midSemJournal

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ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STUDIO JOURNAL

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STEFANIE GUO

“T

here are

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degrees

stick one ?�

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-- Zaha Hadid

CONTENTS

E

Part 01

Case for Innovation 1.1 Architecture as a Discourse 1.2 Computing in Architecture 1.3 Parametric Modeling

003 015 023

Part 02

Cut project 2.1 Group Research & Argument + Case study 1.0 2.2 cut case study 2.0 -- BBK Pavillion 2.3 cut case study 2.0 -- Matrix 2.4 EOI presentation development 2.5 EOI Presentation - Mid semester review 2.6 Mid semester Break

Part 03

Gateway project

037 045 053 063 067 075

x p r e s f s i o n

o

i n t e r e s t

DISCO

Part

001

ARCHIT

Case for Innovation

PARAM

dig

visual

design

DISCO

OURSE

modeling

ARCHITECTURE media

TECTURE

COMPUTING digital

METRIC

gital

PARAM

modeling media

design

visual

1.1

week

Architecture as a Discourse

001

005

Hi, I’m Xiying Stefanie Guo, doing bachelor of environment and majoring in architecture.

This is my final year in Melbourne University, first semester. I was born in Chengdu, China and came here about three years ago. As an international student, I enjoy studying in Melbourne University and I really love Melbourne.

I am interested in digital architecture. I learned SketchUp when I was in high school.

Virtual environment brought a brief knowledge about Rhinoceros and Paneling tool to me. However, I am still using SketchUp for modeling in my previous projects, since Rhinoceros is rather efficient for me to do so. I also developed my skill of using AutoCAD in the study of Construction Design and Water studio. Since AutoCAD is much easier for me to understand, I think I have no problem in using that.

Personally, I would say that I have not fully understood and used the capabilities of digital architecture. Digital way of architecture was not necessary in my past project of presenting my ideas. However, it definitely helps me with advanced representations. I just didn’t really know about it and I didn’t explore many digital architecture projects before. I think it is time for me to make everything clear in this architectural studio.

Personally, I believe that digital architecture is a creation of the modern era.

It has helped the way in which architecture is formed in modern society.

Digital architecture gives architects many privileges and allows them to further explore and create their ideas in models. Digital architecture allows ideas to become realistic as compared to traditional forms of architecture that would require a longer and harder process to manifest the ideas. Furthermore, one of the upsides of digital architecture is that it allows architects to modify their ideas and designs easily as compared to traditional architecture.

This project has been done in my first year subject, Virtual Environments. My piece was derived from the concept of an iceberg and the reflection of broken ice. This project shows the natural connection between a models made by a natural process with human body. Despite the position of the model, it perfectly matches any part of my body. This project has allowed me to learn many different required methods for designing where precedents, analyzing, inspiration and so on are required.

This project also allowed me to develop my initial understanding of digital architecture. Furthermore, the processes learned throughout this subject gave me the availability to use such skills and techniques in further projects or jobs.

This project was completed last semester in the Earth Studio. It has been derived from a type of dessert grass that demonstrates freedom, harmony and peace in the aboriginal lands of Australia.

This discovery center uses different materials and spatial orders to create a sense of discovery. I designed a bridge through the discovery center representing the long journey that the aboriginals have overcome over the past years.

From this project, I learned a way of architectural thinking. I think a successful architecture should not only have nice appearance, but also well represent a meaning it contained. The definition and concept of the architecture should be shown in the work itself, because it constitutes what makes the architect distinct from others.

007 guang zhou

opera house

General info: The Guangzhou Opera House has been designed by the infamous Zaha Hadid and is her first architecture in Guangzhou, China.

Why I love it: I like the building because of the modern architecture and design it compensates. This building acts as a stepping-stone for China in general, as Zaha Hadid has brought in a form of architecture and design that can be seen as new and uncharted for Chinese architecture. This building acts a beginning for different forms of drastic and extraordinary acceptance of architecture in China.

Architectural perspective: Personally, I would suggest that this building allows me to see the usefulness of digital architecture and how it has shaped the way in which architecture and design can be carried out in modern society. Zaha Hadid’s Guangzhoue Opera House shows how she transcends the laws of architecture and uses her inspirations and ideas to create buildings of free form, without consistency but mainly creativity.

