DIGITAL DESIGN PORTFOLIO by Mingjia Shi

Digital Design - Portfolio Semester 1, 2019 Mingjia Shi

944560 Tony Yu + Studio 5

Content 04

MODULE 1 Diagramming Design Precedent

MODULE 2 Generating Design Through Digital PROCESS

-08

TASK A: SURFACE AND WAFFLE

-16

TASK B: SOLID AND VOID

MODULE 3 Queen Victoria Garden Pavilion LIGHT RIPPLE

MINGJIA SHI email: mingjias@student.unimelb.edu.au

Education: 2018 - current

Reflection: Bachelor of Design The University of Melbourne

2016.9 - 2017.9

(Architecture) Bachelor of Engineering Northeastern Foresty University (Landscape Architecture)

Awards / Exhibition: 2018 SM1

FOD:R Exhibition, AFLK Gallery

2018 SM2

MSDxExhibition-Studio Alpha

2018

Deanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Honours Award Year1

Self Assessment Skills: Rhino Grasshopper

From the beginning I started with analyzing the Radix Pavilion, I inspired by the break of the traditional building elements-wall, roof and floor. Thus, through my design in this subject, I tried to explore the possibility of the connection and combination among these elements. In order to achieve this motivation, I explored several plugins for grasshopper to be able to parametrical control my design. In the Module 2 Task B I learned how to use millipede to create isosurface, and in the Module 3 I began to explore minimal surface. The structure circulation through dimensions motivated me to focus on different kinds of surfaces and the atmosphere they might create. In my specific discipline, I hope my design could be bionic and have reflection with sound and light. In Module 2 Task A I tried to apply reptile skin to the pattern geometry. And in Task B the echo created by structure and the atmosphere it might create for tourists are the main part to focus on. And for Module 3 I mainly focus on the reflection of light. The rhino skill and grasshopper skill need to be improved a lot as well as the unreal render skill. The unreal engine is a really impressive render engine which allow people to create their own world like a movie. For my design, the part can be improved is the transformation from one language to another and how to achieve a gradually change.

Unreal Photoshop Illustrator Indesign Fabrication

MODULE 1

Diagramming Design Precedent

Nicho, Saieh. Radix. Photograph. 28 August, 2012. Accessed 17 March, 2019 https://www.archdaily.com/267567/venice-biennale-2012-radix-aires-mateus

The concept of Radix is to combine traditional awareness and modern technology. The pavilion is actually a modification of arch, but in a mdern way. The thresholds are those three openings and two semicircular holes at the bottom of structure. With various opening types, designer try to lead people to explore and enjoy the conversion of space. To model this pavilion, the plan and sections of geometrical composition between spheres and cube are essential. Each sphere has its own polar axis and with different directions. It is important to rorate those polar axis in order to create correct pattern for later render and structural representation. In reality, the curved surface are prefabricated by bending metal slides, so the surface would not be smooth. And this is why rebuildsurface is needed and spheres are built into straightsections to show the trace of processing. Isometric of Radix Pavilion

Diagram

Circulation

Threshold

Starting with the height analysis, the pavilion shows more variety in function. People will select different space with diffrerent height to change their behavior. The main behavior leads to the pedestrain flow direction and the amount of pedestrain in and out of the building.

As the reason of the pavilion is designed as a solid with multiple change, the thickness of structure would give people different feeling of threshold when people getting inside of it. The thick place might construct as wall or little voids which is the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;hard thresholdâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Then, the hard threshold would be more private space, and vice versa.

MODULE 2

Generating Ideas Through Process

TASK A

Design Matrix Lofts

1.1

1.2

{0,75,150}

{150,150,150}

1.3

{0,150,150}

{75,150,150} {150,0,0}

{150,75,150}

{45,0,0}

Attractor / Control Curves

{0,75,0} {0,75,0}

{150,150,0}

{150,75,0}

Symmetrical surface with corner

Paneling Grid & Attractor Point

2.2

{75,0,0}

{150,0,0}

2.1

Attractor / Control Points (X,Y,Z)

{150,0,150}

{150,0,0}

Rotatinng unconnected surfacerotated

{0,0,0}

{0,0,150}

{150,0,150}

{0,0,0} {0,0,0}

{75,150,150} {0,0,150}

{75,0,150}

{150,75,0}

Key

1.4 {75,150,150}

Rotating tendency surfaces rotated

2.3

Symmetrical surface connected by one

Attractor / Control Curves

2.4

Grid Points Offset Grid Points

Offset grid grow higher from top to the bottom

Paneling

3.1

Using three gometries with one flatten opened surface

One side of offset grid grow from central to edge

3.2

Begin to merge 2D pattern with 3D pattern

One side of offset grid grow from bottom to top

3.3

Using seven geometry with merged 2D pattern with opening

Offset grid grow from top to bottom with lower height

3.4

Delete opening on geometries

Geometries above are used in the final paneled surface. By rotating and mirroring some of them, the bionic paneled surface is represented. In order to combine 2D and 3D model together, I did not separate them but merge them together. Thus, some geometries have part 2D surface and part 3D surface. And when they connected together, the 2D surface will construct a linear pattern to emphasize the vertical change.

