Air Studio Journal

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SCOTT ROWE AIR STUDIO ABPL30048 SEMESTER 2 2 0 15 TUTOR CANHUI CHEN

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CONTENTS

0 6 I N T R O D U C T I O N 0 8 A . C O N C E P T U A L I S AT I O N 0 8 A . 1 D E S I G N C O M P U TAT I O N 1 0 A . 2 D E S I G N F U T U R I N G 14 A . 3 C O M P O S I T I O N A N D G E N E R AT I O N 16 A . 4 L E A R N I N G O U T C O M E S 18 B . C R I T E R I A D E S I G N 18 B . 1 R E S E A R C H F I E L D 2 0 B . 2 C A S E S T U D Y 1 . 0 2 2 B . 3 C A S E S T U D Y 2 . 0 2 6 B . 4 T E C H N I Q U E D E V E L O P E M E N T 3 0 B . 5 T E C H N I Q U E P R O T O T Y P E S 3 2 B . 6 T E C H N I Q U E P R O P O S A L 3 4 B . 7 L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S

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3 6 C . D E TA I L E D D E S I G N 3 6 C . 1 D E S I G N C O N C E P T 3 8 C . 2 TECTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTPES 4 3 C . 3 F I N A L D E TA I L M O D E L 5 0 C . 4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES 5 2 R E F E R E N C E S

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INTRODUCTION

SCOTT ROWE 22 MELBOURNE ARCHITECTURE STUDENT

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Scott is my name, Architecture is my game! For me Architecture represents the perfect amalgoration of all that I love. Creativity, mathematics, order, expression, reasoning, philosophy, history and of course technology. It is not hard to describe me, I’m a task orientated perfectionist - i’m not happy until its done properly. To satisfy my perfectionist needs I came to Melbourne University after studying mechanical enginneering. Over the past three years I have learnt so much, from what colour a black fineliner is based from to what a NURBS curve is. Studios have alway been my favourite aspect of studying and Air Studio was no exception.

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CONCEPTU DESIGN COMPUTATION

Habitat 67, Moshe Safdie

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A L I S AT I O N Computation has provided various benefits

architecture, analysis can made of a project

to the architect. They can follow a line of

before it is built. In this manner a projects

reasoning to its logical conclusion, never tire

thermal, acoustic and energy systems can be

or make simple mistakes and have to ability

altered in the design phase so as to benefit

to search and correlate facts1. Fore-mostly

the user and the environment. Computational

computers found their way into architectural

architecture perhaps became most prominent

design through Computer Aided Drafting

with the development of prefabrication.

(CAD) software. Wherein the traditional tasks

Originating in the post-war era of Buckminster

of drafting plans and building models by

Fuller’s Dymaxion House and Charles and Ray

hand were replaced with programs that could

Eame’s Case Study 8 House, prefabrication

perform the same operations with far greater

utilized flexible geometries to create easily

accuracy and speed. Next came solution

assembled housing. Through CAD and BIM

synthesis, or building optimization. Through

software projects of complex patterns and

the introduction of Building Information

geometries the likes of Habitat 67 were able

Modeling (BIM) software the requirements,

to come to fruition. There is no doubt that

constraints, inputs and outputs of an

advancements of technology have heavily

envisioned building could be measured, and

influenced architecture and will continue to do

optimized. Crucial to the field of sustainable

so in the future.

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DESIGN FUTURING

Designed by Saucier + Perotte Architectes

from public transport as well as onsite bycycle

in conjunction with Hughes Condon Marler

storage and showers promotes sustainable

Architects University of British Columbia’s

transport. Two full height atriums effectively

Pharmaceutical Sciences building is a

placed within the building offset the need for

leading precedent in the field of sustainable

artifical lighting and to balance temperature

construction. Built to the Leadership in

and ventilation. UBC’s Pharaceutical Science

Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold

building show precedents in the field of

registration standard, 17% of the building

sustainable architecture through use of

material consists of recycled content with 89% avante-garde building materials, construction of waste during construction diverted from landfill.2 Emphasis placed on ease of access

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techniques and design practices.

UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences Building3

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Robin Hoods Garden4

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Following the aftermath of world war II,

commissions for the projects as Hunstan

significant societal changes were occurring

Secondary Modern School, the Economist

the world over. In London, with the significant

headquaters and finally Robin Hoods Garden.

loss of housing coupled with the baby boom,

Completed in 1972, Robin Hoods Garden

much emphasis was placed on economic

sought to ‘combine the community of the

public infrastructure. Amidst the prevailing

Victorian slums with the efficiency and density

modernism movement at the time, English

of Le Corbusier’s housing blocks’5. Radical yet

architects Peter and Alison Smithson found

carefully thought out the building unfortunately

an opportunity to push towards a new style

became plagued with structural problems

called Brutalism. Brutalism sought to strip

and a crippling crime rate. Through it’s raw

the embellishments of modernist buildings,

materiality and brutal, powerful aesthetics

emphasizing economic modularity, materiality

it instigated a fundamental change in

and purity. This style, reflecting the ideals

architectural thinking towards economization

of the emerging community, gave rise to the

- something that has become increasingly

popularity of the duo providing them with

valued in our climate conscious present.

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composition and generation

Antoni Gaudi’s hanging chain model6

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The line between computers as a mere tool

website Davis states that parametric modelling

for architects or as designing mechanisms

programs are merely representational tools

themselves has begun to blur. Many presume

and that the results do not constitute a style,

that while computers can follow instructions

as for example one could design the Villa

precisely and faultlessly, that they are totally

Savoye using Grasshopper, yet that does

incapable of making up new instructions:

not mean it was ‘parametrically designed’.

they lack any creative abilities or intuition7.

However these programs do mark a shift

Yet unprecedented advancements in

in design thinking from compositional to

computation, namely parametric modelling

generative. Precedents in this approach to

software appear to contradict this notion.

design can be traced back to Antoni Gaudi’s

What does parametric modelling software

infamous chain model design for the Colonia

do? Parametric modelling programs produce

Guell Chapel. By hanging the structure

models whose geometry can be defined by

upside down independent parameters; string

a finite set of parameters8. These programs

length and weight locations were made

allow architects to design complex, buildable

subject to explicit functions; Newtons laws

geometries in a bottom up approach wherein

of motion. Critiques can be made for both

the relationship between details can be

compositional and generational approaches to

specified and altered almost instantaneously.

design. Generative, of a bottom up approach

Advances in computational technology such

wherein the relationship between details can

as these is what led Patrik Schumacher, of

be reformed encourages spontaneity and

Zaha Hadid Architects, to propose a new style

interpretation and produces intricate designs.

‘Parametricism’ in his essay ‘Let the style wars

On the contrary the compositional, top-down

begin’. An architectural style of allegedly the

approach to architecture still remains popular.

same magnitude of Modernism, its basis in

In this approach designers are free to chop

summary, rests on the proposition that all

and change elements of a design without fear

architectural elements and complexes are

of breaking algorithmic rules. Through this

parametrically malleable9. However the use

method projects can be considered in a more

of this term has been labelled incorrect or

holistic manner and focus can be placed on

controversial, particularly by computation

human intuition and creativity rather than

design PhD student Daniel Davis. Through his

computational pattern making.

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learning outcomes

The rapid evolution of architecture at the

In observing the multifaceted forms that can

whims of technology is dizzying. Within the

be conceived through the use of parametric

space of several decades architects broke free

modelling software, particularly Grasshopper,

of the limitations of pen and paper, utilizing

I look forward to what I will able to produce.

computers to improve almost all aspects of

In particular, as I always attempt to find a

the profession. Gravity defying structural

connection between the project and the site

forms. Energy efficient systems. Elaborate

and its users, I am interested in how I can use

facades. All these were made possible via

this software to produce a responsive design.

the superior processing power of computers.

