STUDIO AIR
2018, SEMESTER 1, TUTOR: Julius Egan YILAN ZHAO 789593
INTRODUCTION Hey, I am Yilan, a third year student from UniMelb major in Architecture. I am interested in dancing and traveling around world. For me architecture is a combination of arts, history, philosophy, engineering and aethetics. Therefore architecture is so atrractive to me. I was introduced into digital design began with Rhino 3D and AutoCAD. I suppose digital design is the tendency of architecture design in the future, even now. These technologies make architests life easier and more efficient. This subject introduces the parametric design by Rhino3D plugin Grasshopper.
Table of Contents 4 
A.1 DESIGN FUTURING
10
A.2 DESIGN COMPUTATION
18
A.3 Composition/Generation
22
A.4 Conclusion
22
A.5 LEARNING OUTCOMES
8
A.6 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches 8
A.6.1 TRACE
14
A.6.2 UNCENTAINTY
FIG.1: VITRA FIRE STATION, PLAN, ZAHA HADID, 1993
4
CONCEPTUALISATION
VITRA FIRE STATION ZAHA HADID, Weil-am-Rhein, Germany, 1993
This is the first Hadid's design projects to be built. The obliquely concrete planes translate conceptual drawings into a functional architectural space. The building defines and structures the street on which it faces. Meanwhile shields the traditional neighbors next campus. The building composed by linear walls and roof elements, fitted into the interstitial spaces between them. exposed, cast in-situ concrete planes strictly maintain the visual purity. Conspicuous visual simplification: frameless grazing, light treatment permeate concept logically and straightforward. Concept: movement - the oblique angles make walls are visually impenetrable , but suddenly afford a view to inside garage. The lines on the ground reflect the movement of occupants. Fitting to architectural mood for a fire station: FROZEN MOVEMENT. - constant alert, tension that to be burst into action at any given moment. Hadid’s building represents this sense but sense there is no realy service. Now it is a event place for exhibition. Paper architect to the real as functional as it radical
FIG.2: VITRA FIRE STATION PHOTOGRAPH BY YILAN
FIG.5: VITRA FIRE STATION PERSPECTIVE
FIG.3: VITRA FIRE STATION PHOTOGRAPH BY YILAN
FIG.4: VITRA FIRE STATION PHOTOGRAPH BY YILAN CONCEPTUALISATION 5
FIG.6: MOCAPE INTERNAL PHOTOGRAPH BY YILAN
MUSEAM OF CONTEMPORARY ART & PLANNING EXHIBITION COOP HIMMELB(L)AU, Shenzheng, China, 2016
Design Concept The MOCAPE acts as a landmark part in master plan of new urben center. The steel frame covered by illuminated glass and louver panel, together represent a mass sculptural architecture. Meanwhile, this multifunctional facade merged the two individual functional requirements jointing entrance and transitional areas between the buildings.
FIG.7: MOCAPE INTERNAL
Skin, Light and Energy Concept Exterior skin consists of an outer layer of natural stone louvers and insulated glass. These elements are installed on the dynamic surface, which is structurally independent from the functional museums. The technical equipment is designed to reduce the need of energy sources, which is included pollution free system and geothermal energy (with ground water cooling system). The roof of museum filters daylight for exhibition rooms in order to reduce the artificial lighting consumption. FIG.8: MOCAPE INTERNAL
The Urban Concept Eastern part of the master plan of city center. The main level of the MOCAPE lies 10 meters above the ground level, aimed to create a stage-like platform, which plays as a unifying element with the adjacent buildings.
FIG.9: MOCAPE INTERNAL
A.6.1 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches
TR ACE BRIEF: Watch and listen to 'Arrival on Platform Humlet - Percy Grainger', use it as an inspiration / referance of the design
The piece’s melody is angular, sharp because of the staccato
Site is around and on Rushall Station (South Morang Line).
in hurry and emergency. Different instruments join in to
applied into. The piece creates an urgent atmosphere, constitute the rhythm stronger and create the hierarchy. For me, it guides me to imagine of the insects are blocked in a space and flying arround to try to get rid of the constaint. The form of the design is the imagination of tracing the path of flying insects. The project intends to represent the trace in order to discrebe the sense of urgent.
8
CONCEPTUALISATION
FIG.10: MTRACE PERSPECTIVEYILAN ZHAO 798593 WEEK1
DESIGN PROCESS
BASE SURFACE
FIG.11: MTRACE DESIGN PROCESS
VERSION 1
VERSION 2
VERSION 3
The design is started from the curvaceous surface which is
In stead of very smooth perfect curvies, the final version’s
traced from site boundry. The first two versions are web-
lines are changed to less curvey and applied sharp corner
like or grid structure. But I feel they are both too regular and
for each elements, in order to represent the music’s rhythm,
gentle. I prefer much messier than these. The version 3 is
the staccato.
better becouse it includes more layers and multiple scales.
