Yi lu (spring) studio air journal by Spring Lu

AIR S T U D I O

Acumen

Insight

Reflection

2015, SEMESTER 1, PHILLIP BELESKY YI LU (SPRING) 616749

“This is more than a jounal.” ----Spring Lu

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Table of Contents 4 Introduction 5 My personal projects 6 Part A Conceptualization 7 A.1. Design Futuring 12 A.2. Design Computation 18 A.3. Generation 24 A.4. Conclusion 25 A.5. Learning Outcome 26 A.6. Apendix-Algorithmic Sketches

28 References

Yi Lu (Spring)

y name is Yi Lu, people call me Spring here. I like my English name, for it means beauty, vitality and hope. Those three words can conclude my life experiences for the past 21 years.

I was born in an artist family, relatives on my mom’s side are all doing fine-art-related job. I was rasied up in the cradle of paintings, hand-crafts, cartons, and etc. Colors, patterns and texture became part of childhood memory. For me, before I ever got any idea of what is aesthetics, those wired things were so beautiful and amazing that I couldn’t help myself to look, touch and feel.

I started to have special interest with architecture since I entered university in China. During this year of study, I used up my free time to visit all the unique

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building in Beijing. Due to its rapid development, Beijing is full of some world-class architects’ works. From the unity of Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid, to the conflict of CCTV tower by Rem Koolhaas; from the stillness of Bamboo House by Kengo Kuma, to the chaos of San Litun Village also by Kengo Kuma, with my visit to each surprise, I got chances to look into their “wrappings“, to their essential charms. Later on, I realized that to dig out some kind of beauty it requires thinking.

After one-year architecture study in China, I decided to transfer to University of Melbourne, in order to carry on my explorarion of architecture at a different place, on a different level, and with new experiences. Although it has been three years already, I am not hurry to make an conclusion of my changing understanding of architecture. I am hoping to find out more in my study of Air Studio, and I am sure I will find them, because with hope, my heart can go anywhere.

MY PERSONAL PROJECT

FIG.1 Point Line Plane design for Earth Studio

FIG.2 Frame and Infill design for Earth Studio

FIG.3 Lamp Shade design for Construction Environment Past works of Spring Lu

Part A CONCEPTUALISATION

Part B CRITERIA DESIGN

Part C DETAILED DESIGN

A.1. DESIGN FUTURING

“Now, a younger generation doesn’t dream, it hopes; it hopes that we wil survive, that there will be water for all, that we wll be able to feed everyone, that we will not destroy ourselves.” ----Anthony Dunne & Fiona Raby

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A.1. DESIGN FUTURING Bernard Tschumi:

Parc de la Villette, 1983-1985, Paris

FIG 1. Follies as main landscape in Parc de la Villette

FIG 2. Arial view of Parc de la Villette

Parc de la Villette is a park in Paris, designed by Bernard Tschumi. The most iconic elements of the park are the red enameled steel folies (Fig.1). Those thirty-five follies are displayed evenly across this vast open space (Fig.2). For most of the people, the first impression of this park has nothing related with sustainability. However, instead of projecting sustainable environment, Tschumi emphased the sustainability of social interaction. As a result, he designed this park to provide endless possibility with open space and abstract frames---those follies. Each folly comes in different shape, while they are all composed by points, lines and planes (Fig.3). By using those basic elements, Tschumi expressed his spatial concept for “the age of information“ and “post-industrial society“.1 He tired to break people’s old idea about a park---relaxing, green and natural, so he made the park into a spacious maze, with hints leading visitors to a certain place. Vistors will be continuously challenged with implications lurk in those follies. 1 William J.R.Curitis, Modern Architecure Since 1900, 1982, p.666

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All the follies are not designed to be functional. It challenges the conventional idea of function, form and scale. Without any history precedents, this park design is revolutionary in 1980s. It is also acknowledged as a masterpiece in the area of deconstructivism. Tschumi’s main idea is to create relationship between architectural design with people’s ability to recognize and interact. 2This idea inspires a young generation of deconstructivists. Anyway, it is interesting to find out nowadays some of the follies have been reconstructed to be functional unit, for example snack bar, coffee and etc. Although the park do not keep its anti-tourism feature as Tschumi originally expected, it maintains its dynamism of interaction. Or we can say that it breaks the peace of a park into pieces of dynamism and unlimited potiential for future development.

2 Jacques Derrida Limited Inc, Northwestern University Press, 2000, p.21-22

FIG 3. Selected follies’ plan

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A.1. DESIGN FUTURING Chiasmus Partners:

The Red Diamond, 2008-2009, Beijng Rapid construction of the 20th century brings us convenience, but now in 21st century we are facing the problem of how to deal with old buildings. They had once been the glory of human-beings, now it seems they are just a pile of trash. Given this fact, what can architects do? The Red Diamond (Fig.5) is a good example of transformation of abandoned industrial building (Fig.4). By consolidating its structural elements, by adding a red mesh envelope, and by re-planning the function zones, it brings in new dynamism to the surrounding community of the old factory site.

