Law_Hao Wei Matthew_641246_Part A Journal

Studio AirABPL30048 Architecture Studio Air2015, SEMESTER 1, Studio 15 Sonya

Hao Wei Matthew Law

TitlesIntroduction

- Info about me

- Techinical Background

Part A: Conceptualisation

- Architectural Discourse

- Design Futuring

- A.1 Design Computation

- A.2 Composition/Generation

- A.3 Conclusion

- A.4 Learning Outcome

- A.5 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

- References

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CONTENTS

FIG.2 FIG.3

FIG.1

FIG.1 Matthew Law, 2013, Photograph

FIG.2 Wallpaperup.com, 2014, http://www.wallpaperup.com/22451/Hong-Kong_cities_architecture_cityscapes_skylines_night_lights.html

FIG.3 James Glynn, Dow Jones, 2012, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/economics/residential-dwelling-starts-fall-69pc-abs-survey-shows/story-e6frg926-1226299169936

My name is Matthew (Hao Wei) Law. I am currently in my third and final year studying in the Architecture major of the Bachelor of Environments in Melbourne University. I like buildings a lot. I have always enjoyed designing as a process as I like to challenge myself to see where my limits are at. This is also the main reason for me entering this Bachelor Course. Beside buildings, I also have a great interest in sketching and sports.

Similar to other profession which has their unique language, Architecture to me is another set of language which is specialised for the building industry. However, this language is understandable for people that are in the building industry from all over the world. Personally this is fascinating as there are not a lot of languages that are readable globally. Architecture is a history book, which chronicles the evolution of every respective regions and

Self Introduction - Info about me

cities. This evolution can be economical, political or in the social aspect. By understanding this language, we allow ourselves to explore the world in an entirely different perspective. Each building, structure or sculpture has its own story behind and I feel that it is my job to read each and every story of them.

I originally come from Hong Kong, where the Architecture is much different from what Australia has. Skyscrapers verses Suburban Houses, narrow walkways verses wide driveways plus bike lanes, Architecture not just only shape the city from a visual standpoint, but it also change how people acts in certain situations. Architecture and designing is full of possibilities. By designing day by day, year by year, I might be able to explore something quite unique that no one had ever thought about before.

FIG.4

FIG.5

FIG.6




Self Introduction -Technical BackgroundI have been started to use computer designing tools three years ago, when I am studying Landscape Architecture in RMIT. Over the course of three years, I have used various designing software, including Rhinoceros, Autocad, Sketchup and more.

I have taken Virtual Environments in my first year of Melbourne University. Therefore I have the basics in Rhinoceros 5.0 in terms of technical skills. I have also been introduced to Grasshopper during that course. After watching a few tutorials online, I have understand that Grasshopper is a design software using programming to construct algorithms, then ultimately using these algorithms to create objects. This is a real challenge to me as I have never been an analytical or mathematical person. Mathematics or Algorithms are things that I have been avoiding to face since my secondary studies. Therefore I am worried but excited about how I will do in Studio Air.

Parametric Design is an entirely fresh and raw idea to me. I have never imaged design can be so complex yet so free in terms of the form of the end design. Parametric Design seems to be a type of design type where there are a million possibilities that can be altered by simply changing the parameters. This is something that I have never done before so it is definitely challenging to me. However I have a great interest in Parametric Design as I am interested and fascinated by the way it tackles every design. It does not settle in any solutions or forms, but keeps going to look for other alternatives and outcome. I am also intrigued in the different parametric structures or algorithmic structures just by searching examples on the internet. Started from a simple pattern or a system, parametric have the unique ability to transform any pattern or system into forms that is not imaginable by anyone. This is also the main reason of why I am interested in Parametric Design. I wish I can develop proficiencies in parametric designs and Grasshopper for allowing myself to explore more and more in the design field in terms of thinking and also the technical side of it.

FIG.7

FIG.8

FIG.9

FIG.7 Jessica Peltz, 2012, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/113856696799462253/

FIG.8 2010, http://yaneznal.ru/facts/3582

FIG.9, 2010, http://yaneznal.ru/facts/3582

Part A.1 - Architecture Discourse

It is without a doubt that Architecture and design has a critical relationship and connection in human’s lives. Whether it is politically, economically or from the social standpoint, Architecture and design shapes the way people think and act. Architectural Discourse was a topic that only involves people that are in the profession, Engineers, Architects, or Urban Planners.

