Liu haoyu 633944 finaljournal

STUDIO AIR2015_SEMESTER 1_SONYA

HAOYU LIU_633944

2 CONCEPTUALISATION

Table of Contents

2 Catalogue

3 PART A - CONCEPTUALIZATION

ABOUT ME

4 A.0.1

4 DESIGN FUTURING-PRECEDENTS

5 A.0.2

5 DESIGN FUTURING-PRECEDENTS

5 Metropol Parasol

6 A.1.0

6 DESIGN COMPUTATION

7 A.1.1

7 DESIGN COMPUTATION-PRECEDENTS

8 A.2.0

8 Composition/Generation

9 A.2.1

9 Composition/Generation-PRECEDENTS

10 A.3

10 CONCLUSION

11 A.4

11 Learning outcomes

12 A.5.1

12 Appendix - Algorithmic Sketches

13 A.5.2

13 Appendix - bibliography

14 A.5.3

14 Appendix - bibliography

CATALOGUE

CONCEPTUALISATION 3

PART A - CONCEPTUALIZATION

FIG.1 HEYDAR ALIYEV CENTER

I’m Haoyu Liu, I came from China about two years ago. I love drawing and designing stuffs since I was a little child. Paintings can be found everywhere in my own books. I think design is all about changing the world into the way you/others like, especially architecture. I loved the way that how architects could shape this world by their creativities. Before entering the university, I used to consider design a building is not a hard process, all we need to do is just draw and build. But when it comes to study architecture, it becomes totally different than I expected, much more challenging!In the past two years, through a general study of the history, development, ideas, principles of architecture, I have gained a totally new recognition of architecture.

I have done several projects in the past two years with the help from my tutors. Among my designs, I played a lot with geometry. I tried many different forms on my projects. However, sometimes I neglected the design brief and its practicability, which is my weakness. My favourite architect is Zaha Hadid, I admire her creativity and how she design the architecture into such a elegant and streamlined form. Indeed, someone may argue that her architecture does not fit the context well, but not a single architecture is perfect, why not just appreciate the beauty of her works.Overall, I’m very interested in the ADS: Air for the dramatic creation from the modelling program. This is just directly lead to my design preference. And I do want to gain more architectural knowledge through this subject.

4 CONCEPTUALISATION

Water Cube Beijing National Aquatics Centre

Architects: PTW Architects, CSCEC, CCDI, and Ar

up

Location: Beijing, China

As one of the most remarkable architectures

in Beijing, the Water Cube was designed to be

sustainable, eco-friendly and durable through

its biomimicry design. The idea of its structure

came from water bubbles and sea sponges. It

looks like a cuboid filled with water, however it

got a remarkable light weight and thin skin. The

architects used a high-tech material called ETFE

to achieve this result. This revolutionary material

is critical to the entire architecture, it helps to

transmit light and radiating the heat from inside.

On the facade, none of the ‘bubbles’ are the same.

These irregular bubbles support the structure with

the light steel frames together.

The Water Cube did inspired the architectural

industry not only in China but many other countries.

I admired how those architects used modern

technologies to even control the shape of the

building by increase or decrease the among of air

in each of those bubbles. And we can find many

similar examples around us (i.e. Design Hub of

RMIT).

A.0.1DESIGN FUTURING-PRECEDENTS

FIG.2 WATER CUBE

CONCEPTUALISATION 5

Metropol Parasol

Architect: Jürgen Mayer-Hermann

Location: Seville, Spain

The Metropol Parasol is the largest

wooden structure in the world until now.

Its form comes from the mushrooms.

The Parasol itself contains highly

complex structure inside which

containing market, museum, etc. By

applying the structure of mushrooms,

the sculpture could support this large

span by just six main columns.

FIG.3 METROPOL PARASOL

A.0.2DESIGN FUTURING-PRECEDENTS

I appreciate this work for its high level

of creation and the architect’s great

applicant from the nature to reality. The

architects used this remarkable modern

wood structure to build up a connection

between tradition and modern.

Comparing to the architectures nearby,

the Parasol is absolutely the one and

the only.

6 CONCEPTUALISATION

A.1.0DESIGN COMPUTATIONThrough out the human history, mankind has never stopped developing machineries that could reduce labour burden. Along with the invention of the computer, it has totally changed the way we works in every industry. The following paragraph is going to discuss the changes that computer design brings to us and also the opportunities, potentials and impact brought with it.

Digital computing has brought huge changes to the architectural industry. First of all, it is important to understand the difference between computation and computerisation. Peter has described ‘computation’ as the way that ‘allows designers to extend their abilities to deal with highly complex situations’.1And the new extension (or opportunities) that the computation produces for the industry is so important. For centuries, architects are pursuing for progress. From the ancient temple of Egypt to the Modern Movement, there is always a certain form to represent the architectural trend of that period. And when it comes to 21st century, digital computation is definitely an architectural breakthrough of this era.

Computing has provided the architects a new approach to their projects. One of the most significant different between computing and traditional way of design is that the program could be modified while the old way was hard to change. The modification to the program some times comes up with unexpected result. In another word, the modification can create more possibilities and provide further options and design potentials for the architects.

Computing has not only change the way that architects design their projects but also ‘defines a digital continuum from design to production, from form generation to fabrication design’.2 It has brought new solution for a new building from design to completion. Also, some new specialised consultancy grew up to adapt the need of this new tendency. And as the communication method developed, the industry has becoming increasingly collaborative.

The connection between practices and consultancies are tightened by the computation software.