FIG.4 Previous factory building

Located in Beijing, it follows the planning principle of courtyard. However in order to break the privacy of a courtyard, Chiasmus manipulated transparency and opacity (Fig.6). Consequently, the closeness of the courtyard is neutralized by the use of glass. Nowadays, the Red Diamond is not only used as a theatre, but also a place of entertainment. This successfull transformation excavated both the existing value of interior space, and the new value of the open space that a courtyard created. It becomes a place for anyone and for a variety of activities.

FIG.5 The Red Diamond after Re-construction

As the development of construction industry goes on, both the land resource and the material resource will be challenged. As a saying goes “whoever started the trouble should end it“, the unsustainable state of ‘Building Boom’ can be alleviated with proper reuse of old buildings. After all, demolishment is not the only solution for realizing new creation.

FIG.6 Contrast between opacity and transparency

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“To be human is to refuse to accept the given as given.” ----Anthony Dunne & Fiona Raby

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A.2. DESIGN COMPUTATION

“When, architects have a sufficient understanding of algorithmic concept, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different, then computation can become a true method of design for architecture.” ----Brady Peters

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The 21st century witness big switch in the area of design technique. A brand new way of design is carried out, changing the conventional thought of design from sketching, site analysis and construction to algorithm, visualizing and digital fabrication. What used to be time-consuming and too complex to simulate with physical model is no longer considered as nonsense. Now that kind of design is known as parametric design, and it leads a new form of design logic1. According to the Kalay, “architectural design is an activity that deals, in equal measures, with externally imposed constraints (e.g., site conditions, climate, functionality, cost, building codes, and so forth) and internally drawn inspirations” 2. Computing will benefit both side---the analytical and the creative. First of all, this kind of data based mathematic algorithm can allow human beings’ limited intelligence to visualize unlimited amount of design outcomes with the assist of intelligent computer programs. Second, not only does computer has the ability of generating aesthetically attractive façade and structure, it can also simulate the surrounding environment, thus figuring out the best solutions for the general comfort of future users. The following precedents are going to focus on those two benefits design computation has brought to us.

1 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 2 Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 2

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A.2. DESIGN COMPUTATION

SOM:

Mumbai Airport Terminal, 2014, Mumbai

Designed by a famous American Architecture studio--SOM, Mumbai Airport has the distinctive characteristic of parametric design. The structural and architectural components of this airport are blended perfectly with each other. The most notable example is the curvaceous concrete cell of the building. This canopy is supported by 30 tapered columns that are punctured with similar recesses, creating a decorative pattern of openings1. Parametric design enabled SOM to model the structure and tested out its structural feasibility before the airport was ever built. Without the assist of computation, it would have taken much longer time to finish this design.

FIG.7 Concrete cell pattern generated by grasshopper

Also it is easier to modify the outcome of the design with software. For a dynamic-shaped design like this airport, thousands of data will be needed to guarantee an accurate position for each component. After all, the calculation speed of the computer is much faster and more accurate than human beings. Consequently, computing provides more freedom for creativity. It frees designers from complex calculation, repeative modeling process, and it allows human beings’ limited intelligence to visualize unlimited amount of design outcomes with the assist of intelligent computer programs. 1. Dezeen Magazine, “SOM completed Mumbai Airport terminal with coffered canopy”, 2014 < http://www.dezeen.com/2014/02/20/chhatrapati-shivaji-airport-terminal-mumbai-som/>[acessed 20 March, 2015].

FIG.8 Interior View of the Airport

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FIG.9 Exterior extention of the canopy

FIG.10 Contrete cell is designed for both aesthetical and structural purpose

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A.2. DESIGN COMPUTATION

Cloud 9:

The Media-ICT Office Building, 2011, Barcelona

Media-ICT won the World Building of the Year 2011 at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona. By simulating site and local weather condition (sun, wind, temperature, etc.) with computer, Cloud 9 was able to find out the best solution for the shape of the façade. Maxmium natural sunlight can be penetrated in to the building, and glazing is avoided as well. ETFE cushions are used to screen the sun cover the southern facade of the

Media-ICT office building. Those cushions contain Nitrogen, which will increase their opacity when heated by sunlight1. All the analytical design process was taken over by computer program, so the design went on smoothly.

FIG.11 Structural detail of the building & the ETFE cushion

FIG.12 ETFE Cushion filled with Nitrogen

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Again, computers relieve the burden 1 Detailed Daily, “World Building of 2011: Media-ICT by Cloud 9”, 2011 < http://www.detail-online.com/daily/world-buildingof-2011-media-ict-by-cloud-9-769/>[acessed 20 March, 2015].

of designers, and they ensure the accuracy of site analysis, they enable design testing. As a result, the cheerful outcome is a building not only comfortable for users, but also environmental friendly. In a word, it gets most out of the natural environment, while taking least from the non-renewable resource.

FIG.13 Southern Facade pattern generated by computer simulation

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A.3. GENERATION

“Design, accordingly, is a purposeful activity, aimed at achieving some well-defined goals.” ----Yehuda Kalay

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This week’s reading and lecture are focused mainly on algorithmic thinking. Before starting to critique design generative approaches, I would like to state my understanding of the inter-relationship among algorithmic thinking, parametric modeling and scripting. Algorithmic thinking is the ability to understand, explore and speculate code-based design potentials1. Scripting is the medium designers used to describe their algorithmic thinking. And the overall process is considered as parametric modeling. Design composition via computing does not mean excellence in every aspect. It is also a two-sided approach.

