Digital Design Final Portfolio - Sharon Zhou

Digital Design - Portfolio Semester 1, 2018 Sharon Zhou

996349 Kammy Leung & CL Lok | Studio 24

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REFLECTION: My designs were inspired by micromimicry architecture and the intricate relationship between geometric man-made forms and nature. I wanted to construct a design that incorporated this idea and the interplay between inhabitable space and the natural landscape.

CONTENTS:

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Precedent Study email: sxzhou@student.unimelb.edu.au

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Generating Design Through Digital Processes

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Cave Pavilion

EDUCATION:

Digital Design has taught me a variety of technical skills that allowed me to transcend my designs from my imagination onto paper. Each module focused on a different set of skills that challenged me to explore not just the technicality of the softwares but also the range of possibilities that my concepts are captable of developing into.

One of my biggest inspirations include Toyo Ito, 2018 - current | Bachelor of Design, University of Melbourne and his theory on the emotional connection between architecture and nature as well as the “in2016-2017 | Internationa Baccalaureate, Kristin School between space�. The flexibility of the concept that a space can be manipulated into the need of the SKILLS: user intrigues me as I believe this to be a very conRhino venient and efficient way of creating functional Grasshopper spaces. I believe I have more capabilities than Unreal what is showcased in this portfolio. I have learned Photoshop from this subject to improve on my organisational Illustrator skills as well as time management. I believe that Indesign these qualities will aid me into developing betFabrication ter and more thought-out designs in the future.

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DIAGRAMMING DESIGN PRECEDENT

Zumthor - Serpentine Pavilion 2011 Sharon Zhou - 996349

The pavilion designed by Peter Zumthor is simple in it’s shape and form, but carries an abstract and artistic concept. Its layout allows flexibility in its circulation as well as function because of the structure. There are multiple openings that all lead to the central garden. From the outside, the individual must enter into darkness, where the outside world is eliminated as they enter a different space with a contrasting atmosphere. The inner walls of the central space accomodating the garden has small ledges where individuals are able to sit, face and admire the garden. Human interaction is flexible as it is dependent on the person. The overall structure blocks ev-

Isometric 1:100 0

2000

6000mm

Air Flow

erything from the outside world, including noise, wind, and in some areas, the sun. This allow individuals to walk into a whole new world, encouraging them to relax, reflect, and conjure an emotional experience.

Wind

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Atmosphere

Entrances

Threshold Diagram

Circulation Diagram

The diagram shows the separation of different spaces. Firstly the outside world and the

The diagram not only just depict human movement but also air ventilation and wind

interior of the pavillion differentiated by the roof. Next the thresholds of the entrance invit-

direction. Natural air ventilates through the roof for plants to grow and gather sun-

ing visitors to pass through to have a look. And lastly, colour is used on the ground plain to

light. The wind direction flows from North East and South West (wind flow in London,

separate each space to their own. The visitor must essentially peel through the layers to find

UK, which is where the pavillion is situated). Arrows are placed at the entrance and

the central garden.

spaces for movement to indicate circulation.

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Generating Ideas Through Process

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Lofts

1.1

1.2

1.3

{-0.5,60,150}

{-0.2,80,150} {104,150,150} {45,20,150}

{-0.5,135,0}

Grid Points

{15,-0.1,150} {105,0,150}

{0.2,-0.1,135} {150,15,150}

{-0.2,125,0} {-0.2,80,0}

{149,150,15}

{150,150,15}

{150,150,0}

{0,0,0}

{135,150,0}

{150,95,0}

{149,60,0} {149,0.1,0}

{150,-0.1,30}

{150,0,0}

{150,20,0}

Paneling Grid & Attractor Point Paneling

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

{Index Selection}

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

{Attractor Point Location}

{Attractor Point Location}

{Attractor Point Location}

{Index Selection}

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

DESIGN MATRIX A ASSIGNMENT 1

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Attractor / Control Poin

Attractor / Control Curv

{150,150,150}

{150,95,150}

{149,60,150}

{0,0,0}

{0.2,120,150}

{150,140,150}

{14,0.129,150}

Key

1.4 {0,60,150}

{150,60,0}

SUIRFACE AND WAFFLE The second surface has the heavier panels at the top. The two sets of panels are similar yet different, creating a natural diagonal flow that reinforces the concept of reflecting spaces and interchange. This can be interpreted as mirroring or having a vortex-like flow.