External: The 70,000 square meters opera hou glass and steel. The use of these thre a stunning façade with contrast. Espe glasses created a sense of mystery. T unique and creating a positive visual difficult to find on the overall shape, (such as glasses and steels) are func curves. Therefore, the external is mo

Internal: In my point of view, internal of the op The theater is the destination for eve scenery along the journey. With the s space created different perspectives f every single part of Zaha’s design. In contrasts, the internal demonstrated using color, light and modern structur the advantages of light, which can be blur space, to bring different feelings another smart architectural technolog space with low cost.

use is built out of concrete, ee materials constructed ecially at night, steel with The free shape building is impact. Straight lines are however, the external details ctioning as contrast with ore interesting to enjoy.

pera house is like a maze. eryone; others are the same materials the internal for visitors to understand nstead of presenting a sense of harmony by ral components. It takes e used as an outline of any s at night. The use of light is gy to show better sense of

Further thinking: No doubt, Guangzhou Opera House is an amazing architecture from Zaha. However, the construction failure cannot be ignore. Not only this building but also a lot of other building designed by foreigner architect, they are not in good representative condition due to Chinese cultural and society. Some people said they treat China as a big lab. However, I think China is a place that can adapt all the possibilities.

010

012

Disney

Walt

Concert Hall

013

General info: Walt Disney concert hall was designed by architect Frank Gehry and located in Los Angeles. It has been described as one of the most “acoustically sophisticated” concert halls in the world.

Why I love it: The Walt Disney Concert Hall shows me another kind of architectural thinking. This is the most “crazy” architecture I have ever seen before. Not only the structure is complex but also the material it used is worthy to do research on. Therefore, I start to think about how complexity and reality can be considered at the same time.

Argument: Nothing is free. For such a complex architecture, it will never be cheap to build. However, money is not the main problem. The main problem is such an expensive material cost bad reflection problems due to the reflective property of the material. The mirror-like panels on the surface

heats the neighboring residents caused a high cost on air-conditioning. Moreover, light pollution resulted the increases of traffic accidents. However, a solution was made to reduce the problem in 2005. Therefore, the choose of material should always consider at the first place to avoid extra cost.

Further thinking: The connection between material and form of the concert hall shows me that architecture does not mainly focus on the design ideas, functions, relationship with the surroundings, and landscape but also the consideration of the reality of the structure.

The concert hall was designed and created mainly by the purpose of being a music hall rather than incorporating the ego of the architect. Therefore, this building always acts as an inspiration to me where I can use my ideas in different forms, and focus on different areas, like focusing on the purpose of a building then moving into design and my trademark.

1.2 Computing in

n Architecture

016

week

002

2 benefit of using computers in architectur al design proce

017

Digital architecture has become part of our modern revolution in the world of architecture. Architects started with using computer as a tool to present, and now, they use computer as a tool for designing.

I think the process of architectural design is a journey of finding new ideas. However, design never ends as the ideas can always change.

When computer was used as a representational tool, it allowed the designing process become more accurate in terms of result and structure. This differs from free hand drawings, as computer provides a more simple and easier way to demonstrate design ideas. Especially after 3D modeling software releasing, digital model became another objective way of representing to unprofessional people other than physical model.

Fr m us fo gr

Th co an Ho is be th co of ta se an fo it ar

ess

rom this slide, it is easy to see that using digital model to present is more straightforward than sing architectural site plan. It is also easier or clients to understand and gain a better rasp of the project in progress.

he design process has become the ombination of creative architects’ ideas nd representative computer’s outcomes. owever, the exploration of computer’s ability endless. Instead of making communication etween architects and computer, it shares he design ideas between architects and omputer. This highly expands the possibility f unexpected outcomes. Architects got the alent of creativity and sensitive to good visual ensation. Computer has awesome analytical nd representative property. Therefore, orming an idea through computer, modifying with creativity has become the new way of rchitectural design.