As the development of computing technologies, curvy and geometrical shapes become more and more common in present projects. Also, the computing algorithms accelerate the universality of the use of repetitive patterns in architectures. By using digital computation, architects are much easier to achieve complex patterns by adjusting algorithms. Therefore, many new buildings could have such fancy facade unlike the plain ones in the old time. However, by using digital computation technologies, architects are very likely to be limited by the technologies and this is the problem that the whole industry must face.2

Computation could not only provide the look of the building but it can also simulate the performance of the building. It enables the architects and the engineers to ‘see’ the building before it is actually built. And by this ‘foresee’, it helps the architects and engineers to create ‘responsive designs, allowing architects to explore new design options and to analyse architectural decisions during the design process’1.

Therefore as the preceding architectural theory trending to design through computation technologies, the architectural future will going to take the advantage of the potential capacities of computation which, in some way, beyond architects themselves.

1.BRADY PETERS, ‘COMPUTATION WORKS: THE BUILDING OF ALGORITHMIC THOUGHT’, ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN, 83.2, (2013), 08-15.2.RIVKA OXMAN, ROBERT OXMAN, THEORIES OF THE DIGITAL IN ARCHITECTURE, 1 EDN (LONDON: ROUTLEDGE, 2014), P. 1-10.

CONCEPTUALISATION 7

The aim of the ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion was the development of a winding technique for modular, double layered fibre composite structures, which reduces the required form-work to a minimum while maintaining a large degree of geometric freedom.3 This pavilion used the idea of biomimicry, the design team discovered that the characters of elytron could be applied to the design. The structure of the elytron is light and strong and, moreover, the form of elytron made the fabrication highly material efficient. Also the development of this project comes through the effort of not only architects but also engineers and biologists. Computational tools are used widely among this project, the group used these tools simulated the project before it came to the fabrication stage. Therefore, ‘both the robotic fabrication characteristics and the abstracted biomimetic principles could be simultaneously integrated into the design process.’3The fabrication is all done by the collaborating-axis industrial robots.

Overall, the project highly relied on the computation technologies, multidisciplinary collaboration and industrial robots. With all this characteristics, this project made a perfect precedent for this studio.

FIG.4 ICD/ITKE RESEARCH PAVILION

A.1.1DESIGN COMPUTATION-PRECEDENTS

FIG.5 LA VOÛTE DE LEFEVRE INSTALLATION

This project is interesting for it connects the modern technologies with ancient ideas. The design was done by computational tools and the digital fabrication is used as ‘a modern equivalent of ancient stone carving’.4 This amazing combination ‘marrying the two major architectural parameters – surface and volume’.4 The whole design is so dynamic from top to bottom. The geometry used in this project is irregular but regular. The different hexagons support the whole. Also the form of the project is against most of the buildings in the world - the volume of the superstructure is larger than the foundation. Therefore, with the help of digital computation (and the support ahead), the idea becomes true.

3.JUSTIN MCGAR , COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN: BUILDINGS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY ROBOTS (2014) <HTTP://SOURCEABLE.NET/> [ACCESSED 19 MARCH 2015].4.LIDIJA GROZDANIC, LA VOUTE DE LEFEVRE INSTALLATION INVESTIGATES STEREOTOMIC DESIGN THROUGH DIGITAL FABRICATION (2012) <HTTP://WWW.EVOLO.US/> [ACCESSED 19 MARCH 2015].

8 CONCEPTUALISATION

A.2.0COMPOSITION/GENERATIONThe shift from composition to generation started as the popularization of digital computation technologies. Here the computation technologies are more likely to refer to the software like Grasshopper but not AutoCAD. Among previous sections, I have discuss the difference between computerisation and computation. Here, the basic function of AutoCAD is basically computerisation but not actually generating anything new. But in Grasshopper, after the algorithm is set, the computer will self-generate a result which can be a point, a surface, a mess, etc.

Through this whole different method, architects are somehow ‘generating’ by using these parametric design tools. And as the developing and maturing of the technology, real-time rendering enable the architects make new changes to their designs at anytime. So, the design process is becoming totally different than ever before.

However, can parametric modelling replace the traditional way of design? Absolutely not. Generally, computer-generated models seem nice, but somehow, always similar with each other. Maybe, it is the characteristic of parametric design. But not all of them could fit in the context very well. Many of these designs could be placed into a complete different context and still ‘looks nice’ itself, but not actually interact with the environment. Thus, one possible solution is designing through a more active collaborative work between architect and parametric modelling specialist. The architect will focus on designing based on the context while the specialist will help him/her generating models based on the need of both the context and the design brief.

Overall, the shift from composition to generation has a huge impact onto the industry with both advantage and disadvantage. And even though the model is computer-generated but the core of design is still the architect him/herself.

FIG.6 AN EXAMPLE OF THE ALGORITHM IN GRASSHOPPER

FIG.7 AN EXAMPLE OF ALGORITHMIC DESIGN

FIG.8 KING ABDULLAH FINANCIAL DISTRICT METRO STATION

CONCEPTUALISATION 9

A.2.1COMPOSITION/GENERATION-PRECEDENTS

FIG.9 LOOM HYPERBOLIC INSTALLATION

The aim of this project is to ‘attempting to assume a fresh approach to digital fabrication’.5 This is also a project incorporate modern technologies with traditional techniques which is called ‘Moroccan weaving techniques’ to create the wavy form. The design team used Rhino and Grasshopper the generate this wavy shape on computer. The main structure of this installation is its irregular cellular grid which is inserted into the platform. The parameters of each element of this project is strictly controlled, indeed it seems abnormally but the actually construction ‘translated this irregularity from precise digital design into reality’.5

The FLUX installation is a parametric landscape design done by the CCA Architecture/MEDIAlab. This design is a reflection to the high-tech parametric design. This exploration design was trying to being representative to the emerging technologies and how they have ‘transformed the ways in which we both conceive and configure space and material’.6 This is one of the key point of parametric design and this project was trying to discover this. The team has explored the form, the function, the context of this project and the possibilities through parametric design. Therefore, this is one of the projects that worth study.

