Digital Design - Module 01 Semester 1, 2018 Yichen Cao
900359 Michael Mack Studio 05
Week One
Reading: Zeara Polo, A. 2010. Between Ideas and Matters.
According to Zeara-Polo, the diagram does not play a representational role in the design process but provides an organisational and can have a performative quality depending on how it is deployed. Explain how Diagram is different from Signs and Symbols? (100 words Maximum)
Symbols and signs refer to their dynamic objects through formal representations. In the sign, the relationship between form and content is totally arbitrary and immaterial. But diagrams do not play representational roles for their dynamic objects rather mediate between physical construct and concepts or percepts on an organizational level. Diagrams do not necessarily contain measurable information. Most importantly, diagrams always have spatial correlation and relate to process that not only occur in abstract space but also exists in several dimensions of reality.
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Week One
Precedent Analysis
Modelling Steel Frames
Modelling Glazing
Elevation showing three different stages of modelling
Modelling Aluminum Plates Welch, Adrian, Isabelle Lomholt, Isabelle Lomholt, and Isabelle Lomholt. 2018. “Serpentine Gallery London Toyo Ito Design - E-Architect�. E-Architect. https://www.e-architect.co.uk/london/serpentine-gallery-toyo-ito.
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Week Two
Reading: Hertzberger H. 2005. The in-between and The Habitable Space Between Things, from Lessons for Students in Architecture. Herzberger discusses how design should not be extreme in its functionality. Use your precedent study to explain how the pavilion allows for an appropriation of use. (100 words Maximum)
Toyo Ito’s Serpentine Pavilion combined structure with multi functions. For example, the plates and glazing not only serve as walls, but also serve as columns; openings and functional spaces. The glass letting lights accessing into the pavilion keeping the inside bright and warm. The aluminum panels on the facades support the structure but also maximizing the building’s capability for using natural sunlight. The pavilion left some steel frames unfilled, thus offering in-between spaces that have distinct spatial quality that connects outside and inside. Its multifunctional structure serves for multi-purposes. For example, children can use it as spaces for play and climb while adults can occupy the spaces for reading and resting.
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Week Two
Isometric
Toyo Ito Serpentine Pavilion Isometric View I was first attracted by its elegant figuration, which combining glass and metal so organically. But after I modelled the pavilion, I was most impressed by its structure, which integrates function such as openings, walls into one simple box geometry. Especially when I heard it was designed employing parametric thinking---rotating a rectangle for several times and envelop it into a box. Thus I decided to replicate this model as detailed as I can to understand the brain behind the amazing structure---Cecil Balmond. As shown in the isometric view, I layered the pavilion into six faces, and five of them each consists of glazing; plates; frames and bolts. The floor was a bit tricky because it has different structure than other faces. So I searched a lot of photos and trimmed faces where it should be grass. I modelled the stairs’ structure underneath by using Boolean Difference. From the modelling process, not only have I improved my rhinoceros skills, but most importantly, understood how the structure is constructed. To better understand the circulation, I found a satellite graph of the site when it was built. I traced the site in rhino and placed my model on it, thus I understand not only the circulation inside the pavilion but also that of its outside context such as where people coming from and gathering. As for me, the key concept lies in understanding how Toyo Ito redefined structure by remain the functionality but abandoning its conventional forms as walls and opening been redefined in the pavilion. Another example can be seen from his Sendai Mediatheque which redefines columns. Also I found he is keeping the boundary of inside and outside ambiguous in the Serpentine Pavilion. Besides, making thickness and heaviness of the structure look light is revealed perfectly in this pavilion. The pavilion’s threshold is achieved through layering up structure materials, which at the same time, taking shape into the fundamental functions of the building.
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Week Two Diagrams
Circulation Diagram
Threshold Diagram
The floor was divided into a main circulation path starts from the center, stretching towards four entries and four corners that are less occupied based on some on-site photos I found from the Internet. Because those corners are more private spaces, which to some extent preventing people from accessing those spaces. I use blend tool in illustrator to create a soft transition showing the density of people.
Threshold was interpreted as permeability here, which can be seen as different components layering up, creating not only structure but also the figuration of this pavilion. From the top are glazing; aluminium plates; steel bars and floor with stairs. The stairs are the beginning of the threshold. Then goes the steel bars that are left empty on purpose---serve as the openings as well as blur the boundary of inside and outside. The aluminum plates creates volume. The glazing allows light coming through and casting shadow that may affect people’s behaviors.
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Appendix
Process
What is shown here is a site circulation diagram traced from a satellite graph found from Nearmap. Those pink arrows has shown possible paths people may take from which to approach the Serpentine Pavilion.
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