STUDIO AIR 2016, SEMESTER 2, Matthew Xuehui Yang (Icey)
Table of Contents Part A. CONCEPTUALISATION A.1. Design Futuring A.2. Design Computation A.3. Composition/ Generation A.4. Conclusion A.5. Learning outcomes A.6. Appendix Algorithmic Sketches
INTRODUCTION
My name is Xuehui Yang, also called Icey. I am from Shanxi, China. This is my fifth semester third year in the Bachelor of Environments at the University of Melbourne. I will finish my bachelor in imd-2017 and prefer to spend some time working and think about architecture before beginning my Master. Before studying in the University of Melbourne, I had studied computing at Shanxi University for half year. However, I didn’t want to give up as an architect, so I coming to Melbourne. Throughout prior 2 years, much of my design work is regular and traditional. In Studio Earth, I play with tectonics and got the basic knowledge about design. Through the Studio Water, I learned some theories from masters and after analyzing design of Rem Koolhaas, I studied how to analysis and gained deeper understanding in space and materiality. After these two studios, I thought I was week at the appearance and detail of architecture, so I want to improve in Studio Air. For digital design tools, I am good at Autocad. In last semester, I took Digital Design and Fabrication as an elective so my Rhino skill is ok, but I have not used grasshopper. I think grasshopper is important for the future design. It makes a design controllable and help to realize some complex and organic shape. However, architecture representation is my weakness: I did not use V-ray and am also not good in Photoshop. I am willing to improve the digital skills through this studio.
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CONCEPTUALISATION 5
A
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Design futuring
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Case Study 1 Eden Project
Location: Cornwall, UK Architects: Nicholas Grimshaw & Partner, London Completion: 2000 Cladding: approx. 30.000 m² inflated membrane cushions ETFE-foil Scope of work: 700 to steel structure; double layer space frame structure with hexagonal web structures
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n 1995, Tim Smit was attractive by the Eden Project. He was looking for an epic setting to showcase the most important plants in the world and he realized that a very large area should be needed as a container, so the site was finally located on a working china clay pit, nearing the end of its economic life. Before this project, this area was exhausted by exploiting without any protection of ecological environment. The construction of The Eden Project is a good opportunity to change this status. The aim is for biological studies and exhibitions. Based on the purpose, the inspiration of this building center on the growth blueprint of plants with mathematical knowledge. It can been seen that the real user of this building is for plants rather than people so the design tried to create a ‘nature’ environments for growing of vegetation. Jolyon Brewis of Grimshaw Architects use the ‘biomimicry’ to represent his concept.
This building was consisted by two Biomes, the rainforest biome and the Mediterranean Biome, and each Biomes are also formed by several domes joined together. The Link building was designed to connect two biomes. The clay pit was continue mined when the Biomes were designed. In order to adapt to the surface of landscape, Grimshaw use the idea of soap bubbles. Through the analysis of soap bubbles structure by mathematical technique, the Biomes was built on the uneven and shifting sands of the pit. Therefore, the form of structure is like intersecting spheres. The cladding is a double layer structure of hollow profiles. The outside shell is formed by hexagons and the odd pentagon and the inner shell use bolt to connect hexagons and triangles. The combination of different geometry to ensure the surface is organic.
The material of Biomes building is sustainable. The structure is made of double-curved glued laminated timber beams and the copper for the roof structure was from a single Rio Tinto mine to guarantee the high environmental and social standards. Elsewhere in the building, plant-based floorings, recycled tiles and concrete from china-clay sand were used widely. The material of cladding used a kind of inflated membrane cushions made of ETFE foil which can provide amount of ultraviolet needed by the plants. At the zenith points of the domes, lots of individually controlled ventilation flaps and louvers were designed to provide the ventilation inside.
Each component could be fabricate by the computer controlled to separate the whole structure in standardized segments. In addition, the structure was calculated by computer models which can prove the design with formed the basis for the installation of the structure at same time.
Therefore, this project can be seen as a kind of development of design future although it didn’t solve any urgent problem. However, it shows that the sustainable and biological will be an important factor with the change of connection between human beings and nature. In the future, architects will be asked to use responsibly sourced materials and reduce waste in the process of design.
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“The moment we saw it we loved it, because it felt natural – a biological response to our needs, but forged in materials that would allow us to explore the cultivation of plants in a way never before attempted” Tim Smit
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Case study 2 Cloud Corridor Year: 2015 Location: los angeles, USA Typology: residential Site area: 9,032 sqm Building height: 167m Design team: flora lee, felix amiss, johanna tan, wenshen xie, colby suter
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his building, Cloud Corridor, is designed for an exhibition called “Shelter: Rethinking How We Live in Los Angeles” at the A+D Museum. Therefore this project does not been built, which is an experimental attempt to explore the future conceptual model for residential architecture in Los Angeles. The design of ‘Cloud Corridor’ is based on the concept Ma Yansong’s ‘Shanshui Cit y’ philosophy for architecture to manifest the spiritual essence between people and nature. From this design, an alternative solutions of the urban development was shown. As the increasing urbanization, they tr y to satisf y the people’s demand by change the life model from horizontal to ver tical. In addition, in order to improve the area of urban green land, many dif ferent size ver tical garden will be designed into residential architecture.