Surprisingly, as our technology continues to evolve and develop, our minds have been grounding and aggravated. “It seems that they (people’s dreams) have been downgraded to hopes…There are no more visions…We are just hopeful.” said Anthony Dunne in his article ‘Speculative Everything’. Personally I agree with this statement made by Dunne. Since the ‘environmental friendly movement’ have been brought up by Environmentalists, everyone is worrying about preserving what is left and trying to repair the damage that human caused in the past. Even in today’s Architecture the emphasis is to be able to design with being environmental friendly. Our focus has always been on people’s benefits. Whether it is economical revenues or environmentally so that we can have a better future in terms of living, design has always been surrounded by boundaries that human creates. These limitations to design have prevented designers or basically anyone to be creative. There are no ‘thinking outside the box’ theories as we are all too busy focusing on the present, but not the future.

Besides the weekly reading, I have also found a TED Talk which is presented by Daniel Libeskind in Dublin, where he suggests Architecture is closely related to Music. “Emotionally, Architecture is as complex and as abstract as music and it communicate to the soul, not just to the mind…Drawing is like a score, which is interpreted by the community.” I really admire the way that Libeskind sees Architecture. To have taken an emotional approach, focusing on how the drawing speaks to the audience really has open a gate of freedom for him, where there is no limitations grounding him in drawing these conceptual drawings. In a social sense, this is how Architecture really speaks to the public as well.

“A building is not a repetition of another building…A building does not have to build in the same aspect of any previous building…” Libeskind’s thinking

FIG.10, Marissa Brassfield, 2013, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/93871973454732576/

FIG.11, Mondanite, 2014, http://www.mondanite.net/article/719/prague

FIG.12, Iride Core, 2013, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/93871973454569164/

really astonished me in changing the way people should think when it comes to design. Every building should be a piece of art rather than to duplicate other building’s design style.

Architectural Discourse can be seen as a tool for designers, to cement or change the view for Architecture and what it can be. This is not a discussion plainly for people in the designing field, but also for people in the economical world, the social world, or in the political world. Having the understanding of the technologies that we have in today’s life, and being able to utilise it to the maximum, it can change our approach towards Architecture.

FIG.10

FIG.12

FIG.11

FIG.13

FIG.13, Herman , 2010, http://www.archidir.com/house-design/the-ultimate-savoye-modern-villa-by-le-corbusier-in-poissy-paris/

The Swiss-born French architect Le Corbusier is one the most iconic figures in the history of architecture. He led the modern movement of architecture, shifting the paradigm of design modernism. He is a perfect example of Architectural Discourse. In his design of the Villa Savoye, Le Corbusier shows to the world how he works with his unpredictable imagination. Built between 1928 and 1931 at Poissy, France, Le Corbusier has introduced to the world ‘The 5 Points of Architecture’. He has his version of the utopia, where buildings are lifted up to the sky. He also changed the way people think of windows, where it does not have to be vertical. His 5 points of

Design FuturingCase Study - Villa Savoye

Architecture is a set of very inspirational lists. It changes the way how architect thinks of components in a building, with a lot of designers following his lead. Until today, there are still a lot of people’s thinking are shaped by Le Corbusier, due to his ability to think out of the box.

FIG.14

FIG.14, John O’Ceallaigh, 2015, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/63535/next-big-thing-dubais-museum-of-the-future.html

The Museum of Future is the up and coming mega project that is one of the many extraordinary Architectural projects in Dubai. This is an unbuilt project that is going to be finished on the year 2017. The specialty about this project is the way it changes our thinking of what an Architectural study can be in terms of form and construction method. This $136 million project is expected to open in 2017, with “Holograms, robotics and 3-D printing playing a crucial role in the structure’s realisation.” 3-D printing is the leading technology which suggests printing a building is possible to be done. Having the ability to imagine the future and create it, is what I appreciate about this project. Although this is a project to be done in the future, I believe many other designers will be following this trend that is executed by the people of Dubai.

Design FuturingCase Study - Museum of Future

A.1 Design Computation

Design Computation

“Architectural design is an activity that deals, in equal measures, with externally

imposed constraints (e.g. site conditions, climate, functionality, cost, building codes, and

so forth) and internally drawn inspirations.”

-Kalay Yehuda E.