FIG.10 FLUX INSTALLATION

FIG.11 GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION OF FLUX

5.LIDIJA GROZDANIC, LOOM HYPERBOLIC INSTALLATION / BARKOW LEIBINGER ARCHITECTS (2012) <HTTP://WWW.EVOLO.US/> [ACCESSED 19 MARCH 2015].6.MATSYS DESIGN, FLUX: ARCHITECTURE IN A PARAMETRIC LANDSCAPE (2009) <HTTP://MATSYSDESIGN.COM/> [ACCESSED 19 MARCH 2015].

10 CONCEPTUALISATION

A.3CONCLUSION

Through the study and research among Part A, it comes to my mind that parametric design is now representing the general trend of the architectural industry. It is a revolutionary design approach which enables the architects become increasingly creative. The computer-generated model is so unique that is distinguished them from the past designs.

For myself, I am totally a fan of parametric design. As mentioned before, I admired Zaha Hadid’s design a lot for her beautifully combination of all the elements. And her parametric way of design has put marks on every single one of her architectures.

Parametric design is significant to the industry for it has redefine the traditional process of create a

building. And reform the structure of the industry.

Another benefit of computation is its ability to simulate the performance of a building before it gets built. This is just so amazing that it will save millions of dollars for the company if they can eliminate the design imperfection and redesign it before the construction of the building.

Overall, digital computation is a revolution to the industry. To adapt the increasing need from tenants and environment, the adjustable design method is just critical to the situation. However, parametric design is somehow limited by the software, so it is important that the architect should not only attached to the computation but also focus on the beauty of architecture because architecture is an art after all.

FIG.12 A CONCEPTUAL PARAMETRIC ARCHITECTURE

CONCEPTUALISATION 11

A.4LEARNING OUTCOMES

FIG.13 LINCOLN PARK PAVILIONS

The learning process about these theories was enlightening and revolutionary. It has changed my previous idea of architectural design process and architectural industry. I find the architectural computing is so advancing and has even permeated into our life stealthily. I have noticed several ‘precocious’ building before, but only after I studied these theories, I started to re-appreciate those designs and research those of the same kind.

In less than one month, I believe this studio has entirely change the approach to my later projects. It brings the knowledge of the cutting-edge area of

this industry, and brought new design ideas to me.

The techniques and knowledge that I learnt from this studio will be so helpful to my previous designs especially the project of Virtual Environment. The parametric design fit the brief of a ‘wearable shelter’ so well. I might probably used a similar form of the Lincoln Park Pavilion (shown above) to create a elastic form to improve my old design. This shape will be very portable and easy-to-wear.


A.5.1APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

FIG.14 RENDERING OF THE SPONGE EXERCISE FIG.15 LINE-WORK OF THE SPONGE MODEL

FIG.16 GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION OF THE SPONGE MODEL

FIG.17 RENDERING OF THE TREE BRANCH EXERCISE FIG.18 LINE-WORK OF THE TREE BRANCH MODEL

FIG.19 MAJOR GRASSHOPPER DEFINITION OF THE TREE BRANCH MODEL


A.5.2APPENDIX - BIBLIOGRAPHYBrady Peters, ‘Computation Works: The Building of Algorithmic Thought’, Architectural Design, 83.2, (2013), 08-15.

Justin McGar , Computational Design: Buildings Designed and Built By Robots (2014) <http://sourceable.net/> [accessed 19 March 2015].

LIDIJA GROZDANIC, La Voute de LeFevre Installation Investigates Stereotomic Design through Digital Fabrication (2012) <http://www.evolo.us/> [accessed 19 March 2015].

LIDIJA GROZDANIC, Loom Hyperbolic Installation / Barkow Leibinger Architects (2012) <http://www.evolo.us/> [accessed 19 March 2015].

MATSYS DESIGN, FLUX: ARCHITECTURE IN A PARAMETRIC LANDSCAPE (2009) <http://matsysdesign.com/> [accessed 19 March 2015].

Rivka Oxman, Robert Oxman, Theories of the Digital in Architecture, 1 edn (London: Routledge, 2014), p. 1-10.


A.5.3APPENDIX - BIBLIOGRAPHY FIGURE.1 Heydar Aliyev Center, ZAHA HADID RETRIEVED FROM http://www.arcspace.com/features/zaha-hadid-architects/heydar-aliyev-center/

FIGURE.2 WATER CUBE, PTW Architects, CSCEC, CCDI, and Arup RETRIEVED FROM http://planyourcity.net/2013/03/13/beijings-happy-magic-water-cube/

FIGURE.3 Metropol Parasol, Jürgen Mayer-Hermann RETRIEVED FROM http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metropol_Parasol

FIGURE.4 ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion, ICD-ITKE University of Stuttgart RETRIEVED FROM http://sourceable.net/computational-design-buildings-designed-built-robots/#

FIGURE.5 La Voûte de LeFevre Installation, Matter Design RETRIEVED FROM http://www.evolo.us/architecture/la-voute-de-lefevre-installation-investigates-stereotomic-design-through-digital-fabrication/

FIGURE.6 An Example of the Algorithm in Grasshopper RETRIEVED FROM http://www.rhino3dhelp.com/tutorials/grasshopper-box-frame/

FIGURE.7 An Example of Algorithmic Design RETRIEVED FROM http://www.grasshopper3d.com/photo/ghinc02-1?xg_source=activity

