parametric software that automated the drawing and analysis process. Based on specified design constraints and less than 190 loading scenarios, the algorithm iteratively checked the distribution of forces through the entire structure based on specific member sizes, allowing the team to test different design configurations and receive feedback within 25 minutes. The result was a spectacular building with a sophisticated structure that is optimized in terms of material weight-to-strength ratio, and it was achieved with relative ease.” Steel members and connecting nodes are analysed in terms of their configurations.
CONCLUSION
Computation is the leading trend in architecture practice. The use of digital tool in architecture brings many benefits to us. Generative approach is very useful as the outcome of designing is formed by a set of data (algorithmic) which is developed from the constraints in the site, material and so on. Generative approach focuses on the interconnected relationship between these elements (constraints) and the powerful computer programming is able to analyse and produce us a range of solutions in a short period of time. This certainly led us to a more efficient way of designing. Apart from that, generative approach widens our possibilities in design outcomes. It is interesting to see many approaches for computational design. What I am very sure of doing is incorporate the factors in designing. In design futuring, i have mentioned some of the designs in the past developed from the political/ social influence. I would like to focus on the inter-connected relationship of the elements (like site, material and so on), taking them into consideration while designing the architecture.
26
The benefits talked about in the precedents Swiss Re in London and Pavilion 2011 has reinforced my idea of using computation in looking at the complexity of the relationship of the elements. Swiss Re in London is specifically uses parametric design in solving the wind issue whereas Pavilion 2011 is looking at bio mimicry and then develop the algorithms. Beijing National Aquatics Centre uses the same approach too. I am more interested in this kind of approach in which we look at natural form or problem of the site and then develop the algorithm from there. I am also interested in exploring more on the material performance. It is interesting to see how Beijing National Aquatics Centre brings in the use of plastic-like material into design; making use of the opportunities that material brought us. This plastic-like material is very useful in the thermal insulation and energy saving system.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
It is really a new insight into architecture practice. By studying the precedents, I know that the computation provides us new possibilities of design outcomes. I learnt about many benefits of different aspects such as parametric designing, digital fabrication, performance testing and so on. Before this, I was always wondering about is computation a kind of design process? Do architects really design when computer programme generate the form of architecture from the algorithms? I soon realised that the role of architects in the future designing will not be the same as the past. Architects develop the algorithms and justify on the design outcome. Not to say that architects do not design. It is just that architects are using computer programme as tool in designing (problem solving too).
The invent of technology has provided us many new opportunities. Since the use of computer gives us many new opportunities (that s digital fabrication, parametric design) in designing architecture, we should fully utilize it. Architects and computer have symbiotic relationship, we complement each other.
Bibliography Arup, National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) (2013/2014) <http://www.arup.com/Projects/ Chinese_National_Aquatics_Center.aspx> [accessed 14 March 2015]. Cohn, David, Gaudi’s Sacred Monster:Sangrada Familia, Barcelona, Catalonia (2012) <http://www.architectural-review. com/gaudis-sacred-monster-sagrada-familia-barcelona-catalonia/8633438.article> [accessed 18 march 2015]. Design Build Network Market, Water Cube - National Aquatics Centre, China (N.D.) <http://www. designbuild-network.com/projects/watercube/> [accessed 14 March 2015]. Design for Tomorrow, Singapore’s Stunning Digital Cloud Skyscraper (2009) < http://www.designingfortomorrow. org/projects/view/singapores-stunning-digital-cloud-skyscraper> [accessed 11 March 2015]. Dominijanni, Giuseppe, Norman Foster, Gherkin (2008) <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZKd31Gx5wo> [accessed 10 March 2015]. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona, Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press, 2004). Ecofriend, Project Eco Link: The Next Generation Iteration of Natural and Sustainable Architecture (2011) <http://www.ecofriend. com/project-eco-link-the-next-generation-iteration-of-natural-and-sustainable-architecture.html> [accessed 10 March 2015]. Fry, Tony, Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics and New Practice (Oxford: Berg, 2008). Hansmeyer, Michael, Subdivided Columns (2010) <http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/projects/ columns_info.html?screenSize=1&color=1> [accessed 16 March 2015]. Hansmeyer, Michael, Subdivided Columns (2010) <http://www.michael-hansmeyer.com/projects/ columns_video.html?screenSize=1&color=1> [accessed 16 March 2015]. Kalay, Yehuda, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2004). Mccormack, Jon, Dorin, Alan & Innocent, Troy, ‘Generative Design: A Paradigm for Design Research’, Proceedings of Futureground, 2004 < http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.146.3398&rep=rep1&type=pdf> [accessed 16 March 2015]. Oxman, Rivka & Oxman, Robert, Theories of The Digital in Architecture (London, New york: Routledge). Peters Bardy, ‘Computation Works: the Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architecture Design, 83 (2013), 2. Roblin, Amelia, The Project Eco Link Building Bridges City and Nature (2011) <http://www. trendhunter.com/trends/project-eco-link> [accessed 10 March 2015]. Sharn, Singapore’s Stunning Digital Cloud Skyscraper (2009) <http://inhabitat.com/?p=22155> [accessed 11 March 2015]. Stocking, Angus W., Generative Design is Changing the Face of Architecture (2009) <http://www.cadalyst.com/cad/ building-design/generative-design-is-changing-face-architecture-12948> [accessed 14 march 2015]. Travel China Guide, National Aquatics Center (Water Cube) (2015) <http://www.travelchinaguide. com/attraction/beijing/water-cube.htm> [accessed 14 March 2015]. Wimmel Molly, Parametric Thinking and Non-linear Design (2011) <http://ming3d.com/DAAP/ARCH794su2011/?p=85> [accessed 10 March 2015]. Barcelona.de, The Interior of The Sagrada Familia <http://barcelona.de/en/barcelona-sagrada-familia-interior.html> [accessed 19 march 2015]. World Architecture Community, Eco Link – International Design Ideas Competition for Liantang/Heung Yuan Wai Boundary Control Point Passenger Terminal (2011) <http://www.worldarchitecture.org/world-buildings/mphh/eco-link-international-designideas-competition-for-liantangheung-yuan-wai-boundary-control-point-pa-building-page.html> [accessed 10 March 2015]. 28
PART B CRITERIA DESIGN B1 BIOMIMICRY
B2 CASE STUDY 1.0 B3 CASE STUDY 2.0 B4 TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT B5 TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPE B6 TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL B7 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES B8 APPENDIX
ARCHITECTURE FOLLOWS NATURE What is Bio-mimicry?
Architecture and Nature in the past
Bio-mimicry, by definition, is emulating nature’s characteristics into architecture.[22] “Nature does nothing uselessly,” a quote by Aristotle suggests that the form of nature has its own meaning. The form of nature provides an inspiration on how to solve the problem of built environment.[23] This integration of nature’s solutions with problem solving for built environment made the strong interconnectedness between nature and human’s life. [24] This harmonizes the relationship of nature and human. Thus, bio-mimetic design can be seen as an approach for sustainable design, helping us to solve complex problems such as climate change. This is important because after all our aim of architectural design in today’s life is building with limited impact on nature.
