Studio A.I.RJournal

Xindi Lu 702258

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CONTENTS

B. Criteria design

b.1 Research fieldb.2 Case study 1.0b.3 Case study 2.0b.4 Technique: developmentb.5 Technique: prototypesb.6 Technique: proposalb.7 Learning objectives and outcomesb.8 Algorithmic sketches

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b.1

RESEARCH FIELD

Definition of biomimicry

“Innovation that seeks sustainable solutions to human challenges by emulating nature’s time-tested patterns and strategies”18

The combination of nature, technology and engineering leads to great accomplishments and dis-coveries. One important way that this new knowledge is being learned and improved upon is through examining trends and codes in nature in detail, followed by experiments with the addition of these qualities to computer softwares to produce a desired poduct. To me, it is the architecture of genetic modification and engineering. Architects select the parts they are interested in nature and apply it literally to their design, surprising results often accompanies the tests.

Sometimes, it is not easy to distinguish between biomimicry and biomorphism, both absorbing inspiration from nature, however aiming for different outcomes in their designs. Biomorphism is much more simple in idea. It does not need to have innovative intentions to solve problems, nor does it need to consider the effects that it would bring. The creation of this idea has had a longer history than biomimicry. In the period considered as modern architecture, the general awareness of nature increased and architects began to immerse elements from nature into buildings to create aesthetically pleasing structures; encouraging people to engage with nature and showing a sense of appreciation for our environments. It provided an alternative for the development of archi-tecture and acted as the foundations for biomimicry.

PART B

Criteria design

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PRECEDENT ONE

Vertebrae Staircaseby Andrew Lee McConnell

Architecture aims to present a different solution or way of arrangment to an existing situation. The staircase is inspired by the spine of a whale which is made up of repetitive members. Each single member or vertebrae is studied with its connecting mechanism with the sourrounding ones. The interlocking joints is key in the structrual workability of the design.

Materialwise, the composition is simple yet effective with composite fibre outer for the desired finishes and steel interiors and joints for structural support.19 Because all vertebrae are identical except for the top most and bottom most two that are different, only three moulds were required for fabrication and thus saves labour, time and cost.

fig. 12 fig. 13

Potential projects based on this design could be ladders or a bridge connecting from one place to another, at the same time being able to use the same anology from vertebrae parts.

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fig. 14

fig. 15

It is difficult to imagine that the small inidividual components are able to form such a structure, though made easier for interpretation by decom-posing the larger picture.

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PRECEDENT TWO

Optimised Cellular Chairby Sean Hanna and Timothy Schreiber

Basic is my first impression of the chair. However the thinking behind the design has not been as straightforward as the appearance.

The nature anology for this case is from the cells in bone and wood where life processes efficiency and movement is high and which changes itself to suit the changes in its environments.20 Having a lattice formation from the genetic algorithm, it has large amounts of structural strength due to the compaction of cells. This strenght is maintained throughout its exterior surface.

It is interesting to acknowledge that there is uneven intensity of cell sizes and numbers through-out a bone, this cannot be noticed from the outside, emphasisng the biomimicry intent to search deeper to under nature rather than scrutinize on the surface. The differences in cell intensity is due to its natural form to create more supports for the weaker parts and leaving the reasonably strong parts alone.21

Taking the same principles to the chair, the piece is designed to have the most material at locations where forces are the greatest for support and least material where forces are little. Hence, it would be able to withstand the weight efficiently.

There is a sense of continuity due to the single piece of furniture rather than many small parts as-sembled together highlighting the idea that objects in nature is referred to as a whole and cannot easily separate into constituent parts. A one piece structure of this size could be a difficult task in the case of mass production and would need further explorations to find the optimum material and production method.

To transfer the set of ideas behind the design into buildings would be advantageous, possibly start-ing with small scale one piece pavilions to variously shaped buildings that can withstand all natural forces.

fig. 16

The close up of the chair shows the amount of detail in the design. Again, it is these repeating elements that form the structure.

The direction for next step is towards more precise measurements, where more details can be incorportated into the de-sign and more manipulation of structural concepts could be implemented.

fig. 17

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b.2

CASE STUDY 1.0

Voltdom by Skylar Tibbits

It is a passage leading from one place to another. Being vaulted, it creates links to gothic architecture, and produces a space that is smooth and encompassing.The double curved walls create patterns seen in nature and biology and thus mimics nature. The pattern is evenly distributed along all its sides, visible and observable easily, alloing pedestrians to take a closer look at the structure and materiality.

fig. 18

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Species

a

b

c

d

Matrix table

Iteration 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

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Selection criteria

sense of direction & linear repetitve pattern & spreading outwards & smooth & open

Species A - trim smooth surface to provide asense of continuity nand a welcoming atmosphere

Species C - sphere

extending on the idea of continuity as spheres have round edges

Species B - untrim

sharp edges revealed to show the rugged surface, as a way to contrast the softness produced in species A

Species D - lines

Using lines that are part of nature to project onto design, exploring the effect of fields with attrac-tion and repulsion as well as topography.