FIGURE.8 King Abdullah Financial District Metro Station, ZAHA HADID RETRIEVED FROM http://www.telegraph.co.uk/luxury/travel/15458/zaha-hadids-travelling-life.html

FIGURE.9 Loom Hyperbolic Installation, Barkow Leibinger Architects RETRIEVED FROM http://www.evolo.us/architecture/loom-hyperbolic-installation-barkow-leibinger-architects/

FIGURE.10 FLUX Installation, CCA Architecture/MEDIAlab RETRIEVED FROM http://matsysdesign.com/2009/06/25/flux-architecture-in-a-parametric-landscape/

FIGURE.11 Grasshopper Definition of Flux, CCA Architecture/MEDIAlab RETRIEVED FROM http://matsysdesign.com/2009/06/25/flux-architecture-in-a-parametric-landscape/

FIGURE.12 A Conceptual Parametric Architecture RETRIEVED FROM https://leconfident.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/parametric-design.jpeg

FIGURE.13 Lincoln Park Pavilions, Studio Gang Architects RETRIEVED FROM http://www.archdaily.com/83676/lincoln-park-zoo-south-pond-studio-gang-architects/



HTTP://WWW.CHRISTOPH-HERMANN.COM/PARAMETRIC-ARCHITECTURES/PARAMETRIC-ARCHITECTURE-PAVILION/


HTTP://WWW.CHRISTOPH-HERMANN.COM/PARAMETRIC-ARCHITECTURES/PARAMETRIC-ARCHITECTURE-PAVILION/

PART B

01RESEARCH FIELD


Biomimicry is an interesting and broad area to be explored. The idea of biomimicry has been used multi-disciplinarily. My first precedent is the ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion. The project developers were inspired by the skeleton structure of the sea urchin. The main material is plywoods and they were joint together just like the way that the sea urchin’s shell plates notch into one another. This biomimicry design provided the project a durable and stable performance.


Biomimicry is an interesting and broad area to be explored. The idea of biomimicry has been used multi-disciplinarily. My first precedent is the ICD/ITKE Research Pavilion. The project developers were inspired by the skeleton structure of the sea urchin. The main material is plywoods and they were joint together just like the way that the sea urchin’s shell plates notch into one another. This biomimicry design provided the project a durable and stable performance.


SPANISH PAVILION, AICHI, JAPAN, 2005

HTTP://WWW.STYLEPARK.COM/DB-IMAGES/CMS/CERAMICA_CUMELLA/IMG/P299004_2200_1515-2.JPG


SPANISH PAVILION, AICHI, JAPAN, 2005

The second precedent is the Spanish Pavilion built for the 2005 EXPO in Aichi, Japan. The project is obviously a imitation of the structure of honeycombs. The hexagons on the exterior walls provided some of the characteristics of honeycombs, for instance, light-weight, solidity. But this project more likely mirrored the appearance of the honeycomb instead of using its properties.

HTTP://WWW.STYLEPARK.COM/DB-IMAGES/CMS/CERAMICA_CUMELLA/IMG/P299004_2200_1515-2.JPG


These two research areas could provide me a flexible choice of development. The geologic environment of the Merri

Creek is very complex, therefore, I might need to develop a flexible structure with the capability to follow the trend of

the creek. I still got some inspiration from the Seville Metropol, the organic form of the structure may be one of the

solutions to my project. However, there are still few points need to be fixed. First of all, the migration of the aquatic

organisms. The first priority of my design will be minimum the impact to the current ecosystem.

HTTP://UPLOAD.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/WIKIPEDIA/COMMONS/6/69/ESPACIO_PARASOL_SEVILLA.JPG


These two research areas could provide me a flexible choice of development. The geologic environment of the Merri

Creek is very complex, therefore, I might need to develop a flexible structure with the capability to follow the trend of

the creek. I still got some inspiration from the Seville Metropol, the organic form of the structure may be one of the

solutions to my project. However, there are still few points need to be fixed. First of all, the migration of the aquatic

organisms. The first priority of my design will be minimum the impact to the current ecosystem.

HTTP://UPLOAD.WIKIMEDIA.ORG/WIKIPEDIA/COMMONS/6/69/ESPACIO_PARASOL_SEVILLA.JPG



PART B

02CASE STUDY 1.0


SHAPES CULLINGGR

IDTR

IANGU

LAR

RADI

ALHE

XAGO

NOFFSETS


OFFSETS RANDOMIZING

(0.4,0.2)(0.8,0.8)(0.4,0.3)

(0.8,-0.2)

(0.1,0.5)(0.1,0.2)(0.1,0.2)(1.0,0.5)

(0.6,-0.5)(0.1,1.0)

(0.5,-0.5)(0.6,0.4)

(-0.3,0.4)(0.2,0.3)(0.4,0.2)(0.6,0.2)


The basic purpose of this design is to filter the water of Merri Creek. And the pattern of the Spanish Pavilion is reticular and very suitable for stopping pollutant in the water.

By changing the inner patterns, the size of the inner ‘hole’ seems to be varied. And the randomly distributed holes may help to catch the rubbish while not disrupt the water flow.


The rectangular grid is more likely to applied to the most common strainers. It’s simple but yet effective.

The variation of the size of the holes enables this web-system deal with pollutants in different shapes. And this web may help to classify rubbish based on sizes.



PART B

03CASE STUDY 2.0


HTTP://ASSETS.NYDAILYNEWS.COM/POLOPOLY_FS/1.60950!/IMG/HTTPIMAGE/IMAGE.JPG_GEN/DERIVATIVES/GALLERY_1200/GAL-OLYMPICS3-JPG.JPG


As the most important and representative architecture of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the bird nest is more than just a stadium. The design of the Bird’s Nest need to meet several design objectives. For instance: large visitors capacity, fill the gaps between the frames (especially the roof), etc. There are semitransparent aerated film to control the sunlight and collect rainwater.

