ABPL30048 ADS_AIR
SEM 2 2013 GROUP 2+5
RUOXI HONG_519649
ABOUT ME
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China is where I come from and where I feel proud with. Chinese culture lays the roots of me. I love my motherland for its culture diversity. Travelling around is my passion since I was a little kid. I believe it is a great way to experience the different scenery, culture and life. During my journey, I started to get attracted by Chinese antique architecture, for example the Temple of Heaven in Beijing. They are so elegantly and elaborately designed. I could not help myself to imagine how satisfied that an architect could be, when he/she creates a great work with magnificent influence to the world. It is such a pride that your work could exist for hundreds of years and still amaze people in later time. As time pass, I gradually build
up a deeper understanding of architecture, but I just treat it as one of my favorites, instead of serious academic learning target. However, this attitude totally changed after I finished my Bachelor of Journalism. Media professional is an exciting career as the voice of a journalist has deep impact on the public, but I always feel that this is not the real passion for my life long career. Therefore, I decided to catch the chance to study architecture in the University of Melbourne, to realize my long cherished dream. Two years ago, I thought my life will be full of interview, word documents and night shifts. Right now, night shift is still unavoidable to me, but what I deal with is more about the
visual communication but not verbal or written language. Such a shift just happened to my life, and I enjoy this challenge so much. I think every stage of our life has its own meaning, and the most important point for us is to cherish every moment and keep looking forward. The photos on the right hand side page are my observation of the circulation system of Hongkong, a mega city, in a recent trip. Hongkong is a highly dynamic metropolis with a very efficient and diverse transportation system. The observation of this system reminds me the variability and the feature of being changeable of parametric design at some stage.
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PAST EXPERIENCE
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The most complicated outcome of my digital modeling is to design a wearable lantern in the Virtual Environment Course. I used Rhino to express my understanding of parasitism in architecture and an innovation of lantern looks. Also I have the basic knowledge and skills about AutoCad, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Sketchup and some other software, built during the learning process of architecture studios and some other courses. I regard these software as very powerful tools to visualize our design concept, because they response fast and allow unlimited changes. The almost only challenge is that you have to spend a large amount of time to get familiar with the language of each software before you could play it well.
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Above: Final outcome of Virtual Environment project.
CONTEXTS PART A
CASE FOR INNOVATION
A.1 ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE A.1.1 PRECEDENT 1 9 A.1.2 PRECEDENT 2 11
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A.2 COMPUTATION WORKS 13 A.2.1 PRECEDENT 1 15 A.2.2 PRECEDENT 2 17 A.3 PARAMETRIC MODELING 19 A.3.1 PRECEDENT 1 21 A.3.2 PRECEDENT 2 25 A.4 SUMMARY A.4.1 CONCLUSION 29 A.4.2 LEARNING OUTCOME A.4.3 REFERENCE 31
PART B
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DESIGN APPROACH
B. 1 PRECEDENTS & EXPLORATION B.1.1 CASE STUDY 1 35 B.1.2 CASE STUDY 2 41 B.1.3 CASE STUDY 3 47
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A. CASE FOR INNOVATION
B. 2 DESIGN APPROACH GENERATION B.2.1 DESIGN FOCUS 53 B.2.2 GH METHOD & DIGITAL MODEL 57 B.2.3 PHYSICAL MODEL & MATERIALITY 59 B. 3 SUMMARY B.3.1 MID-TERM FEEDBACK 63 B.3.2 CONCLUSION 65 B.3.3 LEARNING OUTCOME 66 B.3.4 REFERENCE 67
PART C
DESIGN PROPOSAL
C. 1 DESIGN CONCEPT REFINEMENT C.1.1 SITE ANALYSIS 71 C.1.2 INSPIRATION CASE FOR REFINEMENT C. 2 DESIGN APPROACH MODIFICATION C.2.1 GH DEFINITION 87 C.2.2 DIGITALIZATION 91 C.2.3 BEYOND THE PARAMETRIC DESIGN C. 3 DESIGN REALIZATION C.3.1 SITE & SIZE 103 C.3.2 CONSTRUCTION METHOD C.3.3 PHYSICAL MODEL 115
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C. 4 SUMMARY C.4.1 FINAL FEEDBACK & IMPROVEMENT 129 C.4.2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOME 131 C.4.3 REFERENCE 135
PART D
APPENDIX
D. 1 FINAL PRESENTATION 137 D. 2 PARAMETRIC EXPLORATION
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ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE
Architecture is charming and powerful because of its diversity. To achieve this kind of diversity, architecture usually swifts roles among engineering perfection, pure art, functional spaces, dedicated structure, or sometimes just a mix of them. Among countless architecture in the world, those great architectures are always the fruit and representatives of glorious civilization; meanwhile it contributes to its habitat and its inhabitants in multiple ways. 7
They are grand. Hence they easily become land marks. They are visually appealing. Hence they impress visitors. They are effectively functional. Hence they gather crowds of users and form the community center. They contain culture and cover lots of disciplines. Hence they become the best speaker of a time and a society. Moreover, they are durable. Hence they keep the memory of the time and the society, and then become monuments. From the Temple of Parthenon to the Pavilion of Seeds, a great architecture always reflects the spirit of the age and creates magnificent impact to the whole world. Therefore, we plan to create a monumental sculpture for Wyndham City.
“Design, accordingly, is a purposeful activity, aimed at achieving some well-defined goals.” ——Yehuda E. Kalay
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PRECEDENT 1 Congress Building, Brasilia, Brazil, 1959 Architect: Oscar Niemeyer
The Congress Building is an amazing sample for using architecture to visualize the principles of modern democracy in Brazil. At the first sight, it is easy for the visitors to be attracted by the simple and bright mega structure in the glorious sunshine of Brazil. Its exterior composition features strong characteristic of Modernism.
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Beyond the designing style, the building itself describes the principles of Brazilian political system and demonstrates the ideas of democracy, by using concepts oriented design techniques, analogy.
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The bigger bowl stands for the House of Representatives, which should be open to the public; while the upside down and relatively smaller bowl stands for the Upper House, which should be generating the public voice and controlling the running of government. Also the two rising vertical volume for general official works, which look like alphabet “H”, stand for “Homen”. The architectural analogy within the Congress Building of Brazil not only shapes the core of the composition but also shows the world of democracy progress of Brazil. This design method enlightens me that we could use analogy to design a gateway with depth and significance.
Fig 1: Distant view of the Congress Building, a representative of Modernism
“Forms of surprise and emotion, designed above all to withdraw the visitor – be it for a few brief instants – from the difficult problems, at times overwhelming, that life poses for all of us.” Oscar Niemeyer -- Judith Resnik & Dennis Curtis
PRECEDENT 2 Salk Institute, La Jolla, California, 1959-1965. Architect: Louis Kahn
Great architecture serve human and are created by human. As Louis Kahn argues, we human are the creator and keys to those grand land marks. We architects analyze the features of the site, in order to deliver a design that could cooperate with the context and take advantage of the context.
