Portfolio of Yuchuan Chen Volume 2 Master of Architecture University of Southern California
Yuchuan Chen Tel:
213-321-5450
E-mail: trumpetcyc@gmail.com Add:
325 W Adams Blvd, Apt 3099, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Preface Culture used to be referred to as mosaic representing human differences being conceptualized as pieces that are restricted to a certain geographic area. But now it is no longer the case, due to the de/territorialization of culture driven by globalization. Capital, people, commodities, images, and ideas have become unhinged from particular localities. The isomorphism between culture and places is challenged and eroded. The force of globalization expose and attract one to more and more social-cultural circles, but at the same time push one away from the center of those circles to the extend that one could no longer claim that he/she belong to certain social-cultural group. He/she is marginalized. The form of Architecture, and the message carry by Architecture is crucial to how we should understand the world and how we could situate ourselves in the world. What form should Architecture have, under the background of globalization and marginalization, is of great importance for me. I have been trying to find Architectural forms that is “neutral”, so that such form offer a sanctuary for the marginalized. This portfolio is a demonstration of some of my thinkings. The works range from highly practical to bravely conceptual, from full scale building designs to architectural installation fabrication. Through these works, I exposed myself to a variety techniques and know-hows that may be useful to create a “neutral” Architecture.
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Fabonacci Sequence
Ovary of an Anglerfish
Uncurling Caterpillar
Pinecones Nautilus shell Photos above comes from internet and are modified by the applicant.
Spiral Aloe
Romanesque Brocolli
Sunflower
Spores
The Fibonacci sequence is named after Leonardo Fibonacci. By definition, the first two numbers in the Fibonacci sequence are 0 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two, namely: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21... They are intimately connected with the golden ratio; for example, the closest rational approximations to the ratio are 2/1, 3/2, 5/3, 8/5, ... Fibonacci sequences also appear in biological settings, in two consecutive Fibonacci numbers, such as arrangement of leaves on spiral aloe, arrangement of cells in ovary of an Anglerfish, the fruitlets of Romanesque broccoli, the flowering of sunflower, an uncurling caterpillar and the arrangement of a pinecone. It is believed that Fibonacci is one of the sequences revealing the beauty of nature.
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Explore on New Wooden Structure Academic Imformation: 2011 Construction Competition of SCUT School of Achitecture Collaborators: Xiaobo Yang, Ji Wang, Jin Zhang Type: Collaborative Work Xianxiao Wen, Weihang Hu Position: Collaborator (Design, Drawings, Fabrication) Prize: Second Prize Drawing Credits: All Drawings and Photos except the Labeled Ones are Produced by the Applicant This competition requires each team to visualize the beauty of math or a certain law of nature. We choose to construct a wooden structure derived from Fibonacci sequence. Constructing intricate form with wood, a material environmentally friendly but hard to manipulate due to its rigidity, is a real challenge for us in the beginning. However, at the end of the competition we manage to overcome the obstacles by using algorithmic designing tools, and innovatively designing the junction of the structure. 3
Above is an approximation of the golden spiral created by drawing circular arcs connecting the opposite corners of squares in the Fibonacci tiling; this one uses squares of sizes 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and 55. In mathematical terms, the sequence Fn of Fibonacci numbers is defined by the recurrence relation: Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2 with seed values: F0 = 0, F1 = 1.
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Concepts
Form Generating Logic
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After discussion, we decide to use Yellow Chamomile, whose head shows the arrangement of consecutive Fibonacci numbers in: 21 (blue) and 13 (aqua) spirals, as the foundation of form study.
mirror
We also make several paper model developed from the Yellow Chamomile to find more possibilities for the final design and to explore the form generating logic.
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In the final design, we use a concise form generating logic developed from research mentioned before. Firstly, we generate 8 circles whose radiuses are consecutive Fibonacci numbers, and we elevate them to different heights. Secondly, we divide each circle into 12 equal arches, and connect the end points of these parts between neighboring circles to generate spirals. Finally, we mirror the spirals along the line going through the center points of the circles. The last two diagram above also demonstrate the shapes of the wooden component used in the final constructions. 6
Junctions
Details
Installation of Junction 2 1
Align the Notches 15mm 15mm 20mm
Junction 1 of Two components
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Insert 1st PVC Ring
PVC Ring
Junction 2 of Four Components
Notch PVC Rings
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Push up 1st PVC Ring
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Insert 2nd PVC Ring
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Push down 2nd PVC Ring
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Insert 3rd PVC Ring
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Push Down 1st & 3rd
Pictures of Construction
Photos above comes from Xiaobo Yang and are modified by the applicant.