FIG.15 FIG.16

[1] Kalay, Yehuda E., Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MIT Press), 2004, p.2

[2] TED Talk, Hansmeyer, Michael. 2012, http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_hansmeyer_building_unimaginable_shapes?language=en

FIG.15 Retail Design Blog, 2011, http://retaildesignblog.net/2011/06/13/cardboard-columns-by-michael-hansmeyer/


Computers have over taken the world in a lot of disciplines recently, whether is in the NBA (Basketball), or Maps (Navigation), we have embraced technology in a sense that we trust its ability to analyse and calculate with exact stats and solutions. Human relies on technology to heavily that we are starting to utilise its potential to the maximum, in designing architecture.

The definition of Architecture has always been a debatable subject for a very long time. In Kalay’s reading, “architectural design is an activity that deals, in equal measures, with externally imposed constraints (e.g. site conditions, climate, functionality, cost, building codes, and so forth) and internally drawn inspirations.”

[1]

In this sense, computers will be a great tool in aiding any architectural designs as analysing and working within a certain boundaries is what computers do best. As long as we can set out a series of rules that includes every constraint, computers can work freely in providing millions of possible solutions to any design. However for designers, we are not able to set all parameters and rules prior to projects, mainly due to the uncertainty of demands from clients. Therefore without improving our knowledge and technological skills on computational design, it will remain as a limitation that is affecting design. Nevertheless, the

A.1 Design Computation

introduction of computation into design might still be the greatest revolution in the building industry.

Due to the large differences between traditional design and design computation, designers have developed a new set of design process. In the TED talk made by Michael Hansmeyer, a computational architect, he stated that “Different from Traditional Architecture, it’s (Design Computation) a single process that can design both overall form and microscopic surface detail.”

[2] This is

really interesting as this design process is very efficient and the design outcome is unimaginable. “These forms are undrawn-able…you can only create something like this through algorithm.”

[2] Through computation, we

are introduced into another world with unimaginable creativity from computers functioning through algorithms and rules that are set by us. Different from Traditional architecture, “In this case (Design Computation), the process is deterministic, there’s no randomness involved at all, but the outcome is definitely unthinkable.”

[2] Design computation allows us to think

in a whole new dimension, and it is a large version of an idea generator. Conversely, even as designers we are able to generate innovative ideas, our technological skills level have not catch up and it is tough for contractors to construct any computational designed projects.

FIG.17


A.1 Design ComputationCase Study - Subdivided Columns

Michael Hansmeyer is a post-modern architect who uses the technology of computation architecture to create a series of columns and other objects by designing the algorithms for computers to generate forms. Graduating from Columbia University.

Michael had a

very bright mind towards computational architecture. Figure 17 is one of these famous design outcomes which are a series of columns with exquisite details in different scales. Being inspired by the biological systems, Michael has been investigate in folding 3D objects with volume with a designed algorithm, trying to create a wide possibility of different types of form. In terms of construction, he run away from the connection with 3D printing, ended up going for cardboards with laser cutting thousands of sections. Practically it will not be able to work structurally, but the boldness of creating the 3D object by cardboard

is definitely interesting. Although the design formula of this project is simple (folding), unquestionably this project will show other designers that computational design is not just able blobs and bubbles.

FIG.18

[3] Karamba, 2014, http://www.karamba3d.com/ongreening-pavilion/

FIG.18 Karamba, 2014, http://www.karamba3d.com/ongreening-pavilion/

A.1 Design ComputationCase Study - OnGreening Pavilion

The OnGreening Pavilion is a project done by a group named Ramboll Computational Design, a team of 5 designers to work on computational design projects. This pavilion is made by RCD (Ramboll Computational Design) by Karamba3d, which is fully embedded in parametric environment of Grasshopper which is a plug-in for Rhinoceros.

[3] This project which is similar

to the Bird Nest Stadium of Beijing, China visually is a structural approach involving form-finding 6mm straight timber laths into bending curves.

[3] A curved

surface with more than 5 layers of bends, the Ongoing Pavilion is constructing this project with pre-fabricated bending plywood, in order to allow bending during construction. This is also a ‘Green Building’ based on the material and construction method for this project. Screws and bolts are the two major elements used for connections. Limited greenhouse gases or other form of

pollutions were produced in the process of constructing this pavilion. This is a successful precedent to show the process through design computation to construction.

