AirStudioJounal by Carol Ng

STUDIO AIR 2013 SEMESTER 1 606469 KA LAM NG, CAROL

STUDIO AIR JOURNAL 2013 SEMESTER 1

606964 KA LAM NG, CAROL TUTOR: CHRIS GILBERT & ROSE GUNZBURG

CONTENT 1

Introduction

INTRODUCTION

HELLO

This is a journal for a girl from Hong Kong to record the study. Hong Kong is totally differnent from Melbourne. the girl is trying to adopt the new life and start a new adventure in the city. I was born in ZhangShan, China. I moved to Hong Kong when I was four and finished my primary and secondary education in Hong Kong. I obtained the architectural studies associate degree at City University of Hong Kong. After I finished the two-year associate degree, I applied the third year entry of the bachelor degree of Environment, major in architecture at The University of Melbourne. I would like to travel around different places to experience different cultures and explore more about architecture and life. I like architecture, and I did a pivilion, a signle family house, a library, high rise office and residential buildings in my previous study. Aithough the study processes were hard and needed to spand lot of time, but I still have

fun and satisfied. The statement “after pain is gain” is always encourge me and help me to overcome the difficulties. We always work with some computer programs, such as Adobe, Auto CAD, SketchUp, Revit and Rhino to carry out our designs. But it does not mean we are doing “ digital architecture”. This type of architecture is quite new to me. I can find their in magazines and on the Internet. Some of thems are really impresive in the form, facade and structure design. However I did not use this kinds of methodology and concept in my studio design works. Fortunately, I got a chance to do it when I was working at Hong Kong Design Centre, a publicity-funded, non-profit organization as internship.

INTRODUCTION

During December 2012, we carried out a very interesting workshop with MVRDV and The Why Factory, to explore the evolution of the skyscraper in the Asian context. It inspired me to explore more about the future city development. I believe that workshop let me contained more understanding on digital architecture. We did try to adopt pixelization to study the relation between the open spaces to human activities and building forms. The design process was systemic and mathematic. The spaces and façade designs of the pixelated towers is under the accurate computing calculations. After the workshop, I tried to explore more about “digital architecture”. I searched out another design methodology, fabrication. And it let me understood architecture created digitally might not involve the use of actual materials. It relies on “sets of numbers stored in electromagnetic format” used

to create representations and simulations that correspond to material performance and to map out built artifacts. Digital architecture does not just represent “ideated space”; it also creates places for human interaction that do not resemble physical architectural spaces. Digital architecture allows complex calculations that delimit architects and allow a diverse range of complex forms to be created with great ease using computer algorithms. The new genre of “scripted, iterative, and indexical architecture” produces a proliferation of formal outcomes, leaving the designer the role of selection and increasing the possibilities in architectural design.

PART A. E0I I

CASE FOR INNOVATION We love imaginative passion projects that bring together brilliant people to awesome ideas. How architecture can contribute to our daily life? Also the specific potentials of algorithmic design and parametric modelling. The precedent cases can give us some clues on the idea of innovation.

A.1.

ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

[A]ny serious “rethinking” of architecture at the start of this century cannot be undertaken without upsetting the structure and emphases of the traditional profession, of traditional typologies, and of traditional modes of envisaging the architectural subject […]. Vidler, Anthony (2000). ‘Review of Rethinking Architecture and The Anaesthetics of Architecture by Neal Leach’, HarvardDesign Magazine, 11, pp. 1-4, p. 3

WALTER GROPIUS

BAUHAUS DESSAU After the First World War, the defeated Germany was seeking a solution to the crisis of values in which he was immersed. Intellectuals believed that the political irrationalism had led to violence, should be imposed now critical rationalism, able to resolve social contradictions. Gropius was deeply involved in these approaches, their great show of architectural rationalism would be the unique Bauhaus building in which are grouped the characteristics of the Modern Movement: rationally articulated pure volumes (functionalism), innovative use of new materials .