FIG.12: PLAN
YILAN ZHAO 798593 AIR WEEK1 CONCEPTUALISATION 9
A.2 DESIGN COMPUTATION
In last few decades, the appearance of digital
logically and quickly and present complete result by
technologies has assisted in architecture projects. In
minimal commands. However, the computer is unable
the beginning, digital or computer programs were
to constitute the new direction. In the
applied into production such as construction and
three-week design of AIR, the strongest perception is
materials usage mostly. However, more and more
how to be assisted positively from computation in order
digital technologies have permeated into a design
to represent my concept. Even though grasshopper
process.
The logic formulation of design process
only follows the program command, the outcomes are
develops the way of design and improves design into
surprising me. The benefits of using digital technology
a more comprehensive domain.
are the effective reaction and accurate calculation.
The
digital
morphological
algorithm state
recognizes much
easier.
intricacy
of
Lynn(2004)
suggested that “drift from monolithic objects to infinitesimally scaled components.”
process of
Once changing the input the outcome changes quickly which is accessible for designers to
simulate
performance of the design quickly and effectively compare various versions.
Computation has become indispensable in largest projects, in order to provide the complexities of form and shorten times in process from design to construction finished (Peter-2013 week 3 reading). For instance, the grid shell of Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi Hotel in Abu Dhabi includes 217-meter expanse of sweeping, curvilinear forms constructed of steel and 5800 pivoting diamond shaped glass panels. The giant amount of curvilinear steel web shell and glasses designed and produced only possibly by computation precision. Moreover, the coating façade with material layers are responsible to the hot climate that it assists in the stack effect of exiting heated air up and over the façades of the building.
(https://www.asymptote.net/yas-slide-
show) This serving environmental purpose related to that computing performance and simulation advice to formulate the structure, material and environmental performance to provide the opportunity to architect that they can analyze and solve issues and make decisions during the design process (Peter 2013 …). Kalay (2004) mentioned that computer as an analytical engine that can formulate without any mistake FIG.13: YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL FACADE SECTION
10
CONCEPTUALISATION
FIG.14: ASYMPTOTE ARCHITECTURE, YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL, ABU DHABI, UAE, 2009
YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL
FIG.15: YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL, GRID-SHELL, DIGITAL MODEL
CONCEPTUALISATION 11
FIG.16: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion
12
CONCEPTUALISATION
ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion
Computational design facilitates architects to arrange
together at one point, enables the transmission of normal
more multifaced and complex design information. For
and shear forces but no bending moments between joints.
instance, computation can both inform the design process
It can be applied to wide range of custom geometry. The
through specific material behaviour a and characteristics,
costructional and organizational principles, and biological
and informing the organisation and multiple scales. So
structures are applied in the computational design process.
material properties, and behaviors can be applied as design
In order to analyze and modify the complex geometries
generators. (Menges 2012)
(the cells). Each cell was produced with robotic fabrication
In the early design period, materiality is passive element
system, which was also supported by digital formulation.
Úppointed to the geometrically defined element. However,
The project provides a chance to research the modular bionic
nowadays material information as a driver introduced to
construction applied to freeform surface. The computation
design computation. For example, ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion
administers the main project in analysis, principle, design and
designed by University of Stuttgart, a novel-bending active
final fabrication.
structure of extremely thin, elastically bend wood lamellas. The project researches the biological principles of the sea urchin’s plate skeleton morphology to transfer to architecture by novel computer-based design and simulate method. The building implementation is along with computer-controlled manufacturing. Morphology transfer: The morphology of sand dollar’s plate structure was integrated into design by a principle that three plate edges always meet
FIG.17: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion, GENERATIVE DESIGN PROCESS
CONCEPTUALISATION 13
FIG.18: UNCERTAINTY 14
CONCEPTUALISATION
A.6.2 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches
UNCE RTAI NT Y BRIEF: Analyse the art work from Richard Mosse’s Enclave and script the quality or artistic idea to generate building design.
FIG.19: PHOTOGRAPH BY Richard
Mosse’s Enclave
CONCEPTUALISATION 15
Richard
of
of this art work, the wars impacts evoked insecurity of
hallucinatory, dreamlike and uncanny. Photographer
Mosse’s
Enclave
presents
the
sense
life. The unsertainty is posed within the art work. The guy
replaces the green colours of the bush to shimmery pink
is camouflaged with branches while exposed with the
viollet to achieve the illutionary and peculiar feeling.
gun and wearing the bright yellow shirt. I am confused
It also create a sense of sublame which initiate the
whether he is going to rescue or distory the man that he
empathy and questioning. Considering the background
hold. Is it resumption or destructiveness?