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b.3

CASE STUDY 2.0

South pond pavilion by studio gang

fig. 19 fig. 20

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The process

1. Two parallel lines drawn and divided into 24 points each

2. Biarc created based on the points

3. Polyline to allow developments of the repeating segments

4. Polyline exploded and divided

5. Interpolate curves from the points based on a sine curve in graph coontroller

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6. Rresulting curves offseted horizontally in xy plane and lofted to create a brep

7. Brep scaled in y and z direction and moved so that it is at the center of the original geometry

8. Breps lofted and capped - final structure

9. Select specific items in biarc and divide to form polylines and interpolated curves and rotate in 5 different degrees to generate 5 curves for the creation of 4 planar surfaces

10. Curves lofted - final enclosure

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b.4

TECHNQUE: DEVELOPMENT

Selection criteria

open smooth sense of direction spreading outwards linear repetitve pattern

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species a

exploration of fieldsspacious in centre, extending outwards away fromm the center , similar to my ideas of attracting people from different directions to hte center of the architecture.

species b

exploration of linessome iterations are in single direction, the best ones I think are the ones pointing in both directionsas they give a more fulling and smooth appearance. In this case, I chose one with large spaces to con-trast with less ‘open’ examples later on.

species c

exploration of surfaceshaving lines becoming surfaces presents a very different appearance as the physical properties have been altered. this is one of the more densely packed surfaces in the iterations as I wanted to find the optimum before the object is no longer defined to be open.

species d

exploration of deformationsthrough kangaroo, different amounts of force are exerted on the strcture to cause deformations, most of them are decreasing in height, however the space available to the public would also be reduced. Thus defoming upwards is the final choice to give it a layered appearance.

species e

exploration of patterning changing the numerical parameters of the script created unpredictable outcomes though some-times less relevant to brief. Changing the appearnce of curves into solids is also interesting to observe

species f

rhino manipulations for the more specific shapes, sizes and heights resulted in clearer determina-tion of idea that lead to prototype and proposalopen structure with both main and gap openings,

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b.5

TECHNIQUE : PROTOTYPE

3D printed prototype joints emphasisng the changes in planar direction at intersection points, with structural parts at a small distance apart from each other, hence illustrates the necessity of the joints.

Fianl outcome of prototype

Second prototype - 3 D printed enclosure system require another type of joint as the position of the strucutral parts are tied in together with each

Exploding the struc-ture into segments and manipulating the position of each to achieve different outcomes

Strucutural com-ponents printed at correct scale and cut out on box-board to create the specific shape and size.

All elements are then pieced to-gether

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Area within red circle is the site chosen - the bend at Merri creek trail below Heidelburg rd

fig, 22

Site information

b.6

TECHNIQUE : PROPOSAL

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fig. 23 View from the foot of the slope

Strengths:

1. Major intersection near heidelburg rd, high circulation entering from merri creek trail and Hei-delburg rd

2. Next to playground in hill reserve, more opportunities in attracting families

3. The high topography give people good views from the top downwards

Observations

fig. 24View from the top of the slope

Weaknesses:

1. Steep slope 40 degrees is difficult for pedestrians to climb up, more difficult for cyclists and dis-abled individuals with wheelchair or prams to climb.

2. Sharp bend at the bottom of slope to the left causing accidents to happen frequently at the cor-ner, especially between cyclists as it is a blind spot

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Design intention

A place for congregation rather than avoidance

Encouraging nature play

Hinting topographical change and creat-ing awareness of the slope

Ways to implement intention

A structure at the end of the slope on a flat ground

Open area facing the bend away from the river to encourage entrance from the corner

Slowing people down to explore the structure minimising speed around the bend

more square supports towards the slope resulting in higher elements on that side

fig. 25

Position on site

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b.7

LEARNING OBJECTIVES AND OUTCOMES

Objective 1. The brief is to bring change to the current living system. Through exploring the site, I was able to identify a site that requires attention to increase safety for everyone passing, thus I developed my ideas from the threats and opportunities that are clear to me at the location.

Objective 2. I looked at the different individual parts of the initial structure as well as a whole to change parameters and add new elements to the script. Changing the inputs and outputs sometimes give unexpected outcomes which are intriguing to look at and potentially develop furthur.

Objective 3. By using 3d modelling softwares - Rhino, grasshopper, kangaroo, lunchbox, I devel-oped my skills around parametric modelling and general computational skills to a higher level and am starting to be able to get my ideas to be digitally represented. The videos and practises defi-nitely helped in applying algorithimic principles and thinking to the model. Having only digitally fabricated models one time before, it was enriching to do so by myself with the 3d printing which furthur assisted me in understanding the outcome when pieced together.

Objective 4. Departing from the brief of living systems being placed in atmosphere, I wanted the architecture to respond to its atmosphere which is the suroundings. Because the context is in a natural environment, the design links to the mood and topography through designing to hint the relaxing calm flow of water and the sharp squares indicating the change in height.

Objective 5. By examining the contemporary architectures, I am starting to be able to form my opinion about them and select the ones relevant to my proposals to compare and contrast, an con-tinual process to propose my agendas in the process of design thinkings.