Many architecture in the past incorporated nature in its design. As evidence, Corinthian columns have plant life ornamentation to symbolize nature. Louis Sullivan arts and craft movement also focused on nature. Villa Mairea by Alvar Aalto uses irregular posts and columns to connect the exterior (forest) and the architecture. [28]
Architecture in the future In the future, architectural design will increasingly focus on nature, material science, computational and parametric design.
Human and Nature Human has been getting inspiration from nature, making us closer to the nature and experience the feeling of connected to nature. From the past, the followers of Greek religions named the Gods after natural elements.[25] As evidence, Zeus is the sky-God. Leonardo da Vinci also invented a flying machine Ornithopter by investigating the flight of birds.[26] JeanMarie Le Bris invented Artificial Albatross in 1857. [27] [22] BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE, WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY (MONTANA: BIOMMICRY INSTITUTE2014) <HTTP://BIOMIMICRY.ORG/WHAT-IS-BIOMIMICRY/> [ACCESSED 1 APRIL 2015]. P.1. [23] ABID., P.1. [24] IIARIA MAZZOLENI, ARCHITECTURE FOLLOWS NATURE: BIOMIMETIC PRINCIPLES FOR INNOVATIVE DESIGN (BOCA RATON: CRC PRESS, 2013), P. 3. [25] ABID., P. 6. [26] ABID., P. 8. [27] ABID., P. 11. [28] ABID., P. 11. 30
FIG.24: FABRICATION LAYOUT (SOURCE: HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/ DEVIANTS/CLJ02-ZA11-PAVILION/)
Precedent 1: CLJ02: ZA11 Pavilion It is a pavilion designed by students Dimitrie Stefanescu, Patrick Bedarf and Bogdan Hambasan and built at the ZA11 Speaking Architecture event in Cluj, Romania. [29] This design is to integrate the historically-charged context and attract the passers-by to the event.[30]
Opportunities It is a flexible design as it can exhibit space for new events accommodated for all types of ages such as bookshop stand, open-air cinema, small concerts and so on. It can be dismantled easily.[31]
Prefabrication and its concern With the limited budget, material and tools, this pavilion is finally built with 746 unique pieces. After all these pieces are connected, a free-form ring is created in hexagon shapes.[32] These pieces are pre-fabricated with labelling on top.[33] FIG.25: FABRICATION LAYOUT (SOURCE: HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/ DEVIANTS/CLJ02-ZA11-PAVILION/)
FIG.23: DESIGN USING PARAMETRIC TOOL (SOURCE: HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS. COM/DEVIANTS/CLJ02-ZA11-PAVILION/) [29] TRACY GRECH, ZA11 PAVILION (2011) <HTTPS://TRACYGRECHDESIGN.WORDPRESS. COM/2011/11/06/ZA11-PAVILION/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015]. P.1. [30] THINK PARAMETRIC, CLJ02: ZA11 PAVILION (DESIGN PLAYGROUND, 2015) < HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/ DEVIANTS/CLJ02-ZA11-PAVILION/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015], P.1. [31] ABID., P. 1. [32] ABID., P. 1. [33] ABID., P. 1.
Precedent 2: Canopy by United Visual Artists Conceptual Design Implications Canopy by United Visual Artists is inspired by the experience of walking through the dappled light of a forest.[34] The geometry of leaves gives the shape of the modules.[35] Thousands of similar modules are connected in a non-repeating growth pattern, spanning from the front faรงade of the building.[36]
FIG.26: CANOPY MODULES CLOSE-UP (SOURCE: HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/DEVIANTS/ CANOPY-BY-BY-UNITED-VISUAL-ARTISTS/)
Opportunities The canopy, just like what leaves does, filter the natural light during the day.[37] However, at night, artificial light is lighted on.[38]
Material Concern The materials used in this design are the powder coated steel, anodised aluminium, injected moulded polycarbonate.[39]
FIG.27: CANOPY (SOURCE: HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS. COM/DEVIANTS/CANOPY-BY-BY-UNITED-VISUAL-ARTISTS/)
[34] THINK PARAMETRIC, CANOPY (DESIGN PLAYGROUND, 2015) < HTTP://DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/DEVIANTS/CANOPY-BY-BYUNITED-VISUAL-ARTISTS/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015], P.1. . [35] ABID., P. 1. [36] ABID.,P.. 1. [37] ABID., P. 1.
32
[38] ABID., P. 1. [39] ABID., P. 1.
Precedent 3: Fallen Star Design Implications Fallen Star by Architectural Association DLAB Visiting School whose aim is to explore the biological structure and abstract the biological structure into design proposal.[40]
Analysis Design Implications
Opportunities Fallen star’s main idea is to allow interaction between users and installation.[41] The student teams break down their own natural growth algorithms into parameters that can be manipulated with an iPad interface.[42] The installation then reacts differently according to the user’s sound and produces different patterns onto the star design.[43]
Joints and functional space-protection
Fabrication concerns The student team first explore the formation rules of star and plan an architectural installation carefully.[44] This installation is then fabricated and assembled.
Light-communication
Interaction-communication Like the 3 precedents above, biomimicry always implies the the biological principles morphology (most common: communication, protection, water balance and thermal regulation) of the animals/plants. This helps us to understand the theory behind the animals and plants and makes us feel that we are closer to nature. From these 3 precedents, we understand that the design is then transformed into geometry shape modules for fabrication purpose. This geometrical modules are connected with joints.
[40] SUCKER PUNCH, FALLEN STAR @ AA DLAB VISITING SCHOOL (SUCKER PUNCH, 2015) < HTTP://WWW.SUCKERPUNCHDAILY.COM/2012/08/16/ FALLEN-STAR-AA-DLAB/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015], P.1. FIG.28: FALLEN STAR FABRICATION AND PERFORMANCE TESTING (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.SUCKERPUNCHDAILY. COM/2012/08/16/FALLEN-STAR-AA-DLAB/)
[41] ABID., P. 1. [42] ABID.,P.. 1. [43] ABID., P. 1. [44] ABID., P. 1.
CASE STUDY 1.0: SPANISH PAVILION The formation of this project can be divided into three main phases. The algorithm begins with 3 by 2 hexagonal grid. Disconnect all the hexagons and make changes on the length of the individual sides to form distorted hexagonal grid. Second phase involves the duplication of the 3 by 2 hexagonal grid. The spacing of the array of the hexagonal grid follows pythagoras. FIG.29: FACADE DETAIL (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. ANTONRAUBENWEISS.COM/EXPO/WEEK02.HTML)
FIG.30: EXTERIOR (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW. ANTONRAUBENWEISS.COM/EXPO/WEEK02.HTML)
34
Third phase is using photo image sampling to create offset pattern for the grids.
SPECIES 1
HEXAGONAL GRID
SPECIES 2
HEXAGONAL GRID CHANGED TO GRID WITH RECTANGULAR CELLS
SPECIES 3
HEXAGONAL GRID CHANGED TO TRIANGULAR GRID
SPECIES 4
HEXAGONAL GRID CHANGED TO RADIAL GRIDS
ITERATIONS ORIGINAL FORM
INTERNAL POINT 01 X-VALUE CHANGED TO 1.0
S P E C I E S 1
S P E C I E S 2
S P E C I E S 3
S P E C I E S 4 *SPECIES 2, 3, 4 EVERY ITERATION INVOLVED CHANGES IN PYTHAGORAS EQUATION, N 36
INTERNAL POINT 02 Y-VALUE CHANGED TO 1.0
CHANGE PYTHAGORAS EQUATION, N
OFFSET VALUE SETS AT NEGATIVE
DECREASE/ INCREASE OFFSET VALUE (POSITIVE)
SAMPLING IMAGE INVERTED
CHANGE SAMPLING IMAGE
DESIGN SELECTION CRITERIA Design Brief rule: cannot touch ground and water number of users: 1-10 people type of design: net, hammock, web
Hexagonal grids are joined together. It can be seen as emulating the honey bee comb. The offset area can be certain relaxation of web (hummock) for people.