There are only two kinds of junctions in the final design. The first one connects two components while the second one connects four components. Since we use no glue or nails, every junction is adjustable to some extent, creating tolerance for flaws and flexibility for the whole structure.
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Case study Felix Candela's Restaurant Los Manantiales
Photo above comes from internet and is modified by the applicant.
Thermo Wall Academic Imformation: Design Studio 5 132149 Collaborators: Sen Dai, Hanna Type: Collaborative Work Tutor: Gang Song, Aidi Su Position: Lead Designer (Research, Design, Programming, Drawings, Fabrication) Exhibition: Think for Future - Interacitve Architecture, Thermo Wall, RedtoryEMG.ART, Guangzhou, Jan. 2013 DADA 2013 Digital Infiltration-Student Work, Thermo Wall, 751D_Park, Beijing, Sep. - Oct. 2013 Publication: DIGITAL WORKSHOP IN CHINA, p188-219, DIGITAL WORSHOP SCUT DESIGN INTELLIGENCE ADVANCED COMPUTATIONAL RESEARCH DADA 2013 SRUDENTS, p190-191, Thermo Surface Drawing Credits: All Drawings and Photos except the Labeled Ones are Produced by the Applicant Started with case study of the famous architect Felix Candela, this studio tries to understand the essence of a beautiful and time-tested form, then proceed to generate new form based on the studies. It also tries to explore on the relationship between form function and material performance. Furthermore, at the end of the studio, it also tries to extend the relationship between man and architecture by making a wall that is possible to detect thermo signal of the environment and interact with spectators. 9
Photos above comes from internet and are modified by the applicant.
Felix Candela is keen on demonstrating the features of hyperbolic concrete shell. He tries to tap into the potential of the material and make it as Felix Candela is keen on demonstrating the features of hperbolic concrete shell. He tries to tap into the protential of the material and make it as could be. Meanwhile he is very rational as well, he combines his asthetic trend with acure mathematic intuition to deal with the problem elegant as could be. Meanwhile he is very rational as well, he combineselegant hisasaesthetic preference with acute mathematic intuition to deal with the he encounter in the process of realizing a project. Here one of his master piece ,Restaurant Los Manantiales, is used as an example to show how Felix Candelar use one of his prototype to create beautiful form and how he tackle pratical prolems. problem he encounter in the process of realizing a project. Above are pictures of Restaurant Los Manantiales, one of Candela's masterpiece.
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Generating New Design Structure Layers
Geometry and Material
One eighth of the concrete surface, it's half of the hyperbolic paraboloids that consist the form.
The steel mesh showing the basic element of the form. Each hypra is trimed and modified to a unique shape.
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Using the method shown above, we are able to use 1 power-delivering machine to drive 2 PE surfaces, creating a variety of deformations while demanding resonable amount of driving-forces.
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Using the method shown above, we are able to use 1 power-delivering machine to drive 3 or more PE surfaces, creating a relatively fewer variety of deformations while demanding considerable amount of driving-forces.
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Using the method shown above, we are able to use 3 power-delivering machine to drive 10 PE surfaces, creating a great variety of deformations while demanding great amount of driving-forces.
The structure of Restaurant Los Manantiales can be mainly divided into two layers. The first layer is concrete less than 40mm. The second layer is steel framework providing assistantance and connecting the concrete.
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Modified hyperbolic paraboloid is structurally efficient and asthetically elegant
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Candela's basic geometry for the restaurant is a diamond.
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By moving point a,b upwards and point c,d downwards a hyperbolic paraboloid is created. Then Candela removes a fan shaped part from the botton of the paraboloid.
To further polish the basic element, Candela cut of some fringe of the paraboloid according to his preference.
By multipling and rotating a basic geometry the form of the restaurant is created.