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In this project, a central linear water channel and a symmetrical design are applied to create an elegant picture frame to capture the scene. Especially when on the autumnal and vernal equinox, the sun rises and sets along this water channel, forming a very subtle and poetic feeling. In this design, artificial construction and natural viewing live in harmony with an unadorned scent. This construction shows a concept well that architects use smart design to present and increase the charm of the site. This kind of project is definitely memorable to all visitors as showing the dignity of natural laws and human widows. This inspires us to consider that we should dig into the inner characteristics of the city in order to develop a contextual and elegant design.
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Fig 2: Elegant and timeless mixture of artificial construction and natural beauty showed in the sunset at the Salk Institute
“Nature does not make Art. She works by circumstance and law. Only man makes Art. Because man chooses. He invents. He can make the doors smaller than people and skies black in the daytime if he wants to. He assembles. He can bring together the mountain, the serpent and the child.� —Louis I. Kahn.
COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
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As above, we discussed how great architecture benefits the site and consequently influences the whole planet. Naturally, for an ambitious architect and a motivated client, the next question to ask is how to achieve a great architecture? Answers may vary, but it is less arguable that the first starting point of any design is a nice concept. The concept comes from the observation, consideration and imagination of the designer/ designers. After generating awesome ideas, the next step is to realize them. How to visualize the images in our mind? Before entered the age of PC, what we rely on are our hands. We draw everything down on the paper, including diagrams, perspective viewing or even details about the pattern of a capital or the thickness of a wall. A master in architecture usually is a master
in art, especially in drawing. However, owing to the advancement in technology, architects are not that limited by his/her handy drawing skills in nowadays. It is because that we have developed lots of more efficient visualization methods. For example, compared to Andrea Palladio, who used very precise and time consuming handy drawing to show a Roman temple, a normal draft person might use AutoCad to draw a similar façade within hours or just few days. Better, he/she could change any parts according to requirements without redrawing the whole façade by clicking his/her mouse. This firstly means architects are partly free from the limitation of drawing techniques and win more time for generating better design ideas. Then with the same working time, more
possible attempts could be conducted to refine the design. Next, those powerful tools, such as Rhino, fly the imagination of architects from the traditional geometry and space organization to a more flexible and conceivable geometry. Architects are no more strictly limited by the old laws and rules, and could focus more on innovation instead of copying. This is also resulted by a pursuit of creative design in the contemporary world. We choose creative works to illustrate our own personalities and shape our own identification. Lastly, the freedom in design allows architects to pay more attention on the inner features of design targets. This gives a design depth and connotation.
“Architects are increasingly experimenting with computation to simulate building performance, to incorporate performance analysis and knowledge about material, tectonics and parameters of production machinery in their design drawings. These new custom digital tools allow for performance feedback at various stages of an architectural project, creating new design opportunities.” -- Brady, Peter
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Fig 3: The plan shows a unique and almost unprecedented fluidity in its organic form and structure.
PRECEDENT 1 Kartal Pendik Masterplan, Istanbul, Turkey, 2006 Architect: Zaha Hadid Though it is not the master piece that makes Zaha getting well known globally, this project enlightens a new age of architecture design at some stage. It demonstrates a peculiar but not superficial architectural language.
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Firstly the plan features an extremely abstract, partly organic and even fragmented flexibility. This flexibility is achieved by the use of new computational design instead of past tools, for example SketchUp. The skyline, every block and even the single building all show a continuous gradient smoothly. Zaha believes this flowing structure taking shape from the topography and locational features of Kartal and is a really responsive work. As the influence of Zaha’s design becomes greater and greater, this style kind of becomes one of the symbols of a computational design. Second, this flexible and organic style is considered to mirror the society development and technology advancement in the views of lots of critics. Just as Patrik Schumacher says, the new assignment for architects and urban planners to think about is to combine the consideration of social issues and civilization progress within the design. Zaha realize this concept in the urban plan. It is because the design is not generated by a random exploration with geometry, but containing deep consideration of the complex and tightly related features of urban elements. This consideration is the key to a “really responsive work” achieved by digital design methods.
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“The task is to develop an architectural and urban repertoire that is geared up to create complex, polycentric urban and architectural fields which are densely layered and continuously differentiated.” -- Patrik Schumacher
PRECEDENT 2 SWARM URBANISM, Melbourne Docklands redevelopment, Melbourne, 2008 Architect: Kokkugia
In this urban redevelopment research, Kokkugia applied the Swarm Intelligence to urbanism. It stresses a rise of the local interacts and the self-organization of structures. Specifically speaking, it is to identity each local agent and allows them to build their interaction in a natural way. Hence the local agents could generate a highly complicated
system with closely related interrelationship. Therefore, the effect of a change in a single local agent could be reflected in the whole system operation, which is more close to a system running in the real world. These two urban plans demonstrate the possibility of computational design to deal with more complex design
issues at a super large scale. Also, they show the potential of computational design in dealing with dynamic design circumstance and its special advantage. Therefore, we believe a unique identification gateway could be achieved by a proper use of this new technology.
“The shift from plan to algorithm challenges the primacy of the two dimensional plan. Swarm systems are capable of generating complex three dimensional urban structures and networks.� -- Kokkugia
Fig 4: Computational design method provides easy way to solve complex and interrelated problems. 17
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PARAMETRIC MODELING
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Since computation works becomes more practical and widely applied and accepted, Rhino and Grasshopper become one of the most popular parametric modeling platforms for architecture design. The reason for its popularity is its great modeling ability and its visible programming and modeling process, which makes the programming more easily understood and manipulated. As Burry (2011) discusses in his “Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming”, there are three major advantages of computer programming. They are saving investment in time, reducing production cost and getting rid of some impossibility in other software. Another crucial advantage of parametric modeling is the corporation of variable elements and the
changeable outcome of the complex interactions. These compliments of new technology encourage an architect to build up strong parametric design ability and even to be a tool maker rather than a tool user in the coming ages. Meanwhile, there is also weakness of this new technology. Personally speaking, it is easy to be lost in computational design world. Namely, it is highly possible for architect to trace for a unique but meaningless geometry by unquestioning use of algorithm sketches. For further understand the application of parametric modeling, I have studied two precedents, and found that a proper use of parametric modeling, in all perspectives, including timing, depth and purpose, is the key to
a successful contemporary architecture design in parametric style. This critical finding inspires me to consider about how to conduct our design for Wyndham Gateway Project. Like the precedents, we hope to complete a monument for Wyndham by taking the advantages of computational designing methods. We hope to use new technology to bring the site a unique land mark. Now we start to think about the possible role of parametric modeling in our further design. A preliminary idea is that parametric modeling will be regarded as an important method in the geometry finding process to give the design a shape and dressing out of the ordinary.
“Conventional design systems are straightforward emulations of this centuries old means of work. Parametric modeling (also known as constraint modeling) introduces a fundamental change: ‘marks’, that is, parts of a design, relate and change together in a coordinated way.” ——Woodbury, Robert
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PRECEDENT 1 The Yorkshire Diamond, Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion competition, 2009 Architect: Various Architects
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This project is interesting for its inflatable characteristic and its possibility to adapt to different context for different purpose. It looks high technology and out of the planet at some stage, but the variable inner space shaping is achieved by different combination and installation on site in a manual manner. Namely, it realizes the parametric logic by handy craft but not in Grasshopper. In this case, parametric modeling plays a more important role of inspiration clue but not the final design method of the pavilion itself. However, it is another interesting application area of parametric design for conducting an architectural composition.
