Stephanie Lam module 3 journal

Foundations of Design : Representation, SEM1, 2017 M3 JOURNAL - PATTERN vs SURFACE Stephanie Lam 911615 Raynaldo Ali- Studio 3

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WEEK 6 READING: SURFACES THAT CAN BE BUILT FROM PAPER IN ARCHITECTURAL GEOMETRY Question 1: What are the three elementary types of developable surfaces? Provide a brief description.

(Maximum 100 words) The three elementary types of developable surfaces are cylinders, cones and tangent surfaces of space curves. They can be developed because they are ruled surfaces as they have a tangent line that is always tangents to the surface. Cylinders are developable because they can be panelised with parallel lines which form rectangles that can be folded. Cones have a vertex to which lines can radiate from. These lines from a series of triangles with the points leading to the vertex. In turn, these triangles can be folded and developed. Tangents can be developed if there is a straight edge.

Question 2: Why is the understanding of developable surface critical in the understanding of architectural geometry? Choose one precedent from Research/Precedents tab on LMS as an example for your discussion. (Maximum 100 words) It is important to understand developable surfaces in architectural geometry because understanding the folding and structure of the material whilst it is folded in integral to the composition of the building.

The way the structure bends and flows is a result of the deep understanding of developable surfaces.

An example of this is the Huyghe and le Corbusier Puppet Theatre by MOS. The structure is entirely made up of triangles. Understanding how the shapes fit together and how triangles can be developed on a flat surface is essential in making the puppet theatre a successful structure.

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PANELLING 2D PATTERN

These are all patterns given in the Rhino software. I enjoy the ones with diagonal lines which will translate into diagonal folds because I feel as if they would complement the diagonal folds of the pyramids. I like using diagonal lines are they somehow offset the pattern and add interest to the terrain.

I also chose the simple squares because with a lot of activity and different shapes in the 3D portion of the terrain it is good to have a “break” or “rest” from all the chaos

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VARIABLE 2D PATTERN

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are the unrolled version of the pattern.

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I like this 2D pattern as there is some variation from row to row which adds more texture and pattern to the terrain.

I wanted to make a simple pattern as I am not very well versed when it comes to creating 2D patterns. The diagonal fold complements the diagonal folds of the three different pyramids. To the right

3D PANEL TEST PROTOTYPE & TEMPLATE

I tested this 3D pattern on paper and was a little disappointed. The angle in which I intended for the shape to lean was not as dramatic or obvious as I wanted. I looked very bland and uninspired. This showed me that it is important to test different shapes out on paper and make mock up models because the translation between digital and analogue does not clearly depict the shape.

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WEEK 7 READING: DIGITAL FABRICATION

Question 1: What is digital fabrication and how does it change the understanding of two dimensional representation? (Maximum 100 words) Digital fabrication is a medium or process which allows the user to generate designs via computer aided design software. Digital fabrication allows for “faster” creating of designs compared to analogue mediums such as using a parallel rude and a lead pointer. Using computer aided design permits the unifying of “upstream and downstream” processes and make the steps from initial design to final product to be reduced. With the use of digital fabrication, the end product does not differ much from that of an analogue drawing, however CAD assisted in reenergizing, providing new avenues which expanded previous ideas.

Question 2: Suggest two reasons why folding is used extensively in the formal expression of building design? (Maximum 100 words) Firstly, folding is used extensively in building design because when folds are implemented in planar materials, they gain “stiffness and rigidity…and can often be self-supporting”. The strength and integrity of the material is retained whilst the shape and structure of the construction is visually appealing. Secondly it is much easier to construct the final structure if folds are used. Linear joining points are the easier to connect as opposed to irregular, smooth curves. Curving shapes and surfaces can be created with the use of folds in the expression of building design.

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EXPLORING 3D PANELLING

This is an isometric view of my terrain in Rhino. The terrain I was given did not have much variation in the steepness and inclination of the land.

In this image, it looks more severe compared to the original. I view my terrain as a forest or a mountain range and the pyramids can be trees or mountains. The 2D panels are the places where there is clear land. The terrain progressively and organically becomes denser as it moves to the more complex pyramids. To me, it mimics the land in which a classic narrative or story about finding a treasure or lost land would take place in.

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UNROLL TEMPLATE OF YOUR FINAL MODEL

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The first shape is comprised of 4 pyramids that are separated with two intersecting folds. The second shape is created with two pyramids separated by one diagonal fold. I used the trim command on Rhino to cut the top off to add a little interest.

The last shape is the same as the second, but the top of the pyramid is intact. I view the pyramids as mountains or pine trees in a forest. With the addition of the 2D panels I envisioned the terrain as a forest and the further a hypothetical traveller would go into this forest, the denser it would get.