38
This can be seen as emulating the animal cells. These modules shape fits well with each other. The offset area can be connected to form hummock for users.
Design is selected based on 1) constructability consider the design buildability 2) educational links to biomimicry 3) potential functional provides space or any other potential function for program
This is formed by the radial grid but it looks like forming by the triangles. Every offset can have different degree relaxation of mesh. This can be used as a roof system. Imagine a spectacular roof with different degree relaxation of web hanging from the roof.
Design potential -Different mesh pattern -Functional: as roof and floor -Light and shading
This design looks like the Canopy designed by the United Visual Artist, emulating the leaves in the forest. This can be a hanging net acting like a roof. The individual modules provide lights and shading for program like recreation.
CASE STUDY PAVILION 20112.0: ICD/ITKE RESEARCH
FIG.31: ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION 2011 (SOURCE: HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22/ ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/)
40
FIG.32: SEA URCHIN (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.UCMP. BERKELEY.EDU/ECHINODERMATA/ECHINOIDEA.HTML)
This pavilion is designed by the Institute for Computational Design (ICD) and the Institute of Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE).[45] It is emulating the plate skeleton of sea urchin.[46]
Testing performance Form finding and patterning The presence of computer software (in this case, grasshopper) has allowed the architects to find the form of the pavilion.[47] Then the sea urchin sand dollar plate skeleton effect is used to pattern the pavilion.[48] Also, the study of material (in this case, 6.5mm of plywood) generates the parameter for design this pavilion.[49]
The spatial and structural material system is tested using parametric tools to ensure the design is strong and is able to withstand high bearing load. Three plate edges meet at one point transmisses the shear force at the rigid joints (no moments). [50] The design needs to anchor to the ground the resist wind loads, especially when lightweight material is used.[51]
Fabrication Fabrication joints is tested to make sure the modules can hold up the design to create space. Parametric tools then is used for the adaptability of plate components and finger joints.[52]
[45] VISUALL, ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION 2011 (VISUALL, 2012) <HTTP://VISUALL.NET/2012/05/22/ICDITKE-RESEARCHPAVILION-2011/> [ACCESSED 15 APRIL 2015], P.1. [46] ABID., P. 1. [47] ABID.,P.. 1. [48] ABID., P. 1. [49] ABID., P. 1. [50] ABID., P. 1. [51] ABID., P. 1. [52] ABID., P. 1.
REVERSE ENGINNEERING PROCESS TRIANGULATION OF MESH
FORM GENERATION WITH FORCES
The project starts by using a circular mesh. This mesh is triangulated and referenced to grasshopper as mesh.
By using Kangaroo and Mesh Edit plugin in Grasshopper, generate the form of the pavilion. This form is under influence of 5 forces: equalization, bending, spring, pressure and unary force. This form is anchored at the circumference of the circle mesh.
ANCHOR POI
Change the anchor point by havi points at the circumference of the and part of the other half of cir Kangaroo to get the form (with 2
2
1
3
KEY DEFINITIONS
42
1) Triangulation
2) 5 Forces
-Enable forces apply on every triangle vertices
a) Equalize
b) Bending
-This is to make sure every side of triangles strengthen at the same length. This is for circle packing.
-This is for circle packing as well.
INT
TWO LAYERS INFLATION
ing anchor e semi circle rcle. Run 2 openings).
The pavilion is inflated twice. Scale the original circular mesh to 0.75. Place the smaller circle mesh in the inflated form from Step 3 and anchor them at the opening of the first inflated form and part of the circumference of the smaller circle mesh. Run Kangaroo to get the smaller inflated form.
PATTERNING
The inflated form is patterned with hexagonal grid (in this case, circular packing).
4
5
c) Spring
d) Pressure
e) Unary Force
-This is to transform the pattern into elastic web.
-This allows the pattern inflat into a volume.
-This is to lift the pattern up. Fixing the inflated pattern into the pavilion outline is needed.
S P E C I E S 1
S P E C I E S 2
S P E C I E S 3
S P E C I E S 4 44
TECHNIQUE: ORIGINAL FORM
PRESSURE LEVEL IN NEGATIVE 50
REDUCE STRING STIFFNESS TO 30
STRING REST LENGTH INCREASE TO 2
ANCHOR AT POINTS
S P E C I E S 1
S P E C I E S 2
S P E C I E S 3
S P E C I E S 4 46
ANCHOR AT POINTS AND INCREASE STIFFNESS OF THE STRING
ANCHOR AT LINES
ANCHOR AT LINES AND INCREASE STIFFNESS OF THE STRING
ORIGINAL FORM
S P E C I E S 5
S P E C I E S 6
S P E C I E S 7
48
PRESSURE LEVEL IN NEGATIVE 50
REDUCE STIFFNESS TO 30
REST LENGTH INCREASE TO 2
ANCHOR AT POINTS
S P E C I E S 5
S P E C I E S 6
S P E C I E S 7
50
ANCHOR AT POINTS AND INCREASE STIFFNESS OF THE STRING
ANCHOR AT LINES
ANCHOR AT POINTS AND INCREASE STIFFNESS OF THE
ANCHOR AT POINTS AND LINES
DESIGN SELECTION CRITERIA In previous part, design is selected based on constructability, link to biomimicry and potential functional 3 factors. These selection criteria are still relevant. In addition to the 3 criteria stated before, material used, site condition, emotional effect should put into consideration. 4) Material used Material used affects the design as the stiffness of the material and the rest length of the material will influence the form of the design. 5) Site condition
This evolves a strong feeling of anger. The hole in the middle provides an emptiness, connection to the sky. If the hole does not exist, the user might feel like he/ she is trapping in a net.
Site condition like pressure will influence the form of design. As goes to the surrounding of the site, this will decide the anchor points so then affect the constructability. 6) Emotional effect One of factor can be explored is how design expressed emotionaly. This will link to what i want to explore in the future about monumentality.
Design potential -Different mesh pattern -Functional: as roof and floor -Light and shading -Emotional effect
52
The irregular dome shap produce a feeling of dyna This looks like the movem of river water flows fro higher point to lover poi
pes amic,. ment om int. .
This looks like a bird. This provides a feeling of smooth and calm.
This gives calmness and smoothing effect. .
TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES Material Testing As mentioned in the previous part, constructability and material used are important. Thus, in this part, several material is used to test the performance of the material. Two materials that are used in testing are Tulle Veil mesh fabric and nylon mesh.
Configuration
Concerned outcomes are
Balsa wood strips are used to represent the columns/posts/trees that can be anchored at.