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Fig 5: Field view of the pavilion
“Their project, named “The Yorkshire Diamond“, has a very particular structure with inflatable tubes forming a diamond-lattice structure, forming a box with an excavated interior, which allows for different configurations.”-- Archdaily
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Fig 6: Variability exists in the different onsite construction methods of the cells
PRECEDENT 2 M Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany, 2001–2006 Architect: UN Studio
To achieve monumentality in the modern context, parametric design is delicately applied in this composition for Benz Museum.
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This project demonstrates how architects and engineers develop a design from very initial play with sketch and simple model making to looking for the circulation logic into a sharp and speed feeling museum by applying parametric designing methods. Parametric modeling here is only introduced after the confirmation of basic design geometry, as a refining tool to achieve a more fluent and coherent spatial flow. The revolution is not only existing in its peculiar forms but more inside of this building, such as how does the circulation pattern get organized, how does the show rooms be connected by spiral ramps and how do each individual components cooperatively and interactively form an organic and futurism work. The accomplished building is not only featuring in amazing appearance, but also delivering the spirit of parametric design within it. This is a way to be monumental both interior and exterior I think.
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Fig 7: Distant view of the weaving facade
“The Museum’s sophisticated geometry synthesizes structural and programmatic organizations resulting in a new landmark building celebrating a legendary car.” – UN Studio
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Fig 8: The design generation process of Benz Museum provides a great example of successful design flow with the application of digitalization.
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CONCLUSION
LEARNING OUTCOME
The world is a dynamic system, and architecture as an interpretation of the world in micro scale, dynamism should be its most important feature. A piece of architecture, with monumentality, should not be a work forgotten by the public and the history after creation, but a work integrating well with the context and satisfying the public demands in a most suitable way. For achieving this goal, Grasshopper and Rhino provide a new platform for our architect to explore as much as possible paths to the final solution. It offers the amazing skin pattern and unusual shape for the gateway design, which would make it memorable visually. Furthermore, parametric design could analyze more issues that having impact on the design, such as different context condition or different design focuses, and prepare variable possible solutions for further valuation. Then let the world vote for the best gateway we will have at Wyndham.
After three weeks learning about Grasshopper and parametric design, I realize they are really powerful tools with great potential. They provide a brand new method to achieve our complex design concepts. Therefore to face the challenge from the new age, a young architectural designer should be well prepared with this new technology. On the other hand, I consider that parametric design should not only involve the industrial professionals. A more meaningful developing orientation for parametric design method is to create a platform for the public to engage with design process and speak out their opinion. Hence they have more opportunity to get the architecture they really expect. Perhaps the day that everyone is architect may not be far away, and architect at that time probably are more like a consultant or a “tool maker�.
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REFERENCE FOR TEXT
1. Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media : Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2004), pp. 5 - 25 2. Definition of “algorithm” in Wilson, Robert A. and Frank C. Keil eds(1999) in The Mit Encyclopedia of Cognitive Science (London: The MIT Press) pp.11-12 3. Brady, Peter (2013) Computation Works: The building of algorithmic thought. Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 8 - 15 4. Burry, Mark (2011). Scripting Cultures: Architectural Design and Programming (Chichester: Wiley), pp. 8 - 71. 5. Daniel C. Llach (2013) Algorithmic Tectonics: How Cold War Era Research Shaped Our Imagination of Design Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 16-21 6. Judith Resnik & Dennis Curtis, Representing Justice: Invention, Controversy, and Rights in City-States and Democratic Courtrooms (Yale: Yale University Press, 2011) , pp. 380 7. Heinz Ronner, with Sharad Jhaveri and Alessandro Vasella, Louis I. Kahn: Complete Works 1935-74. Boulder, (CO: Westview Press, 1977) p187, 194. 31
8. Patrik Schumacher, PARAMETRICIST MANIFESTO http://www.patrikschumacher.com/Texts/The%20 Rise%20of%20Parametricism.html 9. Kokkugia, Swarm-urbanism
http://www.kokkugia.com/swarm-urbanism
10. Woodbury, Robert (2010). Elements of Parametric Design (London: Routledge) pp. 7-22 11. Archdaily, The Yorkshire Diamond http://www.archdaily.com/14312/the-yorkshire-diamond-various-architects/ 12. UN Studio, M Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany, 2001–2006 http://www.unstudio.com/projects/mercedes-benz-museum
REFERENCE FOR IMAGE Fig 1 Oscar Niemeyer, Congress Building http://media.npr.org/assets/img/2012/12/06/1577468991-cccdc9a5cfd6939795e616132476f6ca47f da441.jpg Fig 2 Louis Kahn, Salk Institute http://www.flickr.com/photos/sameermundkur/6865878740/ Fig 3 Zaha Hadid, Kartal Pendik Master plan http://www.zaha-hadid.com/masterplans/kartal-pendik-masterplan/ accessed at 08/08/2013 Fig 4 Kokkugia, Melbourne Docklands redevelopment, 2008 http://www.kokkugia.com/ accessed at 02/08/2013 Fig 5&6 Various Architects, The Yorkshire Diamond, Yorkshire Renaissance Pavilion competition, 2009 http://www.archdaily.com/14312/the-yorkshire-diamond-various-architects/ Fig 7&8 UN Studio, M Benz Museum, Stuttgart, Germany, 2001–2006 http://www.unstudio.com/projects/mercedes-benz-museum accessed at 17/08/2013
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B. DESIGN APPROACH
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CASE STUDY 1.0
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After discussion, we have chosen grid and lattice as our material system to develop design approach. It is because we are attracted by the beauty within the repetition of simple strip segments in grids. The order and pure geometry create a special type of art feeling. An amazing precedent is the Theoretical Matter made by NEIL TAYLOR between 1999 and 2000. In this dedicated design, grid and lattice play more
than a simple role of structural supporting, but contribute more on the visual power. The half transparent structure and the changeable lightness through the structure add a mythical feeling to this project. Hence we start to explore Lunchbox in Grasshopper to play with the features of grid and lattice. We have tested most of the options of Lunchbox on one or two simple curved
surface, but the result is not satisfying. Below shows one of the testing definitions. The normal grid system looks plain, similar and boring, and contains few parametric factors for further controlling besides the size and density of the grid. It seems that a simple grid system lacks potential for further developing. Therefore we move to a more real architecture work to look for inspiration.
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Fig 1
Theoretical Matter made by NEIL TAYLOR between 1999 and 2000
CASE STUDY 1.1
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The reproduction of the pavilion in Rhino and Grasshopper
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French Pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 designed by Jacques Ferrier Architects
CASE STUDY 1.1 I chose French Pavilion for Shanghai Expo 2010 designed by Jacques Ferrier Architects as the study precedent. I first figure out the design method and then make 56 iterations of the model. Though I successfully tried out the flexibility of a grid system, the final outcome is not really amazing. It is because the basic logic of this method is too simple and highly predictable, though the look varies. Hence we decided to look for a more inspiring application of grid and lattice.
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Iterations of the case study grasshopper definition.