A.1. ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

en.wikiarquitectura.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nerdmeister/2675731348/

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ac/Bauhaus-Dessau_innen.JPG

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carstenrammoser/3224349629/

A.1. ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

Gropius discoursed his architectures in a very functional and economical way. With the curtain walls and spare rectilinear forms, the architecture crystallised what would become the dominant type of modernist architecture. Rowam Moore, an architecture critic, thinks it was one of the most prodigiously influential buildings of all time.

which are dark. Today, the Bauhaus is therefore once more a vital place for experimental design, research and teaching, similarly dedicated to the cultivation and communication of the Bauhaus legacy.

the school building presented a symbolic image to the world, even noways. From the above image, it showed the surrounding buildings of Bauhaus were in classical style, but the building of Bauhaus. It was unique. Gropius, rather than visually amplifying the corners of the cubic body of the building, allowed the glass surface to overlap the edges, thereby creating the impression of lightness. The entire complex is rendered and painted mainly in light tones, creating an attractive contrast to the window frames,

WANG SHU

NINGBO HISTORIC MUSEUM The museum is designed by architect Wang Shu, who is the first Chinese citizen adwarded the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2012. The concept of museum design is a combination of mountain, water and ocean, as the East China Sea has played an important role in the history of Ningbo. Features of Jiangnan residences are integrated into the museum design by decorations made from old tiles and bamboo. This design alludes the geographical feature in Ningbo as well as the unique local building method, thus making the architecture a symbol of local history and culture. Museum won the Lu Ban Prize in 2009, the top architecture prize in China.

A.1. ARCHITECTURE AS A DISCOURSE

ÂŠ Iwan Baan

Architecture respresented the times. Gropius expressed the physical innovations to his works; Wang Shu evoked the past, emotional feeling to his architectures. Wang spent years working on sites to learn Chinese traditional building skills. His studio tries to merge ancient aethetics, sustainability concepts and modern technologies together. This unique combination of traditional understanding, experimental building tactics and intensive research defines the basis for his studioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s architectural projects. The Ningbo Historic Museum is his represented work. Rather than looking toward the West for inspiration, as many of Shuâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s contemporaries do, his work is rooted in the context of Chinese history and culture. His buildings have a very rare attribute, which is a commandinf and even, at time, monumental presence, while functioning superbly and creating a calm environment for life and daily activities.He designed the museum with the concept of the mountain, which is part

of the Chinese tradition. The museum presents the collective memory of local history while preserving the traditional building craft. In addition, the methodology that the architect adopted is purely refer the traditional Chinese architecture. The facade is built with recycled bricks and tiles, which contain hundreds of year history. Wang followed the skill of building WaPan wall to construct the facade. The skill is nearly lost nowadays. It helps to remind Chinese to preserve the valuable traditional contents that they have, not to only trace after those idea or concept which not suitable to local condition. Not only Chinese, all the people in the world should provide meanings and values to architecture. The best way to do this is refer to the local content that we have. Wang v showed the world a good example. This is how Wang Shu understand architecture and presenting his messages through architecture.

A.2.

COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

http://icd.uni-stuttgart.de/?p=6253

A.2. COMPUTATIONAL ARCHITECTURE

HELIX BRIDGE, SINGAPORE

Human is intelligent. We can invent and control many things. However, human is kinds of living creature. We would have physical and emotional feelings. We make mistakes; we feel tired; we will die…… We cannot ignore our basic needs. That’s mean we contain limitations and constrains for only using human resources in the architectural design process. The invention of computers overcomes the disadvantages of human-being; computers will never tire and get bored with repeated work. They can handle complicated calculation and working processes without make arithmetical mistakes. With “intelligent” enough design systems, computer can even understand the input data of the architect or designer, and be able to provide rational appraisal of designers’ solution, such as cost, structure stability and energy consumption, for further development. In the past when computers were not so advanced, architects and constructors needed to produce many physical models to test the possibility of building designs, which required a lot of man power and time to carry out. Also the

design solutions of problems were not as much as now. This is the limitation of without computers. With the quick and accurate responds of computer nowadays, it helps us to work out more design possibilities and save lots of resources. For example we can demonstrate the architecture under various conditions such as strong wind and heavy snow in computer, evaluate the strength of structures, test different kinds of materials and so on. We no need to use so many resources, but still can generate predictable designs. The Helix Bridge (Above) is the world’s only double helix bridge. The complex structure can be more easy to carry out under the help of computer. Double helix structure was conceived as both a highly efficient and exciting form that integrated with the curvilinear plan. It forms a dynamic spatial experience as well as, unlike other bridge structures, enables the canopy to be integrated into the segments between the helix tubes and their interconnecting ties.