1 Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15

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A.3. GENERATION

Zaha Hadid:

The Galaxy SOHO, 2011-2012, Beijng FIG.15 360 degree spatial fluency

FIG.14 Lack of contextualization

FIG.16 Panorama view of the Galaxy SOHO

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Located at the capital city of Beijing, the inspirational idea of Galaxy SOHO comes from terrace; it imitates both the shape and the spatial fluidity of terrace. Parametric modeling technique realized the unusual shape. Its curvaceous appearance makes this building stands out in the middle of the ancient grid city, breaking the tension of rigidity and creating abrupt new rhythm to the surrounding context.

fluency1, and it becomes a unique landmark of the city. On the other hand, it is important to notice that not much consideration about the surrounding context has been taken when generating this design. The Galaxy SOHO has its strong characteristic of its designer---Zaha Hadid, however it is quite an international architecture that can be fit anywhere in the world. In short, a huge part of contextualization content is

On one hand, it is good that parametric design enables the 360-degree spatial

1 Dezeen Magazine, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architectsâ&#x20AC;?, 2012 < http://www.dezeen. com/2012/10/29/galaxy-soho-by-zaha-hadidarchitects/>[acessed 20 March, 2015].

FIG.17 Central open space and the space connection between each building.

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A.3. GENERATION MAD:

Absolute Tower, 2012, Mississauga The Absolute Tower is designed by MAD. The initial concept of the tower is to build up a organic skyscraper. The founder of MAD stated that we already have listless boxy building in the urban context, what we need to create now is things that are soft, natural and organic. The Absolute Towers inherits the twisting fluidity and natural lines found in life1. MAD illustrated that they treats architecture as landscape, instead of a product or an artificial volume. The landscape they are aiming to create is not a simple piece of green, but an environment fostering great literature, poem and music, or simply life and philosophy 2.

FIG.18 Waterfull in the middle of the “Shan Shui City“

Parametric design is useful for visualizing the organic shape of the Absolute Tower. And its specific way to integrate natural curve with social space provides a possible solution for the conflict of limited land resource and unlimited urban development . Anyway, if we are seeking pure form of nature in the Absolute Tower, we will end up with nothing. The whole skyscraper is computerized. Though the shapes are organic, but still not naturally rich. Oxman stated that natural design is not simply imitating the appearance of the organic, but response to the real environmental context 3.

1 Dezeen Magazine, “Absolute Tower by MAD”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/12/12/absolute-towers-bymad/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 2 Dezeen Magazine, “Absolute Tower by MAD”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/12/12/absolute-towers-bymad/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 3 Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. FIG.20 Low-rise courtyard is surrounded by high-rise buildings, creating the effect of human dwellings in mountain range. 1–10

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FIG.21 Abusolute Tower

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A.4. CONCLUSION

From the exploration of design futuring to design computation and finally to design generation, during the overall process I am have an general idea of what human and nature need; what computation can provide us; as well as how design generate.

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With the inspiration of precedents in Part A, I found out sometime parametric design could be really abrupt to its surrounding context, for example the Galaxy SOHO by Zaha Hadid. So I want to challenge myself with designing parametric model

that has close relationship with its surrounding context. Also it should be able to change the life of the surrounding community in a positive way, just like what Tschumi and Chiasmus have achieved with the power of their design work.

A.4. LEARNING OUTCOME

Before I started the subject, my previous designs were all carried out by computerization. I generated my conceptual shape in my mind or on sketches and then I used computer to model them. By learning the theory in Part A, I realized the power of algorithmic

thinking. This method will make up for the insufficient of human intellect and imagination. For my previous designs, I think their form need to be explained in a more logical way, they are not effective enough in problem solving as I

expected to, because their form were generated causally. In the ongoing process of learning and designing, I hope I will get more knowledge to realize my intended design approach.

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A.5. ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

1. Square columns generated by using divide surface, divide surface, vector and extrude surface. 2. X and Y value of the square base scaled larger, and the extrusion vector changes according to no.1 outcome. 3. The munipulation of Populated 3D points and Voronoi 3D are used on top of the above square columns script.

4. Deconstructing mesh into vertices, and then circle are generated with each vertice as its centre. Followed with extrusion, the radius and the length of the extrusion are all related with the height of the vertice. 5. Similar script are applied with different mesh brep.

SCRIPT DESCRIPTION

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For palying with grasshopper is facinating! Math calculation and data based information form, they just indicate indefinate possibility. Things that will be so hard to create by hand, things that are so organic in their shape, the world of grasshopper is amazing. Those sketches I selected for Part A are the ones that I found most interesting. They are not defined by their shape, so they got the potential of carrying any function. After my first attempt of parametric design, I realized that creativity is not totally random, they can be really logic, and proper logic brings more chance for a creative pattern.