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Considering Density
Vertical Gardens
For the problem of urban sprawl and increasing population, this project presents a new alternative which is the high-density vertical village. The architectural area was condensed in horizontal orientation and increase the exploration of vertical space. Nine residential towers rebuilt the urban fabric to connect dif ferent neighborhoods into a vertical village with public spaces and gardens in the sk y.
Cloud Corridor as an urban landmark, the design responded to nature and emphasize the communication between environment and human beings. Each floor contains gardens to dif ferent residential units, like courtyards and patios. These gardens create a nature environment to surround the urban density, which also creates a unique view to decorate the city sk yline. In addition, gardens as a public area can encourage the communication of human beings among the village.
CONCEPTUALISATION
Podium as Park Adjacent to Museum Row, Cloud Corridor’s considered site sits above a forthcoming Metro station and provides an opportunity to bring nature into the ever yday life of the city. Cloud Corridor’s podium design as a public park and as a transportation hub, providing the site for activity af ter museum hours. The podium is covered with grass and trees, which blurs the boundar y between urban landscape and natural scener y.
The Cloud Corridor combines ever yday urban experiences with nature among the growing density in cities. According to this design, the future design is emphasize the urban density and nature environments. However to achieve this model, the advanced technology is necessar y for design process, construction and material. In addition, with the more complex design process, the visual technique also play an important role, which can make the communication between dif ferent design team easier.
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“This software enables engineers to visualize all construction disciplines in one tridimensional model, preventing conflict and allowing real-time changes,” “Its use permits a structure as arbitrary as this one to be combined with detailed ground-level design, elevator cubes, electricity, hydraulics, lighting and even finishes.” Roel Castaño
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Design Computation CONCEPTUALISATION 17
Fre e -s
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CASE STUDY 1 Museo Soumaya
s t yle s truc ture / invisible now/ unique f açade
Architects: FR-EE / Fernando Romero Enterprise Location: Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra 303, Ampliación Granada, Miguel Hidalgo, 11529 Mexico City, Federal District, Mexico Project Year: 2011
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he new Museo Soumaya was designed by FREE Fernando Romero EnterprisE. It is one of the most important culture and art of collaboration in Latin America, which contains over 6,200 artworks and 60,000 square feet of exhibition space. Location of this museum is a former industrial zone from the 1940’s, but today presents a ver y high commercial potential. For architect, the challenge is creation of a preeminent cultural program and it will act as an initiator in the transformation of the urban perception. Therefore, the architect organizes and communicates design information to create an avant-garde building form and façade, which defines a new paradigm in the histor y of Mexican and international architecture.
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THE DESIGN PROCESS
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ased on the two missions, as one of the largest private art collections in the world and reshaping of an old industrial area of Mexico City, the structure of Museo Soumaya is ver y complexity which had never been attempted in Mexico. In order to achieve this ambitious project, the new techniques were developed such as laser scanning, parametric modelling and other algorithmic techniques to design and model it in three dimensions. The sur face was designed early by the use of study models, and they use laser scanned to create a digital model and determine the design sur face. According to the digital model, structural engineers define the structure lay on the design sur face. The form of the Museo Soumaya is a doublecur ved sur face, which is organic and asymmetrical by rotating and twisting a primar y form. For this design, the exterior shell as a big container for the work and the size of each floor plate reflecting the nature of the collection on the side. From the picture, the exterior shell is formed by 28 steel cur ved columns of dif ferent diameters, which provides the dif ferent geometr y and shape to adapt the requirements of local sur face conditions. In order to ensure the structure stable, seven ring beams was constructed to brace this structure on each floor. For the outside, a faรงade formed by hexagonal aluminum plates was designed to improve the building durable. In order to support the exterior panels, this team selected a freeform space-frame solution by the firm Geometica for the faรงade structure. Because the largest space of
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FAร ADE PATTERN FABRICATION
DESIGN
AND
Because the faรงade structure was decided firstly and being assembled, ver y little possible for modifications. Meanwhile, the panels should fit the organic form and reflect the concept of design so the panel design became a daunting challenge. for the faรงade structure, a triodesic double-layer secondar y structure covered the primar y structure from two sides and ever y node of the secondar y structure supports a single panel. A geometric strategy, a parametric spherepacking algorithm, was used rationally for mapping hexagonal panels with isometries of lengths and the conformality of angles.
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FIGURE 7 LEFT: PANELISATION WITH SEVEN FAMILIES. RIGHT: PANELISATION WITH 49 FAMILIES.