Computers

IN

Architectur al Design Process

Architectures have the ability to be more unexpected and ‘crazier’. Moreover, apart from the form and shape that digital architecture can produce, the complex design process can never be achieved without analyzing the concept and ideas through computers. Nevertheless, with development of computers’ design ability, the reality and acceptability of the world should always be considered. Sometimes, people or clients are not able to understand architects. Therefore, they could not always accept some creations of architecture. In another words, the speed that digital architecture is developing may be faster than the speed that people get the sense of interest. Only if there is an architectural world, architects can design without any concern.

Metamorphosis discourse

computational architecture

021

New

playhouse for

the royal theatre in Copenhagen

metamorphosis process, a differentiated surface articulation and spatial organization is resulted.

The way of analyzing activities in the theatre provides a more advanced opportunity to get the satisfied outcomes. Sometimes, instead of thinking about further ideas out of the projects, a idea rises from the project will be better to work on.

This project is about a landscape playhouse, which has been used as the competition entry for ‘a new playhouse for the royal theatre in Copenhagen’. This project was awarded in the FEIDAD Award in 2003.

By using the geometric characteristics and structural logics of self-intersecting curved surface as the foundation of

The spaces created using digital computational process interrupts with functional characteristic, which produces a dynamic surface. However, the conceptual idea and practical outcome is not the same. As an architectural project, it seems like lack of reality. The physical laser cut model is effectively presenting the structure.

However, the reality is that a building with this kind of form needs more consideration regarding the material.

The same as other digital architectural projects, computer forms a perfect form, but not a real building. This project is successful and well organized. It performed a discourse of computational architecture. However, it is not able to end up with a real building due to the shortage of material properties. Therefore, like a lot of other project, this project can only exist in the digital realm, but not real world.

week

003

1.3 Parametric Modeling

Par ametric

Modelling

--A fashion & method

Parametric design is a fashionable way of architecture design. I personally think the parametric design process is to input vectors instead of other specific ideas into a function, and get different design plans through changing the vectors in this function. It can be seen as a way of design that is based mainly on computers and numbers. The solution is also derived through auto-generation. However, the parametric modeling, which is very popular today, often works out by using a plugin in Rhino, Grasshopper. This means parametric should not be a style but more towards fashion.

Parametric people say, “parametricism” is a new style of architecture, which means “all architectural elements and complexes are parametrically malleable.” However, I don’t think “parametricism” exists right now. Computer helps the parametric design come true, but no one knows where will it lead. Hence, there is no specific form of ”parametricism” architecture, other than the way it designs thoroughly.

However, other architecture styles are all representing a kind of form in architecture design.

Therefore, “parametricism” should not be called or predicted, at least for now. We should totally understand parametric design first, before we get to move it to a style of architecture.

Parametric modeling is systematically opposite to traditional architectural design process.

Architecture should be against rationality, which means architecture should not be an outcome of logical theory but aesthetics. However, the basic theory and background parametric design is totally different from the traditional architectural design. In some instances, the parametric design outcomes are the results of computer calculating rather than architectural thinking. Furthermore, designs mainly derived from historical architectural thinking and typical architectural style will be more meaningful. As a kind of decoration in the earth, architecture with aesthetics thinking and represents a meaning is easier to understand and accept. However, the public, because of the new and stylish form, accepts parametric architectures itself. Such as the parametric architecture, Guang Zhou Opera House, built by Zaha in China, Chinese are really enjoying in having a “weird” but curved architecture on land. However, when seen with the surroundings, it seems out of tune. A part from some designs are hard to build and exploration of function taking more time than the design outcome, parametric modeling should be a new generated and workable way in the digital generation. The soft curved architectures are definitely easy on the eyes and needed for young architects to understand the process of creating the architecture.

026

Stuttgart city

Parametric Skin Designed by Oliver Dibrova

This project is to design a faรงade on an existing building in the city of Stuttgart.

It should be an experiment project not only on using parametrical design for a faรงade but also testing the suitability of a new form in an old city. The trend of using parametric design in a project is fabulous for the project itself.