The warping structure of the stadium is remarkably expressive. But the whole stadium won’t be achieved if the interior supports are not well-designed. And the supports actually fused together with the outer frames and together created the interlaced huge bird’s nest.

BIOMIMICRY& STRUCTUREBIRD’S NEST, BEIJING

HTTP://ASSETS.NYDAILYNEWS.COM/POLOPOLY_FS/1.60950!/IMG/HTTPIMAGE/IMAGE.JPG_GEN/DERIVATIVES/GALLERY_1200/GAL-OLYMPICS3-JPG.JPG


Start by defining a central points in GH. Then generate the points based on the central point to create the route of the base curve.

Base curve is set and the curves for the roof and shade are the transformation of the base curve.

Generate the facade by lofting the three curves.

Using geodesic to generate curves through the points on the facade.

1.

2.

3.

4.


Based on a defined bounding box, I used Pop3D to generate random points in the enclosure.

Using volume to calculate the central point of the geometry. And create line between the centre and the random points generated in phase 5.

Project the lines onto the lofted surface to simulate the steel frame.

Using pipe to create volume for the frame.

5.

6.

7.

8.




CREATE POINTS FOR THE BASE

PROJECT THE LINES DIRECTLY ONTO THE SURFACE

CREATE BASE CURVE THROUGH THE POINTS

LINK THESE POINTS WITH THE CENTRAL POINT OF THE GEOMETRY

GENERATE THE CURVES FOR ROOF AND OVERHANG


LINK THESE POINTS WITH THE CENTRAL POINT OF THE GEOMETRY

GENERATE THE CURVES FOR ROOF AND OVERHANG

GENERATE RANDOM POINTS WITHIN THE 3D SPACE

CREATE SURFACE BY LOFTING THE THREE CURVES

DEFINE A 3D BOUNDARY WHICH INCLUDE THE WHOLE GEOMETRY





PART B

04TECHNIQUE: DEVELOPMENT


The shape of the matters a lot. To design a water filter for a small creek a floating structure could help to stop the rubbishes on the water rather than trapping the aquatic creatures. Therefore, the original high-dense web structure might not suitable for such expectation.

VORONOI #1

VORONOI #2

VORONOI #3

VORONOI & SURFACE


This three iterations used some more regular structure (hexagonal, diagrid and grid) to form the web. The regular web structure can be fabricated easier and looked uniformly when deploying several of them.


HEXAGONAL PANELLING

DIAMOND PANELLING

RANDOM SQUARE PANELLING

SQUARE PANELLING

ADJUSTED HEXAGONAL PANELLING

ADJUSTED RANDOM PANELLING

ADJUSTED SQUARE PANELLING #1

ADJUSTED SQUARE PANELLING #2


Continuing developing the reticular structure, offsets were used in these three iterations. They were used in order to create holes between the nets which allow the water flows through.


These two iterations were tending to discover the possibilities of creating a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure will let the filter be able to filtrate pollutant in different sizes. To achieve this, the density of each layer is designed to be different.


By using culling, I generated several different patterns for the design. The culling tool was actually very helpful to my project which enables me to create some pattern with certain purpose.


After culling several patterns, the tornado shape draws my attention. Since when the water pass through a tornado structure and the water-flow will spin which may help to keep the pollutants inside the filter.


VORONOI #1

VORONOI #2

VORONOI #3

VORONOI & SURFACE

By creating voronois onto the inlet and outlet, I actually created a cavity inside the structure which might be useful for collecting the rubbishes.


VORONOI EXTRUDE-BOTTOM

VORONOI EXTRUDE-MIDDLE

VORONOI EXTRUDE-TOP

COMBINED VORONOI EXTRUDE

BASE SURFACE #2

NEW DIAMOND PATTERNING #1





NEW TRIANGULAR PATTERNING #1




NEW GRID PATTERNING #1

NEW GRID PATTERNING #2

NEW DIAGRID PATTERNING #1


NEW BRACED GRID PATTERNING #1

NEW BRACED GRID PATTERNING #2

COMBINED GRID

These iterations are intended to develop an alternative shape of the filter and discover the feasibility of the shape. The outcomes are very unexpected. These iterations are in a fair-shaped form. And these iterations may help to achieve new capabilities for my design.




PART B

05TECHNIQUE: PROTOTYPES


The first model is based on the triangular grids I generated at a relatively early stage. It is a fluctuant structure with multiple triangular frames. Unfortunately, the 3D printer was not able to print the exact structure of the iteration due to some parts of the digital model was too mixed up. It missed several edges of the triangles. But this failure has prevented me from making similar mistakes again. Also, this model gave me the first impression of my original design and helped me to improve it in the subsequent designs.


The second model was in order to testing the possibility of a waterwheel-like structure. This design was intend to let the structure keep spinning in the water to create a uncommon water filter. The current concern is that will this spin affect the life of fishes, and will this spin lose the litter which was caught by it.



The third model was 3D-printed as well. It was based on the hexagon grid structure created by Grasshopper. After reducing the number of the frame, and shrink the size of the superstructure. The model was successful printed, much better than the first model. The centre of this structure is hollow and with the gaps formed by the frame, water could actually flow through this mode just like a small sprinkler. I think this is one of the most important step of my project development. Within this model, it helps me discovered several design potentials but also some problems, especially fabrication. By using 3D printer, the definition of those printers is not enough for my design. Therefore, I’m now working on how actually could I fabricate this structure. Momentarily, I’m testing the possibility of building it by laser cutter and wires.