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45 Candela is very rational when it comes to form. He has deep understanding of the concrete shell and makes careful structural calculation before making final decisions. However, he has his own aesthetic preference. There are some details and subtle punishments of the geometry can't be explain rationally. d
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After the case study, we move on to design our own form based on the study. After studying Candela's theory and his works, we know that a good form is usually a combination of creating good shape and selecting right material. Felix Candela's geometry is very elegant, so we would like to do something similar. However, since the goal of the studio is to make interactive device, concrete is not a suitable material to be selected. We choose PE plastic according to the outcome of a series of experiments. Above are some form designs we do with the PE plastic, d(c) and we choose the first one to further develop. 12
Reseach- Filex Candela
Construction Interaction Mechanism & Mockup
Final Design
the PROTOTYPE
设计原型由一个核心和两个臂组成，通过臂的移动对覆面的材料挤压而变形。 核心由 Arduino 控制板、IRsensor 以及两部舵机组成。舵机旋转角度分两种类型，同步和异步，同步时舵
#include<Servo.h> void loop(){ 机旋转角度相同，相互对称；异步则两个舵机分别接受不同信息。IRsensor 接收原型与某物件距离从而通 过 Arduino 对舵机实现控制，从而改变曲面形态。 int num = 2; signal = anlogRead(0); Servo以下为基本代码： servo[num]; servoangle = map(signal,0.1023,0,45); int signal; servo[0].write( servoangle); #include <Servo.h> Servo servo1; int servoangle; servo[1].write(180-servoangle); Servo servo2; int sensorReading; } int servoValue; void setup(){ void setup(){ for (intservo1.attach(5); i=0; i<num; i++) servo2.attach(6); servo[i]. attach(i+1); } } 2200mm
The prototype with one Brain and two Arms
void loop(){ sensorReading = analogRead(0); servoValue = map(sensorReading,0,1023,0,45); servo1.write(servoValue); servo2.write(180-servoValue); }
Above is a single component evolved from the picture on the left. It is also the basic component for the interaction device whose concept is shown below. The basic component consist two servos and a PE surface between them. Both servos can receive signals from the microcontroller, Arduino, and then stretch or bend the surface. Basic Arduino codes are also shown above.
One-brain variation
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5800
one Brain,three Arms
one Brain,four Arms
one Brain,eight Arms
Exhibition Concept
Multi-brain variation
two Brains,five Arms
three Brains,five Arms
four Brains,five Arms
Above are concept drawing and mockup model for the final design.
SCUT-4th Year Studio Function of Interactive Prototype
Through research and experiments we generate our design. It divides a building interface into multiple voronoi panels on which several interactive components are placed. Through movement of this component system, we want to give building interfaces the intelligence to create a more delightful interior environment.
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The final Design is derived from the mockup. However it is further developed and improved based on flaws and problems that are discovered in the mock up. It is a wall with a dimension of 2.2m by 5.8m, and has 55 interaction components
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Grouping and Structure System
Framework Installation
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M4 Nut PVC Tube M4 Screw
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Fixing M3 Nut
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Panel
Vertical Mouting of Panel
Horizontal Mouting of Panel
Interactive component installation
M3 Screw Servo Swing Arm
Servo
Swing Arm Extension
PVC Tube
M3 Screw A
A1 PE Plastic B4-6
In order to make the construction better-organized so as to benefit the construction process, we design a grouping and naming system for each component of this work. It consists 19 axes that are named separately by A to S. Each panel is belonged to one of these axes so it is named A1, B2, and S5 etc. The components on the panel are named A1-1, B2-3 and so forth.
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Panel
Fixed Arm
M3 Nut
To make the construction more efficient, we decide to prefabricate most of the parts needed and make clear diagram explaining how to assemble them. By doing so we have a better understanding about the whole construction process, at the same time, making it easier for other people who participate in helping us to finish the construction.
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Interaction Wiring maps
Picture of Construction Site
Mechanism
Panel Servo Sensor
Thermo Signals
Wiring for Sensor Primary Arduino
14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 TX3 RX3 TX2 RX2 TX1 RX1 SDA SCL
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TX RX
AREF GND
Electric Signals
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ANALOG IN 5V GND VIN
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Processed Signals
Secondary Arduino
Wiring for Arduino Primary Arduino
Movement Signals
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Wiring for Servoes Secondary Arduino
Photos above are shot by all members in the team and rearranged by the applicant.