However, when we look into a big scale of planning, it becomes not suitable yet for every part of a city. By analyzing the urban planning of the area, it is not yet ready to develop into a parametrical area, which means the faรงade itself is building with another style and another level of architectural design, a new fashionable design method. Therefore, I think parametric design is not always suitable to build on site. Some of the city needs to keep their old look in a modern time. Even if parametric design appears in the city while everything looks old and valuable for history, it will take long time to totally change the appearance of a city to parametrical. Moreover, certain historical values in a city should be kept and not destroyed as it allows future generations to be able to ponder upon these historical cities.

Apart from the big scale of the project, the parametric design process is more interesting to discover. A very big advantage of this parametric design is to contain the analysis of sun, shadow, solar insolation, urban adaption and orientation etc. along the design process.

028

029

4

This generates the parameters and functioning in the components making process, and then, fabricates the final output objects through a continuous design process. In my point of view, this results the design process to be three parts. The first one is to fully analysis the environmental building systems and gets database analytical parameters. This should be the most important step in this parametric design process. Without a fully analyzed parameter, the project is not going to work in the ideal way. The second step is the main parametric design process. The parameters were reformed through different orders. However, the parameters were still remaining the same identities. The third and is the most excited part of the process is how to output it into the actual project. For this project, it perfectly overlaid the previous layer of building by using the shape of building as a parameter to analysis. Therefore, it is easy to say how a parametric design process work in the way of parameterization.

This design process overturned the standard way of design. It gives designer more opportunity to look into the function, technique and building system.

It makes the dream of easily combining design and technique together to come true. However, not all the parametric design process work in this way.

Some projects still allow parametric appearance overtake the function of a building. Therefore, in the project I am going to work on, I will take a good care of the function of a building instead of appearance.

“Now that we are aware that extremely complex forms can actually be built, there needs to be some reversed engineering introduced, so that we learn more from production techniques in order to make these complex forms, but also to discipline ourselves as architects when form making. “

031

– Ben Van Berkel

UNstudio

Mercedes-Benz

Museum

In Stuttgart

Mercedes-Benz UNstudio

Museum

Now that we are aware that extremely complex forms can actually be built, there needs to be some reversed engineering introduced, so that we learn more from production techniques in order to make these complex forms, but also to discipline ourselves as architects when form making. – Ben Van Berkel It is always said that designers think in connections, relationships and the whole rather than numbers.

However, parametric modeling software is willing to help designers do everything they can think with numbers. It uses a specific understanding about parameters to produce a method of producing building components and manufacturing it.

The best part of this design is not about amazing forms but the perfect use of parametric design progress to produce a useful building in many ways. Different from most of other parametric designs, this museum is not valuable for its parametric appearance but the technique used in construction and design. It can be seen as a revolutionary building. The spatial arrangement, circulation path, forms and the functions closely related to the parametric design process and fabrication process. The building achieved to provide about 16,500 square meters of usable space on a relatively small footprint through parametric modeling. The design is essential for customers, which is the most important people for this museum, to choose their path of visiting. This is a new challenge and new idea that approached in this design.

However, the form of this building is only able to describe in parametric way rather than regular way of representation. There is not a specific plan or section. In some aspect, it is good for its easy process of design. However, the fabrication technology will be on a higher standard than the standard design process. The manufacture process of parametric modeling buildings will be more important than standard building design. There will be another problem that the builders need to be more experienced and braver to try a new method of constructing.

From what I saw in the pictures, the building is not as complex as Zaha’s designs. However, it provides more things rather than the parametric appearance. I must state that, I don’t think a ‘beautiful’ design is necessary to build if it does not contain any inner beauty. Designs like the Mercedes Benz Museum revolutionarily demonstrated a new idea of parametric designs. It is not only about curved surface and complex spatial component, but also telling a discourse of parametric design process from a parameter to become a completed structure. Moreover, I predict that techniques of construction will be the next revolutionary point in building design. The connection between architects and engineers will be closer and closer through the uses of parametric design. In addition, parametric design is going to be a design method combined with easy fabrication and better performance. It is really excited to produce and see what will happen in future.

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Part

002

Cut Project

week

004

2.1 Group Research & Argument + Case study 1.0

MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR....