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RMIT Swanston Academic Building

CRITERIA research field

‘The Information Age, just like the Industrial Age before, is challenging not only how we design buildings, but also how we manufacturing and construct them’10 - Branko Kolarevic

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Tiling at the Alhambra, Spain11

DESIGN Tessellation refers to repeating patterns

of tessellation, when scaled down to a certain

without gaps or overlapping. In designing with

degree, complex tessellated elements begin to

tessellation assortments of shapes are tested

act as building components such as bricks or

against one another to achieve an interlocking

tiles which can be manipulated to suit a range

harmony which can span and repeat. The

of forms taking on free-flowing characteristics.

art of tessellation dates back and farther to

Referring to projects such as Skylar Tibbit’s

Islamic Moorish architecture wherein Islam

VoltaDom for MIT or the Karamba Pavilion by

forbids living objects as representations of

Manuel Hartmann the use of computation

art.12 Within the realm of computation design

design allowed for complex double curved

polysurfaces are converted into tessellated

forms to be fabricated from developable single

meshes to be rendered, commonly through

curved strips which connected in a tessellated

parametric design tools such as the Kangaroo

manner. Within these projects parametric

Physics plug-in for Grasshopper exemplified in

design facilitated prefabricated, structurally

projects such as Matsys’s Shellstar Pavilion.

optimal, easily assembled, iteration flexible

Due to the simplistic one dimensional nature

intricate overall forms.

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CASE STUDY 1.0

S1 - Cone radius and heights were fixed, alterned surface domain inputs for isotrim component to produce ‘rings’.

Geometries than applied to grids and other forms.

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S2 - Cone component replaced with alternate geometries. Isotrim component removed. Points applied to irregular planar surfaces.

S3 - Voronoi cell pattern applied to differing base surfaces. Trimmed cones applied.

S4 - Isotrim component removed, cones then populated with points using List Item. Geometries applied to points. Later spheres replaced cones in orignal script.

Of the results produced, I would personally

timber panels. On the otherhand S3.1 and

consider iterations S1.3, S1.4, S3.1 and S3.4

S3.4 illustrate an organic aesthetic through

the most successful. Each of these iterations

an almost recursive style of design, wherein

offer viable, logical, pattern based designs

curvilinear forms are applied to curvilinear

which could be prefabricated and constructed.

forms to produce unique outcomes. Due to

In particular S1.3 and S1.4 depict surface

their tessellated assemblage, prefabricated

patterns that have architectural implications

construction of these elements could hold

for facades, partitions or even garden designs.

precedents for pavilions, light fittings or

Constituting of standardized elements, it

sculptural elements. These iterations depict

is possible to envisage these design being

textured designs applicable not only to

fabricated from strips of sheet metal or ply

building forms yet also decorative elements.

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CASE STUDY 2.0

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Karamba Pavilion13

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Under the instruction of Manuel Hartmann the

to which I could populate with intersecting

University of Innsbruck’s Institute for Design

geometries using Grasshopper. Of the entire

team set out to construct the ‘Pavilion for One

task this proved to be the most challenging

Summer’.14 Responding to a brief of creating

aspect. After much experimentation I found

a temporary, wooden, lightweight pavilion

that to populate the initial surface with

costing less than 1500 euros, the Karamba

geometries that cleanly trimmed along

Pavilion was constructed within a week.

intersecting edges the initial surface had to

Utilizing the Grasshopper plugin Karamba,

be as uniform as possible, without any sharp

an optimal structure was found wherein 30

curves. To remedy the problem I trimmed

randomized coned geometries were arranged

and scaled a sphere geometry to produce a

in a voronoi pattern. Using Grasshopper to

surface that was relatively uniform compared

trim the intersecting forms, they were then

with previous lofted surfaces. In considering

unrolled into single curved planar surfaces

the final outcome it can be seen that the

that could be bent and joined together to

cone centers are located differently to

form the resulting sea-urchin-like pavilion.

the constructed pavilion, however altering

What is innovative about this project is that it

the ‘seed’ input to the populate geometry

used computational design to produce double

component I was able to produce a similar

curved complex forms which were structural

design. Personally I found that the script

optimal, prefabricated, inexpensive, intricate,

greatly enhanced my understanding of

easily assembled and iteration-flexible. To

computational tessellated design, through

reverse engineer the project I sought foremost

exploring the script I can now apply a variety

the form an initial base surface within Rhino,

of intersecting geometries to various surfaces.