Surface and Waffle

Increase the amount of waffle structure in order to increase more

Due to some patterns have part

connected space with the paneled surface.

of flattening the surface, when dealing with the pattern connection, try to make flatten patterns connect with flattening patterns.

Due to the surface direction has changed, it is hard to show the bionic concept when only use dispatch with the true and false command to group arrange. Thus, the gene pool is used to achieve

Waffle structure gradually smaller until vanished is to create a gradually changing space in the middle of waffle. The shadow created by this structure could lead to people to experience light and shadow as a pavilion scale building. The central part is the enclosure and private space with a peaceful atmosphere.

The pattern height is controlled by an offset grid with WDis control. Point attraction is also used here. However, the influence of this attractore and grid is decreased due to the overall aesthetic appearance and the feasibility of the physical model.

Exploded Isometric 1:2

For the pattern connected with the ground, it could provide more private space compare to the inside larger space and 0

6 mm

outside public space.

For the final paneled surface, I chose the one with less complicated middle patterns but still could represent my idea of bionic geometry group. Like what I represented on page 5, I used seven patterns in this surface, by rotating and mirroring them to create the symmetrical and logical transparently changed paneling surface.

For the waffle structure, I still tried to apply the bionic concept. The sharp waffle fine is fish-bone liked the structure, which could provide more support for the panel surface, and increase the stability of the whole structure.

Grasshopper Script for Surface

Offset grid and manage height for the panels.

Build basic 150*150*150 cube as the base for later parametrical controlling. Select particular edge of the cube and loft to create surface as the basesurface for latter pattern to attach.

Use dispatch to attach panels on surface randomly.

Set grid on the basesurface and get ready for latter paneling tool to apply panels on it.

Grasshopper Script for Waffle

Use the surface created by loft edges on cube.

Loft and extrude contour lines to create waffle surface

Set contour lines on surfaces prepare for

Set numbers on each surface

Set little stick to trim the overlap space so that

Fabrication and Process Panel unit for the larger surface Waffle structure-Fine

Panel unit for the smaller surface

Waffle structure-Contour

Using a very little amount of glue to connect

Try to make all the structure stable and clean

Glue surface firstly then connect them with

and lock contour with the fine.

the trace of glue.

waffle later.

Start to glue with waffle.

TASK B

Design Matrix Isosurafce base

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

Key Outsidestructural line Hidden structural line

{150,0,0}

Geometry strategies

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

Outside structural line Hidden structrual line

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

The matrix used here shows the combination between the isosurface base and boolean geometry. The top level is four base isosurface and the left list is the three geometry groups which are used to experiment. Then for each cube, it shows the result of the isosurface base on its list boolean difference with the geometry on its level. 12 kinds of boolean solid and void are created. At last, 4.4 chooses to be the final one as the reason for good interaction between the two surfaces and concept. 17

Solid and Void

Because a grid number of voids are created inside of the cube, and the near enclosure, as well as tunnel, could increase the decibel of voice, people who get in this space could experience interesting voice exchange and voice circulation from void to void. When it is raining, the sound of rain could also be increased by these tunnels which could provide people a peaceful space.

The curved solid surface created by isosurface which is more random but can create more relation between space and void. This kind of curved surface could lead water flowing down to become stream or little falling water which would increase the interesting feeling of this solid and void as a large pavilion size

Geometry which constituted by slides growing along with a spiral routine. Use the scale to control the size of these groups by setting points and calculate the distance between the geometry and point. Because isosurface has a connection through each part of

Larger geometry could create a large gathering space with

it and acts as a whole surface, when the boolean difference

the opening to the outside. While small geometry could cre-

from the cube, some special void could be created. This kind

ate more private space for people to a short stay.

of void could be regarded as the corridor through the pavilion with the less curved ground surface which allow people to have a fun experience in it. Some of them with curved surface unable for people to climb up could also be regarded as an opening on the solid which could lead peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s view from one void to another.

As the reason for the geometry is step by step, the linear surIsometric Section Scale 1:2 @A4

face created by it could be regarded as stairs for people to

explore and stepping up to get a higher level of the space.

At the beginning stage, I tried to explore different isosurface and what outcome it will result in after boolean difference with 150*150*150 bounding box. Then I found the more complex surface I used to cut, the more interesting void and solid relation I would get. But it follows by harder for the computer to operate the surface. Thus for the final surface, I choose the one with the middle complex surface relation. Then I began to figure out which kind of geometry could correspond with the random surface created by isosurface. After tried many methods which include adding skeleton as the outline of each Voronoi cell to emphasize the geometry concept in order to contrast with curve surface which failed, at last, I figured out by setting logical changing slides as a single unit could achieve the concept the best.

Solid and Void

The base surface represented as curved tendency could be regarded as a natural representation like the structure of karst cave. The spiral boolean geometry could be regarded as the symbol of human with a shape similar to the head of the drill carCuboid slides grow along with a spiral

riage. The crash between both of them represents

line group as one geometry unit used

a concept of leading people to get connected

as the boolean geometry.

with nature and rethinking the relation with nature.