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Wavy Effect
The device has sensors that can detect thermo signal from the environment. When it is touch by a person, the triggered sensor will pass signals to the primary Arduino to translate the signals into electric ones. Then the primary Arduino will send the processed signals to secondary Arduinos to further translate them to movement signals. After receiving the movement signals, depending on sensor being triggered, the servos will move coordinately creating different kinds of wavy effects. For vedio of Thermo Wall, please visit: http://youtu.be/YLNb3erT-XA 18
Please go to This Link to view the video of this project
Geometry study Prototypes
Assemblage
Joints
Plexiglas
Rubberban
PVC tube
String hook
String lock
Dynamic Force
Academic Imformation: DigitalFUTURE Shanghai Workshop 2013 SCUT+Tongji Collaborators: Sen Dai, Chunyang Zheng, Mei Zhang, Ying Ju Type: Collaborative Work Tutor: Phillip F.Yuan, Neil Leach, Qi Su, Biayna Bogosian Position: Lead Designer (Research, Design, Programming, Drawings, Fabrication) Exhibition: Digital Future - Interactive Shanghai, Dynamic Force, Tongji University, Shanghai, Aug. - Sep. 2013 DADA 2013 Digital Infiltration-Digital Installation, Dynamic Force, 751D_Park, Beijing, Sep. - Oct. 2013 Publication: EMERGING GEOMETRT EMERGING FABRICATION, p41-48, DYNAMIC FORCE Drawing Credits: All Drawings and Photos except the Labeled Ones are Produced by the Applicant This workshop started with the study of the structure of tensegrity. Tensegrity has been viewed as a very brilliant structure, and has been known as the structure of human body. It has two attributes, which are its elegant form and the intelligent way it distribute load between the tensioned members (strings) and compressed members (truss). Many engineers and artists have done studies on tensegrity, however most of these studies are based on the analysis of the structureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s static geometry form, not being able to tell people how it works. Dynamic Force, on the other hand, wants to reveal the inner essence of tensegrity. Through the changes of the brightness of the LED installed in the structure, people can easily understand the changes of load applied on each truss. 21
Elastic string
In order to establish a solid foundation for the design, we do a lot of research on the structure of tensegrity. From these studies, we come to understand about the prototypes of tensegrity and the way in which these prototypes can evolve and vary. We also do experiments on joints that we want to use for the further design in order to make the assemblage process more efficient.
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Concept
Mockup Component design LED String Locks and Hooks SMA Spring (Tensioned Member) Plexiglas Tube (Compressed Member) Eastic String (Tensioned Member)
Gradient of Loads Applied on the Trusses
We decide to use the joints previously developed for the final design since it is strong enough to stand to load, and easy enough to make quick assemblage. Meanwhile, we decide to use SMA (shape memory alloy) spring as the driving force for the interaction, since it is very light and can function like an elastic string. Finally we decide to put LEDs in the plexiglas tubes indicating the load on the plexiglas through the color an brightness of the LED.
Movement mechanism
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Through manipulating the electric current going through the SMA spring we can manipulate its length. Since the length of the SMA spring is in inverse proportion relationship with the pulling force it generate, we can therefore control the load apply on the plexiglas through adjusting the length of the SMA spring.
Indication
When the load on the plexiglas is on low level LED in it will emit dim and blue light. When the load increases the LED will gradually emit bright and white light. The brightness and whiteness depend on the heaviness of the load.
Above are computer simulation models. White lines represent tensioned members that have not been shrinked. Red lines represent tensioned members that have been shrinked to apply load on the compressed members represented by the tubes.
After the research on geometry, we move on to analysis the load distribution of a component of tensegrity. We apply different load on the structure through shrinking different number of its tensioned members, at the same time we use gradient of color to indicate the heaviness of the load. Then we realize that if the structure itself can reveal the load distribution through color, people may have a better and more direct understanding of the inner essence of the structure. 23
Based on previous study, we make a mockup model of a single component that will form the final design. We make decisions about the materials and the interaction mechanism and the way in which we visualize the load distribution in tensegrity based on the mockup model.
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Interaction
Final design
Mechanism
Adapter
SMA Control Arduino
Input Signal
Power Supply
Simulation Data Movement Signal Simulation Outcome
SMA Spring Sensor
Interaction Signal
Computer Simulation
LED
Brightness Signal
LED Control Arduino
Simulation Outcome
Exhibition Pictures
SMA Spring
Sensor
Above is a diagram of the final design. It consist ten interactive components which forms a freeform tensegrity structure. In order to make it more convenient for people to interact with it, we also build a shelf to hang the device on the proper height.
