final journal
DESCRIPTION
Arch Design Studio: AirTRANSCRIPT
contents02 introduction
03 part A: expression of interestcase for innovation 04. A.1. architecture as a discourse 08.A.2.computationalarchitecture 12.A.3.parametricmodelling 15.A.4.algorithmicexplorations 18.A.5.conclusion 19.A.6learningoutcomes
00 part B: expression of interestdesign approach B.1.designfocus B.2. case study 1.0 B.3. case study 2.0 B.4.technique:development B.5.technique:prototypes B.6.techniqueproposal B.7.algorithmicsketches B.8.learningobjectives&outcomes
00 part C: gateway design projectproject proposal C.1. gatewayproject:designconcept C.2.gatewayproject:tectonicelements C.3.gatewayproject:finalmodel C.4.algorithmicsketches C.5.learningobjectives&outcomes references
virtualenvironments
During first year University I studied the subject Virtual Environments,which introduced me to the concept of digital design. This subjectenabled me to experiment with the program Rhino, and use its skillstoaidandenhancethedesignprocess, inordertoproduceawearablelantern.Ibeganwithaninitialnaturalandinvoluntaryprocessofblinking,andfocusedmyattentionuponthechangeinshapeoftheeyethroughtime. This concept lead me to an array of differing oval forms, thatwould increase and decrease dynamically with ease. This inspiration,alongwiththehelpofRhino,leadmetoproduceafourpiecewearablelantern (below), that extruded from behind the head, to hang in
front of the eyes.This piece could beseen through bythe person wearingit,andtheseparatespheres hangingfrom string createdconstantmovementwhich replicatedtheoriginal processofblinking.
2.
architectureas a discourse
Architecture is moving into a technologydriven world, where new, unique andcomplexdesignsareestablishedviatheaidofadvancesinprogramsandtheuseofmaterials.Duetothisnewwayofthinking,architecturecan easily becomemore separate from thesurrounding natural world, and instead ofutilising it sufficiently, in many cases treesetc. are removed because of the apparentinconvenience they cause. However, whatisn’t always obvious is the extreme impactnature has upon design; whether it beharvestingparticularviewsofthelandscapebymanipulatingthelocationsofwindowsinabuilding,orphysicallychangingmaterialstofitintothenaturalsurroundings.Asaresult,Ipersonallyviewthediscourseofarchitecture,assomethingthatconstantlyrespondstothenatural world, either purposely or in somecases accidently. Regardless, this idea iscrucial increatingasuccessfulandpleasingdesign thatwill remainpresent, in theeverfastmovingworldofarchitecture.
4.
nature as a building blockIn this surreal design interpretation byAtkin’s Architecture Group1, it portraysnatureasthecompleteideaandforcethatshapes the actual design itself. As a resultthe constraints and abilities of the projectaresetbythelandscapeandsitethatit’ssetin.Thisconceptresultsinthenaturalworldbecomingthefocalpointofthearchitecture,ratherthanitbeingmanipulatedtofitcertaindesign decisions, simply for convenience.Not only is the design physically shapedand limited to the country side in China,but the actual rock face and grass filledlandscape aids the design. This is doneby using the natural materials with ease,and harvesting the advantages of the siteitself, instead of using completely foreignand sterile materials that will detractfrom the beauty of the surroundings.The overall design accentuates and trulyencompasses the world of nature as avital and influential part of architecture.
1‘WhatisNextNature,’NextNature,2007,<http://www.nextnature.net/2007/04/waterworld-china/>[accessed 25 March 2013] 5.
the driving force of nature
This futuristic home purposely focusesuponangular,andmodularshapes2andgeometry, which seemingly oppose allconcepts of the natural and free formflowofnature,andit’snaturalprocesses.However, this somewhat sterile designworksinjuxtapositionwiththebeautifullandscape surrounding it, whichtherefore accentuates both aspects ofthe home and site. The house, whichsome may see as neglecting nature, isactuallyharvestingandemphasisingtheamazingviewsthatcanbeobtainedfromasitesuchasthis.Therefore,thisdesignusesthebeautyandnaturalformsofitssurroundings as a driving force for thedesignitself,whichcreatesaholisticfeelbetweenatechnologydrivenfuture,andthe appreciation of the natural world.