In order to guarantee to achieve the organic form, the panels are not pure hexagons and the sur face was divided into two zones: the most cur ved and the most regular. There are 80 percent of the sur face is the most regular zone. In these area, hexagons with similar size were grouped into ‘families’. The other 20 percent of the sur face, the most cur ved zone, used the unique hexagonal panels. Through a series of cluster analysis exercises, he grouped panels can be adjusted to size and the gaps between them until the desired result was achieved. The architect can obtain information about clustering the packing of panels through the cluster analysis, so it can be seen that the building was designed to contain 16,000+ panels with 49 or less moulds and all panels must be replaced with the panel in the centre of the family it belongs as shown in figure 7. Finally, the gap can be controlled in just millimeters to appear to “float ” on its sur face.`
For the hexagonal panels, the architect retained Gehr y Technologies (GT), founded by famed architect Frank Gehr y, to using the complex 3-D engineering of the building. However, transformation from the graphics into solid construction is a challenge although the hexagonal panels could be visualized in correct position with virtual model. The team continued to work on the central digital 3-D model in the process of construction, so the design team can communicate precise information at all times. In this way to guarantee ever yone got and understood what they needed. In addition, because of the complex form of the building, it is not possible to use a traditional 2-D drawing and design process for design of interior elements such as ramps, structure and roof. With the trend of becoming more complex architecture, the process should become simple and integrated so that dif ferent stakeholders can understand and participate in. therefore, the traditional linear design processes cannot be used continually.
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CASE STUDY 2 SHELLSTAR PAVILION
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PLACE: Hong Kong DATE: 2012 COLLABORATORS: ANDREW KUDLESS(MATSYS) Size: 8m x 8m x 3m Materials: 4mm Translucent Coroplast, Nylon Cable Ties, Steel Foundations, PVC and Steel Reinforcement Arches Tools: Rhino, Grasshopper, Kangaroo, Python, Lunchbox, Rhinoscript
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he Shell star Pavilion is a lightweight temporar y structure designed for Detour, an art and design festival in Hong Kong. The pavilion as a iconic gathering place for the festival visitors during the 2-week festival, the special per formance should be maximized while structure and material is minimized so it was temporar y, ef ficient and lower cost. In order to encourage the circulation of attendees, this pavilion was designed as a spatial vortex which can attract visitors into the pavilion center and then can drive them back out to the larger festival site. Advanced digital modeling techniques was used in whole design process of Shell star Pavilion to reduce the time of design, fabrication and assembly. The process can be divided into three parts: form-finding, sur face optimization, and fabrication planning.
Form-Finding The concept of the form is from the nearby sea and the 5-petal flower of the bauhinia bauhinia blakeana orchid tree, the symbol of Hong Kong, so the form is innovative, dynamic and iconic. Based on the classic compressive structure developed by architects and engineers such as Antonio Guadi, Frei Otto, and Felix Candela. Using grasshopper and the physics engine Kangaroo, the organic form can be aligned onto the structure accurate and automatic and allow to adjust the structural depths.
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Surface Optimization In order to achieve the sphere cur vature of form, it was geometrized into nearly 1500 individual cells of hexagon that are all slightly non-planar. Because the pavilion should be built by designer themselves in an impressive time, the cells cannot be too cur ved for reduce the dif ficulty of fabrication. Therefore, reduction of interior seams and maximizing the planar possible of cells by a custom Py thon script.
Fabrication Planning The custom py thon scripts help to simplif y the process of fabrication. In this way, each cell had been already unfolded flat and prepared for cut from the material of translucent coroplast. The cell flanges and labels were also automatically added and then rotated to align the flutes of the material according to the orientation was analyzed. Finally, the use the steel primar y structure and the nylon cables to supported the cells.
The pavilion is the product of an emergent process that combines form, material, and per formance into one integrated whole. Throughout the design process, working fully within a parametric modeling environment. The digital techniques compress the period of design and fabrication. In this way, the design can be visual to make the communication easier and it is ef fective to improve the design.
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A.3
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Generation and Composition “Design computation had redefined architecture as a material practice which explores the potential of materiality� Oxman
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Case study 1 Seed cathedral
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eed Cathedral is designed by Thomas Heatherwick for the Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Heatherwick thought the design of pavilion should be determined by the exhibition idea so it seems to be pure, ver y simple but impressive things . In the design process, digital techniques are used a translation of the idea and use the computer generative modelling. Technology driven pavilions, filled with audio-visual content on screens, projections and speakers. For this pavilion, design computation were useful for complete design detail and ensuring successful construction. For this project, computational design can collect data and generate the ideal form according to analysis of biological behaviors and logics. This from is based on a seed represented the origin and it consisted by many small seed containers . From the outside, it looks like cube while the inside is more cur vature so computers can generate an appropriate from to make the concept of architecture realizable . Generative approaches can translate between human design and logical.
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“Design computation had redefined architecture as a material practice which explores the potential of materiality” Oxman said . In this project, materiality also play an important role to generate the design process. Selection of material is depend on their behaviors and feature. The seed cathedral is formed from 60,000 slender transparent fibre optic rods, each 7.5 metres long and each encasing one or more seeds at its tip. Because the behaviors of transparent and sof t, the façade is dif ferent from the traditional wall and it has vitality. During the day, they draw daylight inwards to illuminate the interior. At night, light sources inside each rod allow the whole structure to glow. When the wind moves past, optic “hairs” of the building gently move to create a dynamic ef fect . In addition, each hair also as a container to hold a dif ferent seed. These detail emphasis the concept of architect.