6. On top of the square column script, populated geometry and octree are applied in this script. As a result, it generates random boxes along those columns. 6

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REFERENCES

1. Dunne, Anthony & Raby, Fiona (2013) Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp. 1-9, 33-45 2. Oxman, Rivka and Robert Oxman, eds (2014). Theories of the Digital in Architecture (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 1–10 3. Kalay, Yehuda E. (2004). Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of ComputerAided Design (Cambridge, MA: MIT Press), pp. 5-25 4. Peters, Brady. (2013) ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83, 2, pp. 08-15 5. Curitis, William J.R.. (1982). Modern Architecure Since 1900, pp.666 6. Derrida, Jacques. (2000). Limited Inc (Northwestern University Press), pp.21-22 7.Dezeen Magazine, “SOM completed Mumbai Airport terminal with coffered canopy”, 2014 < http://www. dezeen.com/2014/02/20/chhatrapati-shivaji-airport-terminal-mumbai-som/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 8.Dezeen Magazine, “Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architects”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/29/ galaxy-soho-by-zaha-hadid-architects/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 9.Dezeen Magazine, “Absolute Tower by MAD”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/12/12/absolute-towersby-mad/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 10.Detailed Daily, “World Building of 2011: Media-ICT by Cloud 9”, 2011 < http://www.detail-online.com/daily/ world-building-of-2011-media-ict-by-cloud-9-769/>[acessed 20 March, 2015].

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IMAGES REFERENCES Precedents Images 1. Bernard Tschumi Architects, “Parc de la Villette”, 1983 http://www.tschumi.com/projects/3/ 2. Dezeen Magazine, “The Red Diamond by Chiasmus Partners”, 2009 < http://www.dezeen.com/2009/10/26/ red-diamond-by-chiasmus-partners/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 3. Dezeen Magazine, “SOM completed Mumbai Airport terminal with coffered canopy”, 2014 < http://www. dezeen.com/2014/02/20/chhatrapati-shivaji-airport-terminal-mumbai-som/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 4. Dezeen Magazine, “Galaxy Soho by Zaha Hadid Architects”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/10/29/ galaxy-soho-by-zaha-hadid-architects/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 5.Dezeen Magazine, “Absolute Tower by MAD”, 2012 < http://www.dezeen.com/2012/12/12/absolute-towersby-mad/>[acessed 20 March, 2015]. 6. Detailed Daily, “World Building of 2011: Media-ICT by Cloud 9”, 2011 < http://www.detail-online.com/daily/ world-building-of-2011-media-ict-by-cloud-9-769/>[acessed 20 March, 2015].

Background Images 1.Suckerpunchdaily,”Bridge”<http://www.suckerpunchdaily.com/2011/01/05/non-linear-architecture_ parametrics-workshop/>[acessed 18 March, 2015] 2. Paramaterial, “Black and White Pattern“<http://paramaterial.net/category/grasshopper/>[acessed 17 March, 2015] 3. Pintrest, “Parametric Pattern“ < https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404127766537139789/ > [acessed 16 March, 2015] 4. Pintrest, “Parametric Pattern“ < https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404127766537139784/ > [acessed 16 March, 2015] 5. Pintrest, “Parametric Pattern“ < https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404127766537139797/ > [acessed 16 March, 2015]

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Part A CONCEPTUALIZATION

Part B CRITERIA DESIGN

Part C DETAILED DESIGN

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B.1. RESEARCH FIELD

“Biomimicry is the examination of nature, its models, systems, and processes for the purpose of gaining inspiration in order to solve man-made problems.”

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B.1. RESEARCH FIELD

e as human beings are talented in terms of creation, and the best source of inspiration is from the nature. From simply imitating forms of nature as ornamentation, to really understand the fundamental principles of a creature, our exploration of biomimicry keeps expanding. Instead of imitation, biomimicry is considered as learning from the wisdom of nature, thus applying it to contemporary development. A good biomimicry design should not only looks natural, but also implies the function of nature. All in all, “biomimicry is the examination of nature, its models, systems, and processes for the purpose of gaining inspiration in order to solve man-made problems.”1

1. Archidaily, “Architectural Innovation Inspired by Nature”, 2011 < http:// www.archdaily.com/tag/biomimicry/>[acessed 12 April, 2015]. 32

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B.2. CASE STUDY ONE

“Learn from the greats.” ---Kevin Chamberlin

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B.2. CASE STUDY ONE

SEROUSSI PAVILION

Change of the dividing point on each base curve.

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Change

e of the central circle radius

ORIGINAL SPECIES

Change of the hair volume on each cell

Change of the field strength

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FLOWERY SPECIES

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The outcome of this species are comparatively 2-Dimentional. Consequently, it shows more characteristics of surface rather than space. In this specie, the form is composed of radiant cell units and radiant base patterns, thus this species shows great unity.

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LOTUS LEAVES SPECIES

This species is named after lotus leaves due to their iconic shapes. The form of the outcome twists suddenly after changing base curves into 3-Dimentional. For spiral generation of this species, snail (a plug-in) is used. It can help to generate quick and smooth spirals as well as fibonacci curves. The space and surface of this species are all interesting. Under each bowl shape leaves, a individual space is defined. Also, all the individual leave components are connected smoothly with the tendancy of the spiral.

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VORTEX SPECIES

Vortex species is generated by populated 2-dimentional points and field. The interesting part of this species is the spin force. With the change of the spin force, the vortex pattern changes distinctly. These patterns have the character of fludity, which remind us of the diagram of a water drainage.

