CFI_531600_Yun Wa Lai

Architecture Design Studio: Air 2013 Semester 1

Yun Wa Lai 531600

INDEX Introduction Part A – Case for innovation Architecture as a discourse Computation Parametric modeling Algorithm exploration

Introduction My name is Yun Wa and I come from China. I am a third year student major in architecture. I like aesthetic objects and therefore I am interested in model making and drawing. I have tried to learn different designed software like Rhino, Revit, AutoCAD and Google sketchup. I hope I can produce physical aesthetic designs and show them to people. I have learnt Rhino since last year from the virtual design class. Rhino is powerful design tool which can generate different form of designs by drawing curves. The lantern on the image is my virtual design. I am looking forward to learn grasshopper in this semester as grasshopper has many strong commands to create abstract structures like voronoi pattern. When I was graduated from high school, I did not know anything about Architecture. I joined this faculty because I thought Architecture is something about art and drawing. In my first year of university, I hate architecture because of its heavy work-load.

Ho e e , I as i spi ed to o Ito s desig s i second year. I began to get interested in architecture.

To o s aestheti desig gi es e a feeli g of o fo t and natural.

This is my final virtual design. The idea of my design is about water movement. I chose water to be the designed element because water is the central elemental force of nature. Water can be various forms in different states.

The inner life of water can be portrayed easily by its flow-form which is constructed by a series of curvy line.

Part A Case for Innovation

“WHAT CAN ARCHITECTURE LEARN FROM NATURE�

Architecture as a discourse Human always believe that current technologies is the way which is able to challenge nature. Most a hite ts eate desig s ith az fo o st u tu e. The t to displa thei fashio a le a hite tu es to the o ld to sho thei a ilit to desig . Ho e e , these a hite tu es a e ge e all lack of efficiency in terms of energy and space optimization.

There are many things we can learn from nature, for instance, nature systems, materials, processes, structures and aesthetics. These elements can be applied to sustainable architectural designs and sol e te h i al p o le s. The help a hite ts to seek e di e tio s fo thei desig s. Life has had millions of years to finely-tu e e ha is s a d st u tu es su h as photos thesis, o spide s silk that work better than current technologies, require less energy and produce no life-unfriendly waste.

The e ulatio of this te h olog is the goal of io i i , the a t of i o atio i spi ed atu e.

(Design with purpose, viewed 01/04/13) Innovation in design is important because it provides people with new and unique feelings in different environments which make them feel knowledgeable and special. For example, a contemporary space in a building provides a place for people to think and spark debates.

A o e all, a hite tu e ought to e see as dis ou se. Buildi gs as ate ial facts are a small part of the overall field of architecture, a field which is better ega ded as a et o k of p a ti es a d de ates a out the uilt e i o e t.

(Richard Williams, 'Architecture and Visual Culture', in Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, Edinburgh University Press, 2005, pp. 102 - 116) Architecture is a language which is able to speak to people of its time and place. Therefore, architecture should provide a network and space for people which can speak to discussion about the culture and built environments.

However, everything we see and we know they all come from nature.

Therefore, the entity of nature is perfect and aesthetic. That is the reason why we should also pay attention to the nature system and learn what nature does to make things effective.

Precedent

the Eden Project Biomes in Cornwall He listed a few examples from nature of how we should be humble and obtains the good things from nature. If we can learn to make things and do things in the way nature does, we can save a lot of energy and resource use.

One example from TED talk was a biomimetic building, the Eden Project Biomes in Cornwall. (http://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=4y0fEYptvEk). This project consists of hexagonal, inflated cells supported by steel frames. http://interfacedesignwithpurpose.com.au/nature-as-inspiration-biomimicry-in-architecture/ Its appearance is a collection of giant bubble. This architecture is In the TED talk, Michael Pawlyn (who worked with Grimshaw extremely cost efficient because Architects and was part of the core team of architects that its form and structural pattern designed the Eden Project.) focuses on three important concepts optimize the efficiency of its taken from nature: radical resource efficiency, linear disposal to closed loops, and drawing energy from the sun. These principles of internal space. idea are important to develop sustainable designs in the future.

The geometry of the roof is panelled with hexagons derived from phyllotaxis. Phyllotaxis is done by mathematical calculation of the growth of plants. This pattern arrangement allows the steels to be fixed together in a very stable way. It optimizes the surface area of the building in order to receive the largest amount of solar energy.

The gateway project should include similar natural structure system, material and pattern in order to achieve a sustainable and aesthetic design. Also, the http://www.google.com.hk/imgres?q=the+Eden+Project+Biomes+in+Cornwall&um=1&hl=zhform or the structure of the CN&safe=strict&rlz=1R2ADRA_zh-CNCN469&biw=1280&bih=574&tbm=isch&tbnid=Bztb5nyGK5q3M:&imgrefurl=http://www.lifestyleflash.com/2012/cornwall-eden-project/eden-project-rainforest-biomebuilding should be able to canopy/&docid=jLeqQ8-I9V8dIM&imgurl=http://www.lifestyleflash.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Eden-ProjectRainforest-biome-canopyintegrate into its built 1024x685.jpg&w=1024&h=685&ei=YWBeUb3ZCuT_iAe2w4GIDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=958&vpy=215&dur=531&hov environments so that people h=184&hovw=275&tx=113&ty=112&page=1&tbnh=136&tbnw=218&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0,i:142 can see the relationship of the building and its environments.