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Case study 2 West coast pavilion LOCATION: CHINA - BEIJING DESIGNER: ELENA MANFERDINI PROJECT YEAR: 2006 PROGETTO: ELENA MANFERDINI; JAE RODRIGUEZ; MIDORI MIZUHARA
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omputational design changes the aspects of the architecture. In the process of computational design, computer script is the basic design elements so the geometrical pattern is not the determining factor. The computer scripts can create the various of organic and irregular form automatically by the calculation of computer, Therefore, the formfinding process is highly computation based. In the design process, it provides the optimization of selection of structure and aesthetic quality . West Coast Pavilion is a good precedent to describe how a form can only be determined once all the correct variables emerge.
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They use the digital tool to generate the form: the cuts and fringes in the walls of this pavilion represent the image of random movement, but are designed and built in solid, still material .This pavilion appears imposing due to the complex skin and the form of diamond-shaped lattice. By extension, various visual ef fects can be obser ved so that these visual ef fects will become hegemonic . However, there are certain visual ef fects that are not generated by certain computational tools so the dif ferent tools was used in this pavilion. The sur face layers, which its structure. computation. structure, the
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of West Coast Pavilion use a sandwich of undulating has slightly divaricate and coalesce around and through The generation and fabrication of the sur face also use When the skin combined with the diamond shaped filtering ef fect and a dynamic screening can be present.
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Conclusion
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he par t A of air studio discuss a process of the development of architectural industr y. It star t with Design Futuring, which talk about the direction of development and design environment. Ref lect to the serious environmental problem and decreasing nature resource, architects reconsider the relationship between nature and human beings. They emphasis the impor tance of ecology and tr y to achieve the sustainable design such as the Eden Project. In the future, with the enlarging urbanism, the densit y of population will exceed the capacit y of cit y so the traditional cit y should be changed. In these case, the architects are not only to design building and they should design a village even the cit y, which
means the architecture become too complex and more features should be considered in design process. With the more complex design and the requirements of futuring design, the computational design become more impor tance whatever in design process or for fabrication. Design Computation improve the ef f iciency and promote the develop of structure and faced such as Museo Soumaya. Computer technology can solve the problem and provide the optimal choice by collection and analysis data. However, it does not mean that computers can be a good designer. Although computers occupied more weight with the increasing database and more complex program, it cannot replace human beings. The computers are just as a tool to list and recommend the options. However, architect can control the result of options
by change a factor. It also can model the design quickly to help ever y design team can communicate. The form-f inding can be generative by computational design so the form is based on design brief and materialit y without the limit of geometr y. What interest me most is to explore ef fect of dif ferent material to form and structure. for example, the material of seed cathedral is a key reason to cause the dynamic ef fect. In this case, the rhino and grasshopper is good skill to analysis and visual it.
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A.4
A.5
Learning outcomes
A
fter the 3 week’s study in air studio, the knowledge of computing has expanded. Before the air studio, I used the rhino to do the digital design and fabrication but I had some regrets about the design dur to the limitation of digital skill. Through the study of grasshopper, I got some idea to solve it. The most of commands in grasshopper is same as in rhino, but the grasshopper more logical and easier to deal with big data. However, to remember the commands is a challenge for me. Study of theory is an important in part A, which is my weakness. In order to understand each reading, I need spent many time. I think the understanding of generation and composition is not enough. I also need to do some research in this part.
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Refrence Denise Allen Zwicker , Museo Soumaya has a Secret. Geimetrica. <http:// geometrica.com/en/museo-soumaya-has-a-secret> Alexander Pena de Leon , ‘Two Case-Studies of Freeform-Facade Rationalization ‘, Modes of Production ,January 2012, p498 Romero, F and Ramos, A. ‘Bridging a Culture: The Design of Museo Soumaya’. Architectural Design 83(2) · March 2013 p67-69 Museo Soumaya, Mexico City , Design-dautore.com, <https://designdautore. blogspot.com.au/2015/02/museo-soumaya-mexico-city.html#.V6vgOJx96hc> Museo Soumaya / FR-EE Fernando Romero Enterprise, 28 Nov 2013. ArchDaily. Accessed 13 Aug 2016. <http://www.archdaily.com/452226/museo-soumaya-fr-ee-fernando-romero-enterprise/> Shellstar Pavilion | MATSYS, Ach2o, 2013, <http://www.arch2o.com/shellstar-pavilion-matsys/> Dennis Lo, Shellstar Pavilion, Matsys, February 27th, 2013. <http:// matsysdesign.com/2013/02/27/shellstar-pavilion/> Kalay Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories and Methods of the computer Aided Deesign, 15. Eden Project, ‘Architecture at Eden’. Eden Project <http://www.edenproject. com/eden-story/behind-the-scenes/architecture-at-eden> Eden Project, ‘Timeline: frome pit to paradise’, <http://www. edenproject.com/eden-story/eden-timeline> Eden Project, ‘About me’, <http://www.edenproject.com/eden-story/about-us> Eden Project, ‘Construction Systems’. Mero TEK. <http://www.mero.de/index.php/en/ construction-systems/references-en/36-space-structures/102-eden-project> Yangsong Ma, ‘MAD Envisions the Future of Residential Buildings in Los Angeles ‘, MAD Architecturres <http://www.i-mad.com/press/mad-envisions-
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the-future-of-residential-buildings-in-los-angeles/> Cloud Corridor | MAD Architects, in Ach2o, <http://www.arch2o.com/cloud-corridor-mad-architects/> Dunne, Anthony& Raby, Fiona (2013), Speculative Everything: Design Fiction, and Social Dreaming (MIT Press) pp1-9 Munich, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Designing the Seed Cathedralâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, in Detail, <http://www.detailonline.com/article/designing-the-seed-cathedral-14225/> Heatherwick, T 2012, Thomas Heatherwick : mAKING, N.P,: New York: The Monaceilli Press,2012. Manferdni, E. West Coast Pavilion, Architectura Italiana, <http://architetturaitaliana.com/projects/17118-elena-manferdini-west-coast-pavilion> Atelier Manferdini, Architectural Beijing Biennale 2006, <http://www.ateliermanferdini.com/work/#/still-1/>
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Appendix - Algorithmic Sk
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ketches
A.6
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Loft Desk
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Step
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PART B 46
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Critical Design
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1.0 Research Field Geometry
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n Part B, we focus on one fundamental aspect to do parametric design, “Geometry” is a research field I chosen. Geometry as the fundamental science influences the pattern, forms and transformations of architectural design. It plays an important role from the initial stage form-finding to the final construction.