PART B

06TECHNIQUE: PROPOSAL


This diagram shows the early stage development of design ideas. 1. A single layer floating structure which can only catch bottles (or large litter). 2. A multi-layer structure which makes it possible to deal with litter of different sizes within a single unit.3. Several units spanning over the water surface to achieve a larger filtration area.4. Minimize the influence to the aquatic organics.

1

3 4

2


The blue areas show the possible deploying area of the units. My possible approach is to anchoring the structure onto the bank or create a bridge structure to actually support itself across the water. To me, I prefer using the anchor in order to achieve a disengaged deployment and uninstallation.

Source: Haoyu Liu


Flooding is one of the major problems this project might facing. As Merri Creek is the primary outlet of the stromwater in Melbourne.1 Therefore, the water level is highly related to the precipitation of the area. If my project is designed to be floating on a normal water level, they will be fully submerged during a flood. And moreover, they might be shifted or even be washed away.

Source: http://www.au123.com/home/u/cms/www/201306/01113913nq9w.jpg


The first approach is adjusting the water flow speed to achieve the balance of the unit in flood. The upper opening is larger than the nether one. And while the water flow is faster through the upper structure, the hydraulic pressure will press the unit downward. And with the anchors on the bank, the unit will be able to survive a flood.

The second way was add another anchor to the creek bed. This method is more reliable than the first approach, but it will increase the effects onto the aquatic creatures.

1. Merri Creek Management Committe, Merri Creek and Environs Strategy 2009– 2014, 1st edn (Melbourne: Merri Creek Management Committee, 2009), p. 120-124.



PART B

07LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES


The core of the undergraduate design sequence is the development of both design thinking and dexterity with tools.2 ”“


The learning process of this subject is not very smooth at the start due to the lack of the essential techniques of Grasshopper. Indeed, it was hard to become familiar with a brand new tool, but the outcomes of Grasshopper fascinated me and they became the motivation for me to learning this great tool. By studying this tool, I started to realise the actual potential of this tool. Every time when I tried a new definition in Grasshopper, the outcomes are so different and unexpected.

Except the Grasshopper skills, this subject has taught me some new perspectives of thinking, especially to think critically and parametrically. Apart from focusing on the appearance, the performance of the design is also crucial. Also, as the foundation of architecture, the site, the users, the stakeholders and so much more is what we need to consider during the design process.

From Grasshopper, I can see the future of architecture. It has great potential and great prospect. Parametric design tools can help architects much more than what they are capable now. Therefore, I’m glad to learn these tools in such a practical subject, and I’m quite confident to the future of parametric design.

2.University Of Melbourne, Studio Air Course Reader, 1st edn (Melbourne: University of Melbourne, 2014), p. 4.



PART B

08APPENDIX-1





BIRD’S NEST BY RHINO&GH


CONCEPTUALISATION 79ITERATIONS FROM CASE STUDY2.0



PART B

08APPENDIX-2


REFERENCE LIST-1Merri Creek Management Committe, Merri Creek and Environs Strategy 2009– 2014, 1st edn (Melbourne: Merri Creek Management Committee, 2009), p. 120-124.

University of Melbourne, Studio Air Course Reader, 1st edn (Melbourne: University of Melbourne, 2014), p. 4.


REFERENCE LIST-2http://www.christoph-hermann.com/parametric-architectures/parametric-architecture-pavilion/http://benbusch.info/site/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/perspective-interior.jpghttp://www.stylepark.com/db-images/cms/ceramica_cumella/img/p299004_2200_1515-2.jpghttp://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Espacio_Parasol_Sevilla.jpghttp://assets.nydailynews.com/polopoly_fs/1.60950!/img/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/gallery_1200/gal-olympics3-jpg.jpghttp://www.au123.com/home/u/cms/www/201306/01113913nq9w.jpg



PART C

01DESIGN CONCEPT


RESPONSE TO FEEDBACKS - DIRECTIONS

-Site specified or a universal systemInstead of developing a single module, the current main part is designing a holistic system which is specially designed to serve the CERES. The filtration method and the structure is designed based on the site.

-ScaleThe scale of the design is limited due to two reasons. One is that the Merri Creek is relatively narrow and the other is the project should now affect the aquatic creatures too much.

-Relationship to humansThe project intend to enhance the visitor experience of the surrounding areas. As part of the environmental park, the project will also help to deliver the ideas of eco-friendly and sustainability. The project will also improve view of the bank.Further, the project helps to reduce the negative effects from the pollutants to the down stream.


RESPONSE TO FEEDBACKS - METHOD & CHANGES

-Site specified or a universal systemChanging from a` single/set of units to a embedded structure to the creek bank. This embedded design will also help to reduce the impacts from any floods.

-ScaleThe scale is limited, the structure only uses one of the banks and takes less than half of the water surface.

-Relationship to humansInstead of develop a filter-only project, the present design incorporate the idea of ‘natural pool’, which is a way of naturally filter the water. Moreover, the incorporated pool will enhance the view of the area (new aquatic plant).

FIG.1 NATURAL POOL

NATURAL SWIMMING POOL & POND, 2013 <HTTPS://WWW.TOTALHABITAT.COM/PHOTO-GALLERY-NATURAL-SWIMMING-POOLS.HTML> [ACCESSED 14 JUNE 2015].


PREVIOUS DESIGN PROPOSAL

A set of water filters as the expansion of the CERES which helps to support a sustainable environment and attract new visitors to the environmental park.

MethodThe previous design uses a set of water filters or, in another word, ‘litter capturers’ to clean the creek by catching all the passing pollutants by their reticular structure.

Design potentialsThe previous design could incorporate a multi-layer structure to achieve a better filter. The form of the old design could be abundant and flexible to create some visual attractions.