Composition/Generation

“It’s always seemed like a big mystery how nature seemingly so effortlessly manages

to produce so much that seems to be so complex…it’s just sampling what’s out

there in the computational universe.”

-Stephen Wolfram

[4] Ted Talk, Stephen Wolfram, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60P7717-XOQ

[5] Kalay, Yehuda E., Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MIT Press), 2004, p.15

[6]”Is technology making us less human”, Andrea Kuszewski, 2012, https://www.qualcomm.com/news/spark/2012/09/11/technology-making-us-less-human

A.2 Composition/Generation

As unpredictable as it can be, computation has been an interesting field for investigation. Throughout the years human have been able to develop our knowledge to computation, and have introduces the merge with design using computation.

Just like any other new technologies that are introduced to the society, the inevitable debate occurs within our society, with a group of technological advance people supporting this motion, whereas other more traditional thinkers are against this new development.

Stephen Wolfram, a British computer scientist and former physicist, is a typical technological advance example who supports computation. He has designed software such as Mathematica, a system to develop a series of functions through programming, and other more. Stephen believes in computation so much, that he acknowledges that there is a universe for computation, and other disciplines/universe are sampling from computation. “It’s always seemed like a big mystery how nature seemingly so effortlessly manages to produce so much that seems to be so complex…it’s just sampling what’s out there in the computational universe.”

[4] People often are so

interested in new technologies or new things that they are not familiar with. As they develop their knowledge for this particular ‘new trend’, they will believe the ability of this ‘trend’ overtaking any other old theories.

Computers might be a very useful tool for architects, even shaping a new way of design thinking and processing, but there are still problems or issues in this new paradigm of designing. “Such knowledge (design problems) cannot exist prior to the search itself, since the sought-after solution is unique.”

[5] One of the major issue that computer are

not able to solve is the continue process of communication between clients and designers. Different problems will be generated in any circumstances if are any new requirements from the client. Very rarely will a group of designer sets their goals prior designing a building. Designers generate them all during the design process and problem analysing. With that being the case it is quite tough for designers to set all constraints prior the design process, as eventually this set of constraints will change numerously while designing is commencing. “When we over-rely on technology to do our thinking for us, not only are our cognitive skills losing their edge, but our creativity can suffer as well…”

[6] Another issue for design computation is the possibility of the degrading creativity from designers.

Since computer can generate literally millions of possible solutions to any projects, the creativity of designers is no longer required. Especially in terms of education, design schools are now training students in how to use computational software proficiently. Designers are now being trained to rely on computation excessively that they lost the foundation in terms of how to generate ideas. Throughout the historical background of architecture and design, contexts in projects are always the heart and soul for any famous building. Architects that do not have any computational aid are designing with historical context and site relations to come up with design ideas. However computational design does not necessary requires any context from the site in order to generate forms and ideas. Therefore these forms that are produced by design software do not have ‘rich contexts’ within them. As long as designers are the leader in the design process and we are utilising our design thinking to generate ideas and using computational software as aid for us, the future of computational design will result in a degradation of architecture.

FIG.19

[7] Architectural Technology Laboratory Venice, 2015, http://atlv.org/about.html

FIG.19 Architectural Technology Laboratory Venice, 2015, http://atlv.org/project/panama.html

A.2 Composition/GenerationCase Study - Shelf in Panama

The Architectural Technology Laboratory Venice (ATLV) is an American architectural firm which is founded in 2012 by Japanese Architect Satoru Sugihara. ATLV worked on computational design, development and also consultation.

[7] The Shelf in Panama is a project that

is done by ATLV and makeshift:NOW. In this project the two groups focused on the system of branching from trees, and then mimic this system into algorithms, to develop this cellular division idea. They then optimise the idea with tensile forces, which alter the form of the shelf in the end. The shelf is fabricated in numerous layers and then assembled with CNC cut lumber sheets, providing an innovative shelf for private residence. This is an example of how more and more architectural firms are embracing the idea of computational design and started to design projects using computation technologies.

FIG.20

[8] Emmanuil Zaroukas + msa | muenster school of architecture, 2015, http://scaleless-seamless.org/?page_id=230

FIG.20 Emmanuil Zaroukas + msa | muenster school of architecture, 2015, http://scaleless-seamless.org/?page_id=230

A.2 Composition/GenerationCase Study - ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion

The ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion 2011 is a project done a group of designers and scientists from the Stuttgart Univesity, including Achim Menges, an architect and professor at Stuttgart University.