Forms Complex geometric forms and shapes are becoming important with the developing sophisticated digital technique. The most common approach is to create an architecture envelope in digital software and then change a series of parameter to define elements such as curvature, pattern of façade and structure element1 . A common used of geometry is ruled surfaces which are formed by lofting a one- parameter set of lines such as the San Gennaro North Gate (Figure 2). Usually, the forms are influenced by structural and material.
Figure 1 Walt Disney Concert Hall
Pattern Nowadays, free forms are becoming one of the significant trends. However, the fabrication of the free form on the actual scale is a really challenge. In order to guarantee the aesthetics of forms, the skins should be divided into manufacturable panels. It is benefit to provide support structures, such as the Walt Disney Concert Hall designed by Frank Gehry (Figure 1). In addition, the Geometry can form different patterns by combination,
San Gennaro North Gate (Figure 2)
1. ELNAHAS, M AND NASSAR, K. (2006). DIGITAL FORM-FINDING: A CASE STUDY IN COMPLEX GEOMETRY. P.1
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arrangement, which is an omnipresent aesthetic category in nature and art. Therefore, geometry pattern can make architecture harmonic such as golden section and the scaled geometry. For example, the San Gennaro North Gate (Figure 2) is formed by a series scaled geometry.
Transformations of architectural design As the mentioned, geometry is a good way to realize the freefrom surface, many architect such as Zaha Hadid try to explore cured shapes. They transfer surface to polyhedral meshes by CAD software and different type of mesh can achieve can produce different surface. In addition, the capabilities of material are an important factor to determine the types of segmentation 2 . For example, glass, sheet metal and wood can be used for single curved in a certain extent. For example, the glass is more challenging because glass need high cost to bend into curved, while the wood has a good performance in bending so it can create perfect surface such as SG 2012 Gridshell (Figure 3). Compare with the single curved surface, double-curved freeform surfaces can be large and perfect smooth although it is more challenging. Digital tools such as rhino, grasshopper encourage these architecture form and fabrication. Use grasshopper to do the parametric design and try different geometric mesh to the curved surface, which explore different possible of form. SG 2012 Gridshell (Figure 3)
2. POTTMANN, H. SCHIFTNER, A AND WALLNER, J. (2008). GEOMETRY OF ARCHITECTURAL FREEFORM STRUCTURES. 3. LEOPOLD, C. (2006). GEOMETRY CONCEPTS IN ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN. 12TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOMETRY AND GRAPHICS. P.8
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2.0 Case study 1 Project Name: Green Void Architects: LAVA â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Chris Bosse, Tobias Wallisser and Alexander Rieck Location: Sydney, Australia Project year: 2008 Materials: Specially treated high-tech Nylon and light
The Green Void, designed by LAVA Architecture, is suspended from different anchor points along the atrium of Sydney Customs House. It is a lightweight sculpture consists of luminescent green Membrane pieces.
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Design
Parametric Influence
The design of Green Void is based on the minimal surface theory. According to the Bosse, the minimal surface can be formed when two hollow rings in a film soap are pulled apart. In this case, there will be the thin film of soap to connect the two boundary rings, which is the minimal surface1. According to this soap bubble model, LAVA design the Green Void to express this concept in the contemporary context. Five boundry conditions correspond to five points of Customs House. The architects use digital technique to simulate the changing process of a soap film stretched between two boundaries in order to generate natural form of “funnels”, such as rhino and grasshopper. The membrane structure are formed into minimal surfaces by the tension force and these forces are changed with the “specifically chosen control points2 .”
As mention that this design based on the minimal surface so the boundaries, control points and the force also influence the generation of form. Firstly, they use different boundaries to determine the original form then use the kangaroo change the force to achieve a minimal surface. Finally, change the control points to modified detail of surface. Therefore, according to this, we can determine the species of iteration.