1) bending and stretching effect 2) visual effect aesthetics and emotional 3) structural effect able to hold 1-10 people
Fishing line is used to tie the mesh to the posts/columns/trees. Hammock knots are researched to hold loads of several people. However due to the unconstructability, hammock knots are not used.
FIG.33: MESH FABRIC AND NYLON MESH (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
How to tie hammock knots [53]
Tulle Veil mesh fabric is stretchable, has low stiffness. Its mesh 1) Bend the loop over the string at 90 degrees. is relatively smaller than the nylon mesh and it is translucent. 2) Pull the loop behind the underlying rope. 3) Pull the loop through the newly-made hole and tighten. Nylon mesh is stretchable as well but its stiffness 4) Wrap around the tree. is higher than the mesh fabric. Its mesh is larger 5) Take the end underneath and back over, forming when compared to the mesh fabric. a knot that should have the free end facing the same way as before you wrapped it around the tree. 6) Continue this process for as many times as you see fit. 7) On the last time through, pull the end through the eyehole created by looping around itself.
[53] EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS INC, IHOW TO TIE YOUR HAMMOCK TO ANYTHING THAT STANDS (EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS INC, 2015) <HTTPS:// WWW.EAGLESNESTOUTFITTERSINC.COM/BLOG/HOW-TO-TIE-YOURHAMMOCK-TO-ANYTHING-THAT-STANDS/> [ACCESSED 21 APRIL 2015], P.1.
54
Mesh Fabric 1) Bending and stretching effect Mesh fabric is very flexible. It bends and stretches a lot when a load is put to the model. 2) Visual effect It produces a translucent effect. It can produce a visual protection for users. 3) Structural effect It might not able to hold load of one person as it will stretch all the way to the ground. It is not strong.
Nylon Mesh 1) Bending and stretching effect The mesh do not bend and stretch much when a load is put to the model. 2) Visual effect Its stiffness gives a smooth form when the mesh is anchored uniformly. 3) Structural effect It is able to hold a load of more than one person provided that the knots connected mesh to posts are strong.
FIG.34: MODEL: MESH FABRIC (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG.35: MODEL: NYLON MESH (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL
Pr
M M M
Site Response Merri Creek is 70km long, flows southwards from Wallan (Melbourne North).[54] It meets Yarra River at Dight Falls.[55] Parametric modelling with grasshopper creates a series of solutions to deal with the problem mentioned earlier. The location of graffiti in the covered area can be the parameter and use that to generate a form.
Although much efforts has been done to improve the quality of the site, pollution can still be seen. Many of the bridges and signage are spray painted or covered by pen graffiti. Most of them are not visually attractive. Those on the signage has affected the signageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s function. Some of these graffiti contains obscene language too.
My study on biomimicry will take part in addressing this issue too.
As the graffiti pen/spray paint contain high level of toxic, removal of graffiti can cause water pollution. Thus, this is the main focus of my design. Apart from that, these graffiti evokes a kind of emotional feeling.
My argument To stimulate visual representation of social issue and improve view and spatial use of Merri Creek.
FIG.36: GRAFFITI ON COLUMNS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
[53] FRIENDS OF MERRI CREEK, WELCOME (FRIENDS OF MERRI CREEK, 2014) <HTTP://WWW.FRIENDSOFMERRICREEK.ORG.AU/> [ACCESSED 25 APRIL 2015], P.1.
56
FIG.37: SITE PHOTOS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
roposal on site response
My choice of design site is located at the south of Merri Creek, 6.8km (about 25 minutes drive) from Melbourne CBD and near CERES Environmental Park.
CERES My Site
6.8km
CBD N SCALE 1:500000
Justification of the site choice 1) Near CERES Community Environment Park CERES 500M
MY SITE
CERES is a centre for education and research in environmental strategies. It promotes the awareness of environmental friendly. Many people take part in environmental events held in CERES and parents/teachers like to bring kids to CERES. Thus, this can help bringing users to the design. In other words, easy accessible. 2) Opportunity: close to nature (relaxing sounds of natural flow of running water) When i walked into the site, the graffiti evokes my feeling. However, when i stay in the site for a while, the relaxing sound of water flowing makes me feel calm. This completely contradicts with the graffiti. This is an opportunity that can be included in the design.
FIG.38: RIVER LOCATED NEAR MY CHOSEN SITE (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG.39: 3 WAYS CONNETED FROM SITE TO CERES (LEFT RIVER BANK) (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
58
3) Issue: connection There are 3 main paths linking the site to CERES on left river bank. However, there is only 1 way to get to CERES on right river bank. The only way to get to CERES on right river bank is to cross the busy road..
4) Opportunity: Slope near the river bank, posts and beams This space can be fully utilised. It provides a good spot for recreation. This is because this space is protected by the weather and yet allow light penetrating into the space. This serves an opportunity for functions. The posts and beams located at this site can served as anchor points for web-liked design. 5) Opportunities: View to the site Trees on both sides of the river bank obstruct the views to the site. From most of the angles, the bridge is unable to be viewed.
FIG.39: SLOPE, POSTS AND BEAMS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG.40: TREES OBSTRUCT THE
FIG.41: TREES OBSTRUCT THE
Biomimicry: Spider Web The pattern of mesh of volume (Kangaroo outcome) can be explored. Rather than triangles, voronoi form is explored. FIG.42: SPIDER WEB IN IRREGULAR SHAPES (SOURCE: HTTP://FOLLOWYOURNOSE.ME/TAG/GRATITUDE/ HTTPS://WWW.PINTEREST.COM/LACEYSSTUFF/SPIDERS/)
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Research Field: Biomimicry Spider Web for mesh finding
Graffiti
Connection from site to CERES
DESIGN OUTCOME Design Brief: Web like design -Cannot touch water or ground
Monumentality: Form finding
-Possible function, walk on the mesh or mesh as roof
-Emotion representation of social issue -Attribute like vast
LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES From the course so far, I am able to come out with a proposal. I have learnt to develop a habit on making research on design approach, using the research findings to support my argument. Sometimes, the research findings might not support the argument. However it makes us reconsidering our argument. In addition, throughout the first half of the semester, i have been developing my skill in Grasshopper. It is interesting to explore this software. When errors occur, I will always understand why the errors are here and from there try to solve errors. Also this course also helps me in learning how to use softwares illustrator and indesign. Google provides a series of videos and websites with detailed instructions for us. The use of prototype to test the idea is taught in Virtual Environments too. This reminds me of the mess doing the prototypes. While doing Airâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prototype, i make sure myself has careful thought of what i want to test and how to test it to avoid doing unnecessary works. Also, my skills in modelling site by using Rhinoceros have developed too. Using parametric tools in designing a project gives me a lot of uncertainties. This might because I am not familiar with the approach. Using reverse engineering and iterations to develop a series of outcomes and analyse the outcomes give me an insight on parametric design. I think this helps us in designing because we can develop our idea/ concept from the outcomes we had from reverse engineering and iterations.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE, WHAT IS BIOMIMICRY (MONTANA: BIOMMICRY INSTITUTE2014) <HTTP://BIOMIMICRY.ORG/WHAT-IS-BIOMIMICRY/> [ACCESSED 1 APRIL 2015]. P.1. EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS INC, IHOW TO TIE YOUR HAMMOCK TO ANYTHING THAT STANDS (EAGLES NEST OUTFITTERS INC, 2015) <HTTPS://WWW.EAGLESNESTOUTFITTERSINC.COM/BLOG/ HOW-TO-TIE-YOUR-HAMMOCK-TO-ANYTHING-THAT-STANDS/> [ACCESSED 21 APRIL 2015], P.1. FALLEN STAR FABRICATION AND PERFORMANCE TESTING (SOURCE: HTTP:// WWW.SUCKERPUNCHDAILY.COM/2012/08/16/FALLEN-STAR-AA-DLAB/) GRECH, TRACY, ZA11 PAVILION (2011) <HTTPS://TRACYGRECHDESIGN.WORDPRESS.COM/2011/11/06/ZA11-PAVILION/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015]. P.1. MAZZOLENI IIARIA, ARCHITECTURE FOLLOWS NATURE: BIOMIMETIC PRINCIPLES FOR INNOVATIVE DESIGN (BOCA RATON: CRC PRESS, 2013), P. 3. THINK PARAMETRIC, CLJ02: ZA11 PAVILION (DESIGN PLAYGROUND, 2015) < HTTP:// DESIGNPLAYGROUNDS.COM/DEVIANTS/CLJ02-ZA11-PAVILION/> [ACCESSED 8 APRIL 2015], P.1. VISUALL, ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION 2011 (VISUALL, 2012) <HTTP://VISUALL. NET/2012/05/22/ICDITKE-RESEARCH-PAVILION-2011/> [ACCESSED 15 APRIL 2015], P.1.