CASE STUDY 2.0 We choose Canton Tower as this term’s precedent, as it not only uses grid to act as structural members but also use grid to form its shape properly and fluently. Hence it could be a great work with concurrent consideration of engineering
and art. We found the outcome of the digital model is elegant. The best part is that there are quite a few parametric factors within this definition, which means it has a better flexibility
to response to more specific design requirements. We continued the exploration of this definition and tried to make 50 iterations to test its changeability. From the matrixes it is not difficult to tell
that the outcome is always a symmetrical tower no matter how we modify the factors.
Fig 3 Canton Tower designed by Information Based Architecture, 2010
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Parameter 1
Parameter 1
Parameter 1
Parameter 1
Technique A
Technique B
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Technique C
Technique D
Matrixes of case study 2.0 GH definition variations.
CASE STUDY 2.0 We have an ambivalent feeling about this system. It is because we are satisfied with its possibility in further manipulation while worried about it may not be a very innovative design sitting on the road side. To further examine the potential of this system, we choose 9
matrixes to loft into surface. After the lofting, we apply a definition of making waffle system to those surfaces to observe the final work. Though the render and the physical model looks pretty, but they are just something you could see everywhere in nowadays. Also we realized that an over
emphasis on the topic grid and lattice extremely limits our imagination. Hence we decide to reconsider the project and look for a really suitable design approach rather than spending large amounts of time to test those interesting definitions one by one.
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The reproduction of the pavilion in Rhino and Grasshopper
CASE STUDY 3.0
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We start to consider the problem which troubles me since I have touched with this subject. I have questioned that should our designers give the place of designing to the digital software and become tool makers? Right now I tend to answer no. The previous case study exploration tells us it is meaningless to totally relying on digital techniques. It is because the most important part of a design is not about its techniques, but about a really strong motive to drive this design. Otherwise you will never know what kind of outcome you are looking for. Moreover, even you accidently find out a good attempt during the endless exploration, you may miss it as you have no idea what your benchmark is. Consequently, designers should play a role as judgers and valuators. Designers should be able to judge which method should be taken and what are the advantages and disadvantages of that method, but not lead by the nose.
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Fig 4 I Want To Be Free Anthony Moman,2013
Fig 5 B OF THE BANG, Heatherwick Studio, 2002
CASE STUDY 3.1 Hence we start to look for a really strong design motive. At the starting point, a fiction called ‘Blueprints for a Barbed Wire Canoe’ written by Wayne Macauley inspires us most. This book mirrors a serious social issue by talking about the lives of a group of people living in an isolated suburb.
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Though city nowadays has become enormous, unsightly and ever-expanding, problems still occur in many aspects of the daily life for people who live in outer areas. For those people, one of the serious troubles is being isolated as lacking of freeway access or other efficient public transportation methods. Also, it is difficult for them to communicate with the outside world because of relatively poorer telecommunication infrastructure developments. These not only result in the lower living quality but also lead to the spirit sterility of the community there.
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CASE STUDY 3.1 In the fiction, as the old neighbors move out of the community, residents left there are unavoidably becoming more and more hopeless, empty and aggressive. They huddle tightly but stand lonely and fearfully in that forgotten wild. Their life looks like a journey to death to us. At this point of view, we found that the self-colliding process of the community is much like the process for a star to become a neutron star. In that process, the self-colliding is showed as a self-compression of energy and gravity. The death of a star has a type of tragic feeling which fits our assumption of the future of an isolated community. 51
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Since we want to build up a monument for Wyndham, we consider that a monumental project should not only be visually powerful, but more concerning about the social issues and reflecting the time. Hence, we want the gateway is a project which criticizes the isolation problem by demonstrating the inner emotion of the separated residents. Moreover, we want this project could not only show the cultural and social context but also wake the public to notice the existence of the problem. To face the problem is the first step to solve it.
Fig 6 Neutron star
DESIGN APPROACH GENERATION
Base on the discussion above, we start to use analogy to visualize detailed design concepts. They focus on several considerations: What are the personality, emotion and living status of the left residents? How to express?
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We believe that the left residents might experience deeply upset, helpless and even angry feeling. To translate this into visual language, firstly, we symbolize each individual into a sharp 3D triangle segment, and array it into a strip to represent the life process of a resident. This is inspired by the Heatherwick’s work about the idea of aggressiveness.
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Then we rotate the orientation of the strips to represent the emotion of the residents. Inspired by the process of becoming a neutron for a star, the self-compression of energy, we decide to make all the strips to point to the center of the whole structure.
Sketches of the simplification process of the sharp segment
DESIGN APPROACH GENERATION
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What is the relationship between the outside and the left residents? How to express?
What about the inner connection within them? How to express?
We think that the left residents are relatively separated with the outside world just like birds in a cage. Hence the representing vectors should be limited by a half transparent geometry, and we choose wired sphere here, which is simple, pure, partly seeing through and powerful.
However we believe these people still huddle together within the community. The reversed engineering precedent provides the method by building curves through a set of controlling points on surface. This method links each single strip on the skin of the sphere which shows the tight and complex inner relationship of those individuals.
Matrix for the inner system changes inspired by the B of the Bang
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DESIGN APPROACH GENERATION After we figure out the logic for inner strips system and outer sphere system, we start to work out the definition to realize those concepts in grasshopper. Firstly, we used grasshopper to create a network surface and the triangular strips in a sphere. Then, we locate an attracting point to rotate the strips towards the point. We group the strips and the sphere together to get the final outcome. The numbers of the strips may represent the groups of people with different culture background in the community.
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Finally we build up the first completed digital model and render it with materiality. It partly realizes our design concepts, observed from the render.
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Trimmed digital model
PROTOTYPE MAKING PROCESS The next step is to make a physical prototype of our design. In order to realize the digital model, we tried three kinds of material and two connections to test which one can reflect our design idea more effectively. Materials: MDF, Boxboard, Clear Plastic Connection: Circle connection and triangle connection
The modeling process turns out that the triangle joins are too small but the circle joints work well. We also cut a hole in the center of the joints in order to connect them into a strip by using wires. We think that the mix of different materials is an innovative point of our design. We want to use different materials to reflect the diverse innermost being of people. For example, we tried to use clear materials to reflect their pure inward.
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Modeling process: Fabrication- single sharp segment installation- strip sharp segment installation - iron net wire knitting - combination
FURTHER EXPLORATION Though the digital model is completed, there are a lot of improvements which we can make in the future. The first issue is to randomly split the strips and attach them to the network surface. It could better reflect the real living status of the residents as their
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connection with each other should be more complex and unpredictable. Also we consider that is it may be over negative to state the isolation problem for Wyndham City. There may be improvement further of this place, or the city is not that pleasing to claim it is a forgotten place itself. As this is an EOI, we may come up with a more flexible design to deal with a general problem, and a more responsive design will be developed for the particular case in Wyndham in later stages. The third issue is to consider about new connection joints. The connection between the surface network and inside strips is a challenge. We need to write a definition in grasshopper to connect them as a whole structure in order to make it strong and stable.
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MID-TERM REVIEW FEEDBACK
We have received positive feedback about our project, which is cheering. However, there are some valuable opinions crucial for us to consider about.