Fabrication and installation The installation of Green Void response to sustainability. It is a portable and reusable sculpture and the use of material is less and optimum, which is realized by the concept of minimal surface theory that can be a methodology to arrange masses. In this way, the installation of Green Void can be controlled completely by computer in an extremely short period. The CNC fabrication make the work efficiency and achieve a visual impact in the large space.
1. CHRIS BOSSE, LAVA ARCHITECTURE, INTERVIEW, 22 DECEMBER 2008. 2. CHATTERJEE. A. (2009) GREEN VOID. RADAR EXHIBITION. 3. POHL, E. B. (2008). GREEN VOID / LAVA. ARCHDAILY. HTTP://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/10233/GREEN-VOID-LAVA 4. HILAL AI (2010). GREEN VOID SYDNEY BY LAVA. ARCHITECTURE LIST. HTTP://WWW.ARCHITECTURELIST.COM/2010/07/28/GREEN-VOID-SYDNEY-BY-LAVA/
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ITERATION PART
1.0 / Create the initial mesh parametrically through loft boundary curves. In this way, the form lacks flexibility.
BOUNDARY CURVES
MESH
SURFACE
FORCE
KANGAROO
LOFT
Specie 1.2
Specie 1.1
Change the simulation reset
Change the boundray curves
2.0 / Use the exoskeleton component and create the base mesh from curve inputs.
POINTS
VORONOI 3D EXOSKELETON
LINE
MESH
FORCE
Specie 2.2
Specie 2.1
Change the value
Change the line
3.0 / Create your own geometry in rhino.
SURFACE
MESH
FORCE
Specie 3.2 Specie 3.1 Change the mesh
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Change the force
KANGAROO
Specie 3.3 Change the control points
KANGAROO
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Iterations Matrix Specie 1.1 Change the boundray curves
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Specie 1.2 Change the simulation reset
Specie 2.1 Change the input line
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Specie 2.2 Change the value of Exoskeleton
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Specie 3.2 Change the force type and magnitude
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Specie 3.3 Change the control points
Specie 3.1 Change the mesh
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Successful Iterations Voronoi 3D and Exoskeleton Aesthetics I use voronol 3D to produce random lines and then use Exoskeleton to make volumne. This volumn is formed by triangle panel so it can connect well and reduce the intersection line. Structure It can be frame work so it can use the steel pipe as the structure. Usability It can be as a sculpture to seperate space.
Change the input mesh Aesthetics the surface of this iteration is so complex and there are some opening on the mesh to create different views. Structure It should be use the frame structure. Usability It can be as a sculpture.
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Control points with unary force Aesthetics This form was created by moving control points. Because only uptowards unary force used, the surface donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have tension so it is not a smooth surface. However in this way, it looks like folding. Structure This iteration can use steel as the primary structure and then use panel to cover it. Usability It can be as a roof structure.
Metaball with spring and unary Force Aesthetics Metaball can defined different size boundry curves so that the different domes can be produced. Because of two force, the surface is complex and smooth. Structure It can be frame work so it can use the steel pipe as the structure. Usability It can be a lightweight pavilian or as the roof structure.
CONCEPTUALISATION 61
B3 Case study 2 San Gennaro North Gate Designer: SOFTlab Materials: Mylar, Aluminum Grommets, Photo Gels, Aluminum Pipe. Size: 25’x25’x60’
62
CONCEPTUALISATION
Xtra Moenia is a large specific installation which designed and produced by SOFTlab at San Gennaro North Gate. The form consists of two Bridges Neighbourhood Council: one is towards sky and the other hangs down to define a zone for pedestrians on the street. Obviously, its form is also a minimal surface, like Green Void, which was formed by tension from cables fixed on the surrounding buildings. The form is specific and exclusive because it will be found when fixed on specific points. In addition, they design a pattern for the surface and each piece pattern is unique which was produced by software tools. The material of this project use Mylar panels and aluminium grommets so it is a lightweight structure. The installation is controlled by computer entirely and it contains 4224 laser cut panels. Because it is minimal surface, each panel is unique and they were added different colours. They use 6000 aluminium grommets to connect each panel and then the form is held in tension by cables and tubes.