This building is enclosed with an insulating polymer membrane that has one This is the way which hundredth of the weight of a glass solution which becomes one of the architecture could speak to lightest structures ever made. This design also involves passive solar people of its time and place. principles. The building itself is self-heating.

Precedent

Taichung Metropolitan Opera House

http://evilmonito.com/2008/11/03/toyo-ito-and-egg-crates/

This architecture was designed by my favorite architect, Toyo Ito. This design reminds me of a giant vessel. Toyo Ito developed this organic geometry using an interlocking system. This system allows walls, floor and ceiling of the building blend together. The walls themself become the main structure of the building to take vertical and horizontal loads. Most of his designs are composed of geometries and natural elements which create a new aesthetic theory of architecture.

By observation, we can learn any form and structures from nature and see what they can do to optimize energy efficiency.

This organic design is a good example which both wall and column becomes one body as the structural part of the building.

This design optimizes the structural space of the building. The project might require huge construction costs because it requires a lot of work on calculations for its algorithm and use of material. This is what we should consider for the gateway project, a proper algorithm method, material use and space optimization as nature always does things in the most efficient and simplest way. A hite tu e needs to he thought of less as a set of special material products and rather more as range of social and professional practices that sometimes, but by no ea s al a s, lead to uildi gs (Richard Williams, 'Architecture and Visual Culture', in Exploring Visual Culture : Definitions, Concepts, Contexts, Edinburgh University Press, 2005, pp. 102 - 116)

http://thebeaufort8group.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/taichung-metro-operahouse.html#!/2010/10/taichung-metro-opera-house.html

http://benhuser.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/la-biennale-di-venezia-peoplemeet-in-architecture/

COMPUTATION Computation is a process to help architects exploring new idea of designs. Computation has a diffe e t ea i gs. I B ad Pete s a d Xa ie De Kestelie s a ti le, “ea Ahl uist a d A hi Me ges defi e o putatio as the p o essi g of i fo atio a d i te a tio s et ee elements which constitute a specific environment; it provides a framework for negotiating and influencing the interrelation of datasets of information, with the capacity to generate complex o de , fo , a d st u tu e. I othe o ds, o putatio is a p o ess follo i g a e pli it odel expressed as an algorithm.

Algorithm is a step by step procedure for performing a computation. It requires inputs and outputs through the whole procedure. If the inputs of the program have been placed in a wrong position, the result will not come up or it will come up with something totally different.

Desig highlights t o of its aspe ts. The fi st is p o edu e : a algorithm is a process that must be specified step-by-step. Designers la gel des i e o je ts athe tha p o ess. The se o d is p e ise : ispla ed ha a te ea s that a algo ith likel ill ot o k (Woodbury, Robert 2010., Elements of Parametric Design, London: Routledge) So is computation a necessary method for design? Can we design a building without computation?

http://blog.csdn.net/heyetina/article/details /8025638

Algorithm is a set instruction for computer to solve problems. It is a language to be understood by the computer and used to instruct the computer to work out p og a s logi all . A algo ith is a particular set of instructions, and for these instructions to be understood by the computer they must be written in a language the o pute a u de sta d, a ode.

(Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought, edited by: Brady Peters, Xavier De Kestelier, March/April 2013) the commands which we use in Rhino have been translated from algorithm code.

These commands are refined language to be understood by designers. Even they first use RhinoScript they can modify their designs through the power of computation.

http://crtl-i.com/blog/category/grasshopper-explicit-history/

Precedent

Serpentine Pavilion

http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/may/23/serpentine-pavilions-ten-years-on

Whe e take a look of the uildi g, “e pe ti e pa ilio , the olu s of the uildi g sla t at diffe e t a gles depe di g o the floo . The ethod to ge e ate these da i g olu s is hat as alled otati g s ua e algo ith .

In a Toyo Ito interview, Ito talked about the idea of his Serpentine pavilion project and brought out the defi itio of algo ith . I ha e dis ussed algo ith ith Ce il Bal o d . He des i es algorithm as some kind of rule that can create something new and more dynamic situation than so e a do li es.

The a do ess hu a ei gs a e a le to o ei e is li ited, a d that thi gs e had ot i agi ed a e o e likel to o u usi g algo ith s. As patte , it is e useful to use algo ith to set up a certain rule to control the structure of designs. Moreover, applying algorithm to architectural designs may lead to spaces we had not even imagined at the beginning. It could be the way to go beyond intellect of designers.

http://arct5580ishak.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/serpenti ne-gallery-by-toyo-ito-cecil.html

http://arct5580ishak.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/serpenti ne-gallery-by-toyo-ito-cecil.html

Tod’s Omotesando in Japan A othe e a ple of algo ith desig is Tod s Omotesando in Japan. Ito controlled the grid by changing its scale and created a threedimensional surface. The top grid of the model is connected to the lower grid by a meshed sheet. The mesh distorted into complex grid.