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The first issue is about the connection joints. Compared to our original consideration to build a connection between the inner system and outer system, it is much better to make the outer structure naturally “grow into� the center point of the sphere and act as the wire to link the small triangle segments. This method does not only provide a strong enough structure but also result in a smoother surface of the whole
design. However, after applying this method, the fabrication of the final physical model will face a new problem. It is because it is difficult to shape such a complex geometry by handy work. The second issue is about the supporting of the whole design. Should we thicken the parts where the model touched the earth? Should we develop a new way to hold the sphere? The third issue is about the visual communication. In next presentation, we should consider to put the hero image on the central place, but not the most time consuming one.
The reason is that a presentation should be a persuasive argument from both visual and logical way at first, but not a simple demonstration of all the work that you have done. The most important critic is to add the concept of irregularity into the design, as we have discovered before. This could help us in both increasing the visual fluidity of the design and strengthening the expression of the free connection idea.
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Model on site in expectation
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CONCLUSION
LEARNING OUTCOME
In this stage of exploration, the deepest feeling in my mind is that no matter how advanced the techniques are the most powerful designer is human being. We have the sympathy with other human beings. Hence we could understand well our clients and their demands. It is this understanding helping us find out the real motive driving the design and shaping our expectation of the design. Then we start to think, to draw, to write down definitions in grasshopper and to generate the final outcome. Of course we are not so perfect as computer language, but I believe we could achieve an emotionally touching art piece if we keep tracing.
Though I criticize the role of computation design, the high efficiency and great potential of computation design is undeniable. Owe to computational technology, we could develop such a complex outer sphere system by inputting several pieces of information and organizing them easily. After a few minutes working, a complete randomly wired sphere appears in front of my eyes. Then I could adjust some parameters to receive a dynamic feedback within seconds. The best part is that the model is very precise. I cannot imagine how this could be achieved if we could only use hand drawing or SketchUp. Therefore, it is highly necessary to use computation design skills to speed up our design concepts and to test our ideas.
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REFERENCE FOR TEXT
REFERENCE FOR IMAGES
1. Neutron star http://www.space.com/22180-neutron-stars.html accessed at 22/09/2013
Fig 1 Theoretical Matter http://www.heide.com.au/collection/sculpture-park-plaza/ accessed at 22/09/2013
2. Blue Prints For A Barbed Wire Canoe http://blackpepperpublishing.com/macauleybfabwc.html accessed at 22/09/2013
Fig 2 French Pavilion http://www.archdaily.com/31684/french-pavillion-for-shanghai-expo-2010/ accessed at 22/09/2013 Fig 2 Canton Tower http://www.archdaily.com/89849/canton-tower-information-based-architecture/ accessed at 22/09/2013 Fig 3 I Want To Be Free http://anthonymoman.com/news/ accessed at 22/09/2013 Fig 4 B OF THE BANG http://iamapt.com/heatherwick-studio-va accessed at 22/09/2013 Fig 5 Colliding Neutron Stars http://scitechdaily.com/images/Colliding-Neutron-Stars-Produce-Gold.jpg accessed at 22/09/2013
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C. DESIGN PROPOSAL
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INITIAL CONCEPT MAP
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Before continuing the refinement of our design approach, it is necessary to sort out the development of design concepts and methods. The flow chart shows the process of the generating process of design. As suggested, three main parts should be modified further, indicated by circles.
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SITE ANALYSIS 1
Fig 1: Relatively low property price
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As we have developed a relatively general approach to design a land mark[gateway] for an area distant from the metropolis in Part B, it is time to examine whether the approach is suitable for Wyndham City or not. Hence a detailed site analysis should be conducted in order to find out the features, problems and potentials of this place. Then the design could be refined to a more responsive work for this land. In this approach, we focus more about the demographic and social issues about the community, rather than
the topology or landscape there. This is because we believe a true monumental project should be able to reflect and criticize the deeprooted social problems, like the precedents we have analyzed before. Therefore, we have chosen several key aspects to investigate a real Wyndham, including transportation, population and city development. Generally speaking, the slogan of Wyndham City “City, Coat, Country� describes this place quite well. It locates between Melbourne and Geelong, near
coastal line and featuring with wild country life. For example, the major attractions of this place are mainly about natural scenery and outdoor activities, while commercial activities or education services are not highly lively. Compared to the other inner cities of Greater Melbourne, lower density of property and lower Median Price of property also clearly show that this city is a not yet mature community. A not yet mature community usually refers to a place with a lack of tertiary industry and a relatively closed environment.
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Fig 2: Less of commercial activities
Fig 3: country life living style
From the charts on the right hand side, there are two main conclusions could be reached.
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Firstly, Wyndham is a not developed city, according to income, occupation, and education and transportation status there. Relatively lower household income, less commercial activities and lower education levels indicate this area is far away from being a well-developed city. Furthermore, based on a test on Walking Score Website, this place is highly unwalkable, which means extremely replying on vehicles and lacking a complete utility system. Residents are not easily to communicate with the outside world, while the visitors are not easily to getting in touch with this place.
Fig 4: Wyndham City Profile
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Secondly, Wyndham is a young and fast developing city, according to the positive changes of almost all key figures of this place. Even the safety of this place has been improved during last year, as its Criminal Rates Per 100,000 Population becomes below the average state level. On the one hand side, this probably means more labor and residents in the future. Consequently, Wyndham city has a great potential to develop into a fast paced and mature city from the consideration of human resource and consumer market. On the other hand side, this also points out that Wyndham City needs to work harder to develop this land and build a better future for its larger population.
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Therefore, we basically conclude that different from a totally isolated and hopeless area, which is the origination of our design approach, Wyndham is a place having both great potential and limitation. We decide to refine the design approach to shape it suitable for Wyndham City. Therefore we consider redeveloping our design from four perspectives: being more reflective; being more dynamic; being more attractive and being more practical.
Fig 5: Wyndham City Profile
SITE ANALYSIS 2
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Figure 6: The current city boundaries of Wyndham, Melbourne and Geelong,
Figure 7: The Princess Highway which connects Melbourne, Wyndham and Geelong
Figure 8: The expected urban expansion --- Convergence of metropolis
INSPIRATION FOR REFINEMENT 1
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To reshape our design into a more reflective one, we have studied the wool experiments conducted by Frei Otto. The experiments provide three approaches to work out the connecting paths among a set of points on a ring. Each approach reflects its own characteristics about linking manner. The first one is purely symmetrical and predictable, which lacks the irregularity, while the second one is totally chaotic and messy, which is out of any order. Nevertheless, the third one is kind of realizing our hope. It is between pure regularity and simple randomness. This manner is a reflection of the expansion of Wyndham in our mind, which is tightly interacted in order but remains freedom.
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Fig 9: Wool experiments from Frei Otto
INSPIRATION FOR REFINEMENT 2
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Enlightened by the experiment from Frei Otto, we decide to search a proper structure/ geometry to demonstrate that notion. Another experiment interests us, which is the Aenao from Algorithm Design. The idea of growth of a self-organized system easily catches our attention. According to the designers’ statement, this idea is part of the nature and is an efficient way to organize individual within a community. Though the geometry is not the one we are looking for, the idea behind the design reminds us that we could take the natural growth process as a reference for our design in order to accomplish the geometry finding.