Panels at the bottom are heavy and extrusive, protruding outwards to hold ground and stability as well as maintaining the diagonal flow of the complementing loft. The top panels are light and airy, with a variety of subtle but not completely flat surfaces.

The waffle is constructed by intersecting slabs of ivory card to create a stable and supporting structure for the panels. Slabs are layered vertically and intersected horizontally to create a skeleton-like form.

Exploded Isometric 0

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COMPUTATION WORKFLOW Panelling tools were explored in Assignment A through grasshopper. The cull index was useful in terms of conducting a variety of different panels onto the surfaces, allowing the user to control which panels go where on the surface.

The initial goal was to expierment the possibilities of different combinations that could form a relationship between the two surfaces. I wanted the surfaces to complement each other in a way that created a aesthetic flow. Somewhat the same yet slightly different. I was slightly worried that my waffle would not stand if the bottom edges were closer together than the top, so instead, I twisted them in a way that the top and bottom mirrors each other. Below are my explorations of different surface combinations.

Surface 01: The two surfaces wrap around one another to create a

Surface 02: The surfaces are very wide and rigid. The difference in

Surface 03: This combination has a sense of enclosure, from having a

Surface 04: The edges are very dynamic but this is not physically pos-

vortex-like affect. Similarly the top and bottom shape are almost mirrored but slightly different.

distances of the spaces between the surfaces do not have a large range. Overall a very simple and straight-foward look.

large amount of space that slowly closes towards the top. The two surfaces touch at an angle but opens outwards, not fully closing up to allow natural light and air.

sible to build. The goal that created this pair of surfaces was to explore the boundaries of this exercise.

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PROCESS DEVELOPMENT

I chose this surface because it reflected my concept of complementary forms standing together to create a new idea. The surfaces are subtle and not too dramatic so it would be easier to model.

The integration between flat and extruding surfaces can be seen by the two panels as each panel is reflected in a sort of way to celebrate the concept of interchange. Pyrimids are extruded diagonally on each side to form dynamic flow.

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The waffle shape is overally rectangular, however the way it twists upwards in a vortex-like structure allow the two panels to hug each other, complementing every angle that it is curved in. The constructed swirl mirrors the bottom and top panels, similarly but not completely to show balance and symmetry.

IMAGES OF ASSIGNMENT A

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I laid down the necessary components to create my waffle and panels.

Black lines indicated cut while the red lines indicated etching. I flipped my unrolled panels so when I fold them the upside would not have etched lines. Some panels are etched on the outer layers so they did not require taping once the laser cut is done while the others did. I was experimenting with how convenient this would be. It eliminated the chances of the tape ruining the surface material however, it was time consuming to manually cut the mountboard.

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Task 02 Full Page Photo

IMAGES OF ASSIGNMENT B

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SOLID AND VOID

For this task, point attractors are explored once again to manipulate the grid points within the cube that facilitates the spheres. Numerical factors also contributed to determine the size and placement of the spheres within the grid points.

Insert your Isometric of Task 01.

Include your annotations.

Make sure to include scale bars

View 01 (NOT TO SCALE)

NOTE: Please check font sizes; make sure its consistent with your main body text

View 02 (NOT TO SCALE)

Boolean geometry is explored, I based mine on spheres. The final spaces created had to contain the functionality of a study area, hence this had to be taken into consideration when constructing the geometries. The selected Boolean Difference is chosen for its shape and varying openings created by the different sized spheres.

This would give me more options to create a wider range of desired spatial qualities.

The large amount of openings allow light to flow through as well as more chances of different spaces created.

Boolean Difference Isometric 0

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View 03 (NOT TO SCALE)

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Grid Manipulation

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

Key {0,0,0}

Attractor / Control Poin

Attractor / Control Curv Grid Points

Sphere Distribution Boolean Difference

{Point Attractor}

{Point Attractor}

{Point Attractor}

{Point Attractor}

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

{Boolean Geometry}

{Boolean Geometry}

{Boolean Geometry}

{Boolean Geometry}

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

DESIGN MATRIX B ASSIGNMENT 2

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FINAL ISOMETRIC This is the final result after Booleaning the cube.