After three weeks of research in digital and parametrical architecture, I gained a better understanding of it. I thought parametrical architecture would be a process of design without any architectural thinking and argument. Actually, it does obey the argument architect’s set and architectural thinking that comes out from design ideas. The only difference from traditional architectural design is parametric design process brings more possibilities and more varieties of outcome without any prediction. The design outcome is not only dependent on architects but also changed by digital tools.

I began to get more a morinterested in testing all the definitions and make fun of using it. I realized the reason why parametric architecture is more and more popular, because it not only tests the critical idea of an architect but is also unlimited. For an architect, it will be a fun idea to invent a brand new definition, which makes the impossible become possible.

039

Attractor point:

--Possibilities

We built up our argument by using a mind map (see right side). From the mind map, we found out three main points that will be possible to create a rich experience for the gateway project.

Firstly, we considered the interactivity between users and the project. We decided to create a unique experience that drivers and clients can play with. We take the advantage of the characteristic of attractor points, it can produce different views from different points. The possibility of changing the driving experience can be reached by different settings of attractor points. Therefore, the project will not only be a kind of sculpture but also something that users can discover through different method, such as speed and location, which we are possible to develop further more.

EXPERIENCE & VIEWS

BUDGET

DRIVERS PASSENGERS

CO MATERIAL

BU CLIENT

INTER

Secondly, we decided to use multiple viewpoints in the project. It is still unexciting if only one kind of view is shown during the journey; therefore, we are trying to produce a large variety of views through driving. In order to satisfy this, multiple viewpoints are the best choice for a project using attractor points.

Thirdly, we will try to create distortion of users’ perception. We plan to use different patterns to create a sense of speeding up or down. It is also possible to create a visual experience like “rhythm” through changing of light. We also decided to create different experience in daytime and at night. This can be achieved by using light, which is easy to design according to the project brief.

Therefore, our argument is about an attractor point informed approach allows for an interactive architecture which can engage the user with multiple viewpoints, presenting opportunities for distorting the user’s perception of space and/or time. This can transform the typically mundane task of driving into a rich and memorable visual experience, which reflects ideas about the context.

ILLUSION OF MOVEM

MIND MAP

ONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUE

SHELTER?

SPACING

RHYTHM

MOVING VIEWPOINT

ANIMALS

UILDER

SPEED

RACTIVE

MATERIAL

DAY AND NIGHT

TIME & SPACE

ATTRACTOR POINT

EXPERIENCE VISUAL

MENT

NATRUAL ENVIRONMENT

LIGHT

COLOUR

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Case study 1.0

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Test A

Test C

Test B

Test D

Test A

This definition uses curves to define surface then divide the surface according to the frames, then extruding the surface.

Test B

Curves are used to define geometry then divide the geometry using optional shapes to input within the divided surface. Arrange the points and circles.

Test C

Curves are used to define the surface, Point are used to divide the points on the surface, then collecting the points and if evaluate with expressions, lastly offsetting the curves.

Test D

Use 2 curves to describe the loft, to divide the surface, use input image on the surface then extrude the surface to a point.

week

005

2.2 cut case study 2.0 -- BBK Pavillion

Case study 2.0 -- BBK PAVILLION

The Pavilion for New Architecture is a project by BBK in 2005. It represents a new way in project design, which is called parametric. The design intent of this project is based on the uses of “attractor point� in parametric environment. The project is very successful in using attractor point to create a specific view inside the object, which created a total different perception for visitor. However, it is not perfect. As a project in an exhibition, visitors should be able to participate with all the projects. However, there is only one attractor point, which means only one visitor able to participate each time. This may not really obey the idea of exhibition. Therefore, I think a project design for public use should always think about the people. In this case, multiple attractor points might be the best to use.

047

Recreation:

049

(1) Without following the original BBK project definition, we started to recreate one hexagon surface with a lot of little hexagons on it and extrude all of the hexagons into one point. However, the little hexagons were not extruded, the big hexagon extruded several times instead. Therefore, it does not shown what we want.

(2) We tried to create one part of the sphere by creating hexagon grids extruded to one attractor point.

This is working as a single part.