Isometric Section Scale 1:2 @A4 20 0

40 60

The two section shown here is cut by different direction but both from corner to corner with 45 degree from cube surface. By using the middle complexity isosurface as the base, added with spiral geometry to boolean difference, it resulted in better interaction between natural surface and logical rational surface. This could show the concept of showing the contrast between human society and nature better than using other geometries to boolean. The feature of the isosurface is having a connection through all the surface and act as a whole surface. Thus, after boolean difference, the cube appeared many tunnel voids connected with the large opening on the outside surface which could address the idea of porosity. After booleaned the geometry group, more voids created on the base of isosurface but on a larger scale of space. Thus the permeability of the final model from the large smooth opening on the outside surface to the small but rational geometrical opening inside is represented. Both the idea of porosity and permeability in this solid and void would influence the visual and auditory circulation through the pavilion scaled model. 19

Computational Process-Grasshopper script

Isosurface of Milipede command is used here as the fundamental cube which would boolean difference with other more logical geometry groups later. The reason for having this kind of curved surface is it would create a curved transformation between the

The ordinary 3*3*3 cellulate was replaced by Voronoi 3D under the control of population3D. The cell group created by this command is more easy to make the geometry unit to follow a particular routine.

Use list item to select some points of pop3D point grid, then create a Use slides of thin cuboid grow along with a spiral routine and gradually smaller from the cen-

curve by these points. By not just directly orienting the geometry into

ter to end. This is a more logical method of dealing with the curved surface compared with

grids, making geometry growing along the curve created by some

the isosurface. It could be better controlled and does correspond with the random surface.

points in the grid has more control and variation.

A contrast between the random and logic could be approved by this geometry.

3D Printing

Image of your final model or other process

Print more detailed for the final cube.

Total print time is 8h10min for three element using Digital design supporting setting.

Total print time is 2h11min for three element using Digital design supporting setting.

Selecting three parts to show process and ready for 3D prining.

Exploration of Scale

Middle pavilion scale

Hand scale

MODULE 3

Queen Victoria Gardon Pavilion

- Light Ripple

Idea matrix

RIPPLE exists in our daily life via a different medium. Light has ripple especially when it reflected by some transparent materials. The ripple of sound is could be felt as well when people at a different level and through different structure and holes. The most significant ripple is in the water which happens when one water drop drops down to a peace water surface. Here in my pavilion, the reflection of light and sound ripples, as well as the representation of the water drops dropping into peaceful water surface without using the true water became my final concept. Trying to create a space where light and music could give people a flowing atmosphere by not using true water but created by light. As the reason for that, the name of the pavilion is LIGHT RIPPLE. 25

Isometric

Circulation

Threshold

Analysing different circulations of light and people defined by opening, supports and landscape.

Describing threshold created by structures and the behavior in various spaces. 27

Design Iteration

Concept description:

Try to create a kind of atmosphere of rain falling down from the cloud on the ocean, the column strips is the representation of

Aim to combine the organic pattern with logical geometry together. It is the first stage to experiment the transparent cloudy

rain, the curvey roof is cloud while the curvey ground is the ocean. People could sit on the top of the small hill to listen to the

upper roof.

music and entertainment.

Reason for abandon:

The concept of creating a kind of representation of rain and cloud did not achieve that much.

The connection of supports and upper cloud and the bottom stone group seems not matched very well

The fluctuated ground and the outside landscape did not have that much connection.

The landscape is not comfortable for people to sit on.

The whole pavilion cover may be too small to contain 30 people and could not reach the people sitting on the outside three hills.

Design Iteration

Concept description:

Second stage of experiment the possibility of the transparent cubes group and minimal surface, but this time change the

Gradually generate the idea of celebrate the light through transparent plastic cube cloud. And also begining to have the

minimal surface into waffle structure and began to think about the material.

concept of ripple for the landscape.

Reason for abandon:

The one and only supports would be very hard to support the upper cube groups.

The appearance of the upper cloud and waffle structure are good while the landscape could be more being like the water

People could climb up to the top of the pavilion which would create damage or injured.

ripple. And they should be more continuous.

The transformation and parametric control are not that much controlled.

Computational Process-Grasshopper Script

Use graphic mapper to control surface by setting several points.

Create upper surface and lower surface as the base and trim surface fro the latter

Select points of pop geometry cloud to set columns in order to trim circle on the surface and use the minimal surface to create supports

Applying metaball2D as the solution of ground to create a floating storied landscape

Set the upper column cloud

Joint surfaces then use contour line to create waffle structure

Fabrication process

To create floating storied landscape, I laser cut small circles and put them on top of each layer. The waffle structure is very comlecated compared with module 2 task a. But by setting numbers in grasshopper, it became more logical and make fabrication possible. The 3D printing is only used to make the upper cloud with thin thikckness which could have transmission of light.

Waffle for the strucutre of bottom supports.

Waffle for the strucutre of upper roof

Waffle for the timber support

Top view of the waffle structure

The 3d printed upper cloud with light transmission

360 Image Output

Digital Design Semester 1, 2019