DESIGN PROCESS abstract, simple
too ugly, no sense
too much
human body figure
of dreamlike at all
camouflage, no exposure
16
CONCEPTUALISATION
too messy
We develop the structure in reference to abstract human body configuration. The whole structure includes in 2 main elements: web-like curvaceous, floating form that brings out the quality of unclear atmosphere; internal is spiral stairs case imitate the journy uncertainty experience through the surrounding structure.
camouflage +exposure dreamlike
FIG.20: UNCERTAINTY DESIGN PROCESS
FIG.21: UNCERTAINTY DESIGN CONCEPT
CONCEPTUALISATION 17
A.3 COMPOSITION / GENERATION
Generative architecture refers to the method of design that computational designers generate and explodre architectural spaces and concepts through writing and modifying the algorithms which relate to elements placement, elements configuration, and relationship between elements. It requires the algorithmic thinking, in order to write the code in simulate the design idea.Algorithmic thinking is the way to understand the results of the generating code, understand how to modify the code to analyze new options to imitate the future development. Generative
design
is
coming
from
the
evolution
of
computation, in the architecture field the digital technologies are developed quickly and new generation develops the generative design dimension. The development of generative design reflects the gap between ‘design using PC’ and ‘thinking using PC’ is more and more reduced. Generative design is not about designing a building, it’s about designing the system that designs a building” (Hesselgren 2009). So generative design actually translates the architectural designing into written sequences, which is kind of a mix between ideas and computational consequences. Melbourne Rectangular Stadium is designed by the generative design philosophy, the bioframe. The first script helps to define the base geometric configuration, then the shell. This saves the usage of materials. Meanwhile, it allows to quickly regenerate different geometry. It is efficient and cost-effective.
Computation augments the intellect of the designer and increases capability to solve complex problem. Brady Peter and Xavier De Kestelier
18
CONCEPTUALISATION
FIG.22: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium
CONCEPTUALISATION 19
20
CONCEPTUALISATION
Messe Basel - New Hall Completed Herzog & de Meuron, BASEL, SWITZERLAND, 2013
In architecture, the conceptual design is influenced
architectural idea, and it is driven by performance.
by both construction and technology. As architect
So the architectural idea still remains.
Kai Strehlke, head of the Digital Technology Group at Herzog & de Meuron said the approach of the office is only focusing on the architecture. When they use computation methods, it’s not a technology that they try to use for something, but develop the tool to make the architectural idea and concept work.
The New Hall design concept is from a simple idea that two boxes, one over the other, slightly twisted to produce a hyperbolic surface. Thus, the facade faces towards street and sky. The facial is the Technology Group focus on this time. The architecture is covered by homogeneous material (aluminum), 2-D CNC-
Digital Technology Group developed the digital
milled components are assembled into a complex
design tools from the architecture idea, and works on
3-D structure. This façade strategy has both double
projects of all scales. As Herzog & de Meuron founder
curvature and variably sized openings.
and Senior Partner Jacques Herzog has said: ‘We see a huge potential for the computer in the very hybrid and eclectic design processes we have developed over the last 20 years which combine all techniques from primitive to technologically advanced with no personal preferences.’ In Herzog & de Meuron, the main aim for Digital Technology Group is to grasp idea the designers are trying to development, and write a specific tool for it, rather than applying free-form surface. The Group is only working on one system or part of building, such as the façade. And in this part, the computation and architectural idea are combined together.
In the article, it also mentions that how the Digital Technology Group co-operates with designer. Sometimes, they have to use much easier way or change the way representation to let designers understand the computation. Therefore, there is still a gap between design and the technology usage. When architects understand the algorithmic concept sufficiently that do not need to discuss the digital as something different, the computation can become a true method of design for architecture (Peterthe building of algorithmic thought * reading).
When using computation tools, performance is the only consideration. Performance drives the generation of geometry and material configurations. Here, the computational
development
FIG.23: Messe Basel - New Hall Completed
emerges
from
the
CONCEPTUALISATION 21
A.4. Conclusion Architecture now is moving to a new age of digital design. In my opinion, digital design shifting composition to generative architecture is a tendency for the new generation. Parametric modeling can simulate form and structure quickly and accurately, same as digital fabrication. And then the new technology improves the work efficiency, save materials and budget. Moreover, generative architecture is a form finding process that can simulate evolutionary approach to design. It can start with the basic concept and explore possible multiple modifications of solutions, in order to apply the best option. However, algorithmic thinking, the connection between computation and architecture idea may be the toughest still to have for architects right now. ‘When architects have a understanding of algorithmic concepts, when we no longer need to discuss the digital as something different’, the computation can become a true method of architecture design. These new movement benefits architects by more options of design and easier to solve problems. It reduces the time usage on production and construction. But I am not sure about the role we are, are we curators, not creators? The algorithmic techniques provide a more abstract combination for creation. They can provides a large amount of variations of design, to let designers to pick the best one or keep analyzing till the one closer to a good design.