FRIENDS OF MERRI CREEK, WELCOME (FRIENDS OF MERRI CREEK, 2014) <HTTP:// WWW.FRIENDSOFMERRICREEK.ORG.AU/> [ACCESSED 25 APRIL 2015], P.1.
APPENDIX- ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES PLEAASE REFER TO ANOTHER DOCUMENT ‘ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES’’
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PART C DETAILED DESIGN C1 DESIGN CONCEPT
C2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES C3 FINAL DETAIL MODEL C4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES C5 BIBLIOGRAPHY
DESIGN CONCEPT: FROM PART B
The proposal on Part B is about making visual experience by removing the graffiti from eyes. There were few issues related to the design that were pointed out in the interim presentation. That was a simple concept, just to frame peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s views. How the design sits on site is fundamental, especially where is the anchor point of the design in relation to the site. It is also important to think about the fabrication, especially how material properties complement the design ideas. Another concern about the design might bring attention to the graffiti rather than distract people from viewing the graffiti. So in Part C, the issues that I need to deal with are 1) the design concept and programme 2) working the design related to site 3) material testing and joints
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As a result, I decided to have deep observation at the site again and look at what other opportunities that the site provided.
FIG.2: FINAL FORM OF DESIGN (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
DESIGN CONCEPT: VALUATION OF SITE
View/ Visual Experience Distance from CERES and CBD
Relationship with CERES
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The site provides few design opportunities. My site is located near CERES Community Environmental Park. I see CERES Community Environmental Park as the centre of Merri Creek. Thus, this not only can bring the crowd to my site, but also provide an opportunity promote environmental friendly or related to experience with nature. There are 2 bridges at this site, one connecting the site to CERES. The east bank of the river is abandoned. There are two slopes under the bridge which provide a good site for people to relax. However, they are not used. This thus provide an idea that my site is good for recreation. Looking closer to the site, I realised the site had few contrasting elements. First was the calm water flowing below the bridge and the noisy traffic on the bridge. Another was the distracting graffiti and the good scenery to the green and river.
The experience on the site leads to my thinking on promote environmental awareness by having people to experience the contrast. Physical Elements FIG.3 : SITE ANALYSIS AND DIAGRAMING (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
By thinking dealing with the connectivity and the contrasting experience, a bridge between the bridge under Blyth Street and Merri Creek can fullfill all the issues i wanted to deal with. Also, the slope still provides its advantage of allowing people to relax there.
DESIGN CONCEPT My design objective is to promote a close relationship with nature and environmental awareness by having both visual experience and physical experience. I strongly believed that with exposing the users to the contrasting elements on site can create environmental awareness. With that, i made research on the how to deal with visual experience.
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VISUAL EXPERIENCE In my Interim Presentation, an issue about the technique of view framing was pointed out. In the Interim Presentation, the technique i presented has a strong possibility that will draw all the attention to the Graffiti which will then lead to reverse effect that is not what i want. With this, I look at other precedents that might inspire me on the technique used in creating visual experience. One of it is the Packed Cardboard Pavillion by MinChieh Chen and the other one is the temporary canopy and landscape installation at MoCA Shanghai.
FIG. 4: MINIMAL RELAXATION IN SHANGHAI (SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.BEHANCE.NET/ GALLERY/7413959/MINIMAL-RELAXATION-CANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI)
DESIGN PRECEDENT: PACKED PAVILLION IN SHANGHAI 2010
FIG. 5: PACKED CARDBOARD PAVILLION BY MIN-CHIEH CHEN, DOMINIK ZAUSINGER AND MICHELE LEIDI 3D PAPER ART EXHIBITION IN SHANGHAI (SOURCE: HTTP:// PACKED-PAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML)
[1] PACKED-THE CARDBOARD PAVILION-SHANGHAI 2010, THE CONCEPT (SWITZERLAND: CAAD DEPARTMENT, 2012) <HTTP://PACKED-PAVILION. BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML> [ACCESSED 15 MAY 2015], P.1. [2] ABID., P. 1. [3] ABID.,P.. 1. [4] ABID., P. 1. [5] ABID., P. 1. [6] ABID., P. 1. [7] ABID., P. 1. 72
FIG. 6: EXPLANATION OF PACKED PAVILION DESIGN IDEA (SOURCE: HTTP:// PACKED-PAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML)
The pavilion uses several forces like equalization, bending, spring, pressure and unary force in form finding so that the circles are packed. The size of the circles then determined by the size of triangle. These circles then extruded to form cones. The pavilion composed of 409 truncated cones.[1] These cones have different sizes at different positions, seek to fill the entire surface and form a network.[2] These cones tend to give stability, shape, illumination, view and spatial quality to the pavilion.[3] The sizes and the thickness of these cones are well-planned. The bigger and thinner cones are for framing view, located at the top of the pavilion whereas smaller and thicker cones for stability and privacy.[4] The fabrication of the pavilion uses corrugated cardboard in 28 layers.[5] The cones are cut, glued and labelled using technology. The only problem with the material is that the material is not weatherproof.[6] This then solved by a shrink foil.[7] FIG. 7: ORIGINAL SHAPE BEFORE RUNNING GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION/KANGAROO STIMULATION (SOURCE: HTTP://PACKED-PAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML)
FIG. 8: 28 LAYERS CORRUGATED CARDBOARD FORMS A CONE (SOURCE: HTTP://PACKED-PAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML)
DESIGN PRECEDENT: MINIMAL RELAXATION A
FIG. 9: 28 PAVILION DESIGN CONCEPT (SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW. BEHANCE.NET/GALLERY/7413959/MINIMAL-RELAXATIONCANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI)
This is a temporary canopy designed and fabricated by a group of architecture students led by Neil Leach, Wendy W. Fok and Alvin Huang.[8] The idea of the design is to create an undulating and responsive landscape as representation of the traditional Chinese garden.[9] The canopy creates a spatial conditions and frames the views of the surrounding skyscrapers.[10] The design used digital form-finding (that is mesh relaxation technique) for minimal surface structures. The design is just like pulling the handwoven soccer net by using PVC hoops.[11] This hoop is supported by a bamboo housing and fishing line with notches (joints)[12]. The fishing line is then anchor to the floor.[13] The materials were white to keep cool under hot sun.[14]
FIG.10 INSTALLATION OF MESH INTO PVC HOOP (SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.BEHANCE.NET/GALLERY/7413959/MINIMALRELAXATION-CANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI) FIG. 11: NET CONNECTED TOO A POLE BY NOTCH SYSTE (SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW.BEHANCE.NET/GALLERY/7413959/MINIMALRELAXATION-CANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI)
[8] ADOBE BEHANCE 2013, MINIMAL RELAX INSTALLATION . (ADOBE, 2013) <HTTPS://W GALLERY/7413959/MINIMAL-RELAXATION-C MOCA-SHANGHAI> [ACCESSED 15 MAY 2015] [9] ABID., P. 1. [10] ABID.,P.. 1. [11] ABID., P. 1. [12] ABID., P. 1. [13] ABID., P. 1. [14] ABID., P. 1.
