Final Journal

Eliza Materia539 632Studio 2

Architecture Design Studio: AirABPL30048

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.

expression of interestcase for innovation

part A

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.

19.