1. San Gennaro North Gate. (2011). SOFTlab. http://softlabnyc.com/2011/09/18/san-gennaro-north-gate/ 2. SOFTlab portfolio. P. 39 CONCEPTUALISATION 63
Create half curves and mirror them
Loft curves separatly
Create original meshes
Use weaverbird to join and weld meshes
Use kangaroo and adjust Use weaverbird to subdivide the mesh
Change spring f control points to more soomth
FORM FINDING
64
CONCEPTUALISATION
to relax mesh t the form
force and adjust o make the mesh
Create pattern and use box morph to pave it
Add colour on mesh
Use kangaroo to ralex square mesh and change the rest length to get the pattern
ADD PATTERN
ADD COLOUR
CONCEPTUALISATION 65
B. 4 Technique Development SPECIE 1 CHANGE MESH
SPECIE 2.1 CHANGE FORM INTO SINGLE LAYER
SPECIE 2.2 CHANGE FORM INTO MALTIPAL LAYER
66
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 67
SPECIE 3 MAKE VOLUMN AND CHANGE CONTROL POINT
68
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 69
SPECIE 4 CHANGE FORCE
SPECIE 4. 1 CHANGE PATTERN
70
CONCEPTUALISATION
CONCEPTUALISATION 71
SPECIE 4.2 CHANGE 3D PATTERN
72
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CONCEPTUALISATION 73
Successful Iteration Multilayer net surface Aesthetics This iteration use two-layer net structure and the two layer surface cross each other. It use Kangaroo to relax the surface and formed by different control point. The complex form crossing surface can create different space. Structure It use the soft structure. The surface was represent by net and it can be fixed by metallic cable which touch the surrounding building and ground. Usability It can be as a soft rest area. The net could have elastic and people can lay down and play on it.
Metaball surface Aesthetics This complete surface formed by meatball and unary force whose direction is up. The pattern on the surface is like a circle. Due to the force, the pattern is scaled in different size. Structure This iteration can use steel tube as the primary structure and use cables to support the pattern. Usability it can be as a pavilion to gather people.
74
CONCEPTUALISATION
Minimal surface with pattern Aesthetics This iteration uses the theory of minimal surface. The triangular as a pattern also help to create a smooth surface . Structure it can construct by intertwined tubes and covered by triangular patterns. The tube or cables can be connect with the ceiling or fixed by surrounding buildings. Usability it can be used as an installation to hangs from surrounding buildings. The two bridges hangs down to define specific zone for pedestrians.
Intersection volume with pattern Aesthetics This iteration use Kangaroo to build the surface and it has quadrangular patterns to represent the surface. This iteration combine multiple colours to create activity atmosphere. Structure the steel tube can be as the primary structure and panels are connect by bolt. Usability it can be as a tunnel to dispersal people and make them feel different view.
CONCEPTUALISATION 75
B. 5 Prototype
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Prototype 1
Material - YUPO Synthetic Papers YUPO papers are made of polypropylene pellets. This material do not use tree so it is the 100% recyclable. It is very smooth and bright white so the performance is good. Compare with paper, it is durable and wipes clean. The most attractive characters are waterproofing and it is not easily to tear.
Waterprofing test Because this installation should be in outdoor so the waterprofing is important property for durability.
PUT YUPO IN THE WATER
AFTER 10 MINUTES
AFTER 20 MINUTES
Material - Polypropylene sheet Polypropylene has good properties. It is flexible, resistance to chemical. In addition, the colour and transparence is mutiple.
CONCEPTUALISATION 77
Test the durability under the force YUPO - Stretch corner
YUPO - Stretch edge
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CONCEPTUALISATION
POLYPROPYLENE - Stretch corner
POLYPROPYLENE - Stretch EDGE
POLYPROPYLENE - Twist and bending
CONCEPTUALISATION 79
Test pattern and Connection Pattern 1 This pattern I use the kangaroo to design and change the different force to test which is more suitable
I find that this material will be melted slightly when use the laser cut. From the sixth pattern, the connection is two week and the first three pattern can not have a large curveture so I think the 4th and 5th iare bettern
Pattern 2 this pattern I use the hexagon as a framework and I connect them as the net. In addition, I add color transparency sheet to cover this frame. Therefore, when light through this surface, it will create a colored shadow on the ground
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Test shadow I use the 3 kind of color sheet and then I overlap them to create another 3 secondery colors.
Test connection I use the eyelet to connect each pattern. Because of different thickness of material the detail is slightly different. Polyproplene is more thicken in order to fix them I add a cicle under it and then fix the conner with the circle. However the YUPO paper is thiner so I can fix them togather.
POLYPROPYLENE
YUPO
CONCEPTUALISATION 81
Prototype 2
The second Prototype, I use MDFpanel which is rigid. I connect them by cable tie so the connection is soft and the panel can rotate each other. I think it can be hanging from ceiling and the shape will be change with the different force (such as wind.)
82
CONCEPTUALISATION
Prototype 3
This Prototype, I also use MDFpanel, but I change the connection into rigid. I connect patterns by notching so the surface formed is fixed. in addition, I use the circle notching and it is also as the decoration. However because of I design the notching with wrong size so this structure was not stable.