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AT MoCA SHANGHAI
XATION: CANOPY WW.BEHANCE.NET/ CANOPY-INSTALLATION], P.1.
FIG.12 MINIMAL RELAXATION (SOURCE: HTTPS://WWW. BEHANCE.NET/GALLERY/7413959/MINIMAL-RELAXATIONCANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI)
These two precedents have given me a new insight on how to frame views. Although they both used different materials, however they adopts circle as framingview-geometry. Also they frame the view they want; not blocking the one that they don’t want. Thus, my design uses circle packing technique in framing the view of nature (a shift from blocking graffiti to framing view of nature).
CIRCLE PACKING
String tied to certain pattern. It might unitentionally covers the graffiti.
FIG. 13: CIRCLE PACKING (SOURCE: HTTP://PACKEDPAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML)
Instead of transforming the circles to cones (or cylinders), i decided to adopt string tieing pattern. With string (net-like), tie with certain pattern to form an unobvious circle (As diagram shown). This allows light penetrating through and allows for views to the river and green. Unlike solid cones, net-like form does not block views from any of the angles completely. This can be shown in the precedent the temporary canopy. Although it is to frame the view around the skyscrapers, but it still allows view to the surrounding through the small net holes. However, on the other hand, solid cones blocks certain views, as evidence smaller and thicker cones are used in packed pavilion for privacy. In Merri Creek, net-like would be more suitable as no privacy use is needed for the design and it will not reduce the ‘ceiling’ height that would lead to uncomfortable atmosphere. This happens when the site is too crowded with built-form.
Frame views of nature
FIG. 14: CIRCLE PACKING BY MESH TIEING (SOURCE: AUTHOR) 76
It is: A structure that allows the users to spend time experience the beauty of nature. A structure that allows the users from east river bank cross to west river bank.
PHYSICAL EXPERIENCE
FIG. 15: SUSPENDED BRIDGE (SOURCE: UNKNOWN)
Specific path was created: users will access the design from the east river bank. And get down at west bank. Then follow the existing small, pass through the part that used for visual experience. By combining both physical and visual experience path, a shape like below is formed and thus used in Kangaroo stimulation for form finding.
Physical experience path
Visual experience path FIG. 17: SITE ANALYSIS AND DIAGRAMMING (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
Shape used in Kangaroo stimulation. FIG. 16: DIAGRAMMING FOR SHAPE FINDING (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
SHAPE FINDING AND FORM FINDING The shape is put into forces of equalization, bending, spring, pressure and unary (circle packing definition), generating different forms. Then, the design is further developed by putting into 3d model of the site, with the anchor points on the site. The anchor points are choosen near the graffiti to avoid the graffiti being framed at the circles..
FIG. 18: FORM FINDING (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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PLAN AND ELEVATION
North
South
East
West
Site Plan FIG. 19: SITE PLAN AND ELEVATION (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
THE JOURNEY VIEW AND AESTHETICS: performing like roof LESS DENSE PATTERN: not to support weight
CLIMBING: down from mesh to ground with the use of column: Get off point. VERY LESS DENSE PATTERN: opening is 1m wide to fit a person.
RESTING: movement limited by the height to the bridge. DENSE PATTERN: hold people.
FIG. 20: 3D SITE MODELLING WITH EXPLANATION OF MOVEMENT AND ACTIVITIES OF THE DESIGN (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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CRAWLING/WA for maximum tw
VERY DENSE P level to hold the f
ALKING/RESTING: wo users at once.
PATTERN: highest stress frame together.
CRAWLING: movement limited by the height to the bridge. DENSE PATTERN: hold up people crawling through it
Anchor points
DETAILING
Ropes suspended and joined t
Concrete anchor around the concrete structure: hold structure
Plan view of the get off point: relation of mesh and column
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to the structure: safety.
Concrete Anchor: to hold the structure. Ladder: to access the structure.
FIG. 21: 3D SITE MODELLING WITH EXPLANATION ON OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE DESIGN (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
DESIGN CONCEPT: TECHNIQUE Generate intended movement for physical and visual experience.
Create the irregular shape from the intended movement.
Using Kangaroo stimulation (circle packing definition) for form-finding with the anchor points anchored at the site model. Creates several iterations by changinng the force parameters. The anchor points are anchored near the big graffiti. Total number of anchor points is 7.
Transform the mesh into surface. Rereference them as curves.
Divide the curves (triangle) into 15 parts (one side 6 points).
offset (shift) the items within these points. Form lines between the orginal point and the offset points. Run this 5 times to create higher density of mesh lines. These mesh lines are manipulated to control the sizes of the openings.
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DESIGN CONCEPT: CONSTRUCTION PROCESS Site preparation with equipment like scaffolding
Installation of concrete anchors on site
Prefabrication of joints and timber strips
Installation of suspended ropes on site
Arrival of prefabricated joints and timber strips and assembly of them on site
Tieing of ropes by pass through the rope into the holes to form mesh with a circle in the middle
Connect the structures (done with the mesh) to the concrete anchor with a hook
Tie the side of the structure to the suspended ropes to hold up the structure
Finishing and site clean up
TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPES
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CORE CONSTRUCTION ELEMENTS There are two main construction elements of the design. One is the timber frame whereas the other is the white mesh. Both timber frames and the white mesh are tested for constructability. Other than these two, the connection of the structure to anchor poins (concrete built-form) needs to be figured out too.
Performance of these elements
White mesh
Timber frame
FIG. 22: EXPLANATION OF MAIN ELEMENTS OF THE DESIGN (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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The first criteria of the timber frame is that it follows the form of the design. It is able to perform the smooth curves of the design. Since people will walk on top of it, it needs to be strong. To create a physical experience, the joints between the timber frames are flexible joints, providing some movements while people walking on top of it. The white mesh tieing between the timber frame needs to be strong as well as it is to hold up the weight of people. The string cannot be too loose or else it will affect the aesthetic of the design and it will not able to hold people well. It cannot be too tight too; if it is too tight, this does not give the movement of timber frame. When one part of the timber frames moves, the whole timber frame will break and lose its function. The connection of the structure to the anchor points is flexible joints. This allows a swinging effect when people crawling on the structure.