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Fig 10: Aenao, the movement demonstrates a trend of growth.
INSPIRATION FOR REFINEMENT 3
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Hence we start to consider that we could reference our design to a natural creature. Then image of vine without leaves comes up. It meetly symbolizes the expecting geometry of our design. If we compare the future Wyndham city to vine, the remaining branches and joints represent the idea of active connection, and the voids as a result of the removal of leaves represent the disappearance of isolated individual. Moreover, the incessant expansion of the vine expresses the idea of a constant growth of a lively Wyndham, and the order and randomness within the vine’s branching process shows the regularity and irregularity we expect to realize in our design. Therefore, vine as a referencing structure, guides our continuing exploration in parametric design.
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GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION
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We immediately probe into the parametric design methods. According to our knowledge of the components of Grasshopper, the key of the prospective definition is to find out a proper connecting manner for a group of controlling points. After several experiments, we have worked out a Voronoi method that perfectly matches our prospect. Specifically speaking, the geometry generated by the Voronoi method features a merging structure with opening voids, and it stretches and branches in a manner containing the irregularity within the order. Also, it is in an organic form with natural fluidity in shape and structure. The flow chart in next page explains the formation of Grasshopper definition.
CHAOTIC SYSTEM
VORONOI METHOD
ORGANIC FORM 88
MERGE STRUCTURE
VOID PATTERN
GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION
Define a box in 3d region and populate it by discrete points
Decompose the brep into component parts
Voronoi in box
Scale the box of voronoi into two different levels
Extract points in groups forming the joints of voronoi skeleton
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Create mesh
Produce the whole structure
Cull the box to get central skeleton
Use Weaverbird to make the skeleton lighter and smoother
MATRIX EXPLORATION 1 Through manipulating the parameters, we could control the discrete points’ numbers, the density of path and the strength of path. As the diagram show, the change in each parameter affects the size and growth of the vine, the density of branches and the diameter of each branch respectively.
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Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: discrete points numbers]
MATRIX EXPLORATION 2 Since Wyndham is still at the very initial level of its potential development, according to our site research, a junior stage of the structure has been chosen to represent Wyndham City. It delivers a message that though Wyndham is not highly mature but it is with great potential for further development. Hereby, we finish the parametric modeling of the gateway project.
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Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: density]
Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: strength of branches]
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TIMELESSNESS & DYNAMIC After reshaping our design into a more contextual one, we decide to move to next step, to add more charm into it. The concepts of time and aliveness have been taken into consideration. It means the gateway could be a more dynamic and lively sculpture rather than a frozen gesture. Hence lively elements are introduced into the design, which is the ivy itself. We decide to plant ivy in the joints of the sculpture.
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The reason is that as we dig into the features of ivy, we discovery that ivy is born to be a great carrier for our design focuses: linkage and growth. It grows out from the joints, climbs and roots along its climbing, and gets twisted when two branches met. The endless growing process of ivy, including expansion along the skeleton, covering the whole structure even its wilt and rebirth, will provide changing and pleasant clothing for the sculpture. Hence the sculpture could remain freshness and attractive to the visitors when revisiting the site. Also, the intensive application of the idea of ivy could strengthen the expression of our design concept and focus in a readable manner.
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Considering about local climate, Hedera algeriensis has been chosen as the suitable species to be planted in the joint. It climbs high, and it resists extreme environment, such as dryness and coldness, better than most other species. This means a relatively less maintenance cost and labor.
Fig 10: Hedera algeriensis
DEVELOPING STAGES OF IVY
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Newly planted
Partly developed
Fully developed
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SITE AND SIZE As a grand monument, this sculpture should be eyecatching in both location and size. Based on the site analysis diagram, the sculpture is better to locate at the gentle eastern slope of Site A to draw a largest quantity of viewing from most passing by travelers. Also the size of the sculpture is to be large, with a 26 meters height and 23 meters width.
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Viewing
Model on site
Movement
ENGINEERING METHODS The next step is to think about the engineering methods of the sculpture. The whole structure should be self-supported, stable and properly connected with the site. Therefore there are two key problems waiting to be solved. The first one is the footing system of the whole structure. The second one is the connection methods of the joints part. Before considering about the installation methods, we first decide the materiality and throughout structure for the whole design. We have chosen wired steel frame as the major structural and surface component. 105
There are three reasons for this decision. Firstly, steel is highly durable and strong even without regular and good quality painting. Secondly, it is possible to manufacture steel components with large size and irregular shape in factory, and it is not difficult to connect them onsite. The last but very important reason is the frame offers a partly transparent grid. It provides an ideal surface for ivy to climb. Moreover, before the fully development of ivy, the joints with ivy will look like small green islands floating in the air to some extent. This benefits the expression of design concepts further.
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Fig 11: Footing system of the Dubai Tower
ENGINEERING METHODS A1
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Consequently, the construction methods will be investigated. We take Dubai Tower as a reference and develop a suitable foundation system for the huge structure. This system requires less excavation work and could maintain stable in disadvantageous weather condition such as strong wind.
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ENGINEERING METHODS A2
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Then we take normal signal tower as a reference and develop the connection methods for steel footing, showed in the diagram.
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ENGINEERING METHODS B1
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To solve the connection problem of joints and pipes, we have made several attempts, however they are not really satisfying. It is because they could not be easily applied to frame structure and not easy for onsite construction.
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Several exploration of the joints’ engineering methods.
ENGINEERING METHODS B2
Flanges
Circular sheet with hole
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Then we consider using flanges, as indicated in the detailed construction drawing. The opening of the pipe and the opening of a joint should be firstly welded to the flanges and then two flanges should be nailed together by grub screws and nuts. Additionally, a circular steel sheet with a hole to allow the water pipe for irrigation purpose going through is to be between the two flanges.
Soil in shell
HDPE shell/pot
Wire frame
FINAL MODEL MAKING PROCESS A
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Aimed at examining how well the model suits into the site, we firstly choose 3D print to make a highly precise model in the scale 1/200, and place it on the site model. The model relatively matches our prospect. It is neither too small which might not be noticed very easily, nor too big to jump off the site.
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3D print model in 1/200 scale
3D print model in 1/200 scale with site context
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FINAL MODEL MAKING PROCESS B1 Then a detailed construction model in scale 1/20 is to be produced. Compared to making the model looks parametric, we decide to make it more practical in reality and try the best to imitate the materiality and construction details.
Limited by the condition, we could not be able to produce steel structure and use welding gun to connect them in the model. Hence for the first prototype, we totally complete it by handy craft. Clay is applied to roughly shape the key connections.
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Prototype modeling process: form the shell by clay - cover the clay with wire clothing - roll chicken wire and silver sheet to make pipe and part of the flange - use clay to make joints - glue the joints together to imitate the digital model structure - text it with a fabricated site model
FINAL MODEL MAKING PROCESS B2 For the formal detailed model, we choose to fabricate each key component, manually cut the rest and glue them together.