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PANELISED LANDSCAPE

I do have to admit that I do have some bias in my model, I enjoy the “denser” part of my model more compared to the rest. I like how the four “mountains” can be folded to form a singular pyramid. I like how simple it looks yet the folding process of it was quite finicky and complex. Perhaps I am partial to this shape because I know how long it took to make just one of them. I took this picture to show the “shards” or points of the pyramids poking out.

I like how they are no uniform and do not line up. Personally, it looks more natural if the shapes are not aligned.

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curved view of the terrain

Plan view of the terrain

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APPENDIX

These are a few examples of my initial exploration of Rhino software. Initially I wanted to use polygons for the main structure of my individual pieces, however it did not work in the way that I had intended. I took inspiration from nature, I found the honeybomb shape in bee hives visually appealing and I had seen the same tiling effect in bathrooms. Translating this to Rhnio, the edges of the hexagons did not fit together edge to edge, so I opted for a square base as I knew that would fit edge to edge.

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In a studio class, we were given the task to assemble some nets and this experience gave me some initial ideas about my final product. I liked the effect that the overall surface had with the top of the shapes cut off. It wasn’t a conventional shape and I think that is why I liked it.

This exercise gave us an idea of what was expected from us in the final product. I drew inspiration from this as seen on page 15.

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Firstly I investigated complex shapes, these shapes where created by raising polygons to different levels and joining the different segments. I envisioned them as geometric mountains in a vast and dense mountain range. When applying the custom 3D shapes onto the terrain it looked very complicated. Individually the shapes looked visually appealing to me, however when they where put together I predicted when I constructed the model with paper, all the folds would be very complicated, furthermore it would not look very clean and crisp due to the number of folds. I viewed the final product to look like crumpled mountains because of the overloading of folds.

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With this knowledge of the base I experimented with polygon shapes that extruded from the base and formed the opening of the tiles. I didn’t want to so simple extrusions, instead I created a “twisting” shape using polygons at different levels with lines connecting them which created a subtle effect of movement. Visually, the design is attractive.

Nonetheless, when unfolding the shape, it was not able to be developed. I have several attempts of using polygons in my tiles but they were unsuccessful.

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This is one of my experiments that I tested in paper. I didn’t like it because there was no differentiation in shape except for the size of the opening. From this I learnt that it is good to have a mixture of closed top shapes and open shapes to add interest and a variety of shapes to the terrain which inherently gives the terrain a subtle flare.

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After realising that the twisting shape did not work well I tried creating open top pyramids with different polygons. I thought splitting up the pyramids into 4 to add some interest as opposed to a singular pyramid. When I applied it to the terrain I found that it looked over cluttered.

Furthermore, it would have added more unnecessary work for me when I contracted it out of paper.

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I made this shape myself using a series of triangles. Individually it looks interesting, however when panelled it doesn’t look appealing as there are too many folds and it simply looks messy. I concluded that I should opt of simple shapes. Though I wanted to create a unique and interesting shape, simple shapes are effective in conveying objects such as houses, trees or mountains and they are easier to construct.

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With the word “terrain� being said several times throughout the discussion of module 3, I viewed my terrain as a piece of land that could be inhabited. I created house like shapes to reflect this. Individually I believe the that shapes are quite pleasant. Despite that when tiled it did not look very dynamic or have movement that I wanted.

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FINAL PROGRESS With all the experimentation with different bases and shapes I settled on using the simple and easy shape of the pyramid. I started with a square base and extruded the curve to a point that was elevated 59.4 mm above the square base. I used a variation of commands to achieve these shapes such as: line, loft, extrude curve to point and join. Once I was content with the shapes I joined all the curves, turned them into meshes, triangulated the meshes and turned the meshes into NURBS. I then used panelling tools to put my poly-surfaces onto the terrain. I used attractor curves to give a variation in the different shape’s positions.

After that I unrolled the surfaces and added tabs. I made a few mock up models out of printer paper to make sure the shapes could be folded. Following this, I printed the nets on A1 on 160 gsm paper and proceeded to assemble the terrain.

In addition to clear dry pva glue I also used masking tape. The masking tape doesn’t join the pieces together but it further reinforces the pieces as some of them need extra aid due to the nature of their folds. This is especially apparent in the tile with 4 pyramids. I believe the large number of folds strains the paper in the joining points and that’s why I needed to apply masking tape.

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Materials used: xacto knife Scissors Cutting mat Masking tape (for reinforcing joining points) From the different experiments I deduced that simple shapes where the best option. Though complex shapes would probably be more unique and interesting, simple shapes such as pyramids and rectangular prisms where best for this assignment as they were able to be unrolled with no mishaps and that are relatively simple to construct with paper. The simple pyramids also were quite dynamic as the diagonal folds bend as the surface is moved. I like that there is a sense of movement in all of the pieces as they can retract like a claw.

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