WIND ARCHITECTURE JOURNAL_01 WOON KHAI WONG 772646
i_INTRODUCTION Wind Architecture was a studio run at University of Melbourne semester 2, 2016. The studio is led by: Stanislav Roudavski Alex Holland with Peter Lynn & Simon Feidin The studio aimed to explore the possibilities of air-supported and inflatable structures, drawing inspiration from inflatable single-line kites and other case studies.
ii_OBJECTIVES - Design through prototyping, with rigorous research on performance oriented and evidence-driven design. - Understand the history, utilization and technology of inflatable structures - Understand the process of making and flying kites - Able to use traditional and digital model making skills, algorithmic and parametric modelling, digital simulation, digital fabrication and interactive media - Explore presentation of idea through photography and film making
1.0_BACKGROUND 1.1_Inflatables Inflatables started out as radomes (structure with enclosure that protects a microwave antenna) designed by Walter Bird. It was not popular utilized in architecture until 1970 Osaka Expo. Three groups that pioneered the idea of air as a material for future were Archigram, Utopie and Haus Rucker-Co. The pursuit of lightness, transparency, equality and emphemeral was the main notion for them. 1970 World Expo in Osaka saw the high point of inflatable as it was utilized for large-scaled structures, showcasing possibilities of lightweight structures for the future. Since then, inflatables were used for various purpose including art installation, recreational and transportation.
Archigram, Utopie and Haus Rucker-Co have shared a common point on the matter of permenance in post war societies. They have provide solutions which challenged the traditional ideas of architecture that were formal and boring. Temporary, adaptable, portable and expendable are the qualities that the groups were trying to demonstrate in their inflatable projects.
1.2_Air supported structures An air-supported or air-inflated structure is structure that consists of internal presurrized air. The main support of the structure is air and access to the structure is via airlocks. Air-supported structure is usually dome-shaped as it has the greatest volume for the least material. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, ETFE and fibre glass are the materials usually use for these structures.
Inflatables is designed as fully air supported structures for sport facilities for its advantage of unobstructed open interior space such as the Arizona dome at Rosemont Softball Stadium and The Alaska Dome. Some of the inflatables are applied to the roof construction only, notably the Tokyo Dome, Japan and the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Air-supported structure also use for fabric envelope such as Allianz Arena in Munich, Water Cube in Beijing
Inflatables are also used as arts and sculptures to evoke the five senses as an inspring and spiritual experience for the visitors and viewers. Ark Nova by Arata Isozaki and Anish Kapoor provide spiritual support for the tsunami victims through music and various art.
“I like air structures because the major structural element you can breathe and it smells of violets and you can’t draw it.” Cedric Price, 1984
1.3_Kites Kite has wing surfaces that react against air to create lift and drag. A kite has tether that keeps the kite from flying away. Birdles of a kite is use to align the face of the kite to the angle of the wind for lifting force. Kite is a heavier-than-air flying structure that influenced by three main forces ie, gravity, lift and drag. Lift is the upward force created by wind pressure on the surface of the kite; drag is the air resistance acting on the kite as it moves forward.
There are various types of kites operating using different concept and flying method. There are two main types of kites that we are focusing on ie. single surface single line (SSSL) kite and rammed air kite.
2.0_CASE STUDIES, PROPOSALS & PROTOTYPES 2.1_Sketches / Ideas I stumbled upon the idea of ephemerality as I went through Blow-up: Inflatable Art, Architecture and Design by Topham. Ephemerality is described as concept of things lasting for very short time, existing briefly. Ephemeral normally refer to nature or phenomena that exist temporarily. There is a number of art forms that can be considered as ephemeral art such as ice sculptures, sand sculptures and early land art. What if architecture embrace the idea of ephemerality? Will it change the life of people, from settlers back to nomads? Temporary structures, erected spontaneously and in relation to a particular occasion, have the ability to connect to its spectators on an unseen level as suggested by Robert Kronenburg in Ephemeral/Portable Architecture. Spectators may appreciate ephemeral architecture more due to its short existence, just like we appreciate ice sculptures and sand sculptures. 1 Little Shining Man kite by Heather and Ivan Morrison is a sculpture that is intended to fly once a year at the local bay. 2 Chiton is a 21 foot structure consists of 2 inch steel tubing and nylon pack cloth built as a shaded structure for Burning Man festival in Black Rock City, Nevada.
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2.2_Sketches / Ideas My idea started out as an interlocking of two inflatable components; one has a defined shape while the other is controlled by the first shape. The form is then simplified to a torus shape. One side of the torus is then make larger than the other side to maximize its volume. The smaller side of the torus is then made as an entrance. A slight deformation is added to the form to explore its volume over the length to create more space.
Interlocking of two inflatable components
Donut / Torus shape
“Peanut” shape
DEFORMATION
Deformed “peanut” shape
2.3_Single skin kites 2.3.1_Kite making The workshop had taught us about making and flying single skin kites. We started off with the anatomy of a single skin kite demonstrated by Peter Lynn. Then, parts of the kite were traced on the fabric with Peter’s template and cut using the hot knife. Smaller parts were stitched togehter using sewing machine to form the leading edge of the kite. Ribs and leading edges were then sew to the main panels, followed by the bridle leaders. Two halves of the kite were sewn together down the centre line. Finally, birdles were tied and fit to each bridle leaders to complete the kite. 1
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Sketch anatomy of single skin kite by Peter Lynn Tracing parts of the kite on fabric Cutting parts using the hot knife Stitching parts using straight, continuous stitching method Bridles tied symmetrically to each halves of the kite
2.3_Single skin kites 2.3.2_Kite flying Kites were tested and finetuned before we headed to St.Kilda for kite flying session. Ropes were tied to nearby trees as anchor to hold the kite. After the kite was launched in the air, we observed the behaviour of the kite and fine tune the length of the bridles line in order to achieve symmetry and balance for the kite to fly steadily and longer.
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Kite testing outside of the workshop before flying at St.Kilda Rope tied to tree as demonstrated by Peter Lynn Bridle lines made sure not tangled before launching the kite Bridle lines adjusted after first launch Kite flew more stable and longer after adjustment made to the bridle lines
3.0_REFERENCES 1.0 BACKGROUND 1. Mclean, Silver, Air Structures (London, UK; Laurence King Publishing, 2015) 2.Peter Lynn’s blog, http://www.peterlynnhimself.com/SSSL. php
3. Drachen Foundation website, http://drupal.drachen.org/ learn/kite-basics 2.0 CASE STUDIES, PROPOSALS, PROTOTYPES 1. Peter Lynn’s blog, http://www.peterlynnhimself.com/Making_Ram_Air_SL_Kites.php