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The device has sensors that can track the distance between them and the spectators. When the spectators approach the device, certain sensor will be stimulated and pass signals to the Arduino which will then pass the signal to the computer. After receiving the signals, the computer will first command the Arduino to shrink some of the SMA springs, at the same time, simulate load distribution change of the structure. Then it will send the simulation outcome to the Arduino which will control the brightness of the LED installed in the plexiglas tubes. For vedio of Dynamic Foce, please visit: http://youtu.be/H2vLvQLRzPw 26
Please go to This Link to view the video of this project
Polyomino - A Form Creating Agenda Academic Imformation: USC Arch705b Collaborators: Jiawen Ge, Qian Liu Yu Zhao Type: Collaborative Work Instructor: Jose Sanchez Position: Lead Designer (Research, Design, Programming, Drawings, Fabrication) This project is one of the third iterations of the Polyomino agenda. It builds itself on what has been done and tries to push the limit. Polyomino is a discrete way to build. It distribute the right to design to the users. The agenda used to rely on space-filling geometries and perfect-packing to fulfil its goal. Although perfect-packing can generate infinite amount of space sequences and patterns, it is often criticized as rigid and unadaptable due the fact that all the sequences and patterns have to be oriented in a fixed 3D grid. This project introduce a new level of complexity and ambiguity to the system by utilizing two new method that never exists in Polyomino before. The first one is “colouring”. Colour is a message embedded in the geometry, making it possible for the same geometry sequence to carry different message. The second one is “breaking and stitching”. It is a play between “the standard” and “the customized” which brings about flexibility and adaptability. 29
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Geometry Foundation Pattern #17
Fig.1 The Bisymmetric Hendecahedron
Fig.2 The hendecahedron form interlocking hexagonal “boat” shapes.
Fig.3 One layer (dashed) over another, showing the center of each translation unit.
Pattern #18
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Fig.4 A general stack
Space Filling Geometry Pattern #1
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Variations of Space-filling Patterns The polyhedron we use shown in Figure 1 has two planes of symmetry, i.e. it is bisymmetric. This hendecahedron also has eleven vertices; polyhedra with the same number of faces as vertices are not very common. It has 2 large rhombic faces, a small rhombic face (which in the proportions used here is square), 4 congruent iscosceles triangular faces which meet along edges at right angles, and 4 congruent kite-shaped faces. Figures 2 and 3 shows how four hendecahedra together form a kind of hexagonal boat shape which will stack in interlocking layers. This boat shape is also a ‘translation unit’ - it can be regularly stacked in a lattice to fill space, without any rotation or reflection. This lattice is similar to the body-centred cubic, but scaled vertically by a factor which is here one-half (but see below). In Figure 4 the way the hendecahedra themselves stack together to form a space-filling ‘honeycomb’ can be seen. 31
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Genes, Structure & Higher Structure
Gene #1
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Gene #11
Through coloring the developed 3D pattern, another level of combinations is created. A particular 3D pattern combined with a particular way of color coding generates a unique sequence that may represent certain functional component in actual construction. At the mean time, such combined â&#x20AC;&#x153;Geneâ&#x20AC;?, when aggregated in large numbers, can have very unique aesthetic. 33
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Construction Mechanism Roof
Connection Piece
Granular Base
Plain Condition
Granular Columns Base
Connection Piece
Column
Granular Columns
Granular Base
Plain Condition
Because Polyomino is a new way of design and construct, it is important for our team to figure out how to actualize such a design. By connecting certain “Genes” in certain ways, we are able to create medium structures. We named them the “Granular Base”, the “Plain Condition”, and the “Granular Column”. These structure can “grow” naturally (within their original space grid”), or mutate (breaking the original grid by branching new grid). Finally, we create a local customized unit called the “Connection Piece” to bridge all different components together to form a macro structure that defines space. 35
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Spacial Design
Elevation Utilizing the micro structure (the “Genes”), the medium structure (the “Granular Base”, the “Plain Condition”, and the “Granular Column”), and the macro structure. This new Polyomino agenda is able to create a wide range of spatial conditions with much more adaptability, creating a kind of crowd-sourcing architecture that is functional and beautiful.
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Section
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Supplemental Works
USC Arch410 Computer Transformations
H1
Academic Imformation: USC Arch410 Type: Personal Work
H2
USC Arch564 Descriptive and Computational Architectural Geometry
H3
H2
H4
Instructor: Andy Ku,Justin Brechtel
The course is focused on commanding the ability to navigate through a vast array of virtual applications, design media, and digital fabrication technologies, affords incredible potential to develop, test, produce and communicate both spatial ideas and their corresponding physical components with great clarity. 43
Academic Imformation: USC Arch564 Type: Personal Work
Instructor: Dr. David Jason Gerber
Descriptive and Computational Architectural Geometry aims to address the various natures of the historical relationship between mathematics, geometry,computation, and architecture. Through the display of historical mathematical models with formal affinities to contemporary architectural production, the course will provoke discussion about the relevance of a history of form, the origins of design technique, the epistemology of geometry models, and the justification for mathematical surfaces in architecture. 44