2Gruber,Bryce,‘DecorSpotting:TheHomeoftheFuture,’The Luxury Spot, 2012,<http://www.theluxuryspot.com/decor-spotting-the-home-of-
the-future/>[accessed25March2013]
6.
computational architectureComputationaldesignwithinarchitecturecan be undertaken with a variety ofdifferent approaches, which affectwhether or not computation is viewedpostively or negitvelywithin thedesignprocess.Insomeinstancescomputationbecomestheprimarydriverofthedesign,which in many instances eliminatescreativityanduniquedesign. Itcanalsobequitelimitingandextremelyaffectthedesignoutcome.However,ifcomputationsimplyactstoaidtheactualdesignitself,andacceleratethedesignprocess,thenthistechnique isanassetttothefutureofarchitecture.Asaresult,imaginationsand norms will be stretched; allowingnew and dynamic architecture to becreatedatafasterrate.
ThesculpturalglassfacadeoftheMyZeilShoppingMall,byStudioFuksas. Imagefrom: Vinnitskaya,Irina,‘MyZeilShoppingMall/StudioFuksas,Archdaily,2013,<http://www.archdaily.com/243128/myzeil-shopping-mall-studio-fuksas/>[accessed March 30 2013]
8.
informed computationTheMyZeil ShoppingMall by StudioFuksas in Germany, represents adynamic and unique design,3 whichis achieved by the knowledge anduse of the new technologies ofcomputational design. However,the original design and the overallconcept stems from nature and itsgeography and topography. Thisenables an original form and flowto be established, through theinspiration of the earth, rather thanone completely subjected to thelimitations and possibilities of acertain technological program. As aresulttheprocessofdesignbecomesinformedfromanoriginalarea,whichcanthenbefurthermanipulatedandtrialledwithin the computer. Finally,theMallisalsopurposelyorientatedto optimise sunlight, through theglasspanelsupon the facade,whichfurther highlights the dependancethe computational design has uponthesurroundingnaturalenvironment. 3.Vinnitskaya,Irina,‘MyZeilShoppingMall/StudioFuksas,Archdaily,2013,<http://www.archdaily.com/243128/myzeil-shopping-mall-studio-fuksas/>[accessedMarch302013] 9.
LukeNovotnyandPeterUngwereawardedtheAIA2009PartridgePartners
Awardfortheirprojectbelow,withintheComputationalMediacourse.4
This piece of architecture displays the unique geometry that can be
developedwhenfocusinguponcomputationaltechniquesandprograms.
The complexity of the panels/skin upon the facade demonstrates the
refinementskills,andendlesspossiblitiesthatstemfromusinganefficient
technology,whichenablesoriginalforms,patternsandjoiningtechniques
tobeestablishedwithease.It’sunknownwhethertheoriginalconceptfor
thedesignbeganonthecomputerorbyinitialsketches,yet,theeffortless
relationbetweenthecomplexstructuralformandthearchitectureitself,
displaysawellthoughtoutandtrialledsolutiontothedesignproblem.
4‘Awards/Publications/Exhibition,’Technicart,<http://technicart.org/?page_id=195>[accessed March 30 2013]
focusedcomputation
10.
FabPodprojectatRMIT Imagesourcedfrom:Burry,Mark,‘AgeingDesignChallenge2012,’RMIT University,2009 <http://www.designresearch.rmit.edu.au>[accessedApril22013]
parametric modelling
Parametric modelling relies uponequationsofexplicit functions,whichareusedwith inputsandoutputstoproduceafinaloutcome,(intermsofarchitecturaldesign), of something exceptionallycomplex,and reliantupon individualanduniqueparametersandequations.Thiswayof modelling allows immediate potentialdesignstobevisualisdandintepretedwithease,however, itcanbe limiting insomerespectsandcause setbacks inparticularareas. Using complex formulas withinprograms,suchasGrasshopper,maymakesense to the individualwhom created it,buttosomeoneelsetheequationmaynotmakesense.Therefore,limitingthepeoplewhocanworkoncertainareas,andalterparticular things. This complexity of theparameterscanalsomakeitexceptionallydifficulttomakesignificantchangesontheproject,sinceitcanbreakthemodelandcreate somethingunsolvable.Regardless,thisnewformofmodellingenablesuniqueprojectstobecreatedwithease,through
thesimplestequations.