Objective 6. Through the use of case studies and especially the reverse engineering process, I started to interpret the way that the case study and other architecture installations are modelled and contructed. The basis of my idea solidifies, of which are then researched with other precedents to draw more inspiration in terms of shape, size, colour, and material.

Objective 7. I am sarting to understand the data structure in grasshopper, the basic groups of points, lines and breps though there is much more to explore in the constantly evolving digital age. The grafting and simplyfying tools were very helpful as they took me to my intended outcomes, even though I have come across these two concepts before ‘air’ I did not fully understand it until having applied the principles in my examples in my script.

Objective 8. Overall, the design tool grasshopper is inmmensely helpful in forming structures that are repetitive, thus parametric modelling. I started with biomimicry and ended with experimen-tation on structure as I felt there is little relevance of my idea with the former and more with the latter. Likewise, I think the more I went in one direction, the more exposed I was to other ideas and my thoughts sometimes change in dramatic ways, but it was definitely useful in exploring through grasshopper that led to the final proposal.

Materiality

Because it is a aimed to be a conspicuous stucture, the material choice is selected with the hindsight to make the structure stand out on site rather than blending in to the surroundings. I intially con-sidered wood with the volume it is able to present, however it does not suit my agenda above. I then moved on to consider polypropylenewhich contrasts with the natural environment and has a cool white colour illustrating man made and attracting individulas to explore.

The Irori Pavilion by Kengo Kuma is a example that is closely linked to my design due to the simi-larities in colour and size. It is made of paper and designed to be displayed indoors5; contrastingly my project needs some hardness to withstand the natural elements, thus a densely packed polypro-pylene is chosen.

The almost invisible joints is also another simliarity to my design. despite the intial exploration of large rigid joints, the I think it would be more interesting to have small and less conspicuous joints to emphasise the smoothness and continuity of the overall shape, the lack of large connectors would give the viewers the feeling that it is a flexible structure attracting people to explore within and around it.

With bolted connections, the emphasise is on the individual elements and the overall strucuture. It would also give some flexibility for movement with the presence of wind which would be interest-ing to see.

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fig. 27bolts for connections

detail of connection points

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b.8

APPENDIX - ALGORITHMIC SKETCHES

IMAGES

figure 12.Hunter, Vertebrae Staircase – Andrew Lee McConnell <http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2013/vertebrae-staircase-andrew-lee-mcconnell/> [accessed 29 March 2016].

figure 13.Ibid.

figure 14.Ibid.

figure 15.Ibid.

figure 16.Ehsaan, Sean Hanna and Timothy Schreiber PAN_07 Optimised Cellular Chair <http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2011/sean-hanna-and-timothy-schreiber-pan_07-optimised-cellular-chair/> [accessed 29 March 2016]

figure 17.Ibid.

figure 18.Ryan, A., VoltaDom, 2011 <http://arts.mit.edu/events/skylar-tibbits-voltadom/> [accessed 29 March 2016].

figure 19.Archlinked, Southpond pavilion <http://architecturelinked.com/profiles/blogs/south-pond-pavil-ion> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

figure 20.Picken, J., Southpond pavilion <https://www.flickr.com/photos/picken/5456609809> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

figure 21.Dezeen, Southpond pavilion <http://www.dezeen.com/2010/08/22/movie-by-spirit-of-space-south-pond-by-studio-gang/> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

figure 22.Google maps, hall reserve <https://www.google.com.au/maps/place/Hall+Reserve/@-37.7856486,145.0015281,1195m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0xf04567605317e30> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

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figure 23.Crap cycle lanes of melbourne <http://crapcyclelanesofmelbourne.blogspot.com.au/2010/05/loca-tion-merri-creek-traqilcapital-city.html> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

figure 24.Bicycle network, Gradients & slopes <https://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/for-govern-ment-and-business/2864/> [accessed 18 Apr 2016].

figure 25.Play merri with hill <https://meltdblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/play-merri-with-hill/> [ac-cessed 25 Apr 2016].

figure 26.Lusiardi, F., Milan | Irori installation by Kengo Kuma <http://www.inexhibit.com/case-studies/milan-irori-kitchen-installation-kengo-kuma-associates/> [accessed 27 Apr 2016].

figure 27.Wheels manufacturing, chainring bolt < http://wheelsmfg.com/chainring-bolt-short.html> [ac-cessed 28 Apr 2016]

REFERENCES

18 Biomimicry institute, biomimicry <https://biomimicry.org/what-is-biomimicry/#.VvofbEf1pfA> [accessed 29 March 2016]

19 Hunter, Vertebrae Staircase – Andrew Lee McConnell <http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2013/vertebrae-staircase-andrew-lee-mcconnell/> [accessed 29 March 2016]

20 Ehsaan, Sean Hanna and Timothy Schreiber PAN_07 Optimised Cellular Chair <http://www.biomimetic-architecture.com/2011/sean-hanna-and-timothy-schreiber-pan_07-optimised-cellu-lar-chair/> [accessed 29 March 2016]

21 Ibid.

22 Lusiardi, F., Milan | Irori installation by Kengo Kuma <http://www.inexhibit.com/case-studies/milan-irori-kitchen-installation-kengo-kuma-associates/> [accessed 27 Apr 2016].

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