ProblemsDue to the form and the scale of the unit, it is hard to maintain a stable status on the water surface by itself. Manual work is required to collect the litters in the filter.The filters can only capture litters over a certain scale according to the density of the filter screen.


FINALISED DESIGN PROPOSAL

A semi-natural pool that embedded in the creek bank dedicate to filtrate the water by the aquatic plants which incorporated within it.

NaturalOne of the basic principle when developing this project is remain as natural and little influential as possible. Only the basic structure is artificial, the rest of the functional elements are all natural. The project uses physical and biological filtration methods only which means there will absolutely no chemical is involved.

Enhance the visitors’ experienceFirstly, the visitors’ experience is improved by reducing the pollution of the creek. This will directly perfect the water quality and the surrounding environment. Secondly, the project will create a new landscape for the CERES and the creek. The aquatic plants will refresh the view of the creek and, in the meantime, filter the water.


A semi-natural pool that embedded in the creek bank dedicate to filtrate the water

and deliver fresh looks by the aquatic plants which incorporated within it.


A semi-natural pool that embedded in the creek bank dedicate to filtrate the water

and deliver fresh looks by the aquatic plants which incorporated within it.



SITE

The site is located beside the CERES and two dense residential areas. The project is an arc shape therefore the wide part of the creek is chosen to place the design. The chosen spot is also an intersection of the CERES exit with the Merri Creek Trail which is a visiting hotspot.


CONCEPT

The basic concept of the water filtration system is stopping pollutants continue travelling along the creek. As well as the water filtration, there is also an idea of attempting to enhance the environmental consciousness of the visitors. Therefore, the project will need to be effective and attractive.

To achieve such proposes, the ‘natural pool’ has inspired me about the embedded structure to the bank. The structure will mainly focusing on filter the water naturally without any artificial interferences.

Also, there are some studies of the existing water filtration systems. The study area including materialogy, layering, installation, etc.

The following pages are going to demonstrate the developments based on the basic concepts.


FIG.2 LIFE STRAW®

There are two most common water filtration system on the market. The first type is the membrane trap system (fig.2). It uses hollow fibre membrane to trap the pollutants inside water and only the fresh water could go through the tiny holes.

The rest of the filters uses a multi-layer structure to purificate water. Usually, every layer has its own special characteristic (i.e. silver activated carbon is capable of killing germs and absorb tiny particles.)

RESEARCH - FILTERS

LIFESTRAW, LIFE STRAW, 2014 <HTTP://WWW.BUYLIFESTRAW.COM/EN/PRODUCTS/LIFESTRAW-PERSONAL> [ACCESSED 14 JUNE 2015].


ACTIVATED CARBONCarbon, is a mineral with various forms. From the precious diamonds to the most common water filter, carbon has considered to be one of the most important mineral on earth.

‘Activated carbon’ is the type of carbon with is most commonly used for water filtration. The multi-hole structure of the activated carbon is the basis of its powerful absorbing

ability.

The form of the activated carbon is a great precedent for a water filter. During the earlier stage, I have been discovering the possibilities of applying this structure to my project and the outcome was quite successful.

FIG.3 CARBON


FIG.4 NATURAL POOL

NATURAL POOL Natural pool is a system consisting of a constructed body of water, where the water is contained by an isolating membrane or membranes, in which no chemicals or devices that disinfect or sterilize water are used, and all clarifying and purifying of the water is achieved through biological filters and plants rooted hydroponically in the system.

The pool could achieve a self-sustain and self-filteration.

Also, despite providing the filter, the natural pool system could be a beautiful landscape embellishes the creek.

CARBOGRAF, CARBON, 2013 <HTTP://WWW.CARBOGRAF.COM/CARBON-DE-CARGA/> [ACCESSED 14 JUNE 2015].WATER BROTHERS, NATURAL POOL, 2013 <HTTP://WATERBROTHERS.CO.ZA/> [ACCESSED 14 JUNE 2015].


FIG.5 NATURAL WATER FILTER

FIG.6 THE MODIFIED DESIGN - ILLUSTRATION


APPLYING ‘NATURAL POOL’ TO DESIGN

The Natural Pool system has been applied to the project by a two layer structure (will be mentioned later). The main functional part is the inner structure which is the protection for the plants inside. These plants including several water weeds and aquatic plants, help to absorb or stop the tiny pollutant in the water.

INHABITAT, NATURAL WATER FILTER, 2015 <HTTP://INHABITAT.COM/REALITIESUNITED-RECEIVE-BRONZE-HOLCIM-AWARD-FOR-REGENERATIVE-RIVER-SWIMMING-POOL-IN-BERLIN/FLUSSBAD-REALITIES-UNITED-6/> [ACCESSED 14 JUNE 2015].



SITE PLAN

The design is proposed to located at the spot indicated in the site plan. The YELLOW LINE shows the Merri Creek Trail and the GREEN LINE shows the exit path of the CERES.

The design takes half of the water way as the natural pool. It has a dual layer structure.

Due to the site itself, there are many restrictions to the design - the scale, the form even the future construction method.


OUTER STRUCTURE

The outer structure is a low dense web structure which aim to stop the aquatic creatures entering the interior space (they might get trapped inside).

INNER STRUCTURE

The inner structure is the major part of the project, the high-density structure is designed to protect the plants from any large litters. The high-density web allows small wastes entering the ‘pool’ and let the plants filter or consume them.

Also, the dense web slows down the water flow which help to sustain the health of the plants.


OUTER STRUCTURE

The outer structure is a low dense web structure which aim to stop the aquatic creatures entering the interior space (they might get trapped inside).

INNER STRUCTURE

The inner structure is the major part of the project, the high-density structure is designed to protect the plants from any large litters. The high-density web allows small wastes entering the ‘pool’ and let the plants filter or consume them.