However, if we copy and paste it to form a geodesic dome, the original affect will not be shown.

Firstly, the extruded hexagons are the same in size and shapes, but the BBK project contains different shapes of hexagons. Secondly, it cannot produce the “line view� when looking from the attractor point. Therefore, this method cannot be used.

(3) We tried to use a geodesic sphere as the base, then, place the hexagon on it and extrude to one attractor point. However, the hexagons placed on the sphere turned out to be flat all the time and there is no way to rotate the hexagons. Therefore, this test is fail again.

(4) We plan to test the possibility of using triangulated geodesic dome as the original structure and extruded the triangles to one attractor point. We trimmed one part of it in Rhino and it is working in the way we expected. This means a hexagon geodesic dome is also possible to achieve this.

051

(5) The attractor point has been attracting the hexagons on a sphere in grasshopper, and then, trimmed by two inner and outer cubes.

The final outcome our group was theoretically the same with the original project. The only difference was that we state the attractor point in the center if the sphere and trimmed the sphere with central symmetric cube.

Therefore, the outcome is not as interesting as the original one. However, with the help of geodesic dome plug-in, the process in rhino is really straightforward. In this case, our group is not going to use geodesic dome as the basic input for our project. Instead of producing a similar hexagon pattern within a geodesic dome, we decided to use fins as the pattern attract to multiple points on the same level. We also decided to produce an environment with visual effect, which provides a significant perception for the users. In order to achieve this, a series of variable needed to be applied, such as angle, space, time, shape, different materials etc.

Nevertheless, attractor point will always keep in the argument.

week

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2.3 cut case study 2.0 -- Matrix

055

BBK Pavilion

This is the BKK Pavillion, it’s a geodesic sphere extruded to a central point, then trimmed to make this box. From the outside it seems like this, however, from the inside it is like this where you can only see lines. The two viewpoints are very different and the inside view is sort of unexpected and surprising.

MOCA@LBC

This is the museum of contemporary art. It has this surface treatment to a road-facing wall where as you approach, you see tubes making an undulating surface, and then you see the image of the logo. Like our project, it deals with cars and movement, and interacts with the user.

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Central Signal Box

This is the central signal box. It uses fins, which changes angles to create varying levels of transparency for light and views in and out of the building. It also offers multiple viewpoints and an element of surprise.

Definition

Since we are more interested in “Fins” instead of “Hexagons”, we followed another project from “FORMul[a]RCH”. It is a grasshopper definition development project that uses sample images to value the move points on surface, creating curves from points, and then, loft them to make varying height gills.

VARIABLE

FIXED

Fin Depth VARIABLE

VARIABLE

FIXED

VARIABLE

Angle

Variable Fin Depth + Angle + Distance + Bending

FIXED SHAPE + VARIABLE PATTERN

VARIABLE SHAPE + FIXED PATTERN

VARIABLE SHAPE + VARIABLE PATTERN

060

061

We developed 50 sets of matrix that contains different varieties.

According to our argument, interactivity, multiple attractor point and distortion of users’ perception are reflecting on each of the matrix.

However, due to the better quality of representation, we chose to create 10 fins in a row and straight fins for the shape and “<” shape sample image. 10 fins in a row are trying to engage with the speed of movement. Straight fins can change to other shapes in the future according to the specific brief of gateway project.

The “<” shape sample image create a visual effect for user, which makes the user feel like speeding up.

Our technique is to take a set of fins and lay them on a surface.

The fins bend to create a secondary form that is seen from the first viewpoint. They are attracted to a point on the road.

As you approach you see view A (right side) , where you see the faces of the fins, then once you reach the attractor point, you see view B (right side), where you see completely through to the planar support infill which can be completely transparent or a perforated material with an image or pattern.

So it creates an element of surprise and it has these two layers of perception. It feels like a pulse when it changes. But this pulse is really quick, so our technique proposes that these sets of fins, which are attracted to one point, are repeated to create a long path that has many sequential attractor points – there are multiple views! By doing this the pulses can create a rhythm and change the users perception of time.