Reverse-engineering diagram

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technique developement

Continuing on from Case Study 2.0 the task

original script in that they relied upon folding,

was manipulate the existing script to produce

rigid materials for construction rather than

numerous iterations exploring alternatives in

utilizing bending forces to hold form. On the

form, construction and materiality. Through

other hand species 4 played with ideas of

modifying, subtracting and adding existing

materiality. Through altering the pavilion’s

components as well as baking resultant

thickness it become clear that a more

geometries into meshes and altering them

rounded, voluminous materials intensified

using plug-ins such as Kangaroo and

the organic, lively aesthetic. Alternatively

WeaverBird the following iterations were

fragmentation in species 5 explored intricate,

created. An experimental task, I found the

fragile motifs holding precedents for more

unrollable iterations of particular interest.

tranquil environments. Through creating these

This can be seen in the crimping effects

iterations and extending the limits of the form,

produce in the first few iterations of species

I discovered possible alternate uses, materials,

1, the fold-able panels of species 2 and the

assemblage techniques and aesthetics to be

overlapping circular framed structures in

considered in later stages of my design.

species 3. These iterations differed from the

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S1

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S2

S3

S4

S5

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technique prototypes

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In constructing a prototype five cone segments pins placed at the extremities of these curves were extracted from the Case Study 2.0 reverse held the overall structure together with engineer rhino file. Then it was only a matter

minimal tension. The pins allowed for ease of

of unrolling the geometries, constructed

assemblage as during construction rotational

assemblage tabs and nominating cut and

forces attempted to separate adjacent edges.

score lines within a card cutter template.

The resulting prototype tested possibilities in

Nominating optix 300GSM card the two

fabrication techniques, costs and materiality.

dimensional shapes were cut at the Melbourne

In producing the prototype the characteristics

University fabrication workshop and assembled of constructed double curved surfaces of in the manner illustrated below. In assembling

unrolled materials remained true. It was

the prototype it was discover that as the

inexpensive, approximately $5, intricate and

geometries joined along curved surfaces,

easily fabricated.

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technique proposal

Views from Main Yarra Trail

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Proposed for the site of Merri Creek, the users

expansive concrete wall separates the urban

consist primarily of leisure seeking local

dwellings above from the Yarra River. Using

residents however they also include and are

parametric modeling my intention is to create

not limited to; out of towners, market goers,

a tessellated living wall of open panels to

cyclists, watercraft enthusiasts, bird watchers,

remedy the discontinuity of nature at the site

visitors of the Collingwood Children’s farm

wherein local flora can be planted, providing

and environmental scientists. Importantly the

habitation for wildlife. As a result my design

area hosts an assortment of wildlife inclusive

will contribute to the efforts made by the Merri

of, kingfishers, yellow-tailed black cockatoos,

Creek Management Committee in replanting

echnidas, murray cod, brown trout, frogs and

Merri Creek in an attempt to remedy the

recently platypuses.15 Along the Main Yarra

damage done during heavy industrial use

Trail just north of Abbotsford Convent an

throughout the twentieth century.

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learning objectives

Overall I’ve found Part B to be the most

explore a vast array of possibilities, enriching

challenging and rewarding component of

my design outcomes. An interesting aspect of

Air Studio thus far. Personally I feel that my

parametric modeling is the ease of fabrication.

capabilities with Grasshopper has improved

In considering the times I’ve spent measuring

through experimenting with scripts; visualizing

and cutting shapes to exact dimensions to

general geometries then through a series

construct models, it is easy to see the vast

of trial and error of matching different

benefits of digital fabrication. Furthermore

components, manipulating data structures and the beauty in the intricacy that parametric altering inputs. Due to the heavy computation

modeling allows for in astounding, never

aspect of this studio I’ve approached the

before in history has such complex designs

brief in a completely different manner. The

been achievable without extensive labour. I

design process I’ve taken is that of intense

look forward to part C in developing my skills

exploration. As Grasshopper allows for flexible

and appling them to the final design.