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SELECTION CRITIRIA

“Survival of the fittest.” --- Charles Darwin

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With clear separatrix of field line generated by each point, this vortex is more developable than all the other vortexs. As shown in the right renders, it can be developed into pavilion and other interesting shapes by using graph mapper for its movement in Z-axis.

As can be seen in the right yellow diagram, the surface of this defination is very organic. Leaves are comparatively simple in shape, and spaces are created inside the bottom shells and the upper bowels.

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Fibonacci spiral lotus leave is chosen for its underlying mathematical rhythm and logic. It has the mathematical aethetics and the sequence of beauty.

Double-side extending spiral generates double-side extending space, which means spaces are extending to both up direction and down direction. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more those spaces are parallel to each other.

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B.3. CASE STUDY TWO

“Learn from the greats.” ---Kevin Chamberlin

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B.3. CASE STUDY TWO

Architect: CCA Architecture/MEDIAlab Location: San Francisco, United States

FLUX: Architecture in a Parametric Landscape by MATSYS

Date: 2008 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2009

3. Realize the loft surface

contour and offset contours

2. Test out the outcome by put the existing defination onto a rhino loft surface

6. Extrude each contour

5. Offset the contours and

4. Find the contour of the

surface into the final shape

plananr surface them

loft surface

1. Make the profile by

in Grasshopper

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B.4. TECHNIQUE DEVELOPMENT

Change contour density

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Change section distance

Change loft curve shape

Change sweep rail shape

Give sweep rail Z direction movement

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Circle as sweep rail

Flower pattern as sweep rail

Manipulate the twist loft surface

loop as sweep rail

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During the generation of those iterations, my idea about the conceptual proposal changes dramatically. I felt my mind was continuously challenged with the new unexpected shapes. Parametric design enables us to break the limitation of conventional design method---copy, cut and paste, and it leads us into further exploration of the true logic underlying the design1. 1 Woodbury, Robert F. (2014). ‘How Designers Use Parameters’, in Theories of the Digital in Architecture, ed. by Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 153–170

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SELECTION CRITIRIA

“Form must have a content, and that content must be linked with nature.” --- Alvar Aalto

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Defined by expression commond for the distance between each section, this iteration creates gradual change of space defination. Space is defined by walls, so with the increasing of the distance between sections, the sense of space will decrease. Also fitting into the natural environment, this permeable sections is able to influence peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view travel, which can be very interesting.

The flexible 3D curve shape is enabled by sinwaves in both X and Z direction. Different match of sinwaves will generate very different shapes. However this one is considered the most meaningful, for it creates two gate-like arcs. As a result, in this definition, spaces are both inside the structure and under the structure. Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more the surface of this structure is permeable, so penetration of light through this structure will cast variable shadows on the ground.

Fence structure is what this iteration reminds me of. Again, permeable surface allows view penetration. Colors of the flowers and grass in the fence will be changed visually, for it scatters the color of the fence. Manipulate the color of fence in accord with the color of plants inside will be interesting for this iteration. It can be used as new structure for the existing farm.

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B.5. TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES

“The true method of knowledge is experiment.” ---William Blake

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PROTOTYPE MAKING, TESTING AND MATERIALISATION

3D printing the model in Fablab

Use super glue and plastic rod to fix model pieces together

Print file was seperated to ensure better printing result

Components fixing diagram

Seperate pieces of model were polished using sand paper

Final effect

Materialisation: Use mesh as reinforcement structure and coconut fiber (better permeability for plantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; growth and degradable) as surface material.

Structure joints consideration: The steel reinforcemnt carry the lateral force in this structure as well as link the whole system together

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Performance test: Test again lateral force (wind load) Performance result: Stable

B.6. TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL

“I don’t divide archietcture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one .” ---Luis Barrragan

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Whole Site Plan

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SITE SELECTION & ANALYSIS I chose the precinct of CERES Environmental park as my site. Instead of demolishing the existing farm, I want to blend the existing farm with the new system just like one of my part A precedents--the Red Diamond did to its original site. Also, bring positive influence to the neighborhood is my other aim. In order to do this, the follies structure and farm plantation area will be planned on both side of the creek. Consequently, the design can vitalize the precinct and improve the water quality in this area.

Selected Site Plan

Topography height analyisis

Topography steepness analysisi

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RENDER

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System function analysis

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ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM ANALYSIS

Those follies serve not only as part of the natural landscape, but also a rain water filter unit. During wet season, excessive rain water will be purified and be applied to nourish the farm around it, and alternatively the water goes back to the river. During dry season, the follies will pump river water to nourish the farm instead.

Folly function diagram

SCALE CHOICE

Large scale---as a pavilion & huge water filter

Small scale---as a bench structure & small water filter

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SEASONAL CULL PATTERN

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Plants will be arranged in different voronio grids, in order to achieve the same effect of cull pattern with the season change. The above are voronio patterns I generated with different cull value.

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B.7. LEARNING OUTCOME

While doing part B, I fell in love with grasshopper. Generating the matrix is the most exciting work I have ever done this semester. Though it took a while for the computer to calculate the definition results and to visualize it, most of the time the outcome is fascinating, It is wellworth of the time, sitting in front of the

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computer and waiting for the outcome to show.

critiria, as what we were asked to do in B2 and B4.