12.
parametric from the beginningThe Dermoid project above,
beganwiththesimpleformation
of patterns via the use of
parametricmodelling.Asaresult,
there was no known form that
these patterns would undertake
fromthebeginning,itwaspurely
basedontheconcept
ofpattern.This initialunknownoutcome
enabled no preconceptions to be made
about the final form, which allowed a
variety of ideas to be trialled with the
parametric modelling tools. However,
some may argue that since there’s no
original idea or design intent that the
technology is doing all the work, but
without complete knowledge of specific
parameters and equations that will
actuallywork,it’simpossibletocomeup
withasolution.Imagessourcedfrom:Burry,Mark,‘DesignResearchInstitute,’RMIT University,2013,<http://www.designhub.rmit.edu.au/design-research/box2.html>[accessedApril42014]
13.
not only architecture
Parametricmodellingisnotonlyefficientlyusedwithinthefieldofarchitecture,
butalsoamongstotherdesignareas,whereavariertyofdifferentconditions,
limitationsandparametersneedtobetakenintoconsideration.Thisformof
designallowsRhinoandGrasshoppertobeutilisedtogeneratesurfacesthat
respondtoparticularinstancesandcircumstances.Belowisasetofpointsthat
cometogether tocreateasurface,whichdisplays thepressurefieldofwind
forthedesignofasail.5Thisallowsnotonlytheactualformtobeoptimised
andenhanceperformance,butalsomakes itpossibletoanalysetheranging
stressesandstrainsacrosstheentiresail.Therefore,parametricmodelling is
abletoadvance,notonlytheareaofarchitecture,butalsoarangeofdifferent
regionswithindesignthatresultinfluidandsuccessfulrepresentations.
5. ‘LaserCuttingFoldedTextiles,’Paper Rabbits,2011,<http://alymai.wordpress.com/author/alymai/page/2/>[accessedApril42013]
14.
15.
algorithmic explorations
Trialamateurimageabove,sourcedfrom:
Balogh,Brett,‘NormalFlippinginGrasshopper,Grasshopper,2009,<http://www.grasshopper3d.com/forum/topics/normal-flipping-in-grasshopper>[accessedApril42013]
algorithmic trials
16.
When first using Rhino and
Grasshopper I tried the curve tools
and functions with three simple
curves that i drew in Rhino. This
technique allowed me to use trial
anderror to see thedifferentaffects
that certain parameters had upon
the lofted curves. The connection to
Grasshopper also allowed quick and
easydramaticchangestobemadeto
thecurves,andtheresultsofthisto
be displayed immediately.
However, it became apparent
that certain parameters didn’t
have any visible affect or changes
upon the form. This was either
due to inexperience or inefficient
connections to both inputs and
outputs. The unique Rhino form
below was created from the
Grasshopper algorithm trialled
underneath.
algorithmic trials
17.
Once I hadused the curve tools, Imoved towards3D formsand
attempted to play with the traditional cuboid form that was
generated from a grid. I decided to bake the basic form, which
enabled me to delete and remove certain elements to create
a unique shape. This shape seemed to replicate a natural rock
form,which is the reoccuring themewithinmy journal and it’s
somethingIwanttoinvestigatewithinthistechnology,toseehow
computationaldesignandnaturecanworkhand-in-handtocreate
an informedandnewdesign,which responds to its surroundings
andkeepsupwithnewparametricmodelling.
conclusion
18.
Mydesignapproachthroughoutthejournalhasfocuseduponnatureand
itsrelevancewithinarchitecturaldesigntoday,andhowit’smovingtowards
digital and technological driven design techniques. This concept forces
people to initiatenaturewithindesign and its importance, andwhether
ornotthedesignintentorthelimitationsofnaturecomefirst.Depending
onwhat’spreferredbycertainpeopleandtheinitialprogrambeingused,
nature can influence the design dramatically, and doesn’t necessarily
becomelessrelevantduetonewparametricmodellingtechniques.Infact,
insomecasesthespecificnewtechnologywillallowmoreenvironmental
andnaturallimitationsandfactorstobetakenintoconsideration,andasa
result,directlyaffectandmanipulatetheactualdesign.
learning outcomesMyoriginalthoughtsonthepracticeofarchitecturalcomputing
was initially quite negative, since the generalised opinion that
comes from most people is that the programs are doing the
designsforyou.However,aftermyownuseofGrasshopperand
Rhino, alongwith the extended knowledge from the readings,
it’s clear that a design cannot completely be stemmed from
a computational program. Without knowing how to actually
use the programs, and how certain parameterswill affect the
outcome,anactualdesigncannotbeachieved.