Therefore, it uses the fins to create a quick change of perception of form, which is received as a pulse and arranges the pulses in time to change the perception of time.

view A

view B

week

007

2.4 EOI presentation development

Material selection + Reflection We decided to use two materials for the model to make a sense of contrast.

Firstly, we test the structural layer with 2.00mm Perspex and fins with transparent polypropylene. However, perspex broke before we construct the model, and the polypropylene is too strong for perspex to hold, transparent polypropylene was burnt during the laser cutting.

Therefore, we decided to use black polypropylene. Before we test another round we changed our idea to use card as the material for fins. They were all good until we put the fins into the structural layer.

The structural layer did bend to one direction but cannot change to the original position without support.

It is good to see the main idea is being well presented, but only the limitation of material is not good for our project. So we decided to use more hybrid material for the fins in the final project.

065

2.00mm Perspex and transparent polypropylene

2.00mm Perspex and black polypropylene

2.00mm Perspex and transparent polypropylene

week

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2.5 EOI Presentation - Mid semester review

Argument An attractor point informed approach allows for an interactive architecture which can engage the user form multiple view points, presenting opportunities for distorting the userâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perception of space and/or time. This can transform the typically mundane task of driving into a rich and memorable visual experience, which reflects ideas about the context.

069

Multiple viewpoints

Interactivity Experience

Distortion of usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; perception

Precedent Studies SUCCESS & LIMITATION

BBK pavilion Success: • Visitor can play with the sculpture • Different views from inside and outside Limitations: • Only one person can engage at the same time • Limited variety of views

MOCA Success: • Achieve the expected movement connection between cars and building façade Limitation: • Unchangeable experience all the time • No change in perception of time

Central signal box Success: • Using fins to create movement effects (engage with speed) • Light and views adjustment • Views changed from different viewpoints (inside/ outside, left/right) Limitation: • It is too static • It does not use attractor technique, which created random views

• Attractor point We are able to model the attractor point as drivers’ eyes, this gives the project a plenty of chance to have different experience along the road at different positions.

Attractor points

of

Proof

CONCEPT

We modeled only one part of the whole project, however, it can represent the entire possible concept we are going to use for the final project.

• Fins -Although we are presenting the project with straight shape of fins, the possibility of different shape of fins is very easy to achieve from setting different curves in grasshopper definition.

-We are able to adjust angle, volume and height of the fins.

071

â&#x20AC;˘ Elongated roadside structure -We are able to produce series sets of fins. This provides a huge possibility of changing experience along the road.

With different length of fin set, it can also produce a sense of speeding up or slow down and rhythm.

-We are also able to modified the pattern on the structure to achieve different visual experience

â&#x20AC;˘ Materiality -We are decided to use different material for the final project according to the brief.

-We tested how does transparent material contrast with non-transparent material so far. It works well in visual perception. It also has the potential of engaging with light effect in the future.

073

For the gateway project, it is mainly about the usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; experience, memories and attraction. We address the advantage of attractor point to create a rich changeable experience all along the journey rather than a single sculpture that is always static and unchanged.

Most of the current existing projects along the road are lack of interaction between users and the project. They are more like a decoration along the road. Our project breaks the rule and adds a new kind of experience along the road. Especially the users can change the experience by changing the speed of cars and location of the cars. Therefore, our project will never be the same. As long as the users in different position or with different speed, they can experience different views.

We deserve the design job, because we are creating a changeable environment rather than a decoration.

We DESERVE

non-teaching

week

2.6 Mid semester Break

Further development After the mid semester presentation and taking the feedback as the developing direction, I think our argument is good enough to represent the project. However, due to time and material limitations, we couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t apply all the possible technologies on the EOI project. The grasshopper definition is not necessary to change. Therefore, we are going to fully use the advantages of attractor points and engage our design with the final project.

Firstly, we are going to change the shape of the fins into a massive form.

Secondly, we are going to test the visual effects with driving speed.

Thirdly, we aim to create more changeable views by using attractor points on different positions along the road.

Last but not the least, the project is going to work out more technique on materiality.

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Consider technique with site We have already considered some of techniques involved with the site and users in EOI development to prove the argument. However, we still need to explore more about the possibility of using light, visual effects and materials.