However, dillemma always occurs for rich amount of interesting outcome will need to be selected.

Part B helps me to understand how to use parametric tools to expand idea generation.

Consequently, it is really important to set a selection

Also, during part B, I managed to work with 3D printer for the first time in my life. It took 2 hours to set down the file into printable format, 4 hours to wait in queue, and other 8 hours of exciting printing times. I have to admit 3D

printing is much more time consuming then I have ever expected. It is always considered as omnipotent and fast, however from my own experience, it is not that superior. During

the

feedback

session, I got a lot of useful feedback from tutors, pointing that the work and model I made should be focus more on digital fabrication, instead of composition. I am ready for Part C, and hunger for more knowledge and experience.

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B.8. APPENDIX-ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

1. Sphere lamp shade is made by popGeo, jitter, explode tree, rotation axis and display commond in Grasshopper. 2. The seaweeds are defined by image simpler, cull pattern, larger than and pipe variable. 3. This vortex voronio pattern is generated with point charge, field , spin force, cull pattern and voronio.

4. This regular shape seaweed is defined by image sampler and pipe. 5. With different parameters and radii value for the pipe variable, the tip of the pipe will be pointed.

SCRIPT DESCRIPTION

CONCEPTUALISATION

Those sketches I selected for Part B are the ones that I found most interesting. They are not defined by their shape, so they got the potential of carrying any function. Creativity is not totally random, they can be really logic, and proper logic brings more chance for a creative pattern. With thw improvement of grasshopper skill, now I am able to make change of the definition in the way I want for most of the time. And I start to explore unfamiliar definitions and try to use them for further development.

6. The topography height change diagram relates the gradient component with the Z direction height change. 6

CONCEPTUALISATION

REFERENCES

1. Woodbury, Robert F. (2014). ‘How Designers Use Parameters’, in Theories of the Digital in Architecture, ed. by Rivka Oxman and Robert Oxman (London; New York: Routledge), pp. 153–170 2. Brainy Quotes, 2015 < http://www.brainyquote.com/>[acessed 25 April, 2015]. 3. Archidaily, “Architectural

Innovation Inspired by Nature”, 2011 < http://www.archdaily.com/tag/

biomimicry/>[acessed 12 April, 2015].

IMAGES REFERENCES Precedents Images 1. Architect: CCA Architecture/MEDIAlab, “FLUX: Architecture in a Parametric Landscape by MATSYS”, 2009 http:// matsysdesign.com/tag/collaboration/ 2.LGCNS,“BiomimicryforDisastersandEnergyCrisis”,2014<http://www.lgcnsblog.com/it-trend/biomimicry-fordisasters-and-energy-crisis/>[acessed 20 April, 2015]. 3. Daily Tonic, “seroussi pavilion”, 2009 < http://www.dailytonic.com/biothing-a-transdisciplinary-lobratoryfounded-by-alisa-andrasek/>[acessed 20 April, 2015]. 4.Paramaterial,“BlackandWhitePattern“<http://paramaterial.net/category/grasshopper/>[acessed17April,2015]

Background Images 1.Pintrest,“ParametricPattern“<https://www.pinterest.com/pin/404127766537139784/>[acessed16April,2015]

CONCEPTUALISATION

C.1. DESIGN CONCEPT

“I don’t divide archietcture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one .” ---Luis Barrragan

CONCEPTUALISATION

SITE ANALYSIS---pollution hazard

Low density of vegetation cover High density of transportation road

High density of residence

Pollutant hazard are found at the selected area, for its relatively high density of residence and transportation, as well as low density of vegetation cover. These pollutant created by transportation and residents can deteriorate the water quality of Merri creek. Water pollution will in the first place threaten surrounding residentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; health, not to mention the fact that it will break the balance of ecosystem in the long run. In order to control pollutant in the selected site, the following detailed site analysis should be carried on.

CONCEPTUALISATION

Near the surrounding area of selected site, there are an environmental park to the west, a gas station to the east, an open playground to the north and some little farm lands to the south. The site existing condition is very rich, compeletely changing its original functions will not be a good idea. What we need to do is to find out other demand.

CONCEPTUALISATION

SITE ANALYSIS--- flood hazard

Site Topography Analysis--Relatively gentle slope away from Merri Creek

Merri Creek has history of sever flood impact, though the recording of sever flood was more than 100 years ago, the hazard of flood should not be ignored. According to topography analysis , along merri creek the topography is relatively gentle, which means the surrounding area is more prone to be affacted by flood, because the topography itself is not acting as a barrier. In the next diagram, the blue circle area shows the impact area of flood. The points where river changes its flowing direction is the most dangerous area. As a result, in this diagram, the central points of impact are all located at the twisting points of merri creek. From the above diagram, I realized if I build something in the white dash-line circle area. Effective control of flood can be achieved.

Site Topography Analysis--flood analysis buffering effect 74

CONCEPTUALISATION

SITE ANALYSIS--- community attraction

New structures in the circled site above will also foster communication between neibourhood s, which are orginally isolated by Merri Creek. All in all, design some water filter structures with certain kind of entertaining facilities will bring more merry to Merri creek.