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Firstly, we cut the flanges into slices and draw them in Rhino for Fablab to cutting them out. Then we glue them accordingly and use grey spray painting for clothing. Then we cutting foam board out the shape of inner shell, sand it well and cloth it with plaster. Meanwhile, we use chicken wire to make the pipes and glue the pipe with four of the flanges. Next, we knit the wire along the surface of the shell and glue them tightly. Then we cap the openings of the shell with flanges, and glue the seams. The last step is to bolt the pipes and joints by using screws and nuts. The detailed model is mainly aimed at demonstrating the visual impression of the joints and the connection methods of joints and pipes instead of showing its structural stability.
A whole joint in scaled 1/20
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Flange in scaled 1/20
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The Gateway project should be a responsive monument for Wyndham City, as a tribute for its great potential, rather than a knell of its decay
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JURY FEEDBACK & REFINEMENT
We have received further feedback for the final presentation in the critic. The comments about further refinement are mainly fall into two categories. The first is that we have well-built digital model, which is modern and advanced, but use old 129 modeling method, which is more relying on handy craft, to demonstrate it. This results in an interruption of a fluent expression of our parametric design, from concept to model. It is because by using handy method, we lose the chance to show the advantage of digital design toolset on fabrication: efficiency and accuracy.
This reminds us that it is important to catch every opportunity to stick to the design topics. Any details could be a key to enhance the design’s persuasiveness. The second question is about the scale. It is questionable about the size of our design according to the juries. It is believed that a 7 stories high sculpture is over big for the ordinary. Moreover, we should have put some reference objects, such as cars or people, in the 1/200 model with site, to indicate the scales in a more clearer and readable manner.
To refine this problem, we carefully chose referencing model cars and people, and place them on site model. Then we re-photograph the 1/200 scale model, with a richer context, to demonstrate the potential scales. About the size of design, we also conduct a small discussion about what scale is appropriate for most architecture. An agreement has been arrived that a relatively small size design is more practical in reality due to the limitation of budget and construction constrains. Hence there is less need to make a huge structure if without extremely strong reason.
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Model on site with reference
LEARNING OBJECTIVES & OUTCOME During this very intensive design studio, the process of learning parametric design and the process of design The Vine for Wyndham City have greatly influenced my understanding of architecture and digitalization design. Reviewing the long and short journey, Air studio has undoubtedly improved my ability in architectural design from a series of aspects, according to the learning objectives set for this course. Objective 1. “Interrogate[ing] a brief” The brief is to design a gateway for Wyndham City. From knowing the brief, I start 131 to consider about countless questions to break down the design task. What kind of gateway will be welcomed by the city? What kind of gateway is required for this city? What could be a suitable design focus? What features of the gateway should be expressed to the public? What should the gateway look like? What messages could be delivered to the audience by the gateway? As we have Rhino and Grasshopper, how to define the role of this advanced design tool? Furthermore how to take the advantages of them to achieve better design? We start with questions and push the design by further questioning everything we have
generated. Concept maps and deep research of precedents help us sorting out the design flow and the relationship between the design and the site. Finally, we determine that a sculpture featuring a strong concept of connection and growth is our design target. We believe it could express a positive prospect for Wyndham City and could be a proper response to the site. Eventually, the design outcome proves that a proper analysis and response to the brief is a porch lighting the way to a successful design. Therefore, it again proves that architects should investigate the site well and then start to move forward, rather than wasting time on designing without a clear direction. Objective 2. “An ability to generate a variety of design possibilities for a given situation” Personally speaking, in the almost endless tracing for a better gateway, the most important perception is that digital technologies play a crucial role, and this is the part making Air studio different to others. As architecture students, we have already learnt some ways to design and expand the possibility of our initial design, but to alter design mainly by digital tool is a definitely fresh and precious experience. This experience provides us a brand new perspective of
viewing. Sometimes it gives the design unexpected depth. For example, in our digitalization process of the vine, the visualization of the growth and transformation of the model is very easy to be completed by simply modifying the parameters. This allows us to efficiently compare the different outcomes and to choose the most persuasive model to represent a junior Wyndham, among large amounts of alterations. Therefore there is no need to image the geometry of each possible model and spend ages to draw them down in Rhino. Digital technologies provide dynamic feedback of key changes in design, which tremendously increase our ability to expand more possibility in our work. Objective 3. “Skills in various three-dimensional media” The design process has mobilized all the techniques that I know to communicate and to achieve the final outcome, and motived me to learn more about the new parametric system to better explain my ideas. Certainly digitalization modeling skills have been greatly applied and improved to discovery any possible geometry of our design. Sketches on notebook have been frequently used to explore the concepts
relationships or the variations of possible joints with team members. Photographs have been carefully taken to frame a more attractive side of the model. Photoshop has been frequently applied to enhance the quality and atmosphere of the design. Rhino has been skillful manipulated to prepare fabrication files. InDesign has been utilized through the whole formatting procedure of the report and presentation. AutoCad has been used for the detailed and precise construction drawing. Even words have been carefully chosen to express the design ideas and to describe the design process. Obviously, through air studio, we have further developed our skills in a set of three-dimensional media, which will help us to shape a more comprehensive and powerful language of visualization. Objective 4. “An understanding of relationships between architecture and air” I treat the relationship between architecture and air as the relationship between the gateway and its context in this case. Siting is always a key point to a unique design. As the topography of Princes High way is featureless to us, we decide to use our ‘vine’ sculpture to echo the genius loci of the site, which means to link the design
and the context in a spiritual manner. Valuably, the juries in final presentation help us to rescale our design to sit in the site more harmoniously in a physical manner. Objective 5. “The ability to make a case for proposals” Rigorous argument is always the pursuit in our design. Since we expect to develop an architectural design with roots in social issues, it is important that we could provide a critical and persuasive analysis of the issue with our own perspective. We have spent a large quantity of time on studying the city profile and drawing out its major genius loci. All these theoretical researches lay a solid foundation of our design. Furthermore, the analysis should not be vague and general, but should provide clear clues for visualization possibilities for the next stage of design. In this case, after developed a sound argument, we firstly translate it into a referencing object, the vine. Then we settle it as a starting point for parametric modeling and transformation, and finally build up our sculpture. To guarantee the argument of linkage and growth expressed through the whole design, we care every detail, from parametric logic to presentation images formatting. For instance, we arrange the matrix in an order from small
parameter to large parameter to demonstrate the idea of growing and expanding visually. A special thank should be given to the precious feedback from tutors and guests that contribute extreme value to the continuing refinement of our argument. Objective 6. “Conceptual, technical and design analyses of contemporary architectural projects” A deep and completed analysis of modern architectural precedents, especially for those digital designs, helps us to reshape our understanding about architecture. Moreover, it helps us to interrogate and response to the brief in a more thoughtful manner. This is the strongest experience to me in Part A. In this very beginning stage, three key concepts “monumentality”, “computational design” and “parametric modeling” have been well considered and linked by researching the six magnificent master pieces. The study achievement contributes a lot when we proceed with the initial design focuses generation. It is because it reminds us that we could use parametric design as inspiration case and realization tool to achieve monumentality in our design accordingly.
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Objective 7. “Understandings of computational geometry, data structures and types of programming”
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This object has been realized by the variable algorithm design exploration completed in Grasshopper at some stage. From knowing very little about the parametric design at the start of this semester, to forming a relatively mature understanding of the algorithm logic and a comparatively skillful application of Grasshopper commends, I have experienced struggles and confusions. Learning new technology is time consuming but relatively easier, compared to make innovation by using that technology. Right now I could state that I am able to use Rhino and Grasshopper to express my design concepts, with great assistance from the other experienced and seniors, but it is a long march for me to really build up a complete digitalization knowing and using system in the future.