iterative design, I believe that I’ve been able to

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Voussoir Cloud, IwamotoScott16

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D E TA I L E D DESIGN CONCEPT

‘Only in the last decade has parametric modelling gone from being a mathematical trick employed by Gaudí, Otto, Sutherland, and some engineers now to being a regular part of architectural practice.’17 - Daniel Davis

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Site Along Merri Creek Trail

DESIGN Following the interim presentation our studio

aspect of the site. After discussing our

was split into groups to collaborate on a final

concepts, skill strengths and the site we

project according to our design approaches.

decided to develop an interactive installation

In visiting the site our group decided on a

utilizing cones to focus sounds, encouraging

position along Merri Creek which consisted

users to further explore the site. In considering

of small rapids. There surrounded by dense

the construction of our installation, I thought

development on all sides, the space was

of how my tessellated living wall could be

remarkably peaceful and this ambiance had

adapted to focus sound. After researching

the effect of removing the visitor from any

the physics of sound, it was concluded that

sense of the close proximity of the urban

the cones could be used to form an enclosed,

context. Despite this, we noticed most users

soundproof space which facilitated the input

did not deviating from the path. However in

of noise via small holes. This meant that the

doing so one can hear the sounds of water

success of the project was dependant on the

flowing over rocks, a special and engaging

joins between the individual geometries.

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TECHTONIC ELEMENTS AND PROTOTYPES

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To construct our project we began with

cone geometry overlapped along a concaved

applying cone geometries to a domed base

curve, when unrolled these intersections

surface. The cones were trimmed along their

were inversely represented as convex curves.

intersection joints and tops to create holes.

Therefore holes were placed along these

At the intersections curves were extruded in

convex curves and cable ties joined the cone

parabolic fashion to create the spiked framing

geometries. Next the laser cut Luan plywood

system. Opaque polypropylene was laser cut

frames were connected in the same hole and

to produce unrolled cone surfaces which were

cable tie system along corresponding edges

connected with rivets through holes placed

and rested upon the cone structure.

along the straight edged extremities. As each

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FINAL DETAIL MODEL “Mr. Alien�

After presenting our completed design we took them with structural support. The size of the onboard the feedback given and proceeded

holes and cable ties used to join them were

to construct our final model. Primarily our

decreased to provide better sound proofing.

initial design lacked structural integrity. As

The overall number of holes along the cone

there were no connection between the framing

edges were increased from an average of

system and cones the model’s individual

three to around seven. This facilitated an

components were subject to movement and

appearance of stitching, adding to the projects

thus damage. The framing system itself was

organic aesthetic. Lastly the colour of the

improved through designing discs to slot

polypropylene cones were altered from clear

into the parabolic frames so as to prevent

to white, this in conjunction with reducing the

any rotational movement and to define a

size of the tubes 20mm to 6mm, added to

consistent distance between each frame

the projects mysterious, organic appearance.

piece. The frame itself was construct of MDF

Overall what is most enjoyable of the project

as opposed to Luan Plywood and reduced

is its functionality. Users are able to talk, blow

in size so as to appear less intimidating and

air and perhaps even pour drinks into either

more open to interaction from the public. As

end of the tubes connected to the cones

stated earlier, the most essential aspect of

whilst being isolated from the other users.

the project is the detailing of the joins. In the

It has been playing around and testing the

final model the cones were attached not only

capabilities of Mr. Alien that I have enjoyed

to each other but to the framing, providing

most this semester.

