MODULE TWO - DESIGN
Rovi Dean Lau
Student No: 543495 Semeter 1/2012 Group 8
Recap on Module One...
Selected Natural Process: Soundwaves
Looking back at module one, it was all about creating a design from a natural process, sound waves. One of the feedback I got for my platicine model was that I would not be able to create a fluid design as my model was twisted with gaps in between. Taking that feedback into consideration, I was wondering what Rhino3D can do to my design and how it will manipulate it.
DIGITIZATION OF MODEL
Method Used: Tracing Non-Parallel Sectional Slices
During this process, I researched on how to digitize my model into Rhino3D. I tried two methods, contour tracing method and tracing non-parallel sectional slices. Contour method did not work for me as I have curves going under one another. Then I tried sectional slices, it worked better for me. But before I could slice my model, I had to mold another plasticine as a whole and in scale of 1:5 in order to create the curve lines at the circumfrence.
Method Used: Tracing Non-Parallel Sectional Slices
First lofted surface of my digitized plasticine model.
EXPERIMENTATION
Experimentation: Testing out different kinds of panels and playing around with it.
Custom 2D + FinEdges
3D Paneling Partition
3D Panel Box
3D Paneling + FinEdges
Custom 3D Paneling
3D Pyramid 1 + FinEdges
REFINEMENT
Different Methods For Twisting Refining the lofted surface: From my plasticine model, its structure was twisted with four columns to form the body. Lofting has its own limitations as it could not loft two groups of seperate curves but I had to try something in order to manipulate my plasticine model. Which I failed to achieve.
Refining the seam curve: After experimenting with paneling tools and failed on manipulating the lofted surface, I tried another method which was playing around with the seam curve. In the end, I succeeded in doing so. At this stage, it does not look anything like my plasticine model but I had an idea in mind on how to manipulate it. This was only the biginning.
Paneling on the new lofted surface: After setting up the seam curve, it looks more like my plasticine model.
Box3D panel
3D Pyramid 1
Custom 3D Panel + FinEdges
3D Pyramid 2
3d Partition
Custom 3D Panel
Cage Editing By using this method, it allowed me to adjust my lofted surface without relofting or changing seam curves. Adjusted the length and body of my 3D model to look more like my plasticine model. The more points you have, the more detailed adjust you will get.
Box3D + FinEdges
Panel 3D Pyramid 2 + Offset Face Borders
Custom 3D + FinEdges
After refining with CageEdit, I went back to panel and the outcomes were better.
CUstom 3D + Curve Attractor + Offset Face Borders
PANELING
The Esplanade (Singapore) Architect: DP Architect (Singapore) & Michael Wilford & Partners, UK Completed in 2012
Precedents Thinking about soundwaves, The Esplanade is a place for music and performances which relates to my natural process, soundwaves. On the roof, it has triangle panels to shield of the sun rays at a certain direction. It has that effect where it looks open from the front and closed from the side. Analysing that pattern, I custom that same pattern for my panel. Once on the surface, I edited the points manually to create the effect of compression and expansion of soundwaves. I did not use curve attractors or other forms because I wanted random length of triangles. Giving the compressed - explosive look. Offsetting the face borders as well for the light to shine out.
Precedents
The precendents gave me an idea on how I am going to create my twisted holes for my lantern. Once I paneled my surface, I ungroup them and deleted the panels one by one, creating a space for hte light to shine out as well as manipulating closely to my plasticine model.
Evolver Architect: Alice Studio (grop of students from Ecole polytechnique fĂŠdĂŠrale de lausanne) zermatt, switzerland Completed in 2010
Final Design
PROTOTYPING AND LIGHTING
Precedents Thematic Pavilion EXPO 2012 Yeosu, South Korea Architect: SOMA (Austrian firm founded in 2007) Construction date: 2010 (completion 2012)
This precendent gave me an idea for material and lighting for my lantern. At night, this pavilion has lights that goes along the walls of the building in a wave pattern. But what caught my attention was how the light was not striking but calm and relax. This relates to my natural process in a way where sound is not always harsh. It can be soothing and relaxing as well.
Prototype light effect of the triangle.
To manipulate the effect, I placed the light behind a tracing paper which helps diffuse the harsh light and gives a soft light. Another unexpected find was that it helps the lantern to glow as well.
Reflection To start off, I would like to say that Module Two was more challenging than Module One. More time was invested in digitizing the plasticine model and refining it. However, it was still as fruitful as Module One. Most of Module Two was all around the 3D software called Rhinoceros 3D. Never heard of it or seen it around before, it was my first time using it in my life as well as most people in my class. A positive benefit I would say about using 3D software to fabricate objects is that it has more accuracy and precision to the tenth and hundredth than any human. Another benefit is that we can see our object in 3D before it is made, enabling us to manipulate and edit, which gives use a good judgment about the design before making it. I believe that it is what every consumer or business man want in a product, good quality precision and perfection. However, the down side is that one has to go through sweat and blood to learn about the program and be efficient in it. But once he/she gets the hang of it, it is actually pretty easy to use. My biggest challenge was getting use to the software. There are so many icons and functions which were alien to me at first but after making mistakes and errors, it makes sense to me now. Another challenge was that I am used to sketching out my ideas freely on paper and sketch over it, but in software, I am unable do to so. It was tough to get use to the software. Module Two is different from Module One where Module One is all about sketching out ideas on paper whereas this is all on computer. However, in terms of design, I believe one thing will be the same, no matter creating an idea on paper or computer, it is developing ideas. That will always be part of designing. Developing and constantly trying and making mistakes help one’s mind to grow and that is what I learnt from this module.