[8] This project uses

software like Rhinoceros to develop a two layer circular form, with tortoise-like pattern panels forming the façade of this pavilion. Lights are installed within the interior of this structure, providing visibility for users at night. This is a relatively ordinary project when compares to other computational designs. With the use of bio-mimicry, the development seems not to be that sufficient and therefore the overall form is a bit non-creative personally. This is a problem of computational design, where the outcome is always unpredictable. The historical linkage is also non-existing. Computational design is a new technology where still needs a lot of

development in order to achieve great success, and this project although gaining notifications from medias like Archidaily and Vimeo, personally there are still potential for further exploration and development.

A.3 Conclusion

A.4 Learning Outcome

The movement of industrialisation results in reinforced concrete and steel framing, and now the development of computation results in computational designs. The ability of quick and accurate calculations, strikes human to experiment on how this ability can merge with designing. By designing using computation designers are introduced to an entirely new dimension. These solutions or resources can provoke fresh design thinking from architects and designers who are familiar with the traditional designing system. However, there are still concerns about various aspects that computational designs can’t address, such as the use of historical architecture as benefits, and the ability to deal with unexpected requirements in each design projects from clients that does not have a specific brief at the start.

In this course, my intended design approach will be mimicking biological objects in terms of their system. Biological systems are the most efficient system in a functional standpoint, and their form are not necessary ordinary when compares to others. Through the process of cell division, geometries can form into unimaginable shapes, without losing their functionality. Therefore personally I am really interested in investigating how does biological systems are formed. Architects can definitely benefit from this design approach from the learning aspect. There are natural case studies for architects constantly in our everyday life. Architects can also benefit from studying and learning how to design a proper system that is efficient, and having an interesting form.

Before studying this course, I have little to no knowledge about digital architecture. 3D printing and digital design software are the aspects that I have knowledge of prior learning computational design. Throughout this section of studying computational design, I have developed a basic concept of how computation merges with architectural designing, and the pros and cons of the combination of the two. It is definitely an interesting topic and field to explore, however personally I think it is still a debatable topic with various concerns that are no necessary being addressed properly. This is an era-changing motion that requires lots of consideration prior implementation. With that being said, computational design has a very different design approach from traditional design, and it will definitely assist me as an architecture student to have different approaches to all of my previous design projects.

FIG.21

FIG.22

FIG.23

FIG.24

FIG.25

FIG.26

FIG.21, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph FIG.25, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph

FIG.22, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph FIG.26, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph

FIG.23, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph

FIG.24, Matthew Law, 2015, Photograph

A.5 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

Throughout the process of sketching my weekly algorithmic exercises, I have developed a basic understanding of grasshopper. The sketches that I have selected show the process of my development on grasshopper. I have touched on a few new grasshopper components that create effects that I have never thought of, especially the metaball 3D component. These algorithmic sketches relates to my arguments made in Part A, in terms of how computational design provides unthinkable forms. However due to the lack of knowledge on grasshopper from me, using this software becomes a limitation for me as I take a lot longer time to sketch objects that can be done by hand very efficiently.

References [1] Kalay, Yehuda E., Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods

of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MIT Press), 2004, p.2

[2] TED Talk, Hansmeyer, Michael. 2012, http://www.ted.com/talks/michael_

hansmeyer_building_unimaginable_shapes?language=en

[3] Karamba, 2014, http://www.karamba3d.com/ongreening-pavilion/

[4] Ted Talk, Stephen Wolfram, 2010, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60P7717-XOQ

[5] Kalay, Yehuda E., Architecture’s New Media: Principles, Theories, and Methods

of Computer-Aided Design (Cambridge, MIT Press), 2004, p.15

[6]”Is technology making us less human”, Andrea Kuszewski, 2012, https://www.qualcomm.

com/news/spark/2012/09/11/technology-making-us-less-human

[7] Architectural Technology Laboratory Venice, 2015, http://atlv.org/about.html

[8]Emmanuil Zaroukas + msa | muenster school of architecture, 2015, http://scaleless-seamless.org/?page_id=230

Law_Hao Wei Matthew_641246_Part A Journal

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