CONCEPTUALISATION 83
B. 6 Proposal
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CONCEPTUALISATION
6.1 SITE ANALYSIS 6.2 PROPOSED DESIGN
CONCEPTUALISATION 85
6.1 Site Analysis MELBOURNE UNIVERSITY EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
ABBORTSFORD CONVENT COLLINGWOOD CHILDRENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S FARM EXTENT OF REGISTERED LAND
LAND CONTROLLED BY THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT FOUNDATION
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CONCEPTUALISATION
YARRA RIVER PARK
Site Location Sacred Heart of Abbortsford Convent located in Abbotsford, Victoria, an inner city suburb of Melbourne
YARRA RIVER
The surrounding environments -
Abbortsford
near
the
Convent
junction
of
is the
Yarra River and Merri Creek. - The Collingwood Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Farm to its north and east. -
The
opposite
bank
is
a
Yarra Bend Park and there is a road to connect them
CONCEPTUALISATION 87
Site Analysis
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CONCEPTUALISATION 89
Site Analysis
Site plan Scale 1:500 90
CONCEPTUALISATION
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History
EDWARD CURR’S ST HELIER’S WAS BUILT. IT WAS THE EARLIST DWELLING
THE INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL WAS CONSTRUTED
1870
1863 1867-68
1842
THE CONVENT OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD WAS ESTABLISHED
THE MAJOR INDUSTRIES WERE RELOCATED
PURCHASED MORE LAND AND LARGE LAUNDRY BUILDINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED
95 GIRLS WERE LIVE IN THE LARGE EXTENSION AREA
T A R TO CO E
ST ANNE’S WAS REPLACE THE ORIGINAL BUTTRESSED WALL
1889 1877
MAGDALEN ASYLUM (NOW SACRED HEART) WAS CONSTRUCTED
1880
1908 1905
THE U-SHAPED BUILDING WAS DESIGNED AND THE FORMER INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL AS ITS NORTHERN WING
ROSINA ( SACR HEART WAS B
According to the history, the Abottsford convent expand a lot and the designer - remove the buttressed wall - north gabled end wall of the 1877 Kelly building was remodelled with Baroque design themes to match Rosina - add concrete column and steel deck roofing
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CONCEPTUALISATION
HE MAGDALEN ASYLUM WERE REMODELLED O IMPROVE THE OMFORTABLE OF ENVIRONMENT
1960
8
(FORMER RED CLASS) BUILT
ST ANNEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WAS ENLARGE IN WIDTH TO WEST
THE STATE GOVERMENT PURCHASED THE WHOLE CONVENT SITE, EXCEPT THE CHURCH AND THE CURRENT NURSING HOME
1950
1966
THE CONCRETE BLOCK COLUMNS AND STEEL DECK ROOFING WAS ADDED
THE SACRED HEART COURTYARD ADDED A
1997 1975
2011
A REDEVELOPMENT ABOUT THE ABBOTSFORD CONVENT OROJECT FOR ARTS WAS PROPOSED
* the red block is the history of Sacred Heart
CONCEPTUALISATION 93
Brief Client: Abottsford convent in collaboration with Shadow Electric Program: To design a event space for Shadow Electric, which include the outdoor cinema, stage for music performence, food and beverage offering. This installation should be 24 hours. In addition, a bridge for pedestrian should be included in design as a connection between east and west wing of the building
94
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CONCEPTUALISATION 95
Proposed Design
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CONCEPTUALISATION 97
Proposed Design My Concept is to design a soft rest area in this site. This installation is formed by a multilayer colored net which is fixed in a colorful open glass house. Because of different elasticity of different material, the two area cn be defined: play and rest. When the light through this space it will have a colorful shadow in the space
98
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CONCEPTUALISATION 99
B. 7 Learning Outcomes
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Design Concept and Research In part B, I select geometry as my research field, the case study and reading really help me to understand what geometry is and the influence to architecture. The case study is a good way to research this technique and the design direction. In case study 1.0, the grasshopper definition was giving, after compare the definition with the actual building, I can understand how they achieve the technique and understand the logic of design digital model. Through the iteration of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Green Voidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, I realized that the geometry can develop two direction: soft structure and rigid structure. First one is freedom to create the complex and ruled surface and the focus is the form and visual presentation. Rigid structure can support the different pattern by rigid frame and change the curvature of surface. This influenced my choice for reverse-engineer. In this part, I select the soft structure to develop and focus how to create the smooth surface and the relationship between surface and patterns. This process helps me to consolidate the knowledge of grasshopper and make the logic of design more clear.
CONCEPTUALISATION 101
Parametric Design and Selection After the practice of iterations, I find that parametric design is not to generate a random forms but it is based on the expression of parameters and rules so the development regularly can help us to explore the potential of design. Therefore, I think that determining appropriate species is important to get a successful iteration. For my iterations, I think some species I chosen is two widely so that the process of iteration in a specie donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a good development. In this process, I try to use different way to build the surface and explore the Kangaroo component. The Kangaroo can do real time physics simulation, which help me to realize the movement of a structure. When I select the successful iteration, I think selections should consider the design intent and design response.
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CONCEPTUALISATION
Prototypes and Design Proposal
The Prototyping process is a good test how to transfer the digital model to physical. I believe it is important, when I use digital tool to construct a model, many connection detail didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t considered. Therefore, I tried different material and connection to compare the result. However, I just consider the detail like pattern and connection of pattern, but I lack to connect this to the environment and fabrication process. Therefore, I think I also need to consider the form finding process which may be influenced by gravity and machine limitations. For my design proposal, I try to connect my prototypes with the brief. However I focus the visual and aesthetic of design but I ignore the analysis of site. In addition, the complex geometries should rely on the computation techniques so it is a challenge to transfer the digital model to physical models. I need to consider the implement.
CONCEPTUALISATION 103
B. 8 Algorithmic Sketches
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CONCEPTUALISATION 105