Also, the dense web slows down the water flow which help to sustain the health of the plants.

WATER FLOW

Some research about the water flow of the Merri Creek have been done before the site selection. The darker the lump is the faster the water flows. And according to my research, faster water flow helps the filter screen capture the pollutants. Therefore, the project was chosen to place at that spot.


PREVIOUS DESIGN

The most used technique in the previous design was the different grid and patterning tools. Also, in order to create the cells, offset was also used frequently. The definition of the shape was delivered from Part B. And with some adjustment, it forms the basket shape which meet the old design proposal.


MODIFIED DESIGN

The modified design used a more organic appearance to reflect the proposal. Primarily, the organic look was generated by Voronoi. And other techniques like extrude, offset, project were used to help to build up the form.


Draw a base curve in Rhino

Create the curved surface using Grasshopper based on the curve

in Rhino

Generate random points on the surface.

Voronoi pattern is created based on the random points on the

surface


Voronoi pattern is created based on the random points on the

surface

The Voronoi pattern is projected onto the curved surface to create

cells

Offset the cells to generate the openings on the surface

Extrude the patterned surface to create the volume

TECHNIQUE DIAGRAM



The project will firstly be pre-fabricated in factory. It has been divided into small opponents for pre-fabrication.

Before the on site construction starts, there will be two cuboid supporting structures be drilled into the earth to hold the curved main body.



PART C

02TECTONIC ELEMENTS & PROTOTYPES


TEST - PROTOTYPE 1#

For the first prototype, the concern of the model is the rigidity. The first design used a thin external structure to limit its own weight. Also there are some potential weaknesses of the diamond cells.

Surprisingly, the 3D-printed model showed a great flexibility and a relatively high rigidity.

But considered the structure will be deployed in water, so further test is required.


IN-WATER TEST - PROTOTYPE 1#

The second test simulated the real status of the unit in water. The unit has been restrained to the ‘bank’ by two strings tightly.

At the beginning, the water flow is limited to a low speed and the unit seems quite stable at the moment. However, as the flow speed increase, the unit started to shake and finally it turned over and cant restore to its original position.


TEST - PROTOTYPE 2#

The prototype of the modified design was entirely made by 3D-printing.

During the printing process, there were several weaknesses of the model have been found. The weakest part of the model was the two ends. And that was one of the reason why I added the cuboid structure to hold the curved part.

The connection details will be discussed in the following section.




MATERIALITY

Considering several factors, including high moisture environment, pre-fabrication, eco-friendly, durability and constructibility, precast concrete has chosen to build the main structure.

For the two cuboid holding structure, it will be reinforced concrete with a steel cleat system to hold the main body.



TEST - JOINTS

The connection system is inlaid joints. Each little cell has been designed with ribs or trenches before they got pre-fabricated.

During the construction, the two cuboid structure will be firstly drilled into the ground. And the cells will be installed one by one, insert into each other.



PART C

03FINAL DETAIL MODEL













USER EXPERIENCE

The enhanced user experience is reflected by two main aspects. Firstly, as the project’s main proposal, the water quality will be improved. Therefore there will be many significant changes (i.e. less pest, cleaner bank, etc.). Secondly, the pool created by the project will become a new landscape of the bank. Visitors could sitting, reading, resting around the pool. This will increase the usage rate of the bank area (very few people come to bank presently). Once the pollution has been reduced, the overall popularity of CERES and its surrounding area will be increased for sure.


REFLECTION

Studio Air definitely has been the most innovative and interesting design studio since Year 1 in UOM.

The key point of this studio has put on parametric design and digital modelling. Design with parametric designing tools is completely different from the traditional way of design. To be honest, the beginning of this course was difficult and confusing. There was completely no idea about how to design with such a ‘strange’ method. But as the course progressing, my interests about this new tool increased dramatically. I was amazed about the capability of the tools, the abstract forms they generate and, most importantly, the design potential of them. It has been a completely new experience to design an architecture with such tools.

Indeed, parametric tools have brought the architectural industry new potentials, but they are not that perfect. During my own design process, the tools have became my limits several times. Despite my lack of skills, the way that these tools generate shapes were different. The design process has a very clear clue, each step of designing need to be connected tightly. Therefore, sometimes, if one of the clues has gone missing, the subsequent process will be affected. For my own design, there are still many things unresolved due to the limitation of my skill and time. There are still many design potential in my design, but now, only few problems have been resolved.

Also, through this studio, my understanding of architecture has been strengthened. Nowadays, parametric design tools have been used universally in many industries. But in the aspect of architecture, are parametric tools really the evolution of architecture? Architecture should be user focus, but there are many new projects only focusing on the design rather than its architectural meaning. Surely, these tools could provide architects new design opportunities, but we architects should never forget why we design an architecture and how will it affect the its users/stakeholders.


REFERENCES

Carbograf, Carbon, 2013 <http://www.carbograf.com/carbon-de-carga/> [accessed 14 June 2015]

Inhabitat, Natural Water Filter, 2015 <http://inhabitat.com/realitiesunited-receive-bronze-holcim-award-for-regenerative-river-swimming-pool-in-berlin/flussbad-realities-united-6/> [accessed 14 June 2015]

Lifestraw, Life Straw, 2014 <http://www.buylifestraw.com/en/products/lifestraw-personal> [accessed 14 June 2015]

Natural Swimming Pool & Pond, 2013 <https://www.totalhabitat.com/photo-gallery-natural-swimming-pools.html> [accessed 14 June 2015]

Water Brothers, Natural Pool, 2013 <http://waterbrothers.co.za/> [accessed 14 June 2015]


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