EXPO AXIS, 2010 WORLD EXPOSITION

Architects are capable to generate both rational and creative design outcomes. Since computers will contribute their superb rational and search abilities and humans will contribute all the creativity and intuition needed to solve design problems. Another example is the Expo Axis in Shanghai World Exposition. it was the largest membrane roofs structure at that time.Larger mega-triangles were mapped in a more or less manual process on the 3-D surface of the glass cones. These were subdivided into smaller triangles of identical geometry with vertices connecting six members. The challenge for engineering is not the construction of the detail or the rationalisation of geometry, but the development of the meshing tools and the precise transfer and control of data. I believe there will have mainly two directions for the ongoing changes within design and construction industries. Definitely, the architecture designs will be more complex and architectural

AD Volume 83, Issue 2, From Model Thinking to Process Design, March/April 2013

language will become more complicated. The form of architectures is developing into more irregular, organic and funky. The typology of architecture will disappear gradually. It is because computer systems are becoming more advanced, which serve as a platform for designers doing experiments. More and more experimental architectures with impressive structural systems and materials will be built. Architectures are becoming more extreme and extraordinary, especially in those developed and rich areas. Computational architecture is getting more common. Another way is computers help us to â&#x20AC;&#x153;planâ&#x20AC;? our architectures. In the Renaissance, human constructed buildings, but we plan more with the help of computers. We are not following and copying the traditional patterns, but considering more external factors. With computer, we can get the information more easily, and to design a more livable environment.

A.3.

PARAMETRIC MODELLING

http://gmik.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/img_1863.jpg

How does the parametric modelling and scripting cultures affecting our architectural design process?

NBBJ & CCDI

Hangzhou Sports Center NBBJ adapted the Grasshopper during schematic design and design development. The software help to generate the stadium bowlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s struss configuration. Also the generative design the facade of the stadium is formed of a series of unique truss modules. The exterior shape would immediately adjust and various changes could be evaluated and produced duriung design process, since the architectue is defined by loose geometric rules in computer.

A.3. PARAMETRIC MODELLING

http://www.nbbj.com/work/hangzhou-stadium/#next

A.3. PARAMETRIC MODELLING

http://www.nbbj.com/work/hangzhou-stadium/#next

Advantages of Using Parametric Modelling We are exploring the specific conditions of location and function, and searching for a unique identity and aesthetic expression for each architecture. However the processes take a period of time. At its most demanding for the emerging connoisseur, parametric modelling affords a significantly deeper engagement between the computer and user by automating routine aspects and repetitive activities, thus facilitating a far greater range of potential outcomes for the same investment in time. Along with extending design experimentation, scripting can also be the antidote to standardisation forced by an ambition to lower production costs, rather than any more sophisticated motivation, such as avoiding simple repetition and segregative funtional stereotypes. This has the potential to free up the designer to spend more time on design thinking. it offers the designer opportunities to escape the strictures inherents.

In HanZhou Sports Center design competition, NBBJ won. It is based on the leveraged parametric scipts and modelling techniques which development and optimized the exterior shell. The architecture model was parametric, designers could changes any detail in an short turnaround and eliminated the problem in traditional modeling method. â&#x20AC;&#x153; build-test-discardâ&#x20AC;?. The parametric model was used as the basis for cross-disciplinary collaboration with engineers and material consultants. The engineers and consultants could use the design teamâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s output directly for performing their specialized design and analysis operations. The close communication between disciplines enabled the design team to ensure quality control and also find opportunities for further optimization.

CARLORATTI ASSOCIATI

THE CLOUD Building constructed for Olympic games and world fairs often are marked by a massive and monolithic heavyhandedness, while occupying lots of space. The design concept of The Cloud is a contrary. It seems to be a as light as air and is a homage to the digital era, characterized by bits and atoms, leaving the confines of traditional materials, such as steel and glass.