Isometrics for the 50x50x50 study area were explored at all angles. This piece divides up multiple spaces for individuals to quietly study among themselves, or converse with each other over the openings. The walls concave to further create an enclosed space.

View 01 0

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View 02 0

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Isometric of Study Space 0

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View 03 0

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COMPUTATIONAL PROCESS

Task 01 Grasshopper Script Showing input - associate - output

The goal was to derive a physical series of different combinations within a cube which then, is subtracted from one another using “BooleanSplit” or “BooleanDifference” from Rhino. The visual script on the shows the technical process taken to create the results on the right image. The number sliders each affect the magnitude of the spheres protruding out of the cube. The Boolean differences can be seen all somewhat similar, however, the final generated cube (30x30) can all look very different, as they are placed anywhere within the space before getting subtracted from the boolean geometric.

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3D PRINTING

Cleaning up rough surface

Cleaning up rough surface The 3D printing process was slightly difficult due to the time constraint that forced me to lower the mesh resolution for my shapes. Because of this, the edges of my final models were not as smooth as I anticipated them to be. This can be seen in the photographs. However, I am not disappointed because the overall shape is still present and my concepts can be conveyed through my final models.

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The concept for The Cave Pavilion is about conjuring feeling of mystery and wonder through spatial openings created through a series of paremetric sequences. The shapes and form of the pavilion forbid the user to see far ahead or where they are going until they are standing within the interior. This is used to build curiosity and intriguement.

The timber slits create dynamic shadows of the natural light as if the user is exploring a cave during the day. The pavilion divide users that are inside from the people outside only to a certain extent. The openings between the walls maintain a level of communication with the outside world because my concept of organicism encourages the pavilion to engage with the rest of the landscape while maintaining its individuality. The highest point of the pavilion is the main entrance to generate the illusion that the pavilion is bigger than it actually is.

Cave Pavilion

The materials used are dark timber wood on white concrete. The natural material to blend into the landscape and reinforce the idea of integrating man with nature while the concrete is used to contrast with the tone of the wood. This enhances the effect and outlining the shape of the pavilion.

Overall, the atmosphere created conjures mystery and wonder, but when inspected closely, the pavlion is proven to be friendly and accomodating.

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ISOMETRIC

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DESIGN ITERATIONS

Design 01: The shape is arched and curvy, there are multiple openings that allow users to weave in and out of, however, needed to be reformed for a more stable shape.

Design 02: A dramatic bench that allows two rows of people to take shelter from the sunlight. Did not accomodate space for a performance hence I did not choose this as my final design. It also looked more like a piece of furniture rather than a pavilion.

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Design 03: Similar to design 1, however it only has two openings, curved and shaped as if the user is going through a tunnel. The bench is integrated with the walls and placed on the outside, however still did not have room for any performance. It does however, have room for 30 people.

RENDERS

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PHYSICAL MODEL

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COMPUTATIONAL PROCESS

I first created shapes that are section cuts of the overall pavilion. I made 5 in total so I am able to construct the shape I wanted with more control. I then connected the points and curves with the commands in grasshopper

I am able to get different results depending on the order of how I place the points and sections. When I have found the design I wanted to develop on, I used Sweep1 to create the surface.

For the final step, I divided the surface up equally using the number slider and created individual slats which will be assembled using timber for my final design.

I did this again with the bench before attaching them together. The pavilion and the bench was made separately with the same techniques.

The image at the bottom is the final plan.

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FABRICATION PROCESS

The laser cutting process went very smoothly. By this stage I have already grasped a hold of how everything operated in the process in terms of softwares used, file type, time management and more. I used metal craft wires and a hot glue gun as the main stabilizer for making my model and creating the hovering panels in the middle that did not touch the ground. My panels were relatively thin and may not stand, so I printed two copies and glued them together to add strength and durability.

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360 IMAGE OUTPUT

Digital Design Semester 1, 2018 27