According to the site, possible speed and volume of cars, we will design a better structure to match the requirement.

Since we didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t push the definition far enough in the EOI presentation, it is worth to summarize the potential here.

Firstly, according to the site plan, there are three sites that can be developed.

Instead of using one of them, we can take the full potential to develop all of them because we aim to create an environment.

Secondly, there is a Caltex service station beside site-B, which means the users are not only drivers or people in cars, but also people in the station.

Therefore, the structure on site-B can be considered as being more static to satisfied users having relatively slow movement inside the station.

Thirdly, we are considering using luminescence material for some part of the structure. This will be a cheaper method to achieve different viewing in daytime and nighttime through light reflection rather than electricity.

Fourthly, in order to guarantee the safety of drivers, we will create an whole space all along the road to let drivers experience, therefore, drivers do not need to concentrate on one point, the accident will not happen because of the structure.

Last but not the least, we are going to choose sustainable material and make sure the material does not change the property easily. Since the structure is going to be massive, the structural maintenance must be good enough.

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Drivers

Passengers

People in station

Movement

Material

Expeirence

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My experience so farâ&#x20AC;Ś I love the process of the parametric technique being created. I feel more and more interested when the design outcome is unexpected shown and amazing to be viewing at the same time. I thought I can only learn how to use grasshopper from this studio, but actually I am learning a way to think parametrically or critically. It is necessary to mention that, I never know an architectural project can be done without a specific structure in head. I always think architects are people who can raise unexpected ideas and present the idea to be a whole structure. However, I realized that grasshopper is better than us in terms of â&#x20AC;&#x153;unexpectedâ&#x20AC;?. It is really amazing that we do not need to think about form and structure; someone else will do it for us, perfectly following what we ordered.

From what I understand now, parametric design can be seen as a baby, which does need people to teach him how to do things, but what he will do in the future we do not know at all. I cannot state that every parametric design is good in both visual, functional and even reality sense, but at least, it gives architects more possibility to create what they cannot produce in their head.

Therefore, parametric design is appealing for me, and I would like to explore more about it.

Reference WEEK 1: Guang Zhou Opera House http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1282669809rimg0063.jpg http://my-fashion-school.blogspot.com.au/2011/02/guangzhou-opera-house.html http://ad009cdnb.archdaily.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/1282669850rimg0079.jpg Walt Disney Concert Hall http://bigcitiesbrightlights.wordpress.com/2012/05/01/los-angeles-the-waltdisney-concert-hall/ http://www.laphil.com/philpedia/about-walt-disney-concert-hall http://www.ladowntownnews.com/news/dimming-disney-hall/article_25f5eec5339b-5f51-810e-1f1af7fcd361.html WEEK2 Benefit of using computers in architectural design process http://ufd62012.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/advanced-digital-project-alien.html http://www.iaac.net/students-research/digital-tectonics-8/pet-flakes-195 http://digitalmorphology.wordpress.com/ Metamorphosis discourse http://www.dkds.dk/%7BDD5BE14B-5604-43CB-A767-27C15CC64EC4%7D WEEK3 Stuttgart city parametric skin http://www.oliverdibrova.com/blg/?p=423 Mercedes-benz Museum http://www.unstudio.com/projects/mercedes-benz-museum WEEK5 BBK http://www.sial.rmit.edu.au/Projects/Pavilions_for_New_Architecture.php http://cargocollective.com/roryhyde/following/posts/roryhyde/Pavilion-for-NewArchitecture WEEK6 MOCA@LBC http://www.faulders-studio.com/proj_moca.html SIGNAL BOX http://tylerapolich.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/herzog-and-de-meuron-facadetectonics-early-work/basel-central-signal-box-skin-detail/ 1978-2007 Herzong and de Meuron, pp.74-75 BBK http://www.sial.rmit.edu.au/Projects/Pavilions_for_New_Architecture.php http://cargocollective.com/roryhyde/following/posts/roryhyde/Pavilion-for-NewArchitecture DEFINITION http://formularch.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/gh-image-gills.html Non-teaching Week Infinite image http://www.infinityfoundation.co.nz/communityprofile/logos.html