A.3. PARAMETRIC MODELLING

http://www.raisethecloud.org/gallery

A.3. PARAMETRIC MODELLING

http://www.raisethecloud.org/gallery

Short-comings of Using Parametric Modelling The Cloud is an impressive competition proposal, but it would not be built. It maybe is one of the unbuild cases of parametric modelling. In short term, the parametric modelling helps us to save time and costs, but it is not the same thing in long tierm. Designers might not have the ability to estimate the result, since the modelling techniques are not mature in every area of construction. The defects appear after the finish of architecture. We need specialists to help, since it is not every contractor can handle such complex constructure strucrure systems.

While the computer design methodologies are adopting by different buildings in various location, those architectures do seem the forms tend to be obviosly similar. The forms will inevitable the same or very likely. They will lost the iconic image in the future, when the computer modelling techniques are getting more common in use.

New forms are possible to generate by using computer-controlled manufacturing techniques. People are enthusiastic to explore the limit of parametric modelling, it drives designers to overforcus the forms of architecture, but basic concerns of designing a sutible space for the users. The sites condition, usersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; behavior and cultural factors are not the first consideration criteria for parametric modelling design.

A.4.

ALGORITHMIC EXPLORATIONS

By Aaron McLeran and Pehr Hovey

After exploring different cases and trying to set up new definition in Grasshopper, I realise that there is no end in the world of parametric modelling. We can create what we want, if the definitions are made. Sometimes I get lost in the definitions. During the modelling exploring process, I feel interested in the sectioning, panelling and pattern things. It is quite satisfying for the architecture forms, facade and structure. Also the new knoledge let me have a new understanding of spaces. How can we generate a mathametical architecture with impossible-like form? Softwares provide us a platform to make improssive to possible.

A.4. ALGORITHMIC EXPLORATIONS

Geometry+Rotation+Panelling

Rotation Angle: 0째

Rotation Angle: 10째

Rotation Angle: 30째

Repeating the same geometry and rotate the panels by various angles.

Geometry+Rotation+Panelling+Triangulation Algorithm

This matrix shows a variation in form by simply changing the models into triangulation algorithm. The results are unexpected. The original folding forms of the models which cannot be easily observed.

Geometry+Rotation+Panelling

Rotation Angle: 45째

Rotation Angle: 60째

Rotation Angle: 75째

The spaces between the panels become stress when the rotation angle is getting bigger and bigger.

Geometry+Rotation+Panelling+Triangulation Algorithm

The various tilled angles transform into different thickness under the mathamatic calculations. Also individual pattern structure in developed in different model, which provides many possibility during design process.

A.5.

CONCLUSION

http://www.christoph-hermann.com/generative-design/parametric-design-barotic-interiors-l

After the study of readings and precedent cases, we should understand architecture is not a isolated object. It contains different relationships between the site, users, or non-users. Also there is some hidden relationships that might not easily discover by us, such as the historical and cultural one. Architecture is a kind of tools to deliver the message of designers and manipulate our human activities. The tool have never changed, but the methods to provide messages changing time by time. How do the designers pass on the ideas? In the digital age, computer is the most common device to work with. We are more rely on digital devices. Although computers make our life more effective and comfortable, it is no feelings. If we only rely on computers or softwares to help us generate the spaces, it just likes a mathematics formla. No sympathetic responses will be formed, architecture will not contain any meaning to people. Therefore, we have to get a balance.

A.6.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

http://blog.algorithmicdesign.net/acg/parametric-equations

I am interested in explore the ideas of different people on architectures. Theories or the observation ans of other people let me think more and understand the principle behind the action. The lectures and readings help me a lot. Although some of the information and concepts are not easy to understand thoroughly. But It always keep updating my knowledge by reading those materials. And the Studio introduced a new design method to me. we need to tackle the computing tasks every week. I can follow the tutorial videos to finish the tasks. I can handle the basic difinition in Grasshopper. However, I feel a bit discouraged when I cannot work out the steps, or cannot find out the mistake. I know the parametric modelling is a trend of architecture development. I will have chances to use the softwares in the design process. I am quite looking forward to the design that I am going to produce.

PART B. E0I II

DESIGN APPROACH