A.5. LEARNING OUTCOMES Parametric design is totally new to me, even I do saw quite a lot of parametric designs before. When I doing this, I realized it is a completely process of thinking. The two sketch-models I designed began from only conceptual idea without a specific form. The algorithmic thinking and digital technology can generate variations of forms only from one formula. Some of the results surprised me a lot. I suppose that parametric design assist me to explore the idea or concept logically. And computer generating form instead of myself imagination makes up the boundedness of my thinking set or my design nature towards open thinking. Instead of design requirements, it is more interesting that we analyze piece of music and art works as inspiration for the project. Like in the world, everything is related to everything, the art, music can also translate to amazing architecture.
22
CONCEPTUALISATION
REFERENCE Peters, Brady, “The Building Of Algorithmic Thought”, Architectural Design, 83 (2013), 14 <http://onlinelibrary. wiley.com.ezp.lib.unimelb.edu.au/doi/10.1002/ad.v83.2/issuetoc> [Accessed 16 March 2018] “The Yas Hotel / Asymptote Architecture”, Archdaily, 2018 <https://www.archdaily. com/43336/the-yas-hotel-asymptote> [Accessed 16 March 2018] “Asymptote Architecture”, Asymptote Architecture, 2018 <https://www. asymptote.net/yas-slide-show> [Accessed 16 March 2018] Menges, Achim, “Material Computation: Higher Integration In Morphogenetic Design”, Architectural Design, 82 (2012), 14-21 https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1374 Fiamma, Paolo, “Architecture.....From Generative Design”, 2011 <https://disegnarecon. unibo.it/article/viewFile/2301/1685> [Accessed 16 March 2018] Peters, Brady, “Realising The Architectural Idea: Computational Design At Herzog & De Meuron”, Architectural Design, 83 (2013), 56-61 https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1554 “Speculative Everything: Design, Fiction, And Social Dreaming”, Choice Reviews Online, 51 (2014), 51-5390-51-5390 https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.51-5390 Marshall-Baker, Anna, “Design Futuring: Sustainability, Ethics And New Practice, By Tony Fry”, Interiors, 2 (2011), 138-140 https://doi.org/10.2752/204191211x12980384100355 Oxman, Rivka, and Robert Oxman, “New Structuralism: Design, Engineering And Architectural Technologies”, Architectural Design, 80 (2010), 14-23 https://doi.org/10.1002/ad.1101
FIGURE LIST FIG1: VITRA FIRE STATION, PLAN, ZAHA HADID, 1993 HTTP://WWW.ZAHA-HADID.COM FIG2-4: PHOTOGRAPHED BY YILAN FIG.5: VITRA FIRE STATION PERSPECTIVE, http://www.zaha-hadid.com FIG.6: MOCAPE INTERNAL PHOTOGRAPH BY YILAN FIG.7-9: MOCAPE, 2015, HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.10: MTRACE PERSPECTIVE, BY YILAN FIG.11: MTRACE DESIGN PROCESS, BY YILAN FIG.12: PLAN, BY YILAN FIG.13: YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL FACADE SECTION, HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.14: ASYMPTOTE ARCHITECTURE, YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL, ABU DHABI, UAE, 2009, HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.14: YAS VICEROY ABU DHABI HOTEL, GRID-SHELL, DIGITAL MODEL, HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.16: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.17: ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion, GENERATIVE DESIGN PROCESS, HTTPS://WWW.ARCHDAILY.COM/ FIG.18: UNCERTAINTY, DESIGNED BY SANDY AND YILAN FIG.19: PHOTOGRAPH BY Richard Mosse’s Enclave, https://en.louisiana.dk/exhibition/richard-mosse FIG.20: UNCERTAINTY DESIGN PROCESS, DESIGNED BY SANDY AND YILAN FIG.21: UNCERTAINTY DESIGN CONCEPT DESIGNED BY SANDY AND YILAN FIG.22: Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, https://commons.wikimedia. org/wiki/File:Melbourne_Rectangular_Stadium_exterior.jpg FIG.23: Messe Basel - New Hall Completed, https://www.herzogdemeuron.com
CONCEPTUALISATION 23