The complex grid follows the form of a rectangular box controlled by the algorithm. Any changes to the grid will also change the pattern of the building. This complex process can be done easily by computation.

http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/portfolio/archives/0506tods.asp

We can take advantage of computation, use algorithm method to explore as many design possibilities as possible and choose the one which fits to the gateway project goal as the final outcome.

Computation is an important process for the gateway project which we might work out unexpected result through computation.

http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/balmonds/cecil_b almond_and_the_bonfire_of_the_vanities.htm

http://www.lynnbecker.com/repeat/balmonds/cecil_b almond_and_the_bonfire_of_the_vanities.htm

Every design can be a good design if no problems are found in the design. The problems which cause design failure could be space inefficient, choose of wrong material or obstruction for visual access. The role of architects is to solve these problems.

However, these problems need to be solved by designers themselves through experience and the knowledge of architecture. It cannot be done by computation because computation is just a tool to aid architects technical problems. (https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:JO0O3mIA2akJ:www .petermacapia.com/blog/wpcontent/gallery/Publications/ItoInterview/MacapiaItoEmergentWeb. pdf+ito+toyo+algorithm&hl=en&gl=au&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiOuJ28 22O-HSLLsVclUoUdy-t0G0gC4UdavHLa56ZEn-aushZnsUIVueFK7dQVFMFAbv0v_wTpez_KqevLYET_4quUfUg8T98hs4tE6cUmxgWrtd ShKtfFqEaPEuzXI5JlxR&sig=AHIEtbSpQPCRQVfLGFHAzL6RYOUDtJWB dw)

PARAMETRIC MODELLING Parametric is the method for architects to explore more ideas and seek new direction fo desig s. Pa a et i is a set of e uatio s that e p ess a set of ua tities as e pli it fu tio s of a u e of i depe de t a ia les, k o as pa a ete s (Wesisstein 2003, 2150).

Parametric modelling can be done in a deferral strategy. After we have created the basic form of a model, we are able to modify and change the design later. This modelling feature allows architects to generate as many outcomes as possible and hoose the ost ia le o e to e the fi al desig . Pa a et i ethods a e e useful for subjecting uncertain situations to the rigors of a pre-defined and proven mathematical model. They can usefully embody a great deal of prior experience and a e less iased tha hu a thought p o esses alo e. (http://www.galorath.com/index.php/company/books/what-is-parametric-modeling/)

Precedent

The Bird’s Nest in Beijing

http://www.innovapedia.org/home/innova-arts/birds-nest-beijings-striking-olympic-stadium/

The Bi d s est is eated pa a et i odelli g. “i ila to “e pe ti e pa ilio , the st u tu e of the Bi d s est is constructed with rotated columns. These columns are rotated with its complex grid to form a unique space. The angle of the olu s sla t of the Bi d s est depe ds o the ph si s of the building in terms of loads and force.

A hite ts of Bi d s est generated numbers of outcomes with different columns arrangement. They eventually found out and used the one which fits its physics condition the most.

As a parametric design, the architects can modify or change the algorithm of the Bi d s est to eate a e form structure for other use.

The new form structure though is different from the official one, they all come from the same idea and concept. The new form st u tu e of the Bi d s est can be transposed into furniture or shoes. Here we can see the power of parametric modelling.

Precedent

The voussoir Cloud

http://ffffound.com/home/quilime/found/?offset=50&

http://www.flickr.com/photos/isar/3377772838/

The voussoir Cloud is also a parametric design. The geometry of the structure is panelled with triangles. Some of the triangles are open for sunlight. This parametric model creates a special space for people to relax under interesting light effect. The position of the triangles is set after a series of calculation. Architects have chosen the most efficient design through parametric method.

The size and position of the triangles are related to its built environments.

http://www.alanslu.com/#Voussoir-Cloud-IwamotoScott

Parametric modelling is very useful process for the gateway project. We can generate a large number of outcomes and use the most interesting one as final design. This requires a lot of time to discuss with group mates to decide which one is best fit to the goal.

Parametric deign cannot be copied easily by other designers because parametric model e ui e e pli it al ulatio to o k out the detail. E e afte a odel is eated, othe desig e s a t easil odif the desig e ause the do t possess the k o ledge a out ho it as eated a d the o igi al desig i te t. Pa a et i Te h olog Co po atio , 2008) Therefore, we can take this advantage of parametric model; we might take a look of master works and learn what they have done and how they achieved the result.

http://www.siat.sfu.ca/news/features/details/343

Algorithm exploration • When the surface is built by a few circles, its shape is not clearly seen.

•The shape becomes more obvious when more circles are added.

•The surface becomes more concrete when the density of circles is high.

•Grasshopper is able to control the number of grids very easily using its slider command.