PROTOTYPE: FRAME TIMBER STRIPS WITH BOLTED JOINTS Timber strips are chosen as it can blend in with the natural environments. It gives the sense of organic and natural. Also, it is strong in strength. Bolt is a kind of flexible joints. It allows movement to the sides (left-right movement) but restricts the up and down movement. Generally, it can provide a strong framework for mesh tieing and people crawling. However, it does not follow the curve of the structure. This is because the timber strips are not bendable. (More precisely, it can be bend to only a certain degree. Once it reaches the limit, it would break into two parts. In conclusion, out of the 3 criterias stated in the previous page (smooth curves, strong, movement), this prototype fulfilled only two of them: strong and movement. It could not fulfilled the important smoothcurves-criteria. This makes the prototype failed.
FIG. 24: PROTOTYPE: TIMBER STRIPS WITH BOLTS (AFTER MINIMAL BENDING) (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 23: PROTOTYPE: TIMBER STRIPS WITH BOLTS (BEFORE BENDING) (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
PROTOTYPE: FRAME TIMBER STRIPS WITH BALL JOINTS
The unbeadable timber strips were tested with another flexible joint, the ball joints. The ball joint is created using 3D printing. The ball joint has 6 voids as there are 6 timber strips at each junction. The small connector, which consists of a small ball and a short strip with a 5mm hole, is inserted to the voids of the ball joints for rotational movement. The 5mm hole of the short strip is used to bolt the long timber strip to the small connector.
FIG. 25: PROTOTYPE: TIMBER STRIPS WITH BALL JOINT (BENDING) (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
When these 3 parts are connected, there are 2 movements involved. The ball joint creates a rotational movement whereas the bolted part creates a side way movement (left-right movement). The joints create an opportunity for the structure to bend. It can be bent. However the structure would need some supports to hold up the form as the structure with ball joints cannot stand by its own. The suspension ropes that i introduced for safety reason (mentioned in the proposal) can be used to support the form in this case.
FIG. 26: PROTOTYPE: HOW TIMBER STRIPS CONNECTED WITH BALL JOINT (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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FIG. 28: PROTOTYPE MATERIAL: BALL JOINTS, SMALL CONNECTORS AND TIMBER STRIPS (SOURCE: AUTHOR) FIG. 27: PROTOTYPE MATERIAL: BALL JOINTS AND SMALL CONNECTORS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
The prototypes seem to give me a good performance on movement and form. However, there are two big issues with this prototypes. It is too expensive to produce the joints. There are around 1800 timber strips with more than 1000 joints. It would not be economic to produce 1000 ball joints with 6000 connectors. Thus, the cost to realise this project with this method is too high. Also, the stability of the structure for people to crawl through is questionable. This is because there are two movements involved so when someone crawl onto it, the structure will wobble vigorously. Although the tieing of string will restrict some of the movement, however, the stability of the structure is still doubted.
Timber frame bolted with small connector
FIG. 29: MAIN PARTS OF THE PROTOTYPE (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
Ball joint with 6 voids
Small connector allows rotational movement in the ball joint.
PROTOTYPE: CONNECTION TO ANCHOR POINT CONCRETE ANCHOR (RING AND HOOK) Concrete anchor is suitable in this scenario as the structure is suspended from and anchored to the underside of the bridges which comprised of concrete beams or flat concrete slab. Concrete anchor can be found an eye nut attached to it. This is favourable as it can be used to hook the structure onto it. To show how the structure is hooked onto the concrete anchor, i used carabiner and round rings in showing this connection. This connection type allows the swinging effect. FIG. 31: CONCRETE ANCHOR INSTALLATION (SOURCE:HTTP://WWW.WILLIAMSFORM.COM/ CONCRETE_ANCHORS/REUSABLE_CONCRETE_ ANCHORS/REUSABLE_CONCRETE_ANCHOR_ APPS/REUSEABLE_ANCHOR_APPS.HTML)
FIG. 30 CONCRETE ANCHOR INSTALLATION (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.BICONET.COM/ BIRDS/STEALTHNETACC.HTML) FIG. 32: PROTOTYPE USING CARABINER AND ROUND RING AS CONNECTION OF DESIGN TO CONCRETE SLAB (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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PROTOTYPE: MESH TIEING
STRINGS/ROPES
As mentioned earlier, the white mesh need to fulfill several criteria. They are strong and allow movementt of the frames (not to tie too tightly or too loosely). Appropriate material would be climbing ropes. This is because climbing ropes are strong in holding the weight of people. Also, it is more blend in to the natural environment. However, it is rough, crawling through the climbing ropes might cause injuries. With that reason, a more appropriate material is the white cotton twine thick rope. Braided rope is strong.
FIG. 33: WHITE COTTON TWINE THICK ROPE (SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.ROPESELLER.COM/ SALE-BRAIDED-COTTON-TWINE-12MMTHICK-ROPE-OFF-WHITE-ZERO-9M.HTML)
The pattern of tieing needs to provide a circle opening in the middle. Thus, random tieing is not adopted. Experimenting in the Grasshopper by shift point in a list command, I realised that the number of times of shifting point at a different value, the mesh will be more complicated and will give a smaller openings. Thus, the size of the opening is not only controlled by the size of the triangle, but also the number of layers of tieing (with different patterns). The first layer of tieing follows this pattern: A1 to B1 to C1 to A2 to B2 to C2 to A3 subsequently. This gives a general big opening in the middle (depends on the size of the triangle too).
B4
B3
B2
B1 C4
A2 A3 A4
C1 to A2 to B2 to C2
C3 C2 C1
FIG. 34: MESH TIEING PATTERN FORMULA (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
A1 to B1 to C1.
Other patterns like A1 to C4 to A2 to C3 to A3 to A4 to B1 to A3 to B2 ...
IDEA, MANIFESTO OR SYMBOL? Am i going to use the site for sending an idea, telling people a manifesto or creating a symbol for the site? The final presentation brought me back to my initial thought on the site and my answer for that question is to pass a message. I just want to bring environmental awareness to public by letting them to realise the beauty of nature. My choice of the site gives these opportunities. Sitting there on the slope (one of the feature of the site), you will be able to listen to the calm flowing water and the surrounded greenery. Thus, i want the users to stop and spend time at the site. With that i created a hanging mesh for people spending time at the site. However, there are many issues dealing with the realisation of that structure and the main issue is the cost of production (the ball joint). Therefore, structure focusing on physical experience is abandoned. However, visual experience plays a big role now. Also, with the aim of having people to stop and spend time at the site, the spatial quality should be improved. Visual Experience The diagrams provide a clear picture on the framing view direction and thus determine the sizes of the openings.
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Spatial Quality The site has many graffiti. As I mentioned earlier, the mesh is anchored near the graffiti. The hanging net provides a veil to improve the visual quality of the site. Also, the spatial quality is bad due to the presence of concrete slab, concrete beams, steel columns and concrete columns. They give the sense of rigidness. Thus, my design tends to create undulating landscape to give a sense of soft and beauty. The biggest attraction of the site is the water flowing sound. Thus, the undulating shape of design gives the sense of flowing water. Also, the ropes tieing within the triangle will cast shadows on the water together with the frame when the sunlight penetrating through the under bridge. And when water flowing, the shadow will blur out and that gives a sense of softness, too.