CONCEPTUALISATION

FILTER STRUCTURE FORM FINDING--- field SPIRAL FROM SNAIL

DIVIDE SPIRAL

POINT CHARGE

CIRCLE DEFINED BY CENTER MERGE FIELD DIVIDE CIRCLES

FIELD LINE

DIVIDE FIELD LINES

MOVE POINTS

VECTOR AMPLIFIED BY GRAPH MAPPER

INTERPOLATE CURVES

FLATTEN

LOFT

DECIDED FORM 76

CONCEPTUALISATION

END RESULT

OTHER GENERATED FORM

CONCEPTUALISATION

SELECTED POINTS ON SITE

SPIN FORCE

MERGE FIELD

POINT CHARGE

CIRCLE DEFINED BY CENTER OTHER GENERATED FORMS

CONCEPTUALISATION

FIELD LINE

SITE PLAN FORM FINDING--- field & voronoi

DIVIDE FIELD LINES

FLATTEN POINTS DATA

CULL

VORONOI

END RESULT

DECIDED FORM

CONCEPTUALISATION

RAIN WATER

POLLUTANT REDUCED BY FILTER CORES

PO RE BY

POLLUTANT REDUCED BY PLANTS

CONCEPTUALISATION

DESIGN RESPONSE--- Pollutant filters

EXTRA PURIFIED RAIN WATER GOES BACK TO THE MERRI CREEK

WATER COLLECTED BY THE POND FLOWING AROUND TO WATERING GARDEN PLANTS

WATER FLOWING DETAIL ON THE SURFACE OF RAIN WATER COLLECTORS.

OLLUTANT EDUCED Y PLANTS

CONCEPTUALISATION

DESIGN RESPONSE--- flood control sponge effect DURING WINTER GARDEN CELLS SUCK THE EXCESSIVE WATER

DURING SUMMER RAIN WATER IS COLLECTED TO FEED BACK TO MERRI CREEK 82

CONCEPTUALISATION

DESIGN RESPONSE--- community gardens

ASSIGNED TO COMMUNITY A B C IN THORNBURY

ASSIGNED TO COMMUNITY D IN BRUNSWICK EAST

ASSIGNED TO NORTHCOTE

ASSIGNED TO COMMUNITY F G H IN BRUNSWICK

CONCEPTUALISATION

Prefabricated in factory

Try not to influence existing plants

Site works: excavation of slot for garden walls

CONCEPTUALISATION

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

site Installed in the garden

Transportation

Installing garden walls

CONCEPTUALISATION

C.2. TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES

“I don’t divide archietcture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one .” ---Luis Barrragan

CONCEPTUALISATION

PHYLLOTAXIS STRUCTURE--- top flower

SIN(i/100)*i COS(i/100)*i A SERIES OF NUMBERS

INTEGER

COS(i/100)*i

CONSTRUC

SIN(i/100)*i 0

1. PHYLLOTAXIS CURVES ON PLANE

CONCEPTUALISATION

2. POINTS OF INTERSECTION

3. MOVE IN RESPONSE TO GRAPH MAPPER

CT POINT

INTERPOLATE CURVE

ROTATE CURVES’ INTERSECTION

CT POINT

INTERPOLATE CURVE

ROTATE MOVE

VECTOR AMPLIFIED BY GRAPH MAPPER

EXTRUDE ON Z AXIS

INTERPOLATE CURVE

GRAFT

OFFSET SURFACES

WAFFLE JOINTS SCRIPT

4. INTERPOLATE CURVES

END RESULT

5. EXTRUDING CURVES INTO SURFACES

6. OFFSET SURFACES

CONCEPTUALISATION

FIRST WAFFLE JOINT PROTOTYPE

CONCEPTUALISATION

The first joint prototype ended up to be fragile at the joint tip. Also from the final presentation feedback, simple and medium span (D=2.5m) waffle structure like this should be able to use one piece of structural timber, instead of using several little pieces. Consequently, the stability and continuity of structure will be achieved, while time will be saved as well.

CONCEPTUALISATION

WAFFLE JOINT IMPROVEMENT

CONCEPTUALISATION

The improved waffle structure is thicker and wider, joints are changed to the simplest waffle joint, along the length of the structural timber, holes are punched for allowing free water flow in the soil inbetween grids. Also free air flow in the soil can be realized as well, it is good for plantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; growth. Though the joints are simplified, they are much more effective, and they are able to fix tightly with each other without any utilisation of ahensive. This is achieved by increasing the width of timber, the increased width provides more friction force among joint, which helps to hold the timber strips still.

CONCEPTUALISATION

NEW WAFFLE JOINT WORKING DIAGRAM

FREE WATER AND AIR FLOW

On the improved waffle structure, holes are punched for allowing free water flow in the soil inbetween grids. Also free air flow in the soil can be realized as well, it is good for plantsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; growth. Each grid in the waffle structure is utilized as a planting arae.

CONCEPTUALISATION

BOLTS

ETFE CUSHION

SIMPLE WAFFLE JOINT

STRUCTURAL TIMBER

Soil of these planting areas is held by ETFE cushion, they are light, air tight and impervious. These ETFE cushions are fixed to waffle grids by bolts. Also ETFE cushions can maintain clean surface longer than other transparent materials, for example perpex.

