ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STUDIO 3: AIR JOURNAL YOKE YEE CHENG
GUGGENHEIM BILBAO
PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS architecture as an iconic discourse CONCEPT AND STRUCTURE The plan of the towers were designed based on a very simple geometrical pattern derived from the Islamic culture. Appearing as two overlappng squares forming an eight-pointed star, symbolizing unity within unity, harmony, stability and rationality. The plan is then further refined with a semicircle for a richer spatial expression. Basically, cubics and cylindricals form the typical footprint of the towers. Another notable feature of the towers is the double-decked sky bridge, pinacles and an advanced elevator system. Each of the towers is supported by sixteen cylindrical columns that is made of concrete, encircling the core in the centre. They are placed on the inner corners of the star shaped plan with columns linked by slightly arched ring beams, also of concrete. The core and cylindrical frame system is constructed from in-situ high-strength concrete, including smaller perimeter columns around the two bustles. Some structural steel was used for typically long span floor beams to support concrete-filled metal deck slabs. MATERIAL
CONCLUSION
Unlike most skyscappers, concrete was used instead of steel elements for the towers while constructing columns and core walls. One of the reasons was due to the high cost of steel. Also, concrete was a local material that could be easily obtained in Malaysia because Malaysia has a sophisticated concrete production industry, which already had ready labour in this field. Besides, reinforced concrete has twice the ability of steel to withstand vibrations.
Using local fabrication, this architecture which was once the tallest building in the world from 1998 to 2004, shows an elegant form which makes the towers Malaysia’s most eloquent urban landmark that is identifiably Malaysian, that was of world class standards and which Malaysians could be proud of. With no doubt, this piece of architecture is now a recognised icon in Malaysia, it clearly is one great success which generates a slender form that incorporates the technological innovations.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA CESAR PELLI
architecture as an iconic discourse
BILBAO, SPAIN FRANK GEHRY
From a few curvy lines to a sophisticated landmark...
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL
DESIGN PROCESS 1st Stage - HAND-DRAWN SKETCH
LOS ANGELES, USA FRANK GEHRY
computing in architecture CONCEPT AND STRUCTURE
Gehry imposed his architectural style that goes against the rule of symmetry in this building. Although this building was constructed later than the Guggenheim Bilbao, the design was done before Guggenheim. The busiest port in the United States is located at Los Angeles - Worldport L.A., is the premier gateway for international commerce. By late 1941, shipbuilding became the second largest manufacturing industry in the Los Angeles area. The main concept is based on the shipbuilding industry. External forms are inspired by a boat with sails drenched whereas the centerpiece of the interior of the building was designed to represent the hull of a boat. While designing the interior spaces, Gehry’s idea was to design a room with an evocative sculptural forms of music, achieving an intimate connection between the orchestra and audience.
Frank Gehry’s sketches
2nd Stage - MODEL MAKING
3rd Stage - COMPUTING
The first stage of this project consists of hand drawn sketches by Gehry. Then it was model making out of clay and plastic. Due to the complexity form of the building, this complex architecture is impossible to produce without the help from advanced computer softwares that provides high precision. Catia software is used to calculate all complex shapes of the curves. Precise coordinates of each planes and angles are then uploaded into the software for finest details. This software is able to determine the structure and shape of each piece of steel used for fabrication. CONCLUSION CATIA technology allows Gehry’s imagination to take full form because he no longer has to accommodate design in favor of more traditional structures. The computer compromises all of the organic forms and irregular angles that characterise Gehry’s design style. It is the technology that made the sleek steel curves of the Walt Disney Concert Hall. As the new home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall not only act as a music venue, this masterful building is also an internationally recognised architectural landmark. As the LA icon, the building that uses local fabrication provides Los Angeles with a vibrant and visually astonishing new heart.
Physical model
The building is essentially a shell which consists of a series of interconnected volumes, some form of orthogonal coated stone and other forms of organic and surfaces covered with a corrugated metal skin of steel. As a bridge between the different volumes are used glazed surfaces. ONCE UPON A TIME IN YEAR 1987... Lilian Disney gifted $50million and put this world class project on the road, as a tribute to Walt Disney’s devotion to the arts. 15 YEARS LATER... In October 2003, there was a magnificent Hollywood style opening of a complex architecture, called the ‘Walt Disney Concert Hall’.
MATERIAL Gehry chose stainless steel as the building exterior that gives a seamless outlook for this stunning piece of modern architecture. A total of 12,500 pieces of steel were used corrugated to coat the exterior surface. Not a single piece of steel was similar in which each of them has a distinctive form at the precise location. The stainless steel curves gave the building a striking exterior.
CATIA image of Walt Disney Concert Hall
ZA11 PAVILION
scripting culture
CLUJ, ROMANIA DIMITRIE STEFANESCU, PATRICK BEDARF, BOGDAN HAMBASAN
ZA11 Speaking Architecture event in Cluj, Romania
DESIGN PROCESS
AIM: To integrate into historically-charged context, and attract passers-by to the event.
Due to the harsh requirements of the competition, the agenda is definitely restricted to a relatively limited approach which, most importantly, to compromise with the choice of materials and fabrication techniques, while at the same time fitting inside a budget. Fortunately, the realization of the design was made possible by using the parametric design techniques, i.e. Rhino and Grasshopper.
SOFTWARE: Rhino & Grasshopper
The final design consists of 746 unique wood pieces. The structure was designed and assembled only by students. Once assembled, these wood pieces create a free-form ring which is subdivided into deep hexagons. The formation of the geometrical structures provide a flexible and comfortable shelter that allows various events to take place. MATERIAL Local materials is used sponsored by a local wholesale wood and construction materials company, Holver company. CNC Miling is used for fabrication. CONCLUSION - Parametric Icon The ZA11 Pavilion has successfully appeared as a local icon which managed to catch the attention of the local society at all levels. Both young and senior citizens, non-architects and professionals show interest in the final product as well as when it is still under construction. This is definitely a successful project, drawing the interest of the public and appears as a parametric architecture in Romania, the first of its kind in Romania.
Parametric model Assembly Scheme with the coordinates o fthe joints
TEA HOUSE
Design Process
scripting culture
Fabrication Layout
Assemble Method
SHANGHAI, CHINA ARCHI-UNION ARCHITECTS