Objective 8. “A personalized repertoire of computational techniques” The role of computational techniques have been redefined and modified repeatedly through the whole learning period in this semester. From an indiscreet belief and enthrallment of the magic of parametric design, to a deliberate consideration about the application areas and the disadvantages of parametric design, I have developed a more subjective understanding about computational techniques. I regard algorithm design is one of the powerful methods to realize our design concepts, and it has the 134 potential to play a more active role in the future design industry. However, it is more important for us to break our design boundary and improve working efficiency by proper application of this toolset, but not get disoriented by the complicated and endless exploration in the digital world.
REFERENCE FOR TEXT
REFERENCE FOR IMAGE
1. City crime info http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/component/statistics/view/26.html?spostcode=3030
1. Algorithm Design- Aenao http://vimeo.com/32674573
2. City plan http://www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/aboutwyndham/planspolicieslocallaws/cityplan
2. City profile http://profile.id.com.au/wyndham/
3. City population forecast http://forecast2.id.com.au/Default.aspx?id=124&pg=5000
3. City transportation http://www.walkscore.com/score/wyndham-city-Victoria-Australia
4. City property info http://apm.domain.com.au/Research/?AddressLine=3030&LocationType=Postcode&State=VIC&Post codeId=367
4. Flange http://practicalmaintenance.net/wp-content/uploads/flange-insulation-set.jpg
5. Community life and culture http://www.experiencewyndham.com.au/ 6. Flange http://www.seamless-steelpipes.com/supplier-steel_flanges-4726.html 7. Foundations and Geotechnical Engineering for the Burj Dubai – World’s Tallest Building http://www.geoprac.net/geonews-mainmenu-63/64-project-related/634-foundations-for-the-burj135 dubai-worlds-tallest-building 8. Hedera algeriensis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hedera_algeriensis 9.Ivy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ivy 10. State crime info http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/my-place/view/62.html 11. Tower Specifications http://monsterfm.com/tech/tower/towerspecs.htm
5. Foundations and Geotechnical Engineering for the Burj Dubai – World’s Tallest Building http://www.geomarc.it/Burj_Dubai_pile.jpg 6. Frei Otto- Wool Experiment http://code.algorithmicdesign.net/Self-Organizing-Curves 7. Victoria State Rose Garden http://vicstaterosegarden.com.au/home.html 136
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D. FINAL PRESENTATION
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THE VINE 139
A MANIFESTATION OF THE GENIUS LOCI FOR THE WYNDHAM CITY 140
INITIAL DESIGN SITE RESEARCH
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Figure 1: The current city boundaries of Wyndham, Melbourne and Geelong,
Figure 2: The Princess Highway which connects Melbourne, Wyndham and Geelong
Figure 3: The expected urban expansion --- Convergence of metropolis
INITIAL DESIGN INSPIRATION
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BLUEPRINTS FOR A BARBED-WIRE CANOE
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LINKAGE ISOLATION GROWTH
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“B OF THE BANG”
HEATHERWICK STUDIO
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NEUTRON STAR
INITIAL DESIGN DIGITAL MODEL Exploration of tangled wire sphere varies with the change of number and diameter of strips
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Trimmed dome provides a window for observing the inner system
INITIAL DESIGN PHYSICAL MODEL Inner arrow strips present the aggressive emotion of the residents in Wyndham
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Physical model of a portion of the whole structure
Outer wired net presents the tight connection of the residents in Wyndham
WOOL EXPERIMENT FREI OTTO
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— A number of points — Evenly spaced — Predictable, symmetrical — Inefficient
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— An 8% over-length — Messy, chaotic, inefficient
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— Merge and cluster — Large voids open up — Idealization and contingency
THE VINE
A NATURAL PROCESS AS REFERENCE
Linkages of branches represent the connection within community
Fallen leaves [voids] represent the isolated individuals
Growing progress of the vine represents the growth of Wyndham
REDEVELOPMENT OF PARAMETRIC DESIGN METHOD
POTENTIAL HOPE
NEIGHBORHOOD
LINKAGE
FUTURE
MOVEMENT VEGETATION
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RELATIONSHIP
RESIDENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONNECTION
GREEN
COMMUNITY GROWTH
DESIRE
IMPROVEMENT
CHAOTIC SYSTEM
INTERSECTION
VORONOI METHOD
ORGANIC FORM 170
MERGE STRUCTURE
VOID PATTERN
REFINING PROCESS GH DEFINITION GENERATION
Define a box in 3d region and populate it by discrete points
Decompose the brep into component parts
Scale the box of voronoi into two different levels
Voronoi in box
Extract points in groups forming the joints of voronoi skeleton
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Create mesh
Produce the whole structure
Cull the box to get central skeleton
Use Weaverbird to make the skeleton lighter and smoother
EXPLORATION OF PARAMETRIC MODELLING GEOMETRY FINDING
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Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: discrete points numbers]
Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: density] 175
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Digitalization of the growing process of vine [Main parameter: strength of branches]
EXPLORATION OF PARAMETRIC MODELLING DIGITAL MODEL
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FURTHER IMPROVEMENT OF THE DESIGN STAGES OF DESIGN DEVELOPMENT IN YEARS
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DESIGN REFINEMENT SITE CHOOSING AND CONTEXT
Movement
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Viewing
Model on site
CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF FOOTING
PHYSICAL MODEL SCALE 1: 200
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PHYSICAL MODEL SCALE 1: 200
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CONSTRUCTION METHOD OF JOINT
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PHYSICAL MODEL JOINT COMPONENTS SCALE 1: 20
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PHYSICAL MODEL JOINT SCALE 1: 20
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PHYSICAL MODEL JOINT SCALE 1: 20
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E. GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE
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GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE-WEEK ONE & TWO
Through weeks learning and experiment of Rhino and Grasshopper, I gradually form an understanding of what is Grasshopper and how it works. It is a strong modeling tool based on algorithm. Therefore to manipulate GH skillful is based on a familiarity of GH language and a clear modeling logic. The 203 explorations below are mostly the following and recreation of the key algorithm sketches of online tutorials. The part interests me most is the parametric feature of Grasshopper. The variability of outcome is most advanced achievement of this toolset. With simple change in input information, the final digital model will transform accordingly. This expands the possibility in finding geometry for our design significantly. The most challenge part of GH application is to embed this new technology into the Wyndham Gateway project in a natural and suitable
manner. It means we should deliberatively consider about both the advantages and disadvantages of GH, and carefully choose the timing and purpose of introduction of GH into the design approach. For example, the last attempt in this section is a test of a given definition’s variation on site, it reminds me to consider about the relationship between construction and site topology, and the proper size for the gateway.
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GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE-WEEK ONE & TWO
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GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE-WEEK THREE
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GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE WEEK FOUR
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GRASSHOPPER CHALLENGE WEEK FIVE & SIX
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THE UNIVERSITY OF MELBOURNE
BENVS
ARCHITECTURE