week 4

PART B. DESIGN APPROACH

B. 1. DESIGN FOCUS

GROUP ARGUMENT

Base on the previous exploration of “architecture as discourse”, our group decided to focus on SECTIONING. Sectioning is chosen as the approach for the project because it can provide special visual experience of movement. The dynamic visual experience leads to the continuality of the structure that emphasizes the concept of speed. On the other hand, the sectioning also allows the fl exibility to respond to the surrounding environment. And under the sectioning approach, the structure is easy fabricated which is more effi cient and economic.

1 Section can be fl exible, therefore easy to adapt and respond to the existing landscape and environment, creating insteresting spatial experience and encouraging people toexplore.

2 Section can play with continuity and discontinuity, shadow and light, producing dramatic visual effects, attracting people’s attention to the area.

3 Section as a whole can stand by itself without other support, and present a sculpcture-like appearance, thus can create an icon that conveys the local art culpture.

4 Section is easy to be prefabricated and assembled on site. The whole design process can be done digitally, contributing to the new architectural discourse, digital morphosis.

WHY SECTION?

B.1.1 PRECEDENT PROJECTBanQ Restaurant

Formal name of project: BanQLocation: Boston, MassachusettsCompletion Date: February 2008Owner: Mark Raab and Hemant Chowdhry of SOWA Restaurant Group, LLCArchitect: Office dA, Inc.

The restaurant is located at an old bank hall building, and in order to hide building infrastructures the striated wood-slatted system is developed. The system occupies the ceiling area and “drips” to the dining spaces as well. The mass is cut into section and using the rib-like fragments. This sectioning strategy provides flexibility to the space, and every piece of sections can be generated separately. According to Beth Broome, there is no two pieces are alike. And even the location of each piece is unique. Those unique parameters formulate the continuous member, and the continuous members respond to the ceiling topography as well.

This ceiling project is definitely eye-catching and interesting, and the continuous member also provides a visual effect of movement. For the Wyndham City Gateway project, the arrival experience is highlighted. In this case, the movement effect can make the experience interesting. And the sense of dynamic and motion can also be interpreted with the design.

From this precedent, some characteristics of sectioning are explored. And those characters such as movement, continuality and flexibility make sectioning to be the right approach for the Wyndham City Gateway project.

Rhino & GrasshopperImage

ReferenceBeth Broome, 2009, Architectural Record.http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/bts/archives/restaurants/09_BanQ/

BanQ/ Office dA, Archi Dailyhttp://www.archdaily.com/42581/banq-office-da/#

B. 2. CASE STUDY 1.0

Explaination

In the Grasshopper definition of this project, the ceiling topography is proved as the basic surface, and section lines are created by a separated curve. This curve determines the direction of the section lings. After extrude from the section lines, each individual piece of “ribs” that formed the ceiling in the restaurant is created.

Fitness Criteria

Movement & Dynamic (M) - this criteria focuses on the visual effect

Flexibility (F) - this criteria focuses on the

Self-supporting (SS) - this criteria relates to the febracation of the structure

Sculpture - like (SL) - this criteria focuses on the both interesting-look shape and meaningful shape

LevelsLowMidHigh

(M) Low(F) Low(SS) High(SL) Low

(M) Mid(F) Low(SS) High(SL) Low


(M) High(F) Mid(SS) High(SL) Mid

(M) Low(F) Mid(SS) High(SL) Low




(M) Mid(F) Mid(SS) High(SL) Low




(M) High(F) High(SS) High(SL) Low



(M) High(F) Mid(SS) High(SL) Low



(M) Mid(F) High(SS) High(SL) Low

(M) High(F) Mid(SS) High(SL) Low



(M) Low(F) Mid(SS) Low(SL) Mid

(M) Mid(F) Mid(SS) Mid(SL) Mid

(M) High(F) Mid(SS) Mid(SL) Low

(M) High(F) Mid(SS) Mid(SL) Mid


(M) Mid(F) Mid(SS) Mid(SL) Mid

Analysis

From analyzing the outcomes of the Grasshopper Definition with the selected criteria, we realize that Sectioning is easy to achieve Self-supporting and dynamic visual effect. But some of the forms are not flexible because the distance between sections and the degree of the waves are controlled by parameters which are not easy to change for example the Sampler. The most unsatisfied criteria is Sculpture-Like as it requires more research of the Wyndham City culture and the site analysis.

OUTCOMES


The variable heights of each section piece create the wave-like surface which is dynamic. Part of the surface is compressed, and part of the surface is loose. This difference creates the sense of flexibility. But the sculpture-like criteria is still unclear.


Re-engineered One Main StreetdECOi Architects2011

dECOi Architects’ project OneMain Street is another important precedent. It is the interior design of the ceiling. The design creates a continuous surface with wave-like shape to response to the internal space. It also provides a fluid and movement visual effect of the space. More important, all visible elements of the design is fabricated as stacked sectional elements, which means that this kind of visual effect can be achieved by sectioning technology easily and fast.

The material of this design is entirely wood trees, which creates an eco-friendly and natural feeling and atmosphere for the space. The arcs and curves of the ceiling are very fluid and dynamic. Rather than using some modern material, timber makes them look natural and soft.

In the Wyndham City Gateway project, Wyndham city is a place where people can enjoy beautiful nature, and interesting outdoor activities. Therefore, timber could be the choice for the gateway material. Using traditional material with the most modern design technique could create a special harmony to represent the spirit of Wyndham City.

B. 2. CASE STUDY 2.0

Wyndham City Gateway Project

Wyndham City Gateway Project

We analyze the logo of Wyndham city, because the gateway should be another representation of the city logo. The logo emphasis the most important characters of the city, the sea and Werribee River, the recreational opportunities at the waterways and it also has 3 words “city, coast, country”. It tells people that Wyndham city has the great natural water environment, and according to research, Wyndham City also has many interesting outdoor events as well. Moreover, the city has many public arts collections. Those art works have become to part of the city, and they all sit in the natural and response to the surrounding environment.