CONCEPTUALISATION

C.3. FINAL DESIGN MODEL

“I don’t divide archietcture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one .” ---Luis Barrragan

CONCEPTUALISATION

SITE MODEL

Site model is made to show the interaction between topography and the garden pattern. Original contours were modified to fit into garden location. Different materials are used to differentiate nature land and built infrastructure.

CONCEPTUALISATION

CENTRAL FILTER STRUCTURE FABRICATION

Different materials are used to meet the requirement of different structures--- common waffle structure and phyllotaxis waffle structure. The top flower requires more flexibility of materials, so 1 millmeter boxboard was chosen. The leave structure should be stable enough to resist the weight of soil, moisture in soil and plants, thus it need to be more rigid but not too heavy, luan plywood is applied in this case.

100

CONCEPTUALISATION

FABRICATION PIECES

CONCEPTUALISATION

101

GARDEN INSTALLATION FABRICATION PIECES

GARDEN FOUNDATION SLOT FOR FUTURE WALL INSTALLATION The installation of garden adapts different system with waffle structure. On the ground of the garden area, site work will be required for creating slots for garden walls to fit in. The thickness of slot should be approximately 1mm bigger than the thickness of the wall (in terms of fabrication scale 1: 500). Else walls can not be installed properly.

102

CONCEPTUALISATION

GARDEN WALL & SLOT MECHANISM

CONCEPTUALISATION

103

MATERIALITY

Sophasticated consideration of materiality is required to realize the design intent in reality. Here in this case, coconut fiber boards are chosen for its good adaptation with plants. It can act like part of the soil, due to its porous character. Concrete is used to deal with long period water errosion, it is stable in terms of its chemical content and physical properties.

Coconut Fibre Board for Garden Walls Pervious/ Degradable/ Temporary Structure /Reinstallation required every 3 years

Concrete for Pond Structure Impervious/ Undegradable/ Permanent Structure/ Maintainance required 104

CONCEPTUALISATION

Top flower: Bamboo & ETFE

Leaves: Structural Timber & ETFE

CONCEPTUALISATION

105

SURFACE TREATMENT--- ETFE Cushion

The surface treatment of this design is ETFE cushions, they are light, air tight and impervious. These ETFE cushions are fixed to waffle grids by bolts. Also ETFE cushions can maintain clean surface longer than other transparent materials, for example perpex. On the top water collecting structure, the cushions are installed on top of the girds, in order to allow free water flow. Downpipes are provided for the top flower to drain some water to the leave below (this leave is partially sheltred by the flower, so rain water might not be sufficient). On the leave planters, the cushions are installed on the botoom of the girds for the purpose of creating more depth for planting.

106

CONCEPTUALISATION

107

VISUAL EFFECT

108

CONCEPTUALISATION

109

110

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

While doing part C, I fell in love with model making. Though I need to constantly worry about fablab queue, prototype failure, diagram clarification, I still find myself in love with this studio. Architects do it with models, this is really true. Realizing your own design with models, this fasinating process kept me awake in the middle of night with excitment. I can not express the pain of kneeing on the floor for 10 hours, and forgeting to drink, eat, sleep, just like I can not

112

CONCEPTUALISATION

express my joy of making model and prototypes while suffering from these pains. I need to give my thank to all who helped me. Phil, who patiently gave me feedback each tutorial and even afterclass. Hazel who helped me to cut my job in RMIT during the most buiest time of Fablab. Nancy who encourages me all the time when I was low, she taught me how to render fast and effectively. Chole who

brought me food, whenever I stayed up for journals. Family who miss me all the time, but do not ever interrupt me when they knew I was busy. Yes, I believe in hard works, all the materials provided by air studio are high in quality. They are really helpful. However, alone I can not make it. Again, thank you people from the bottom of my heart. I wish you all the best in the future.

Parametric thinking does requires a lot of diagrams to explain. In part C, I think skills I improved most is diagraming. It requies different layers of clarification, and different levels of importance. Complex design like parametric designs need

a lot of explaination to express. The underlying definition applied should be explained in form of diagrams to should its complexity. This is one of the feedback my tutor gave me during final presentation.

CONCEPTUALISATION

113

REFERENCES

1. Brainy Quotes, 2015 < http://www.brainyquote.com/>[acessed 25 April, 2015]. 2. Pati, “Thermoplastic film for agriculture and industry”, 2015 < http://www.pati-films.com/en/products/ products_for_industry/etfe-films-d93.html>[acessed 12 June, 2015]. 3. Best Management Practices, “Coir Fiber Logs”, 2015 < http://watershedbmps.com/?page_id=816>[acessed 12 June, 2015].

IMAGES REFERENCES

1. Noun project, “Icon sources”, 2015 <https://thenounproject.com/>[acessed 20 May, 2015]. 2. Site map screen shoot, “Site analysis map”, 2014 < http://www.googleearth.com>[acessed 2 June , 2015]. 3. Best Management Practices, “Coir Fiber Logs”, 2015 < http://watershedbmps.com/?page_id=816>[acessed 12 June, 2015]. 4. Paramaterial, “Black and White Pattern“<http://paramaterial.net/category/grasshopper/>[acessed 17 April, 2015]

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