FIG. 35: VIEW TO THE GREEN FROM VARIOUS LOCATIONS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 36: THE SIZE OF CIRCLE (OPENING) (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
PROTOTYPE: FRAME
BENDABLE WITH BOLT After the final presentation, I decided to reconsider the design together with the prototypes. Since my design now decided to just look at the visual experience and quality of space in communicating the environmental awareness message. Reconsider the performance of frame, mesh and connection
FIG. 37: TESTING OF BENDABLE MATERIAL WITH CARDBOARD AND BOLTS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
There is no need to support the weight of the users. Thus, the timber strips are replaced with bendable material, polypropylene. This is because the bendable polypropylene can follow the form well. Also, the translucent properties of the material provides design opportunities. Since it is translucent, the design on the site will not create a suffocate atmosphere as it does not reduce the floor to ceiling height. It gives a sense of softness. It also filters sunlight while allowing part of the sunlight penetrating through. Apart from this, imaginaring the translucent pieces with white net, the white net will look like floating in the air like white cloud. The white mesh tieing not only do not need to deal with the weight of people, but also the movement of the timber frames. Thus, the tightness of tieing does not matter. However, the tightness varies could create a sense of undulating. The tieing pattern for different sizes of opening is still remained. As the movement is not needed for design purpose, the connection joint of the structure to the concrete slab is changed from flexible joint to rigid joint. The concrete anchor without the eye nut is appropriate in this design.
FIG. 38: LASER CUT OF POLYPROPYLENE (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
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FIG. 39: MODEL MAKING PROCESS (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FINAL MODEL
98
FIG. 40: LASER CUT OF TIMBER STRIPS FOR PROTOTYPES (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FINAL MODEL BEFORE CURVING INTO ITS FORM
FIG. 41: FINAL MODEL (SOURCE: AUTHOR) 100
FINAL MODEL
102
FINAL MODEL CURVE FORM
FIG. 42: FINAL MODEL (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 43: FINAL MODEL SHOWING SHADOW EFFECT (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FINAL MODEL SHADOW EFFECT 104
FIG. 44 FINAL MODEL SHOWING SHADOW EFFECT (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FINAL MODEL SHADOW EFFECT FIG. 45: FINAL MODERN SHOWING THE FORM (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FINAL MODEL SMOOTH CURVE FORM
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3D MODELLING VIEW FROM THE ENTRANCE POINT
VIEW FROM VARIOUS POSITIONS FIG. 48: VIEW BETWEEN CONCRETE COLUMN TWO AND THREE (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 47: VIEW FROM TWO GIANT COLUMNS, CONCRETE COLUMN ONE AND TWO AFTER PASSING VIEW ONE (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 46: FIRST VIEW AFTER ENTERING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE BRIDGE TO CERES (SOURCE: AUTHOR) 108
FIG. 49: VIEW AFTER PASSING COLUMN 3 (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
FIG. 50: PLAN VIEW (SOURCE: AUTHOR)
VIEW FROM BRIDGE TO CERES 110
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VIEW FROM UNDERSIDE OF BRIDGE TO CERES
LEARNING OUTCOMES Objective 1: Interrogating a brief by considering the process of brief formation in the age of optioneering enabled by digital technologist.
Objective 3: Developing “skills in various three-dimensional media” and speciffically in computatonal geometry, parametric modelling, analytic diagramming and digital fabrication.
The design brief of our class is mesh relaxation and something that do not touch the ground. This is a tough challenge. When something that do not touch the ground, it needs to be supported with tension force. With the use of technology, we are able to analyse how tension can drive the form of the design. Also, we can analyse the stress of every part of the design. Form-finding definitely gives us a number of solutions.
Throughout the semester, i have developed the skills in 3D modelling especially modelling the site for parameters. In my case, a 3D model of the site is helpfull in the design stage as the model provides a clear picture on the anchor points. Also, 3D modelling joints for prototypes has helped developing this skill too. I also learnt a lot on other softwares especially Illustrator in dealing with the lineworks.
However, i believed my part dealing with interrogating the brief with digital technologist still a bit lacked of. Kangaroo stimulation can be used to analysis the maimum load that ir can hold, the stress level at every single part and so on. Objective 2: Developing “an ability to generate a variety of design possibilities for a given situation” by introducing visual programming, algorithmic design and parametric modelling with their intrinsic capacities for extensive design-space exploration. While exploring different solutions with algorithms, I realised that there are many ways that could deal with the sites. Parametric design allows us to generate these solutions by changing the parameter. Throughout the studio work, I started to understand more the process of parametric design. Part B2 and B3 asked us to generate different iterations and species. These are the outcome. We then need to look at the outcomes and speculate them. With that exercise, we are able to understand the idea of the parametric design.
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Objective 4: Developing “an understanding of relationships between architecture and air” through interrogate of design proposal as physical models in atmosphere. Although we are working on the design through software, looking at the architecture sitting on the artificial ‘air’ but we could still understand the relationships of architecture in the actual world. Architecture and its surrounding should have strong relationship. During design stage, I considered what opportunities of the surroundings of the site can provide for the architecture. Objective 5: Developing “the ability of make a case for proposals” by developing critical thinking and encouraging construction of rigorous and persuasive arguments informed by the contemporary architectural discourse. During the design stage, we should always think critically on whether this design works with the concept. Critically analyse and speculate the design outcomes and improve from them. As for construction of rigorous and persuasive arguments, I believed i need more works on this, learning how to communicate thoughts and ideas.
Objective 6: Develop capabilities for conceptual technical and design analyses of contemporary architectural projects. Throughout the semester, I have exposed to several architectural projects as precedents. It is interesting looking at the architectural projects, knowing why it was built and how it was built, This has certainly helped us in learning from other designs. Objective 7: Develop foundational understandings of computational geometry, data structures and types of programming. Computational geometry is the study of algorithms in terms of geometry whereas the data structures is a way of organising data. Throughout the semester, i used computational geometry most of the time. However, by learning from others, i got to know more about them. Objective 8: begin developing a personalised repertoire of computational techniques substantialed by the understanding of their advantages, disadvantages and areas of application. Computational techniques are very important in the new trend of architecture. By understanding the advantages and disadvantages, we will get to know how the techniques can help us. In this semester, I managed to explore different computational techniques. Through this, i developed my own preference.
BIBLIOGRAPHY ADOBE BEHANCE 2013, MINIMAL RELAXATION: CANOPY INSTALLATION . (ADOBE, 2013) <HTTPS://WWW.BEHANCE.NET/GALLERY/7413959/MINIMAL-RELAXATIONCANOPY-INSTALLATION-MOCA-SHANGHAI> [ACCESSED 15 MAY 2015], P.1. PACKED-THE CARDBOARD PAVILION-SHANGHAI 2010, THE CONCEPT (SWITZERLAND: CAAD DEPARTMENT, 2012) <HTTP://PACKED-PAVILION.BLOGSPOT.COM.AU/P/CONCEPT.HTML> [ACCESSED 15 MAY 2015], P.1.
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