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LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES What have I learnt from Air Studio? Don’t

and applying circle geometries at the division

flatten a tree that needs grafting. Double

points or as for the William Barak Apartements

check your fablab files. Its good to get stuck

behind it an image sampler component

in a Grasshopper problem. Think about your

could deform the facade geometries to

fabrication tools limitations. Prepare to remake create a face. I’ve found the best practice

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models. Of the studios I’ve done at Melbourne

was to preview on and off components of a

so far, I have definitely learnt the most from

foreign script until you begin to see patterns

Air. Now when given a brief, I can produce

and understand what a combination of

a vast range of design responses using

components can achieve. Then once you find

parametric modelling and then express these

out how these cluster work its simply a matter

designs clearly using rendering and formatting

of changing numeric inputs, base geometries

programs. To learn Grasshopper I had to think

or swapping similar components to see what

in a critically mathematical manner, a frame of

happens. Air studio has opened my eyes to

mind that I’ve never used for designing. It is in

the capabilites of modelling softwares and

this mindset that I’ve begun to notice patterns

thier associated fabrication machines. I fully

in the physical world around me. For example

intend to further experiment with grasshopper

RMIT design hub may well have been designed

to create some interesting geometries, and

in Grasshopper through subdividing a surface

then fabricate them!

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REFERENCES

Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design, (Boston, MIT

Press: 2004), pp.2

The University of British Columbia Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, About Our Building, < http://pharmsci.ubc.ca/facili-

ties/about-our-building> [accessed 15 August 2015]

ArchDaily, UBC Faculity of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Saucier + Perrotte architectes, 2012, photograph, http://images.

adsttc.com/media/images/507f/6f48/28ba/0d02/6200/0056/large_jpg/UBC_Pharmacy_Saucier___Perrrotte_4548813_14_3_(900). jpg

ArchDaily, Clássicos da Arquitetura: Robin Hood Gardens / Alison e Peter Smithson, 2012, photograph, http://www.

archdaily.com.br/br/01-36972/biblioteca-municipal-de-stuttgart-yi-architects/36972_36973?ad_medium=widget&ad_name=navigation-next.

ArchDaily, Spotlight: Alison and Peter Smithson, <http://www.archdaily.com/645128/spotlight-alison-and-peter-smithson>

[accessed 15 August 2015]

Dataphys, List of Physical Visualizations, 2007, photograph, http://dataphys.org/list/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/

DSC00764.jpg

Yehuda E. Kalay, Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-aided Design, (Boston, MIT

Press: 2004), pp.6

Daniel Davis Blog, Patrick Schumacher – Parametricism, <http://www.danieldavis.com/patrik-schumacher-parametricism/>

[accessed 6 November 2015]

Architects Journal, Patrick Schumacher on parametricism – ‘Let the style wars begin’, <http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/

patrik-schumacher-on-parametricism-let-the-style-wars-begin/5217211.article> [accessed 6 November 2015]

Branko Kolarevic, Architecture in the Digital Age; Design and Manufacturing, (New York, Spoon Press: 2003), pp. 5

Hoboish, Alhambra Detail 1, 2015, photograph, https://hoboish.files.wordpress.com/2015/06/alhambra-detail-1.jpg

Opposing Views, Tessellations in Islamic Art, <http://people.opposingviews.com/tessellations-islamic-art-2800.html> [accessed 22 September 2015]

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Karamba Parametric Engineering, Karamba3D wood pavilion, 2011, photograph, http://www.karamba3d.com/wp-content/

uploads/2013/11/karamba3d-wood_pavilion_hartmann_manuel-final2.jpg

Karamba Parametric Engineering, Small Wooden Pavilion, <http://www.karamba3d.com/small-wooden-building-pavil-

lon-in-alberschwende/> [accessed 24 September 2015]

Merri Creek Management Committee, About Merric Creek, <http://www.mcmc.org.au/index.php?option=com_con-

tent&view=article&id=36&Itemid=188> [accessed 24 September 2015]

Alvar Aalto Symposium, Voussoir Cloud, 2015, photograph, http://alvaraaltosymposium.fi/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/

Voussoir-Cloud_photo-by-JudsonTerry.jpg

Daniel Davis Blog, A History of Parametric Design, <http://www.danieldavis.com/a-history-of-parametric/> [accessed 22

September 2015]

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